Can someone help me with the reality of our Christmas trip?

[utahbelle]

We are kind of new to Disney world, we are in Utah, so Disneyland is our jam. We have been to Disney world and universal a couple of times for my daughters cheer competitions, but that is all.

I really wanted to take my family for Christmas this year, but that time period from Christmas to New Years makes us nervous, we have done it before in Disneyland and decided to never do it again
So we have decided to go the week before is this going to be any better? Might as well go Christmas week??

Okay, this is what I have in my head, help me understand the reality of it, and what changes you might make!

Flying into Orlando December 14th. Staying until the 23rd. We are renting a house through VRBO in Kissimmee. We are renting a car. We want to spend about three days in Disney world and 3 days at Universal, is this crazy with all the driving? My 3 kids are all adults so no little kids to worry about with the traffic and all the driving around. We are defiantly planners, we make plans, we are the get there at rope-drop people. I thought universal might be around 25 miles away? But traffic? I don’t know, are we crazy to not stay on site at either place? I really like this house we are renting and I don’t mind splurging for the front of the line passes at Universal.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Spunky946]

That week is definitely better then Christmas week. I don’t know the mileage between the two, but it didn’t take that long when we went from onsite at Disney to universal using Uber. I’d consider staying onsite at universal in a deluxe to get the perks of the express pass.

 

[Shellbells]

We're going the same week as you. I have to admit, I'm a little worried about the crowds. I know I should take crowd calendars with a grain of salt but they are making me a little anxious.
I just hope I'm able to get the fast passes we want and we'll go from there. We're planning on doing on Christmas party at MK so hopefully we can ride everything there then. I'm the most worried about HS and keeping my fingers crossed they do After Dark while we're there.

 

[sethschroeder]

Personally I like touring plans because it semi-predicts the ride wait time and walk time between rides. You can even add in breaks/food/start times/end times. It will help you trim your list of what you are trying to do in a day only to the stuff you really want.

If it were me I would drop Universal to a single day (get the Express Pass) and add 2 more days on at Disney. Disney World is huge and not giving yourself at least 1 day per park likely is going to leave you missing out.

We went to Universal during a much slower time but I feel like its easier to see Universal under a time constraint since they are directly connected by the Hogwarts train.

 

[lostatdisney]

I second this - I would have a hard time spending 3 days at Universal. I could do two if I didn't have the express pass, but with it, I could easily do both parks in a day. And 3 days is definitely not enough for WDW, so use the extra time there.

 

[davper]

My trip 6 months ago was that very same week. The crowds weren't bad. You get to experience all the same stuff that is there the following week but without the shoulder to shoulder crowds. It is still warm* enough for shorts and even a swimming day or 2.
Our flight home was super cheap because we flew on xmas day.

* I am from New England. 55 is warm for me.

 

[Auntrosie]

I prefer the 1st week in December for a Christmas Trip. The Monday after the crowd begins to build. Personally and professionally it’s easier for me to be away that week.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I prefer the 1st week in December for a Christmas Trip. The Monday after the crowd begins to build. Personally and professionally it’s easier for me to be away that week.

Keep in mind the first week in Dec is the annual Pop Warner Football superbowl and the national chearleading competition held at Disney. If you plan to take the bus from the airport the wait to board the bus is 1 hr