Christmas break or July ?

[Disneycrazymom]

If my only choices were Christmas Break (Dec 25 - Jan1) or July (most likely 3rd week) which would be better and why?

We have been many times but never during the peek travel times. Always when crowd levels were very low (first week on DEc., last week of Aug., 1st week of FEb.) So I am not at all sure how we will cope with the crowds. And we are taking my sis and family who have never been.

Which would you choose?

 

[FromVatoDisney]

I think the best answer to that is........ how well can you tolerate the heat/how much is the heat a factor for you?

For me, the third week in July would be the hands-down winner, for these reasons:

Last year we went July 13-20 and by getting to the parks early, using Fastpass, etc., we had a wonderful trip.

I can take the heat, although we almost always returned to the resort in the early p.m. for swim, etc.

The deluxe resorts are in value season the third week of July, whereas the week between Christmas and New Year's is the most expensive time of the year.

The third week in July will be crowded, but a typical (non fourth of July) summer crowd is still not as bad as the week between Christmas and New Year's, which is the most crowded week of the year.

Good luck!

 

[Skroops]

Anytime of year is a good enough time to go!

Pros of July: less crowds than the holiday, water parks are in full swing, value pricing

Cons of July: hot hot hot!!

Pros of December: Holiday festivities & decorations, cooler weather

Cons of December: peak crowds/prices

Enjoy!!

 

[JennyDrake]

Christmas will be crowded beyond anything you have EVER imagined. Think about 45-120 mintues waits for EVERYTHING, including restrooms, beverages, counter service.

July is do-able IF you get up early, hit it hard, come back, nap, swim cool off and go back in teh evenings for more.

 

[nutty4wdw]

ask yourself which is worse--standing on lines or hot weather. christmas is absolutely mobbed but at least the weather is pleasant. but it is mobbed.

july is HOT but as one poster said and what we did one time visiting in july is do EMH in the morning. a little cooler and not as mobbed as christmas. but there are lines in july also.

if you are the easy going type and do not care about seeing everything and won't be disappointed if you don't do certain things then christmas may be nice due to the decorations and cooler weather.

 

[Tam1067]

I haven't been to WDW at Christmas, but after a terrible trip to DL in California during the holiday week, I'd never go to any park again during the holidays.

On the other hand, we've been twice to WDW in July, and as others have noted, it's hot and crowded, but if you are organized and get out of the heat during the middle of the day, it's not so bad. Plus, the prices are cheaper than over the Christmas/New Year's period.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thank-you for the quick replies!

My sister and I spent the afternoon going over the good and bad -- as much as we knew, of both months. I think with the added stress of getting Christmas for all the in-laws on the other sides we have settled on July. We live in STL and so we are pretty used to heat but not both heat and crowds. My kids have been many times and they will be fine with seeing what they see but her's have not been since they were little and it might be harder for them to miss some things. My parents will be happy to go along with whatever we decide. We will plan out what we want to do each day and that will help. It will be an adventure for sure!

 

[nutty4wdw]

you can have fun anytime you go to disney. if some in your party need to see everything then i'd suggest you definitely utilize EMH. also i recommend the book "the unofficial guide to walt disney world 2007". this is a good guide book with all the info you'll need and how to tour the parks. the author also has a website www.***************** there is a charge to utilize the whole site but they do have some sample touring plans and you can use some of the site for free.

have fun

 

[rlovew]

The nice thing about July is that you can plan around the heat. The parks are open very late. So get up early and ride until lunch (you can get a lot done during this time). Then relax at your resort for awhile and head back to the parks for dinner and the evening. They will start to slow down a bit at that time. Also make sure to utilize FP well.