A Christmas Virgin

[Freddy Frog]

This will be my first visit to Orlando and I will arrive 17th December for 14 days. Will it be too busy at this time of year?

 

[Lisa1976]

Hi Freddy

Christmas is a great time to go, the only difference i noticed is no one says "Happy Christmas" its all "Happy Holidays" in Orlando.

We were there from 10 December - 3 January and I think it started to get busy around 20th and to be honest it was horrid from then on, the ride times were far too long to attempt to get on anything, we even attempted a visit to Busch Gardens but most rides had 3 hour long queues.

If you are staying on site, take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, this is when we rode most of the rides. We did this for Magic Kingdom on Boxing Day and we got on nearly everything we wanted to by about 10am, its definately worth it. The buses run that early so conveient (sp?) too!!

I would definatley go back at Christmas time as its a very special time the decorations are beautiful and you even get snow on main street.

You will have a fantastic time!!

Lisa

 

[tink too]

We've been to WDW twice at Christmas/New Year, and although it is very crowded, it's a lovely time to go. All the parks are decorated for the holidays - remember to visit Santa Claus while you're there!

FYI - both times we've been at that time of year, the weather has been changeable. You may need all sorts of clothes from shorts & t-shirt's to jeans, sweatshirts and even jackets - hope that helps!

 

[CHRIS F]

Like everybody else has said Christmas is a fantastic time to go in one respect as the decorations are fantastic especially the osborne lights and the resorts ie gran floridian. The candlelight processional at Epcot is just so good you really do have to see it if you like christmas music.
I spent new years eve at Epcot and the fireworks at midnight and the atmosphere are something I have never experianced before, it will be a memory I will treasure.

The downside are the queues like the other posts said we saw queues of 3 hours etc on the popular rides and also the amount of people there, but it was difficult for us as we normally visited out of season when queues were less than 15 minutes if any queues at all. We spent more time chilling out by the hotel pool then we would normally do in Orlando but we had a great time and I would not hesitate to go at christmas again, just a different experiance at christmas.

We are going in 28 days [and counting] and I cannot wait but I would definately swap and go nearer christmas as it is so nice at that time of year.

 

[MazdaUK]

Our friends went at Christmas and said it was very busy the main holiday days. Also too cold for water parks - but maybe they were unlucky. I think you need to get as much possible done in the early days while it is less busy - maybe do the fronts of the parks (plus parades etc.) and then in later days go straight to the back (we worked this very successfully in MK - took the train straight round to Mickey's toontown and met the characters as they came through the gate!!) and work your way forward.

You also need to be prepared to miss some things - we never made Splash or BTMRR (long queues) or any night things (too sleepy!)

 

[Camac]

Hi there,

We went to Orlando for Christmas and New Year 2003 (17th Dec - 1st Jan), it was wonderful. We go again Christmas 2006.

I would confirm what others have already said - WDW is very busy from 23rd December onwards. We found 17th - 23rd to be quiet in all parks including IOA and Universal so make the most of this and postpone any shopping activities until 24th onwards (when the sales start).

Having said this, we did go to MK on 26th Dec very early and managed to do all the big rides without any queues. By 11.30am the crowds were building up and by the time we left at 1ish it was packed. Christmas Day at MK is unbearable and they had shut the gates by 10.30am - we did Discovery Cove which was a great Christmas treat for us all.

We had no rain during our visit but the weather was very cold with frost at night. Be sure to take hats, gloves and scarfs and wear layers as the days can be bright and sunny but the evenings can get very cold especially standing around for parades etc. If you go to Fantasmic take something to sit on as the metal bench seats get very cold also!

Enjoy!

Camac