Christmas at WDW... should we be scared?

[da disney fans]

My husband and I are Disneymooning from Dec. 22-26, and I'm starting to get a little scared about the crowds.

What should we expect? Any advice? I know we MUST be at MK gates by opening time on Christmas morning, or else there's a good chance we won't get in. I'm already budgeting for a very early cab ride.

 

[GoofyDisney]

Yes, the crowds are big. Yes, it is elbow to elbow. Just decide what it is you really want to do and limit yourself so that you are not disappointed. Crowded, but wonderful!!!!

And like I always say, WDW is crowded on Christmas Day, but it is nothing compared to the American Girl store on any given Saturday. I would be more afraid of that!!!

Have a great trip!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Keep in mind that the best strategy for the MK on Christmas Day is to plan to do nothing. If you can be happy just being there and taking in the sights, sounds, atmosphere of the park and the capacity crowd, then you will be fine. If you go with a preset agenda thinking that you must see this or you must ride that, you will definitely be disappointed. If you arrive early, you may be able to get in a few things you want, so make that time very well spent. You may want to consider leaving that park around noon when the crowd is at its largest and go to another park (EPCOT seems the least crowded given it's layout and size) or back to your hotel to rest, etc.

Have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute!

 

[Grumpy92]

Yes it will be very crowded MK specifically is the worst. But there are a few really good suggestions.

1. Attitude, Take the xmas spirit with you. Be flexible and realize that you will not accomplish as much as you normally do and the lines will be lengthy. Pick your top 3-5 attractions and focus on doing them. Use the FP if at all possible. Then do the the rest as you go along.

2. Make sure you make a PS now for any sit down dining you would like to do that day.

You might want to check into the Yultide tour and do that a few days before xmas. We did this one year and it was so fun. You visit three of the parks, one resort & the WDW xmas warehouse. They discuss the various holiday traditions and tell you how Disney goes about decorating WDW and the Cruise ships.
407-wdw-tour

 

[XStAnt]

WDWHoneymooner,

The days before 12/25 will be a lot less crowded. I suggest doing as much as you can on those days. Definitely do MK before 12/25, since you will not get much accomplished on 12/25 or 12/26.

The only reason to go to MK on Xmas Day is to say you were there on Xmas Day. I personally don't understand that since I'd rather spend my time seeing attractions and riding the rides while I'm there, but to each his own. You will not be able to do very much at MK on Xmas Day. If you just want to be there and walk around the park with obnixiously large crowds then that's okay; just realize you will not go on many rides. If you are looking to do things that day stay away from MK. As another poster said, Epcot seems to handle the Xmas Day crowds the best. DW and I went to Epcot on 12/25 and actually were able to do most of the things we wanted to. But you still have to get there early if you want to hit the big rides (TT, MS, etc) before the crowds get too large. Wherever you go, PSs are necessary for any sit down meals.

BTW, MK will probably open around 8:00 am that day--they tend to open early on Xmas Day. If you get there before about 9:30 I'm pretty sure you will get in the park. However, if you actually want to go on a few rides then I suggest you get there just before the park opens. It will be your best chance at squeezing in a few rides before the crowds get too large.

Good luck.

 

[elemusing]

WDWHoneymooner:

First of all - love the term "Disneymooning" Never heard that before.

Secondly - I will be there the same time as you! This will be our first holiday trip and we are so excited! We have planned to do exactly what one of the other posters said - we have NOTHING planned for this day. (We are hitting MK for rides, etc. early in the week). And we have a PS for Tony's at 5:30pm. The CM told me that there were only 3 PS's left for the whole day at Tony's and that was 3 weeks ago, so you might want to get with it on making a PS!

We go to WDW every year, so not seeing rides, etc. is kind of going to be nice for once for us. We are excited about walking around and taking it all in without having to be on my commando agenda for a change. ha

Oh, and by the way, my TA tells me that the MK will probably close due to capacity by 11am that day. So definitely be there early!

Wear your lime green ribbon! I'll be looking for you!
Angie

 

[MikeD]

This December will be our seventh year in a row and the first year we went New Years Eve. Everybody is correct - it is extremely crowded and I'll probably never go again that time of year BUT it was our most remembered trip we took I think for 2 reasons - 1) it was our first visit with our kids and 2) it seemed the parks and the CM's were at their best because so many people were there. I would go to two parks - MGM to ride Tower of Terror and RocknRoll coaster then do Beauty and Beast show then go to Epcot to do M:S Test Track and some good food. Just a suggestion.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by XStAnt

The only reason to go to MK on Xmas Day is to say you were there on Xmas Day.

LOL, I just want to be there on that day to experience it. We plan to be there bright and early, catch a ride or 2, then eat at Cindys at 9:10 and get out of there.

Originally posted by XStAnt

BTW, MK will probably open around 8:00 am that day--they tend to open early on Xmas Day.

This year its EE day, so do you think EE will be at 7:00 or will they just stay with the usual 8:00?

