Christmas time

[KelleyK75]

I have seen the pictures of crowds at Christmas time and I know it's insane. I've always wanted to be there around Christmas though, and to top it off my birthday is 12/30, and I would love to be in Magic Kingdom on my birthday. Is it generally the worst between Christmas and New Years, right before Christmas, right after Christmas? Does it die down after New Years Eve? This year New Years Eve is a Wednesday. Would it still be crowded the rest of the week? Do they keep the Christmas decorations up until New Years Day?

Just dreaming about going back at that time (just got back from being there last week) and wondering what crowds would be like.

 

[Robo]

I have seen the pictures of crowds at Christmas time and I know it's insane. I've always wanted to be there around Christmas though, and to top it off my birthday is 12/30, and I would love to be in Magic Kingdom on my birthday.




1- Is it generally the worst between Christmas and New Years,

2- right before Christmas,

3- right after Christmas?

4- Does it die down after New Years Eve?

5- This year New Years Eve is a Wednesday. Would it still be crowded the rest of the week?

6- Do they keep the Christmas decorations up until New Years Day?

7- Just dreaming about going back at that time (just got back from being there last week) and wondering what crowds would be like.

1 & 3- Yes.

2- Generally, a bit less.

4- Usually. Depends on the back-to-school date.

5- Expect it to be very busy (Schools won't go back until at least the following Monday.)

6- Yes. As well as the Christmas events in the parks.

7- Generally, the busiest time of the year at WDW.

 

[MouseOfGold]

I have found it to be very busy the weeks of Christmas & New Years. It's also quite busy the first few weeks of January with the marathon and South American Tour groups visiting. I love Christmas time at WDW and we tend to travel there within the first 2 weeks of December when most schools aren't out yet for break and the crowds are still busy but very manageable. Another option to experience the Christmas "feel" & see the decorations is to travel there the last few weeks in November.

 

[Itinkso]

We arrived on New Year's Eve, and were in the parks on January 1st and 2nd, 2013. DHS was packed - shoulder to shoulder people and Fantasmic was standing room only for the first two of three shows. Viewing the Osborne Lights after the 2nd Fant was great because no crowds at all. Epcot was busy, comparable to a busy summer day.

The Christmas Parade and Celebrate the Season, Castle stage show, will run until January 3rd or 4th and the decorations will come down at that time too. MK does remain busy through that week.

When we returned to the parks and DTD on January 6th and 7th, the crowds had lessened considerably.

 

[ferd]

Was there the 24th this past December and had a fabulous Christmas Eve. We got there at park opening, did many attractions and characters. Had lunch then viewed the Christmas Parade and left around 4:30. The park was crowded but manageable and very, very magical for my family. Really a fun day to be at the Magic Kingdom.

Went back on December 30th and OMG! Totally a mob scene/mad house/zoo!! I felt smothered in Fantasyland. People everywhere!!! (And this was in the morning and early afternoon.) I couldn't take it and we left around 1pm or so. Too crowded for me (and this is from someone who was at the park 4th of July as well.)

It dies down after about the 4 or 5th of January. The first couple weeks in December are very nice, too.

 

[KelleyK75]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I really want to be there for Christmas one year, but it sounds like going at the beginning of Dec is a better option. I hate that my birthday is the 30th....I would love to be there on my birthday but I always hear it's super busy. I guess I'll either have to suck it up and deal with the crowds or try beginning of Dec.

 

[5Hfan]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I really want to be there for Christmas one year, but it sounds like going at the beginning of Dec is a better option. I hate that my birthday is the 30th....I would love to be there on my birthday but I always hear it's super busy. I guess I'll either have to suck it up and deal with the crowds or try beginning of Dec.

I feel your pain, want to be there for our anniv, but it is Dec 29. Great day to get married, but has always been a bad time for an anniv! (between Christmas/New Years, traveling to visit family, holiday rates, things over booked etc).

 

[KelleyK75]

I feel your pain, want to be there for our anniv, but it is Dec 29. Great day to get married, but has always been a bad time for an anniv! (between Christmas/New Years, traveling to visit family, holiday rates, things over booked etc).

Yep, that's how it's always been for me. I am always envious of people who have summer birthdays, because they don't have to deal with holidays and everyone is ready to celebrate in the summer. I rarely get to do anything cool on my birthday because everyone has just spent a ton on Christmas and is about to have New Years. I always say I am just going to celebrate my half birthday in June!