Christmas through New Year's at WDW!!

[KyleRayner]

I've never done it myself, so I'm curious to hear from my fellow DIS'ers who have.

What's it like being at WDW from Christmas through New Year's. I'm sure it's a magical time to be there, but I'm curious to hear how the crowds are and what the lines are like at the parks during this time and how you handle them?

I would like to do it some day but what has always held me back from doing so was the crowds and the lines.

Do you basically just accept that the crowds will be big and the lines will be long and deal with the fact that you may not get to do everything you want at the parks in exchange for being there at such a magical time?

 

[robinb]

The crowds are, in a word, insane! We just come to expect that we won't be able to do anything after 10:00 AM without a fast pass. What that means to us is that we slow down a bit and enjoy the things that don't have lines. We get to the park early (sometimes even for the 7:00 AM EMH) and we leave for a rest around lunch. We return to a park later in the day after the parade crowds have left and we enjoy the parks at night.

 

[JodyTG]

The crowds are, in a word, insane! We just come to expect that we won't be able to do anything after 10:00 AM without a fast pass. What that means to us is that we slow down a bit and enjoy the things that don't have lines. We get to the park early (sometimes even for the 7:00 AM EMH) and we leave for a rest around lunch. We return to a park later in the day after the parade crowds have left and we enjoy the parks at night.

I totally agree with this. It IS a madhouse...pushing, shoving, griping, complaining. But, if you go into it knowing that you won't be able to do everything, you'll be fine.

One of my family's most relaxing vacations was 12/24-12/30 of last year. We rode some of the major rides in the morning and with fast passes and the rest of the time we just enjoyed being there. When the parks got TOO crazy we spent a lot more time on the Boardwalk at night, played a few rounds of miniature golf, went resort hopping...basically just created our own fun.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Hello Neighbor,

Greetings from Huntington! Christmas at WDW is the most magical time of the entire year! If you are staying at a Disney resort , definitely use EMH. Use fast pass and make those ADR's now. By planning ahead you will have a big advantage over those who walk into WDW and say "Whadda you wanna see first?"

Just be prepared for it to be the busiest week of the entire year. Waiting for the bathroom can be a twenty minute event. That said, it is still the most magical place on earth, during the most festive time of the year.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[KyleRayner]

Hello Neighbor,

Greetings from Huntington! Christmas at WDW is the most magical time of the entire year! If you are staying at a Disney resort , definitely use EMH. Use fast pass and make those ADR's now. By planning ahead you will have a big advantage over those who walk into WDW and say "Whadda you wanna see first?"

Just be prepared for it to be the busiest week of the entire year. Waiting for the bathroom can be a twenty minute event. That said, it is still the most magical place on earth, during the most festive time of the year.

Have a wonderful trip!

Hi Neighbor,

I have 2 trips planned for 2007, one in April and the other in October. I was jut curious what it was like the actual week of Christmas. I had a feeling it would be crazy and that's what has always stopped me from going during that time, but I'm sure it is magical. I've gone a few times the first week of December with everything all decorated for the holidays, so I'm sure the week of Christmas is even more magical, I'm just not sure if I have the stamina to do it. Who knows, maybe someday, never say never.

Love the pic of you and your husband in your signature. Really clever!! Are you on MySpace?

 

[castleri]

This will be my third trip including Christmas and NY and we plan to do the things that some have not had a chance to do yet - Everest, soarin, The Osbourn lights, the nemo musical etc. After that anything we manage to do is gravy. Because we know we will be back at other less busy times we just go with the attitude we will enjoy the decorations, the holiday atmosphere, and maybe a special meal or two. i would not suggest it for a first timer who is planning this as their trip of a lifetime. Just go with the flow, plan for meals at odd times to avoid the really bad lines and enjoy the magic. I was one who said " I'll never do WDW at Christmas because of the crowds" - As I said this is our 3rd trip for that week after finding it can really be fun if you go with realistic expectations. We got to see some of the back stage area in the MK last time as they rerouted people backstage to get from town square to tomorrow land just before one of the parades on NYE. our other week to travel is the last in September so we go from one extreme to the other.

 

[springandmac]

I went during this time for two years in a row and after the second trip, I said "forget it, I'm never doing that again." and I haven't.

It's too many people and not such a magical experience.

 

[Scratch42]

You Go with the Flow!

It's not as bad as DL at Christmas!

j

 

[jade1]

One of our favorite weeks to go.

 

[kaelarad]

I agree with the go with the flow. We generally go from the 18-28 of December because the crowds really build the closer you get to NYE. I will never be at Disney again at New years, but wouldn't miss being there at Christmas. Go with the flow like the other poster said and enjoy.

 

[TomD]

As everyone says the crowds are insane. Saying that as long as you know you won't get to do everything that you want to do you will be fine.

We used FP's and were there when the park opened. We left after lunch and went back in the evening. NYE it seemed we had AK all to ourselves.

Go have and have a great time and enjoy the sights

 

[jdvm]

Christmas (and Easter) are pure mayhem. But as long as you realize that on the front end, you'll be fine. The only thing we don't really like is that it's very difficult to get into restaurants. Make sure you bring some lights to decorate your balcony!!
John