? about the week btwn Christmas and New Years

[dennisnlisab96]

How is the weather and the crownd. We are thinking of trying that week this year.....

 

[232271]

THis christmastime my SIl had to buy gloves and hats, and they were very cold, and it was really really crowded she said. The only relief was on the coldest days the crowds were lower.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

It is the most crowded week of the entire year - there are days when the MK closes its gates at 10 or 11 am, I have heard....

 

[pepe of ohio]

Have never gone that time because the resorts and parks are like nuts. The week after Thanksgiving up to Christmas are the best. We have gone last year on the 3 of December, 2004 and the weather was just about right. First night there you needed a sweatshirt, bit nippy but next morning the temp rose all day to abot the low 80's. Swimming was in the picture for the whole week and the crowds were reasonable as to none existent. Last day the temp dipped into the mid 30's knocked our socks off but we're from Ohio and used to that but not in Florida. Going after Thanksgiving is like a crap shoot for weather, plan for the worst but hope for the best. As for crowds, I'ld stay away from Xmas and New year all together, way too many people, like 100,000 and shear nuts!! After Thankgiving to xmas, decorations are still up, things are still in the holiday spirit and the crowds are minimal!

 

[emmabelle]

We went this past Christmas through New Years. It was crazy there, but we still had alot of fun and we were glad we did it, but probably wouldn't go that week again, crowds were just too high.

 

[Whitegloves]

We went down Dec.23-27 of 2003 and loved it. It was more crowded but as we have been making more than one trip each year it wasn't like we had to do everything. We did what we could and mostly enjoyed the atmosphere. The weather was cooler and we wore jeans and had fleece jackets on most of the time. It is on our schedule again this Christmas. I think everyone should try it at least once.
Smiles,
Diane =0)

 

[rkmassa]

Unbelievably crowded!!! I just wasn't prepared, despite being told that it would be very, very crowded. I just couldn't believe how bad it was until I experienced it myself. Never again. Ever! The weather last year was really cold-we were there the 18th to 23rd. Year before during Christmas week, and some very nice warm days. Weather is very unpredictable.

 

[EthansMom]

Our neighbor went at that time this winter and said the parks closed to new entrants early in the day. Very crowded, long lines. It's traditionally THE MOST CROWDED time of year.

If you can put off your trip by a week or two, you'll find that January and early Feb. can be very low crowd. I've gone to WDW during the second week of January and loved it -- no lines for anything. Of course, there was a wicked cold snap and it was around 30 degrees at WDW, but since it was just DH and I (before kids) and we had all of our cold weather gear (had driven from up North, we loved it. WDW did close all of the water parks and Pleasure Island was a dead zone, but it was great going on so many rides! One day at AK it was cold and raining, the attendant said it was the smallest turnout he'd ever seen for a park opening -- the locals were all staying home. But that was unusually cold.

Basically, if a relative offered me a free trip to WDW for Christmas to New Year's, I'd have to seriously consider if I would accept it. If that's the only time you can get vacation, I would recommend a cruise instead. If you want to see the Christmas decorations at WDW, I'd tell you to go in early Dec. when crowds are low.

Just my two cents...

EthansMom

 

[Hieatt]

We've gone down that week for the last three years and have already booked again for NYE 2005. Crowds can be heavy, but with proper planning it's not a problem. Stay on site (we always stay at the Dolphin), make priority seatings early, use Unofficial Guide and/or Tour Guide Mike to help plan an itinerary, get to the parks early, and you will have the time of your life. Very exciting time to be at WDW in my opinion.

Weather is unpredictable. First year down was very cold - we wore winter outerwear in mornings and evenings. Year before last was balmy. This past trip is just perfect. 68-75 degrees all week.

Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[eeyore0062]

It can be cold or warm... never can tell. We actually had some pretty cold weather this past year.... gloves, hats and coats!

As for crowds... lets put it this way. Have your rollerskates on, use the Fastpasses, get the parks very early. Make sure to make Priority Seating pretty far in advance, and use Extra Magic Hours if you are staying on property. It is probably one of the 3 busiest weeks of the yeat... the other 2 being those that surround Easter.

 

[Luv2Roam]

It's not bad, if it is not your only time to go. If that week is a filler trip, then go for it and enjoy the atmosphere.
But unless you like 2 hour wait lines and large crowds, pick a better time.

