Christmas Crowds?

[Don Disney]

Every discussion board,or Disney related site says Christmas week is extremely crowded....is anyone there to confirm/deny this?

 

[Disneylover99]

We've been here since the 20th and crowds at the parks have been totally manageable so far. We normally travel to Disney in late August so we are used to average crowds. It is more crowded then what we are used to, but nothing too insane yet.

We plan to hit MK early tomorrow morning and stay for lunch and then return later in the evening for fireworks. We'll see how crazy it is tomorrow.

 

[Don Disney]

We've been here since the 20th and crowds at the parks have been totally manageable so far. We normally travel to Disney in late August so we are used to average crowds. It is more crowded then what we are used to, but nothing too insane yet.

We plan to hit MK early tomorrow morning and stay for lunch and then return later in the evening for fireworks. We'll see how crazy it is tomorrow.

Cool...Have a great time!! Merry Christmas!!

 

[Disneylover99]

Cool...Have a great time!! Merry Christmas!!

Thanks! Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[drp4video]

For many , many years we went between Christmas and New Years. We stopped going in 2007 because the crowds just go so unmanageable. We went in the summer as well so we were used to crowds, and at that time, the heat as well. The last time we went was right after labor day and it was awesome. Still hot, but with most kids back in school, the crowds were way down.

 

[keithandmissy]

We are annual passholders and go every year between the time school lets out and Christmas Day. We find the period from school letting out (the 19th this year) and the 23rd to be very manageable. However, once you get to Christmas Eve the crowds, especially at Magic Kingdom, can be rough. We stayed last year for Christmas Eve and vowed never to do it again. Magic Kingdom on that day was what I call a "penguin shuffle" day where the crowds are so incredible you just kind of shuffle along instead of walking.

 

[kathy884]

The 24th (today) is the first day predicted to be a 10 and that makes sense to me. It's the time between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day that always seems to be the heaviest. Crowd levels for the 20th - 23rd were 6, 7, 9, and 8 (more spring break levels).

 

[Doylemom22]

We are at WDW now. Epcot and HS are busy but crowds are manageable. FP are a must for any of the popular rides. We have been to MK twice during our stay (17th & 22nd). The crowds were ludicrous... On the 17th I would say it was very busy... On the 22nd I would say it was INSANE! Now we just went for about 2 hours in the evening after having been to AK in the morning. People were on top of each other, and I thought I was going to lose a toe with the strollers and scooters running over my feet!

Having said this we are going back for a little more fun tomorrow...let's hope I come out with all of my phalanges attached!

 

[Jay Kat]

My daughter worked there (she "knew" Alice), and we went several times at Christmas. Christmas Day at MK was INSANE. I took pix from the castle entrance and it was wall to wall people (shuffle is right) on Main Street. It was fun to be there, and fun to watch her at work (she got a special outfit that day), but we never went back to MK on Christmas Day after that. It is Magical there, though. Just remember the Day and don't be in a hurry!

 

[SmallWorld71]

We were at Epcot today and I was shocked at how manageable the crowds were!
I've been President's week and the summer and it didn't seem any worse than those times. The only things that seemed more crowded to me were the restrooms, Lol. I did have to wait in short lines no matter which one I used.
I'm guessing the crowds will pick up though, as the hours extend tomorrow. Today was the only day in our trip where we had a park opening at 9; all the other days are 8:00 or even 7:00.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

We were at MK this morning and Epcot this evening and both were very manageable. MK was getting a little busy when we left, but Epcot was not crowded at all. I hope it stays this way all week (though I'm not holding my breath)

 

[tinkerbee]

We were at Epcot 12/23 10am-5 and MK 5:45-1 am and I was beyond shocked how uncrowded it seemed. Epcot times what we encountered when we either went on or wanted to go on didn't seem much different from when we went during the Food and Wine Festival in September. And actually the World Showcase was BETTER to walk around Tuesday than it was during F&W. MK was GREAT for us. I think some how we managed to be far away from everyone and it actually almost seemed empty to us LOL. We had FP+ for Splash, Thunder and HM. We either walked on or waited 5 minutes for JC, Magic Carpets, PoC, Country Bears, Philarmagic, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz, Teacups, Barnstormer, Dumbo and TTA. We waited 30 minutes for Space Mountain and 20 for 7DMC!! It was a great day for us. We did three counterservice meals and never had a problem finding a table.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm sitting in Tomorrowland waiting for my family to come off Astro Orbiter. We just rode Space. It's not crowded yet.

