4 nights at WDW before XMAS, yes or no?

[PinkPixel]

I’m planning on taking my kids (9, and 5) out of school two days early, Thursday and Friday Dec 19, and 20th to fly to WDW for 4 nights from NYC. Attend last Mickeys very merry on Friday night and spend weekend at WDW and fly home Monday, night before Xmas Eve to be home in time for Santa. Is this magical? Or Crazy?

 

[DWillowBay]

I'll say that it is not exactly 'magical', but not 'crazy', if you are realistic. Crowd size, for one thing was uncomfortable for us. Not that we don't like crowds, but Christmas crowds were not fun for us. Sometimes we saw frustrations spill over and that's putting it politely. Not our cup of tea. At this point, there's no telling if the new LL systems will help with that, or not. Weather (travel impacting weather) could be a factor as well. But, like I said, if you're being honest with yourself about what to expect and what you may/ may not accomplish, I hope you have the very best time possible!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Both. Xmas time at Disney is magical but holiday crowds are crazy. As long as you can deal with the crowds I’d go for it!

 

[deltadisney]

We are going the same dates (also MVMCP the last Friday) and have gone similar dates a few other times in the past with our kids. We absolutely love it - crowds are manageable, but do build daily (but nothing like Christmas through New Years) and the Disney Christmas magic is amplified x 10! I say go for it - speaking from experience.

 

[Rogue1677x]

I think it can be magical as long as you can roll with any punches that "Murphys Law" might throw your way weather wise, travel delay issues, etc. And as people have mentioned about crowds, if that's something manageable for you and your kids, then go for it.

I love Disney at the holidays, it is so much fun!

 

[NYCgrrl]

I’m planning on taking my kids (9, and 5) out of school two days early, Thursday and Friday Dec 19, and 20th to fly to WDW for 4 nights from NYC.

Thank you for confirming the local school calendar. Our trip begins the 23rd .
I see nothing wrong with the premise of your trip. Have fun!

 

[Marthasor]

We were there from Dec. 18 - 22 last year and found the crowds dropped off, a bit, once the local passholder blockout dates started. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. That being said, we have been there the days between Christmas and New Year's and I don't think I would do that again.

 

[NotUrsula]

We do this routinely, but we tend to find it optimal to leave by the beginning of the weekend if Christmas day is on Monday or Tuesday, because in that scenario crazy crowding seems to begin on that Saturday. Our kid normally finishes finals by the 19th, so we usually take the afternoon flight down that day if not the night before.

I'd say that the riskiest part of your plan is flying home on the 24th. That's one if the busiest travel days of the year, and often there are issues, though with it being a Monday maybe it won't be so frantic. We usually fly home on Xmas day unless we stay for some beach time, but then, we never did do the Santa thing; our kids always just got Mom & Dad gifts, so we gave smaller ones at the hotel and they opened any large items when we got back home.

 

[NYCgrrl]

That being said, we have been there the days between Christmas and New Year's and I don't think I would do that again

Found Christmas Day chaotic in the parks (one year observed a queue to enter Swiss Family Robinson’s Treehouse!) and decided thereafter to avoid the rides and tour the resort’s holiday decor on the 25th instead. NYE became a great time to visit Disney Springs. Think one year we saw Cirque du Soleil and then had a late supper with fireworks.

For us the time between those two dates was bearable but we are somewhat inured to hustle and bustle; the man’s brother lives in Florida and visited us @ WDW one holiday period. Despite growing up in the NY metro area he left early as he felt it was too crowded

 

[PinkPixel]

We are going the same dates (also MVMCP the last Friday) and have gone similar dates a few other times in the past with our kids. We absolutely love it - crowds are manageable, but do build daily (but nothing like Christmas through New Years) and the Disney Christmas magic is amplified x 10! I say go for it - speaking from experience.

Love to hear that!