Christmas...is it that bad??

[bee86]

Hi all,

Christmas this year has become an option for me while I am super excited at the prospect..... Everything I read is STAY AWAY crowds are way to mental etc etc

Anyone been at Christmas?? Can you get over the crowds??

We normally go in June so we are used to a certain amount of crowds.

Any help appreciated x

 

[saintrob]

We go three times a year.......Easter, July/August and Christmas. Christmas is by far my favourite. We normally travel out around the 21st and stay till just after New Year. Yes, it's the busiest time of the year for the parks (apart from the 4th July) but with careful planning you can have a fabulous time. We plan our fast passes carefully and generally hit the parks either morning or evening.

Magic Kingdom does get insanely busy on Christmas Day after 11am ish - we usually leave after the parade at noon. The only crowd I found to be uncomfortable was Epcot on NYE - it was way too packed to the point of being ridiculous. We always book our ADRs at the 180 date and have had no problems getting all our reservations.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Which parks are you visiting, Seaworld can be lovely at Christmas.

We too love going at Christmas but normally fly out around the 15th so do get a week before it gets so busy. Now dd is older we like to go to MK on Christmas Eve and stay until it closes. As it gets later the park does get quieter and it is great. We have also been on Christmas Day, but nowadays tend to get up later, go to mini golf at WDW and later go to one of the restaurants such as CG for a meal at night.

Currently looking at flight prices, have you booked yours yet?

 

[wayneg]

Due to me being in retail we can't go until Xmas day. Xmas day thru to the New Year is crazy. You can't really believe how busy until you see it. We once arrived at MCO with no car available at any rental company even though there were plane loads arriving with prebooked cars. 10 min car journey takes 30 mins etc.
These were times for New Years eve a few years, Soarin over 4 hours.
Saying that it is the most magical time to visit. Go enjoy the theming and atmosphere rather than try ride every ride.

 

[saintrob]

Which parks are you visiting, Seaworld can be lovely at Christmas.

We too love going at Christmas but normally fly out around the 15th so do get a week before it gets so busy. Now dd is older we like to go to MK on Christmas Eve and stay until it closes. As it gets later the park does get quieter and it is great. We have also been on Christmas Day, but nowadays tend to get up later, go to mini golf at WDW and later go to one of the restaurants such as CG for a meal at night.

Currently looking at flight prices, have you booked yours yet?

I booked our flights last week. I was lucky and managed to get miles flights with Virgin from Manchester to Atlanta in UC. I've now booked connections with Delta to MCO which were very reasonable.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I booked our flights last week. I was lucky and managed to get miles flights with Virgin from Manchester to Atlanta in UC. I've now booked connections with Delta to MCO which were very reasonable.

UC now that's a Christmas treat! I saw some really good prices with Virgin from Manchester when they first came out but didn't have my holidays booked at work and they were soon gone.

 

[saintrob]

UC now that's a Christmas treat! I saw some really good prices with Virgin from Manchester when they first came out but didn't have my holidays booked at work and they were soon gone.[/QUOTIE]

I can't wait!

Full price is crazy however we've managed to bag UC to LAX in summer and then return from MCO by going via Dublin for less than what we would pay in premium economy! The domestic flight from LAX to MCO was a very good price too.

 

[bex7583]

i would love to go at xmas, im not sure it would appeal if i thought it may be first and only visit . but as a regular/returning visit i would just go with more of a go with the flow attitude and enjoy all the decorations and details

 

[Chilly]

We've been at Christmas, arrived Christmas Day 2009, and plan to go again for Christmas 2019. I wouldn't recommend it for someone's first or even 2nd visit but for someone who visits a lot then it can be wonderful.e

 

[norjack]

It can get crazy at times, but not crazy enough to consider not going. Just be prepared that you might find the occasional cold streak, if you're not lucky (ie frost, cold temps for a small period). If you have the opportunity, Christmas is a wonderful time to experience a lot of unique sights, sounds and smells. I say go for it!

 

[Cumbley]

We've been at Christmas 4 times (I think!) and love it! I'd go that time of year again in a heartbeat. We are doing August this year which is new for us and I would expect the crowds to be similar. I think you just have to be smart with your park plans - get your ADRs booked in. We are huge fans of early EMH as we are generally early birds - you can get loads done in those mornings. The festive atmosphere is fantastic - its lovely to see all the Christmas decorations. Bear in mind the weather can be very changeable! We went from shorts and t-shirts one day to needing to buy woolly hats in Norway in Epcot one year! If you have any specific questions I am more than happy to answer if I can!

 

[Tash87]

I'm throwing it out there.....I wouldn't go at Christmas personally. However it's the only place that I would consider spending my Christmas Day but the crowds DO put me off and I would be terrified that my holiday would be ruined by that.

 

[dixonsontour]

If anyone is reading with a baby/toddler go early December to get xmas magic without the crowds. We had 2 fantastic trips.

We've been once boxing day but did universal only. Parks were very busy.

We may brave christmas when DD is at secondary school and i'm stuck with school hols anyway.