Christmas Attendance

[mjet]

I am planning a trip WDW Dec 26-Jan 02. I would like to get some feed back as to how crowded the parks will be. Thanks.

 

[GEM]

I've never been there at that time, but everything I heard and read says that is the absolute busiest time of the whole year. Major, major, major crowds with very long wait times. We've never vistied at that time because it sounds like sort of a nightmare. We have been several times in mid-December (leaving around the 19th or so) and we have always found that by the end of our stay the crowds are already starting to get much heavier. If there is any way you can visit earlier in December you would be much better off.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

I have never been there either Christmas week, but I have also heard that it's their busiest week, in fact, sometimes having to close MK because it does get that crowded. I have also gone in early Dec. (9 - 15th) and there were hardly any lines. If you have the option to go earlier, I definitely would. WDW is already decorated for X-Mas right after Thanksgiving and they also have MVMCP during the month of Dec.

 

[Linxzy]

I went this past december (Dec. 27 - Jan 6) and it was very crowded. It reminded me of my past visits in July but worst. We still did many things and had fun though. It can be a nightmare if you go with little kids. It was my first time going with my nieces and it was crazy going around with a double stroller. One couldn't even walk around Fantasyland.



I've read around here that it is better to go after New Year's Eve or in mid December. It's less crowded at that time.

 

[cranbiz]

It is extremely crowded during that week and on NYE the MK closed to everyone before noon.

Epcot was open longer, but the crowds uere awful.

If you can go earlier in the month, you would be much better off.

 

[Scratch42]

We'll be down at that time also!LOL

From what I have heard from CM's that work at the World and to quote a Bus Driver we once had when I asked him........

"Put it this way, I have to be here! I would not come down at that time!"

Just be prepared! And be flexible!

Oh yeah, have your PS's in place too!

Scratch

 

[tinksgirl]

Having been to the world many times over the years i thought i had seen it all.We stayed 12/24/04 thru 1/3/04 at the contemporary tower.I have never seen the parks and resorts that bad.monerails were packed with no room and people would still try to get in.i saw 2 women get pushed to the ground while entering fantasmic,people just stepped right over them i couldnt get close to help.I had a woman yelling at me to move at magic kingdom the only problem was i had people in front of me so i could go no faster she kept ramming my heels with her carriage so i let her walk in front of me!!! i saw nothing but rude people who wanted to be first at everything.I will never go at that time of year again.

 

[muguet27]

I feel I have to defend this time of year a little bit. I visited during Christmas 2000, leaving on Jan 1. The place was definately very busy, but with all the preparation I did and the knowledge I had from my previous visits, we didn't wait in any line over 25 minutes. That's not to say that there weren't lines over 25 minutes, we just didn't wait in them. We saw everything we wanted to with the exception of the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (bad timing on our part) and Test Track (the lines were either hours long or the ride was down). We used Fastpass to the extreme, went to every Early Entry day we could, and realized that we would never see everything. There were not any children with us, so we did skip most of Fantasyland in MK and caught only 1 parade.

I don't want all of these comments to scare you, because you can have a great time going over Christmas. You just need to prepare a little more.

 

[bz8bls]

We are part of DVC and never traveled during Xmas holidays; this year we are going to be at the 'World' from 12-25 until 12-30 (with a 2 yr old). This time period will be the only time we will get to see the WDW during the Xmas holidays (due to our work schedules).

We don't plan to ride any of the thrill rides (been there done that and will be doing it again w/o grandson). Our trip will more or less be centered around the little one. We don't plan on going into MK on Xmas day. We plan on being at MK early in the morning, then leaving for a rest, then returning back for the evening parade and fireworks (this is our strategy during other WDW trips). Can you tell me what day between 12-26 and 12-30 would be the best day for MK?

We plan on visiting MGM and Epcot in the evenings during our stay?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Villainess]

My family and I (group of 10, including a 2 year old) was in WDW from 12/26/03 - 1/5/04. It was the first time we were there for Christmas. The crowds were unbelievable...MK had to close quite a few times due to capacity issues. I saw many rude people, many overwhelmed people. This is not the time to go if you are a first timer.

We spent New Year's Eve in MGM and had a wonderful time... we didn't even try going to MK. We made dinner reservations at Mama Melrose's, had a wonderful dinner - got the Fantasmic Dinner Package - saw Fantasmic and then partied in front of the Sorcerer's Hat to DJs and live bands until Sorcery in the Sky went off at midnight. It was a really fun evening!

After Jan 1 the crowd emptied quite a bit... that was when we were able to do the big thrill rides. We used Fast Pass a lot. MK was done mostly at night bc the crowds were like the summer crowds and more manageable.

Be prepared to wait. We stayed at OKW (DVC members) and the busses were always packed. Sometimes it was easier to drive to the park. Make sure you make any dinner reservations ahead of time.

Still, we had a great time, and are planning on going back again this year!

 

[swilphil]

STAY ON SITE.

I have been during Christmas Week and stayed off-site. That was the worst mistake I ever made. If you stay onsite, especially at a monorail or epcot area resort, it will be crowded but manageable. On the bright side, you won't have to deal with the July heat. Go at opening and use fast pass.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by bz8bls We don't plan on going into MK on Xmas day. We plan on being at MK early in the morning, then leaving for a rest, then returning back for the evening parade and fireworks (this is our strategy during other WDW trips).

Please be aware that unless you're staying on site, you may not get back into MK on Christmas for the evening parade and fireworks. It doesn't often go to the final phase of closing (which is closed to all new visitors, no matter what), but it has happened. You should have a back-up plan, just in case.

 

[bz8bls]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. We are new DVC members and will be staying at OKW.

I think we will go into Epcot Xmas evening and skip MK until the next day. I want to make reservations for lunch @ Crystal Palace (the little one loves tigger and pooh).

I'm wondering, how does everyone have a good time if it is so unbearably crowded? BTW we are not first time Disneyers, just first time for Xmas holidays. I hope the Xmas decorations are going to make this trip worthwhile!!!

 

[felixdacat]

has anyone been to the parks on christmas day itself? is it
crowded as well?

Since new years day is on sat, would sunday the 2nd be crowded?

looking to stop on the way down or on the way back from
South florida

thanks!
sandy

 

[WDSearcher]

Christmas Day isn't too bad first thing in the morning at MK, but it is absolutely a mob scene by 11 am. The other parks aren't quite at the same levels, but everything is very, very busy. Christmas Day probably ranks with Easter Sunday as the absolute busiest times.