Are We Crazy To Go At Xmas?

[firstcruiser]

We just got back from a week at WDW in August. It was crowded but manageable. We have DL annual passes here in CA, which seems more crowded regularly than we experienced at WDW. Now we are planning on going 12/19 - 12/27/06. How crowded does it really get?

Thanks for all the help and tips.

 

[joe1946]

We just got back from a week in August, too! Our second trip in a row in hurricane season. This year we were there when Katrina hit the Gulf, and last year we were there when Frances hit. My DW says we'll never go in August again, so we're also thinking of Xmas 2006.

I'd like to hear everyone's answers to this, also. My understanding is that it is absolutely the MOST crowded time you could possibly choose to go, but that the holiday decorations are not to be missed.

I want to hear everybody else's answers to this, also. Any tips for how far in advance to book plane tickets, rooms, etc?

-- Joe

 

[jezebella]

I avoid it like the plague after the first week in December!

 

[FierceAXboi]

Well you might get a couple of "nice" days there on the 19 and 20th. I am not sure though becuase schools end at diffrent times all over. Usually crowds are pretty big during xmas week at disney. You might get so-so crowds till right after x-mas day. The good thing is that is usually not as hot as during the summer. I suggest taking in the sights and sounds of disney during christmas. If things get to crowded go resort hopping and see all of the diffrent beautiful displays.

 

[Pooh1219]

Some people love Disney during Christmas week, but as far as I'm concerned, I stay clear of the place after the first or second week of December. It is the absolutely most crowded time of the year. If you want to see the holiday decorations, go right after Thanksgiving. Beautiful temperatures and so much smaller crowds. I just can't imagine fighting all those folks on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and NYE. Just not for me.

 

[DVCJEN]

It will probably be insane there but what a great time to enjoy the magic!

 

[SwedishMeatball]

We did Christmas 4 years ago. It was something I'm glad we got to experience, but I would not do it again. Incredibly crowded. It stayed packed all the way through New Year's. Very festive atmosphere, but the most draining vacation I've ever had.

 

[Tiffany]

We just got back from a week at WDW in August. It was crowded but manageable. We have DL annual passes here in CA, which seems more crowded regularly than we experienced at WDW. Now we are planning on going 12/19 - 12/27/06. How crowded does it really get?

Thanks for all the help and tips.

From what I have read the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day is very very crowded. I remember the attendance being described as Nightmare on Main Street.

 

[Pats Dragon]

We go every year including this one from the 17 through Christmas. The weather is nice most days and the crowds aren't bad. You just need to go early and choose parks wisely. We went to AK last Christmas day and found it practically empty. We hopped to epcot and it too wasn't very crowded. Admittedly though, the weather was very cold and rainy Christmas. I love the decorations, MV MCP, the processional, sleigh rides the pretty decorations everywhere, eggnog at Osborne Lights and everyone is in a festive mood. Just go to MK for early entry and the party and go to epcot or another park on Christmas Day and you will have a wonderful time. Also plan many ADR's to avoid lines. Be at each park when it opens! We never wait in lines and always see everything. :

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We went last year for the first time. It was magical! We attended the CP on Christmas Eve and Gary Sinese was the narrator. It was amazing.

In addition, we stayed at the Dolphin, and the elves came in and tucked our kids in to bed on Christmas Eve, brought them milk and cookies, read them "The Night Before Christmas" and brought a gift from Santa. My DD5 was absolutely enthralled.

We used the touring plans provided by TourGuideMiKE, and we never waited in a line and still saw everything! My only complaint would be the weather!

 

[madgomez]

I would not recommend WDW at Christmas for a first-timer, but since you've already been, it should be fine. Different, but wonderful. Don't count on getting as much done - the days are shorter, and the extra Christmas stuff, even looking at the decorations, takes time. Like "stop and smell the evergreens" time. Visiting the resorts to see the Gingerbread Houses and other decorations. Strolling down Main Street in the snow!

My only tip - bring warm clothes or be prepared to buy them if necessary. We were there Dec 19-22 last year and it was under 40 degrees with the wind chill. Lots of folks in shorts, shivering. It warmed up the day we were leaving, but Orlando weather in December is very unpredictable.

 

[DemonLlama]

We've only ever been at that time and go back every other year.

Cannot imagine going any other time -- no heat.

Crowds really are not that bad until Christmas Eve when it does get very busy, but it's Disney World!!! at Christmas!!!

Go and enjoy!