This year there has only been one weekend have I really noticed the low crowds I usually remember for early in the year.
It is proving to be a busy year for WDW, I think!

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

This is the week we are planning on going. Hope it is not too bad crowded. But we are not planning on Leaving until Jan 6th or 7th so we may get some time where it is not that bad (I hope).

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Yes, it is incredibly crowded. I couldn't handle it personally, just to get out of the parks! I was there part of that week in December 2002. We had a very long trip...it began I think December 9th. That week was wonderful...no crowds, nice weather (except for a thunderstorm once, no biggie). Swimming was fine most of the time. Then by December 18 or 19th, crowds really started to heat up, and by the 23rd or so, it was crazy. I remember leaving MK in the late morning, just overwhelmed by how crowded it was inside the park, and seeing whole boats and ferries chock full of people still coming to MK. I was like Ahhhhhh!!! If it's your only time to go, I wouldn't skip it, because there are always lots of wonderful things to do around the resorts...but the parks...it was just too much for me for more than a couple hours at a time.

 

[Danauk]

We are going over Christmas and NY this year (it is the only time we can go due to out jobs.) I am really looking forward to it. I know the crowds are going to be huge (we booked the BCV at the 11 month window and it was nearly sold out then!) but I love planning and we plan to do lots of things not actually in the parks. We have booked a few back stage tours and plan to do few things off site. Plus we plan to make most of our PS for resort restaurants so if a park is at capacity it does not matter. As for the weather, we are from England so used to the cold. I'll pack my winter jacket, hat, scalf and gloves and will be OK.

 

[tiberius]

We have been twice during this period, and are going back for a third time this year. Once it was so warm, Disney opened up a closed water park for the overflow that wanted to be in a water park. Once it was cold enough that there was frost every monring on the ground. Generally, it will cool to mild on these dates, but be aware that the weather can be about anything from cold to warm.

The best thing about this time of year is that by January 3rd, the parks get fairly empty relative to the week before. It is my DWs favorite time of year to go (my favorite time is any time I can go ).

 

[DisnyMama]

My DS and I were there 12/25/03-1/2/04. Weather was nice. Cool in the evenings but nice during the day. You will have to watch the "Weather channel's website" for 10 days in advance before you go. I can tell you that when we were there Thanksgiving the year before it was downright cold. When we checked in to POR at 7:15 a.m. the Saturday before Thanksgiving it was 38 degrees. You just never know about the weather in Florida during the winter.

Crowds were like summer but New Years Eve was the heaviest. We just made sure that we headed back to the resort long before midnight. I have been at Disneyland on New Years Eve till 2:00 a.m.-NEVER AGAIN!!! New Years Day was a bit crowded but if you go knowing this and just go with the flow you will have a great time. If it weren't for family stuff and non-value season costs I would definately go again during that week. It is just so festive.

 

[rosamindy]

This'll be our second Christmas in WDW, and I can't think of a place I'd rather be over the holidays. True, the crowds are incredible by 10a.m., but if you follow your plans perfectly, you'll be done in the parks by then, and off to do all the other things which make you happy. Then you return at night for more fun.
I'm staying at SSR, which makes it even easier...I can spend eves at DTD or PI, and walk back to the resort when we're done. You can even see the fireworks from the resort!
This is where all the planning you do for months pays off.

 

[dyingtodisney]

We spent 12/26/04-1/3/05 at VWL and it was MAGICAL!!! That being said it was CRAZY CROWDED!!!! We rode maybe 1/2 the rides as we did in June. If you go often I'd say you've got to try that time at least once. If you are not going back for a long time I'd prefer a less crowded time when it's easier to get more rides in.

 

[the kabuki]

This is the week we are planning on going. Hope it is not too bad crowded. But we are not planning on Leaving until Jan 6th or 7th so we may get some time where it is not that bad (I hope).

We went this past Jan 5th-11th and it was perfect with regards to crowds , no waits at all.

In 2004 we went Jan 2nd-9th and caught the leftover christmas crowds staying through the weekend. It was terribly crowded. One point in MK, we were shoulder to shoulder & I was told that "this is nothing, you should have seen it last week" Ugh,no thanks, I'll go after everyone leaves!

It's an entirely different trip when it's not crowded.