 

[XStAnt]

Camcolt,

I don't know if MK will open any earlier this year. Last year I would watch the hotel TV channel with Disney info for park opening hours. It seemed that most of the parks had a "sudden" change in operating times and were opening at 8:00 am instead of the usual 9:00 am. To be honest, I don't remember what happened with the EMH park because 7:00 am would have been too early (and I'm an advocate of getting to the EMH park just before opening to take full advantage of the extra time ).

 

[HAH]

Our extended family met for a WDW Christmas trip in 2001. I SWORE that we would never do that again! Guess what...we will be there in all our shining glory Dec. 22 - 27.

Yes, it's crowded..yes, it's hectic..BUT YES, IT's DISNEY!!!

Relax and have fun!

 

[da disney fans]

Originally posted by elemusing
WDWHoneymooner:

First of all - love the term "Disneymooning" Never heard that before.

lol.. thanks! On a wedding-related message board I visit, there is a large group of us Disneymooners.. I think that's where the phrase was coined!

Secondly - I will be there the same time as you! This will be our first holiday trip and we are so excited! We have planned to do exactly what one of the other posters said - we have NOTHING planned for this day. (We are hitting MK for rides, etc. early in the week). And we have a PS for Tony's at 5:30pm. The CM told me that there were only 3 PS's left for the whole day at Tony's and that was 3 weeks ago, so you might want to get with it on making a PS!

I'm still so new at all of this -- what is a PS? I assume it refers to making reservations, but what does it stand for?

Wear your lime green ribbon! I'll be looking for you!
Angie

Is a lime green ribbon the Disboards' "sign"? If so.. I'll be sure to add it to my Minnie ears veil!

 

[cworld]

For everybody going December 19-26, Be AFRAID, be very afraid. Crowds will be unmanageable, temperatures will be unbearable, record highs in crowds and record lows in temperatures. STAY HOME!!! I want the park all to myself.

Ha Ha??

 

[KittieKat]

we went last year at christmas. It was crowded but not unenjoyable. We are going back this year too Dec. 21-27!

 

[disney1990]

Yes, it's crowded, but Disney at Christmas is magical. There's nothing like waking up Christmas morning and finding a Christmas stocking on your resort room door.

I never recommend that first timers go to Disney the week of Christmas because of the crowds.

We like to spend Christmas Day going to the different resorts and parks to see all the decorations and lights. To us, just being able to experience all the decorations and feel the spirit of Christmas that week is enough. If I don't get on a single ride on Christmas day, the experience is still wonderful.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by WDWhoneymooner
I'm still so new at all of this -- what is a PS? I assume it refers to making reservations, but what does it stand for?

"PS" stands for Priority Seating. It's like a reservation--but not really. Having PS gives you Priority on any free table over someone who does not have PS (aka a Walk-up).

Think of it as FastPass at a restaurant.

If you know that you want lunch at the Crystal Palace on 12/25, call 1-407-WDW-DINE and see if you can get PS. Again, getting PS doesn't guarantee you a table at the indicated time, but it does put you ahead of everyone who does not have PS. You may still have to wait a few minutes when you arrive.

There is no obligation to keep the PS if your plans change, with the exception of a couple of very popular dining events that require advance payment. If this is the case, the CM you speak to to make the PS will explain it to you--and get your credit card number.

On a day like Christmas, PS is invaluable. Guests can begin to make PS 90 days in advance of their trip, so you are already past the point at which many of your fellow Christmas visitors have started taking up all of the times. If you call now, you may not get your first or second (or third, or fourth) choice, but the longer you wait, the worse it will get. People do cancel PS at times, so if a restaurant really catches your eye, and you can't get in when you first call, try again periodically.

They don't do PS at "Counter Service" restaurants (think McDonald's or Burger King), but during the holiday periods, your waits in line at CS are likely to be VERY long. I'd recommend splurging on your meals on the 25th and 26th, and get PS for at least Lunch and Dinner.

You can read more here:

http://www.wdwig.com/reserv.htm

The site linked above also has menus for many of the restaurants. It would be time well spent for you and your fiancee to make a few dining decisions now and avoid spending 2 hours of your day on a burger and fries.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I asked one of my part time coworkers this questions the other day. He's been with the WDW family for YEARS! He says that *the* busiest day is usually the 26th of December, and if you DO go to the parks, plan on being in line for hours on end.

I remember going one year the day after Christmas...it was so crowded, so loud, and so....HOT! Florida weather is very odd Have fun with whatever you decide to do, though!!

 

[elemusing]

WDWHoneymooner: someone already answered the PS question - but YES the lime green ribbon stands for the DIS! DISers wear them to ID other DISers at the park. I have worn mine for 4 years now, but never saw another DISer. Maybe this time I will spot you if you have it pinned to your Mickey Ears veil!

You can also visit the dis shop. They have pins and t-shirts now that are lime green.

Angie