And check out the xmas photo thread to get inspired:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=897299&page=1&pp=15

 

[sharonW]

Been there many times over christmas and it is a complete zoo. It would not stop me though as it is worth the inconvenience of the crowds just to see the magic of christmas at disney. You do need to book well in advance and air fare is higher since its a peek travel time. Have always paid much more staying at a disney resort also. Last year we went dec8 thru dec 12 due to the fact that I won airline tickets and they expired dec 20. It was really awesome!! All the holiday events were in full swing. Everything decorated, and the best was the MVMCP which is not available christmas week, only 3-4 weeks prior to christmas. Though you can see the holiday parade in the afternoon during christmas week, it is shown at nightime during the MVMCP event and is much better and longer. If you have a choice I'd recommend going in early dec as the crowds will be low, weather usually nice, the spirit of the holiday is all around you. If not, I would say go for it christmas week. Everyone should experience disney at holiday time at least once. It is my favorite time of year to visit. Happy Planning!!

 

[2belles'mom]

We have been at Christmas for several years now (it is the only time that both myself and DH can take vacation at the same time! ) Hey--looking at my signature line, I see we have going since 2000, every Christmas! Yikes!

It is DO-ABLE! And you can have a great time! Yes, the week between Christmas and NY is the MOST CROWDED OF THE ENTIRE YEAR at WDW. The week before Christmas is crowded also, but not as much. The crowds build steadily from the 18th or so...starts not so bad and gets worse and worse as December 25th approaches.

You can still have tons of fun, even in the dreaded X-mas to NY week. You must resolve to get up early, be at the parks at opening, make your ADRs at the 90 mark...use evenings for parades and fireworks, not rides! We went last year (after our Cruise ), Dec 27-30 OFF-SITE, no less. We have also flown in on Christmas day, and stayed the week-not-to-be-named We had an absolute blast!!! Never waited in lines, bailed out of the parks before GRIDLOCK hit, and YES, it does hit, and it hits hard!!!!

I agree with the previous poster about using TourGuideMike. I subscribed this year (another upcoming Christmas trip, this time Dec 18-26, with my parents, brother SIL, all their kids, and mine!). His planning is RIGHT ON. I highly recommend subscribing to his service!

 

[psiprez]

Crazy? Umm.....yes! (Just joking. Ok, maybe not.)

We also love August! Love the heat, love the summer hustle and bustle!

I am sure you will have a really great time at Christmas, as long as you realize the trip will be more about immersing yourself in the atmosphere (sights, sounds and just being there) than about "commando touring".

I would LOVE to spend the holidays immersed in Mickey-Mouse-Magic!

Whoo! August!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well now that I've been in the summer AND the holidays- I'd have to say I'd probably prefer Christmas over the summer. As long as you know and prepare yourself for the crowds... atleast over the holidays it's not as hot and the decorations/etc. make up a little for the crowds. Personally if I had the choice I'd choose another trip like the one we took over Thanksgiving-Dec. It was a 12 day trip and the weather was nice and the crowds were more than managable... downright lovely (but not deadorama like we were the only ones there or anything like that LOL).
But if I had to choose just summer or Christmas- I'd choose Christmas. However, I'll take crowded summer over nothing! LOL

 

[Pete W.]

For those who visited WDW during Christmas week last year, how early did they open the parks? Was there a rope drop, or was everything open as soon as they started letting people thru the turnstiles?

 

[jellydisney]

I'm going for the first time at Xmas this year. I plan on getting up way way early to do the parks--I'll probably be by myself since my family hates getting up early!

Also, my family wants to do MK on Xmas Day

Any tips for doing the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day? How early to get there, any secret spots you know of where we won't be shoulder to shoulder with people? Best spot for the parade??

 

[GoofyDad869]

We were there the week between Christmas & New Years in '03. Got there the day after Christmas and stayed through mid-afternoon New Years Eve (drove back that night - we were driving through Chattanooga TN at midnight and saw their fireworks show in the distance). Loooooong lines, there were, on NYE.

We did Magic Kingdom the first day (we always do). We get up early and are there for opening times (we always do), but I don't remember the exact opening times - I think the gates opened at 8 and the rope drop was 8:30 most days? I do remember there ARE rope drops during that week.

 

[pkb24824]

We love going at Christmas....we go the week before and the crowds are manageable. I would not stay after Christmas day because the crowds get crazy! I was there in August and would take Christmas any day over August...it was too hot and we didn't enjoy ourselves because of the humidity and the crowds! Christmas is a magical time to go...we love the decorations and always go to Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve (this year we get to see Jim Caveziel). I vote for you to go then....you will have a fun time!