 

[lovethattink]

I haven't read any reports of parks being filled to capacity yet, this year.

 

[kathy884]

We were at Epcot 12/23 10am-5 and MK 5:45-1 am and I was beyond shocked how uncrowded it seemed. Epcot times what we encountered when we either went on or wanted to go on didn't seem much different from when we went during the Food and Wine Festival in September. And actually the World Showcase was BETTER to walk around Tuesday than it was during F&W. MK was GREAT for us. I think some how we managed to be far away from everyone and it actually almost seemed empty to us LOL. We had FP+ for Splash, Thunder and HM. We either walked on or waited 5 minutes for JC, Magic Carpets, PoC, Country Bears, Philarmagic, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz, Teacups, Barnstormer, Dumbo and TTA. We waited 30 minutes for Space Mountain and 20 for 7DMC!! It was a great day for us. We did three counterservice meals and never had a problem finding a table.

Wow! That doesn't sound bad at all for the 23rd. For the MK too I looked at touring plans historical numbers for 12/23, and they predicted a 9 for the MK, but saw a 7. A 7 is lighter than spring break, summer, and popular October times. How nice for you! Glad you had such a great time. I too would have never guessed that you'd see crowds that light at the MK on 12/23.

Now they predicted that Epcot was a 10 and said they saw crowd levels of 10, but I know these predictions are for ride waits. -- Sounds like the World Showcase was the place to be for sure. I'm guessing though lines for things like Soarin and TestTrack would have been really long. Again how nice for you guys. // We were there the week before you -- left on the 20th - Went early as DS's finals finished on the 12th to get lower crowds.

 

[laura428]

We were at Epcot 12/23 10am-5 and MK 5:45-1 am and I was beyond shocked how uncrowded it seemed. Epcot times what we encountered when we either went on or wanted to go on didn't seem much different from when we went during the Food and Wine Festival in September. And actually the World Showcase was BETTER to walk around Tuesday than it was during F&W. MK was GREAT for us. I think some how we managed to be far away from everyone and it actually almost seemed empty to us LOL. We had FP+ for Splash, Thunder and HM. We either walked on or waited 5 minutes for JC, Magic Carpets, PoC, Country Bears, Philarmagic, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz, Teacups, Barnstormer, Dumbo and TTA. We waited 30 minutes for Space Mountain and 20 for 7DMC!! It was a great day for us. We did three counterservice meals and never had a problem finding a table.

This! We were at MK on 12/23 and were floored by how light it was. We arrived shortly after 8am, and knocked out 6 rides, all nearly walk-on, before our first FP+ at 10:10. Did FP+ for Peter Pan, BTMR, and 7DMT, had a FP+ lunch at BOG in between, and headed back to the resort for swimming by 3:00. It was a fantastic day!

Yesterday found us at Epcot. Arrived at 9:05. FP+ for Spaceship, then Test Track. Lunch at Rose & Crown, toured the World with DD9 getting Kidcot stamps at every country before 5, then dinner at Via Napoli. Out of the park by 7:30, just before the rain hit. Another great day!

Headed off to AK today, planning on a few FP+ this am, then back to the resort to enjoy things here, and let the kids play with their Christmas gifts, then dinner at the WL. Off to MK early tomorrow - we'll see how things change after Christmas.

 

[North of Mouse]

We are at WDW now. Epcot and HS are busy but crowds are manageable. FP are a must for any of the popular rides. We have been to MK twice during our stay (17th & 22nd). The crowds were ludicrous... On the 17th I would say it was very busy... On the 22nd I would say it was INSANE! Now we just went for about 2 hours in the evening after having been to AK in the morning. People were on top of each other, and I thought I was going to lose a toe with the strollers and scooters running over my feet!

Having said this we are going back for a little more fun tomorrow...let's hope I come out with all of my phalanges attached!

For some reason this hit my funny bone this morning and just cracked me up!! Must say I have never envied anyone being at Disney on this or any other major holiday, but I will hope for you that you don't lose any of your toes in the 'shuffle'!!

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying sitting in my comfy rocker in my own home drinking coffee!

 

[jayohjayoh]

FYI, as of 10:20 am, MK was at Phase A status.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

FYI, as of 10:20 am, MK was at Phase A status.

Heading into Epcot gate now (driving in).Traffic backed up for miles. Can't wait to see where we park!

 

[prudence64]

FYI, as of 10:20 am, MK was at Phase A status.

What does phase a status mean?