Am I nuts?

[MARAJIM]

Ok, I'm trying to decide if taking the family (me, hubby, and sons 5 & 6) down to Disneyworld from the 28th of December to January 1st is completely insane. Obviously everything would be last minute reservations and that is going to be unbelievably pricey. Thinking of maybe the Animal Kingdom lodge for the resort. I don't know...I do think I may be nuts!

 

[NJBlackBerry]

We're going down (family of 4) 29 December - 3 January, so I don't think I am in any position to call you nuts

We are staying offsite (Doubletree Suites) for the extra room, even if it is offsite. It's going to be super crowded. Our kids are a little older than yours (13 and 11) and we'll deal with the crowds.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We'll be there the same time so I guess we are nuts too! Sometimes you go when you can go. If you can afford the higher cost and know the crowds will be insane (and you have a plan and its not your first visit) then go for it! The decorations will be beautiful and if you do stay at AKL you can spend some nice time just enjoying your resort. I am anxious to see if we can handle the crowds, as our kids get older it is getting more complicated to travel, so Christmas, Spring Break and Summer are fast becoming our only options. Good luck!

 

[msklcassidy]

We're there the 25th through Jan 3...so I guess that puts us in the "nuts" category too. Having been there before at this "magic" time of year...I can honestly say it's my favorite time to go to Disney. I would DEFINITELY stay on site though for several reasons...#1 Disney transportation and #2 only Disney resort guests are "guaranteed" admission to Disney on the busy days (December 25th and December 31).

Just remember, most of the parks are closed by Noon (MK usually by 10:30) on the 31st. Also remember that you don't want to "plan" to do too much because the crowds just won't allow it. Also...sleep late and stay up late to ride the rides...Most everyone leaves by 10 and you can hit all the favorites after 10 much easier than earlier in the day.

 

[MARAJIM]

We have been to WDW a few times before and went to DL this past June. But we have never been there during a "busy" season and I'm just worried that we will be spending all this money and not enjoy ourselves. I know nothing about what occurs around the holiday season and will definately need to do some reasearch.

Your quote:

"Just remember, most of the parks are closed by Noon (MK usually by 10:30) on the 31st. Also remember that you don't want to "plan" to do too much because the crowds just won't allow it. Also...sleep late and stay up late to ride the rides...Most everyone leaves by 10 and you can hit all the favorites after 10 much easier than earlier in the day."

So does this mean the old addage of get there before the gates open and out before noon doesn't apply during this time of the year? Also, what happens on New Years Eve? Should I not even get a ticket for that day?

 

[Tink215]

My Anxiety has kicked in a bad way, We will be there from Dec.25-30 and although we go a couple of times a year and we arent on a mission to see everything just being there will be enough for us, I wonder will we be able to handle the crowds.......The only Park I have never been to is MGM so I am looking forward to that but I am starting to think this might be a bad idea

 

[msklcassidy]

Don't be alarmed. The decorations...the snow on Main Street...it's just very magical there around Christmas. New Year's Eve is VERY crowded, but the CMs at the Parks do a great job of helping you get around (even backstage as necessary).

I definitely wouldn't do the "there before the gates open and leave at Noon bit." I have a 7 year old (our first Christmas trip was when he was 5). We did the opposite of the norm after 2 days...we call it our Christmas Schedule. We get up late, eat a leisurely breakfast, take a swim (sometimes) and then get to the parks around Noon to 2 pm (when those with little kids are leaving). We found that we could do any ride we wanted to after 10 pm with litte or no wait (compared to 1-2 hours earlier in the day). We also use the fast pass system and go to the little known (and lesser used) attractions such as Belle's Storytime, the Carousel of Progress, etc.

As for what happens on NYE...I've only ever done NYE at the Magic Kingdom. By 10:30 am the park was closed. We had a great day though. We saw both papades (the afternoon and the SpectroMagic), saw WISHES, did a bunch of rides, got hats and noisemakers (free) ate some great meals did some shows and then did the countdown to midnight with the rest of the park and watched the fireworks at midnight (which are wonderful). After that (we were strategically located) we ran to Tomorrowland and did a bunch of rides without waiting in any lines!

