Christmas at BCV - crowds question

[AreWeThereYet]

Finally booked the trip we've wanted to do for years - Christmas at Disney. We will be there the week before Christmas and are concerned about crowds, etc.

Has anyone been there during the Christmas season, and if so, how were the crowds?

What can we expect to see different than our normal vacation time of Spring??

All help and experiences are welcome.

Thanks,

AWTY

 

[drusba]

Week before Christmas is generally very crowded but not anything as bad as Christmas Week when the crowd is wall to wall. With Christmas on Sunday, you will see crowds steadily build from the Monday before through Saturday and they will start to reach true Christmas level about the Friday before. Christmas week is comparable to the two weeks surrounding Easter with the parks themselves being even more crowded because temp is often cool and the waterparks are not absorbing any of the crowd like they do at Easter (and only one is even open at Christmas). The week before Christmas until Friday will be somewhat larger (and continuously growing larger) than a crowded spring break week other than the two Easter Weeks. Another way to look at it is that lines for popular rides will be usually be less than hour and even less than 30 minutes many parts of the day on the Sunday before Christmas. By the day before Christmas, they will have grown to over 2 hours and in some cases 3, all day, all night except very early in the morning.

 

[bongo59]

week prior to Xmas is very manageable...............but i would stay away from Xmas week............it is nuts............we have done it 5 times and now we always go 12/10-12/23...............we are long gone by 12/24

 

[DVCLiz]

What can we expect to see different than our normal vacation time of Spring??

Christmas trees...

 

[DisnutDave@work]

Comments above about the crowds are right on the money. \

If you've never seen WDW at Christmas, though, you are in for a treat! Every park and hotel is beautifully decorated. You'll want to take some time to tour them, especially WL, GF and BWV. And the Osborne Lights at MGM are gorgeous.

Don't let crowds get you down, be sure to enjoy the atmosphere. It looks like you'll get to at least enjoy the week before Christmas. We'll be at BCV a couple of weeks before you, and can't wait. Have a great time!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We have been at the BCV for the week after Christmas. While the crowds in the parks are incredible, the crowds at the BC aren't any worse than any vacation week. The resort is usually full anyways so you won't see too much difference there. If you manage your days well, you will have a great time.

HBC

 

[dvc guy]

Not to worry it won't be to crowded I am sure you will be able to find a place to stand alone
All the info you have gotten is true, enjoy the christmas stuff and slow down, you will never see everything. We will be back this year for our 7th trip in a row. The good news is that the parks will have extended hours with MK, EPCOT and MGM staying open till midnight.
Families with small children in the parks at 9PM to see the parade, you bet
DS 9 drags me out of the parks at 11 PM.
I love WDW over the holidays crowds and all. Come with your best game plan , make PS early and party on

 

[gracelrm]

We were at WDW this year from Dec. 17 - 22. The crowds became increasingly heavier the closer to the end of our trip; however, it was all manageable. We usually go in mid-June, so that's what we're used to. With the extended hours we were able to do all that we wanted to do. Make sure to do a MVMCP if there is one while you are there and don't forget the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. It was worth the whole trip!!!!

 

[DizneyNutz]

My DH and I have never done the Candlelight Processional---but we are thinking of doing it on our next Christmas visit---any advice on the "dinner package" that's offered? We have heard that the steak house in Canada is very nice.

 

[DizneyNutz]

We can't help you with that time of year...we have always opted to go the first week of December---it's harder when you are managing children and school schedules. My DH and I went on our "honeymoon" (Belated---really belated) and we had a blast--light crowds all the parks and resorts decorated to the hilt---took in the MVMCP---fun, snow on mainstreet is awesome---it will almost give you a chill! We didn't get to to the Osborne Lights on our first Christmas trip (they were under repair or something) but last December they were up and AWESOME---don't miss it----even if you feel like you're in a stampede! Good Luck and I hope you have an AWESOME TIME---don't leave your patience at home---you may need it with crowds!

 

[DizneyNutz]

As good as I love Disney-especially at Christmas---I would NEVER stand in line for three hours to ride anything! I'd much rather go earlier in December--say right after Thanksgiving---you get all the decorations-fun-you just don't wake up "Christmas Morning" at DW. It's hard to do that when you have children though...most schools are in session---takes a lot of planning----not only the usual, but with the school system---we took our DD and a friend last year, they did make up work before we left and managed to even turn in some special stuff to make up anything missed----if you can manage it----GO-GO-GO!

 

[Scratch42]

My DH and I have never done the Candlelight Processional---but we are thinking of doing it on our next Christmas visit---any advice on the "dinner package" that's offered? We have heard that the steak house in Canada is very nice.

I would highly recommend if you are there just prior to Christmas and between NY! There is still a line up but they let you in first!

The food at Le Cellier is to die for! Anything on the menu is great!

But phone for your ps as soon as they open up since this is one of the more popular restaraunts!

Scratch

 

[AreWeThereYet]

I am getting excited about this trip. We've been to the World in most other months of the year but never during the Christmas season. DD's are both old enough that they just want to ride the "cool" rides, but with infant DS we will be taking it slower this trip.

Tell me more about MVMCP and Candlelight Processional. I've seen them mentioned in other threads but never looked more into them.

Also, any other "MUST DO's"????

 

[DizneyNutz]

MVMCP is a AWESOME Christmas Parade---depending on when you're going though---Spectomagic turns in to the "Christmas Parade." It's so much more than just the parade though---you get a cup of hot chocolate---cookies and family photo made which is included in the price of the party ticket---one thing we found out last year is that you can enter the park as early as 4:00ish and do all the rides you want to do---I think the park will then close to everyone except people that will be going to the MVMCP---they do check for wrist bands and you are moved into the part of the park where Space Mtn is until the all clear is given that everyone OTHER that ticket holders have left the park---then it opens up again and most of the larger attractions are open for riding---you and your family will probably love it! We have photos if you'd like us to send you some via email---just let me know!

 

[DizneyNutz]

Thanks, we are thinking of doing the dinner package that includes the Candlelight Processional---have you ever done this and would you recommend it---or just do PS for dinner and go to the CL Processional on your own, w/o buying the dinner package?

 

[RayJay]

Finally booked the trip we've wanted to do for years - Christmas at Disney. We will be there the week before Christmas and are concerned about crowds, etc.

Has anyone been there during the Christmas season, and if so, how were the crowds?

What can we expect to see different than our normal vacation time of Spring??

All help and experiences are welcome.

Thanks,

AWTY

I actually thought BCV was dead, pool was empty when we went, I mean there were people there, but it did not seem busy, the parks were unbearable but we went in early and left by noon, and didn't go back. Enjoyed SAB, which on the other hand was pretty crowed.

Have fun
RayJay

 

[rocketriter]

Even if the crowds are heavy (they're worse between Christmas and New Years), there are a couple of tricks that can still help you. Whenever it makes sense, spend the evening at Epcot or MGM so that you can walk home and avoid the crowds waiting for transportation. If you stay for Wishes at MK, watch it from about halfway down Main Street standing in the middle of the street; the view is surprisingly beautiful from there, and you'll be among the first to reach transportation afterwards. Take advantage of early entry as often as you feel like it, but leave the park system after lunch for naps, swimming (weather willing) or shopping. Make sure you have PS for your major meals. And just kick back at BCV or the Boardwalk from time to time when the crowds get to you. You'll have a great time and you'll really enjoy the holiday decorations.