Christmas at Disney World? Totally Insane?

[pryncess527]

My mother has decided that instead of gifts, next year we should do a family trip for Christmas. The "family" for the purposes of the trip would be my mother, my adult sister, myself, and my husband. There are no children in the family, which is part of why she thought it'd be fun to travel instead.

She's asked everyone to come up with a list of their top choices and we'll discuss it this Christmas.

I want to make the pitch for Disney World. At least, I think I do. I figured you guys would help talk me into or out of it.

I know that Christmas is THE most expensive time to be there. I priced out a 4-5 day trip for us at Port Orleans that I *think* would be in her target price range. We'd be at WDW from 12/22 until 12/26.

My real concern is . . . crowds. I know that all the websites say that it's a high crowd week. How bad it is, really? My H is not a fan of crowds, to be quite honest, so that's my main concern about me pitching WDW to everyone. Would the crowds be enough to keep you away? If you've been the week of Christmas before, were you able to have a good time?

 

[bebeinwonderland]

Planning ahead is definitely the key to a more hassle-free trip. My parents used to take me and my younger sibling to WDW every year for Christmas and NYE (insane, right?), so I want to reassure you that it is doable! Yes, there are large crowds of people but it wasn't a deterrent for us. We also traveled years ago, way before the FP+ system was set up, so we pretty much had to stomach the long lines at every attraction that any member of the family wanted to go on. It's well worth it, especially if you're planning the trip for NEXT year's holiday season. The only real issue we ran into was not purchasing tickets in advance for one year- they were turning away cars on Christmas Day at MK due to it being overcrowded (Disney's Christmas parade broadcast drew in tons of people). We ended up going to Epcot instead and had a wonderful time.

Somewhat unrelated, but Downtown Disney is a wonderful way to end each evening. Even after long, exhausting days at the parks, we always found time to stroll through DD at the end of the night. Everything is so lovely decorated with the holiday theme!

Just be prepared for long lines, book your reservations for popular restaurants way ahead of time (I believe it's a 180 day +10 window for registered MyDisneyExperience members, which is free and easy to set up) like Cinderella's Royal Table or Be Our Guest), and enjoy the beautiful decorations! I can't recommend it enough. I believe Christmas time at Disney World is a truly unforgettable experience. I am actually thinking of booking a trip for next Christmas for my family as well. Good luck!

Edit: And also as a note, adults have just as magical of a time at WDW. You will find plenty to do!

 

[pryncess527]

Yay! Thank you for telling me what I want to hear! I'm lucky that all the adults involved like/love Disney. And frankly, we are all pretty low key and go-with-the flow people so no one's trip will be ruined if we can't do something specific. I've always wanted to see the park all decorated for Christmas.

 

[com_op_2000]

Is there is any way to reschedule your trip to earlier in the month, like the first two weeks of Dec?
The crowds in the parks will be less but if staying onsite in a DVC unit they will be packed. Since you are looking at staying in PO those resorts are less busy than the time frame you are contemplating.

 

[pryncess527]

Is there is any way to reschedule your trip to earlier in the month, like the first two weeks of Dec?
The crowds in the parks will be less but if staying onsite in a DVC unit they will be packed. Since you are looking at staying in PO those resorts are less busy than the time frame you are contemplating.

That's what I want to do, but my mother really wants us to be somewhere ON Christmas. She said it'd be depressing if we woke up on Christmas morning with nothing to open and just reminisced about a trip we took 2 weeks prior But to me, travelling ON Christmas is so limiting! She wanted to do NYC, but the week of Christmas so many of the fun things I'd do in NYC aren't happening. No Tonight Show or SNL tapings for example. So I tried to come up with a location where being there on the actual holiday would be fun, not boring, and Disney, Bahamas, and Hawaii were about all I came up with

 

[pugglemom]

I've done a Disney Christmas trip and it was amazing. My family hates planning, so they let me plan everything. The parks will be very crowded, especially MK. I recommend choosing ADRs that will allow you to relax but still watch the special Christmas fireworks. We did California Grill on top of the Contemporary. We also did a dessert party at MK. They were both great choices and let everyone see the fireworks and show and take a break from the crowds.

 

[Bee2u]

So I tried to come up with a location where being there on the actual holiday would be fun, not boring, and Disney, Bahamas, and Hawaii were about all I came up with

Sounds like a Disney Cruise to me.

 

[officialkt]

I did last Christmas with my kids...so thats four adults...it was definitely busy as you would expect...and a little cool at times...but I loved it...so much so I went back for a 100% Disney trip at Halloween.
For me though I really enjoyed Seaworld in the evening...with the ice skaters and decs its worth including...very Christmassy I thought.

 

[Donna M]

Sounds like a Disney Cruise to me.

Now, that's a great idea. Everyone will be together, you don't have to deal with dinner reservations or crowds and you'll get the Disney magic. For the people interested in warm beaches, you get that too. And the ships are all decorated.