If you are staying off property, I'm not sure what Disney's policy is about getting in on NYE...you might want to call and ask. I do know that the line of traffic (cars) waiting to get in while our Disney busses breezed by was LONG!

I guess what I'm saying is that I love it at Christmas and don't let the crowds bug me. We just go with the flow and don't expect to be able to ride rides without a wait. Besides, a "bad" day at Disney (if there ever is such a thing) is still better than a "good" day at work!

As for MGM...you gotta see the Osbornes Lights! They are spectacular. Yes, there are lines...and lots of people...but there is still tons of magic and the CMs are great...if you are nice to them...they are VERY nice and helpful to you. Don't have anxiety...just have fun!

 

[MARAJIM]

Thanks so much for your advice. I'm such a dork, I took the "parks close at noon" to mean you were told to get out! LOL! I was thinking to myself why would they do that?!?! (I'm so embarrassed to even admit that! LOL!) The more I think about it that more excited and leaning towards going I get. The AKL is out now and I'm holding rooms at the Contemporary. The problem being is that the first day I would have to stay somewhere else. Is that such a big deal?

 

[Pats Dragon]

Disney world crowded is still disneyworld! The decorations will still be up and there are extra shows when it is crowded and it is definitely more exciting. Have a wonderful time!!We will be coming home the 27th but wish we could stay until the 1st.

 

[millerjudi]

We just got back from WDW, we were there the four days before Thanksgiving and it was very crowded but very beautiful--all the Christmas decorations were up and it was beautiful. We followed the touring plans from the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to the letter, and never waited in line more than 20 minutes, despite the fact that by 11 the posted wait line for many popular rides was already 40 minutes. We stayed at the Contemporary and loved it. The fabulous thing about the Contemporary is that it is the transportation to and from the Contemporary is really easy due to the monorail and the boat over to WL (which you have to see the lobby of--the tree is spectacular). Have a great time.

 

[msklcassidy]

Hi Marajim...no staying somewhere else the 28th is no big deal. I can understand what you mean about misinterpreting...and no...you're not a dork! Just remember to have a great time. The contemporary is nice. We're at the Dolphin (first time ever) and are hoping for good things. We got such a good rate there that the other properties just couldn't come close to. Hope you have a GREAT time...I know we will. We will be the 5 kids (DH 39, me 38, DS 7, niece 16 and nephew 9) amazed by the magic!

 

[Bashful2]

One of the best trips we ever took was a spur of the moment one. We made arrangements one day and left the next so we didn't even get to plan as much as you. Yes, it is expensive and it's going to be very crowded, but it will definitely be worth it. You'll have very special memories from this one. If there was any way we could afford it right now, we'd be doing the same thing.

 

[MARAJIM]

Thanks all for the encouragement! Well I went ahead and book it. We lucked out and the 28th became available, yea! So it's the Contemporary from the 28th - 1st. On to more reading for tips!

 

[roozlilone]

We're there the 25th through Jan 3...so I guess that puts us in the "nuts" category too. Having been there before at this "magic" time of year...I can honestly say it's my favorite time to go to Disney. I would DEFINITELY stay on site though for several reasons...#1 Disney transportation and #2 only Disney resort guests are "guaranteed" admission to Disney on the busy days (December 25th and December 31).

Just remember, most of the parks are closed by Noon (MK usually by 10:30) on the 31st. Also remember that you don't want to "plan" to do too much because the crowds just won't allow it. Also...sleep late and stay up late to ride the rides...Most everyone leaves by 10 and you can hit all the favorites after 10 much easier than earlier in the day.

MSKLCASSIDY, Does MK close around noon on the 31st because of the crowds, does it reach capacity early or is it for another reason? I'm just curious, I've never gone to DW during the week of Christmas??

 

[msklcassidy]

Yes...it's a capacity issue. When we were there 2 years ago, MK was closed by 11ish and EPCOT and MGM were both closed a bit later -- Noon to 1:30 ish. I know that MK did not open later in the day, but I'm not sure about the other parks. What this meant was that a lot of people who drove in on their own didn't get in. I was never so glad in my whole life to have the Disney transportation...our busses just breezed on by everyone else (including other busses) that were just standing in line.

Even with the crowds...its great! Just be sure to hold hands with your little guys!