Busy time around Christmas?

[Theresap]

We are thinking of going to Orlando Disney around Christmas but don't want the crowds. When is the best time to go? We have college kids so we could go before or after -- which is best? Thanks for the help.

 

[FamilyGuy]

We are thinking of going to Orlando Disney around Christmas but don't want the crowds. When is the best time to go? We have college kids so we could go before or after -- which is best? Thanks for the help.

It's my understanding that it becomes busier as X-mas approaches. The busiest time being approx 12/24 - 01/01. There will be no way to avoid crowds around that time. If that is the only time that you can go, I would try to schedule before X-mas and prepare for crowds and hope for the best. It's a wonderful atmosphere that time of year!

Many others will chime in I am sure. Have fun planning!

 

[blue_eyes5212]

We went in December last year!! It was wonderful!!!!!!!
The weather was great.....not too hot/not too cold!! The crowds were light and the christmas decorations were so pretty. Everything was very festive for the holidays...........I would not hesitate to go this week every year.

However I have heard that the closer it gets to Christmas.....the busier it gets......so I don't know if I would go in late December! (We were there the 10th through the 16th and the last day of our trip seemed busier!)

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've gone to WDW 38 visits with a coupple in December, firts and second week only. Crowds were non existent, great time to go. weather is a big issue, we're from northeast Ohio, and we wanted to escape the winter snows and cold. Florida can be unpredicable. One year they were having a freak break and the temps were in the high 80's, great, swimming weather in December, loved it, then again the next December trip, we needed soats, really cold, made your nose run, not alot of fun.

I found out to get the best of both worlds, October or early November, xmas stuff is up, weather is alot better, predictable and crowds on the down side but then again, WDW is so unpredictable, you never know whats going on, guess you just pick you time and live with the outcome. Even if there are crowds, we still can cruise and enjoy the parks, its Disney and just being there in Florida is half the fun.

 

[Disneynut4ever]

Definitely the first two weeks of December are the best for taking in all that Disney has to offer with a lot of holiday cheer. As the other poster said, there are next to no crowds -- it is awesome!

But again, as the other poster said, the weather is so unpredictible. We have been there a few times in December and experienced different weather each time -- great mid-70s, high 40's another time, and very rainy on yet another visit. I could deal with the cold -- got some great winter clothes from the Disney shops to wear back in Ohio -- but the rainy weather was horrible. Not your typical summer rain. Just cold, damp and dreary.

But I still recommend taking a chance on the weather and go the second week of December and enjoy all the holiday cheer and no crowds!

 

[Jrabbit910]

To my understanding, the first week of December, they tape the Christmas show w/ regis & Kelly.... Crowds are usually heavy at MK... during the second week is the lightest and right around christmas to the beginning of the year is the heaviest... December is a great time to go because of the weather and Decorations.... I think your best bet would be to go the second week of December if you are looking for lighter crowds...

 

[Metro West]

We are thinking of going to Orlando Disney around Christmas but don't want the crowds. When is the best time to go? We have college kids so we could go before or after -- which is best? Thanks for the help.

Go any time in December EXCEPT between Christmas and New Year's. It's a zoo here with all the tourists at Disney, Sea World, Universal and the bowl games. Orlando should be closed that week!

 

[grumpy13]

We have been to Disney each December since 2002. Have seen crowds increase over the years; Disney in December is not a well kept secret( wish it were). On a Dec. trip prior to '02, we exited the plane in the rain; it rained each day for a week - a cold (well for Florida and my home, South Louisiana), blowing (northwest) rain that sometimes came down near horizontally. We were immersed in a sea of yellow Mickey ponchos. The day we left, the sun came out and the high was to be in the 70s. Such has not happened since; last year it rained the night before we left - after a delightful two weeks stay.
Can equate to the college connection also. I am a recently retired LSU (Geaux Tigers) professor. Before retiring, we went the day after my last final (12/8 - 12/12). Last year we were at Disney the first 2 weeks of Dec.
First week of Dec. is Pop Warner football and cheerleaders. The parks didn't seem overly affected, but checking in at POR was an extremely long wait.
If you are a Disney fan, then you know there is an undescrible feeling of just being at Disney. This feeling is only enhanced in Dec. - the Candlelight Processional, the Osborne Lights, the park and resort decorations (Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge lobbies are especially beautiful).
One doesn't about the weather, but, God willing, we will be there this Dec. too; hope you are too.

 

[byoung]

1st thru the 21st great time to go. Some of the lowest crowds throught out the year.

 

[grumpy.uncle]

We arrived on NYE this year. Didn't go to any parks that day, just resort hopped, checked in, and had ADR's outside of parks. Talked w/ a few CM's during the first week in January, and they all said it was a madhouse between Xmas and NY. The parks reached capacity more that once during that week. There was even 1 or 2 days when all four parks were at capacity. That is a whole lot of people. I don't think I would want to be squeezed quite that tightly into WDW.

 

[mill4023]

We had a great time last December. Shorts during the day with a sweatshirt or jacket for the evenings. We were there the 16th until the 23rd. Crowds were low in the beginning and gradually increased. By our last day, lots of people were starting to pour in.

 

[JoJo's Mom]

Thanks for all the information. I too am planning to go in Dec. we haven't decided on the exact dates. However, it will be around the 1st-2nd weeks. I am so excited!!!!