Christmas Season Experts...Need your input

[LMC]

We will be arriving in Orlando on 12/22 and leaving on 1/1. We can go to the parks on 12/22, if we like after we get settled.

My questions are:
How are the crowds on 12/24 and 12/25? I bet they thin out on 12/24 since everyone has to get to bed early so Santa can come.

I see that MK and MGM are both open very late (MGM being the EMH evening) on 12/31 so which park is better to go to for new yrs? We may can hop this day as travelling partners will probably have 1 unused day left so maybe do one of these parks in the a.m. then go rest, then go back in the p.m. to the other park (which ever is "best" for new yrs celebration). We will have 4 kids ages 10 and under.

We generally avoid MK on weekends as those days seem to be so much more crowded. Any other specific date(s) to avoid? We know it will be crowded and this is our 3rd trip this yr so we don't do the commando drill anymore; we take things easy!!

We also plan on mostly counter-serve meals. Since we will take our time getting to the parks in the mornings, we will probably take in sandwiches for a lite lunch and then have dinner somewhere. Where is a good place for a Christmas meal on 12/24? I need to make reservations! Do they change their menues for the holidays? If not, I'll look them up and make up my mind.

Oh, everyone make sure you go to all the parades so that we can walk on all the rides at those times!



In general, we will not be park hopping this time since we are traveling with someone who will have non-hopping MYW passes.
My schedule so far is:
12/22 MK in afternoon
12/23 MGM
12/24 Epcot
12/25 Stay "home" and play with toys
12/26 MK
12/27 AK & rest
12/28 MK
12/29 Epcot
12/30 MK
12/31 MGM

 

[jcriket]

On the scale from 1-10 its a 10 for the crowds.
And I wouldn't park hop on the 31st. Because I've been on the 4th of July and with fireworks and all, the parks are usually sold out. And you may not be able to get into another park if you leave. I've never been to either before at new years, but i've seen MGM before somewhere and it looked really awesome. MGM might be something you've never seen before, beacuse I think its sorcery in the sky.

 

[Bob P]

I'd disagree with what jcriket says above. I think on a scale of 1-10, the crowds are a 15!!!!!!

Seriously, a couple of points...the crowds DO NOT thin out on the 24th for Santa's arrival. It's a madhouse.

If you are planning to take your time arriving at the parks in the morning you might want to go at another time of year. If you arrrive at say, 11:AM, you will find that there is barely any room to walk, the line for every attraction is at least an hour long, and FastPasses are either gone for the day or telling you to come back at 9M.

Here is a link to the special Christmas menus, but most of them are on Christmas Day only:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_christmas.htm

And since you are within the 90 day window for ADRs for Christmas Eve, Day, and New Year's Eve, you might want to decide quickly and call ASAP.

Good luck!

Bob

 

[MICKEEP]

MK is open until 3:00AM on 12/25. We do not plan on arriving at the park until 9 or 10PM and staying till closing. My guess is that most people with children will have left by then.

 

[jcriket]

MK is open until 3:00AM on 12/25. We do not plan on arriving at the park until 9 or 10PM and staying till closing. My guess is that most people with children will have left by then.

I'm not sure they will let you in, if the park is full they close it.

 

[Geubux]

I thought that if you were staying on property, you were guaranteed admission to the parks. Also, if you are going to WDW anytime, especially during the crowded periods, you MUST be there when the gates open. Actually, I take that back. I'M there when the gates open and ride until 1pm and go back to the room. YOU can come whenever the mood hits. During MY four hours of am fun, I'LL probably ride 9 to 11 different attractions before my break. During YOUR four hour period (1 - 5) while I'M relaxing, you may ride 2-5 attractions and get something to eat. At christmas, closer to two.
Ya know, the more I think about it, it is YOUR vacation and EVERYONE who reads this should SLEEP IN EVERYDAY, especially this Nov 26- Dec 2. Hey, it's YOUR vacation and you can do what you dang well please. Ha ha!

 

[MICKEEP]

I'm not sure they will let you in, if the park is full they close it.

I am guessing that as the day goes on and people leave they will start admitting again.

 

[PatriciaH]

If you are staying on property they will let you in to A park, not THE park you want to go to. Usualy Epcot stays open and MK closes often at Christmas.