1st/2nd January 2005 !!!!HELP

[fairytale]

Can anybody please help me organise our itinary for our forthcoming Disney Holiday !.

My family and I are due to touchdown in Orland from the UK this coming January and was wondering how busy the MK is after the New Year Celebrations. Is it still wall to wall crowds on the 1st and 2nd January ?

I look forward to hearing your experiences.

Kind Regards from a family who are too excited for words

 

[alloyd1170]

We will be heading to WDW after a cruise on the 2nd for a few days. From what Ive been reading it looks like things will gradually slow down. The thinking is that since NY Eve is Friday, people will be so hung over and tired to do the parks on Saturday, but Im sure there will be several that do manage it. Since most kids will probably have to be back at school on Mon. the 3rd, many people will be hopefully leaving on Sun the 2nd to get back home. Ive also read that Christmas decorations should still be up but will come down overnight around the 2nd or 3rd. Be sure to bring some warm clothes as it may be cold around that time!

alison

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Hi fairytale.....we have been going to WDW this same time period for a couple of years now(1st thru the 10th). There will still be plenty of people there on the 1st and 2nd. We are hoping that the attendence will drop quickly come Monday the 3rd. Last year we were still seeing the Christmas decorations thru the 6th.

Wear your lime green!!

 

[WDSearcher]

In 2005, January 1 & 2 are a Saturday and Sunday, so it's fair to assume that those two days will be very, very crowded. For many businesses, the New Year's Day holiday will be celebrated on the Monday (Jan 3), so it won't be until January 4 before things start calming down. A lot of people will take that long weekend.

 

[fizz13]

We're landing New Years Day from the UK and are assuming that the parks are going to be heaving with people that weekend. Most people seem to be back at school/ work on the 3rd (previously asked) so things should quieten down after Monday.
We have a PS booked at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney for dinner on 1st jan, a day at Seaworld followed by Chef Mickeys for dinner on the 2nd and princess Storybook Breakfast booked for our first day at a disney park on the 3rd.
I'm hoping this plan should minimise dealing wth big crowds but still give us a little bit of magic over the weekend. Hope this helps your plans. When do you arrive? I have a note up on the UK board about a possible January meet if you're interested. PM me if you want to ask anything.
Much pixie dust for your coming trip,
Claire

 

[WDSearcher]

Do keep in mind that Disney isn't the only place that will be crowded that weekend. You're likely to run into shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at SeaWorld too. People tend to forget that all those folks who don't want to brave Disney on major holidays have to end up somewhere!

 

[PrincessDadx2]

I had my choice of Princess breakfasts at Epcot and Magic Kingdom on Jan 2, even though I called an hour late. I don't think the crowds will be that bad. I was not able to get any times for our trip in Oct/Nov even though I called at 7:00am each day for two weeks.

We eat with the Princesses at Epcot at 8:30

 

[fizz13]

I know there are crowds everywhere, its just that Seaworld is pretty good at spreading out a crowd into shows, play areas etc. I think my chances are better here than at MK. At least I can sit down to watch the shows which will be good on our first full day.
Much pixie dust,
Claire

 

[BCVBRUCE]

I have read on many posts and agree with those that have posted here, that the crowds should thin out greatly after January 2nd because most people will probably have to be back on Monday, January 3rd.

Last year, January 1st was on a Thursday which means that most people and consequently the crowds, probably stuck around until the following Monday, the 5th of January.

So, it looks like the odds are in our favor this year.

Another indication, that the crowds will probably be light, is the ease at which people are now able to get PS's at the usually more difficult places to eat. I was able to get a PS at CRT with no problems at all and the CM allowed us to pick our time. From what I have read, this is almost impossible during the more crowded times of the year. Today, I called to make PS's for Donald's Breakfastosaurus and R&C with no issues at all. I was able to get right through. I asked the CM if he has been busy and he responded that once everyone made their PS's for January 1st, it has died down significantly.

Now, this will be the first time I have went this time of year but the discussion boards, the guide books and WDW dine all are indicating a relatively uncrowded vacation for us.

Have Fun,
Bruce