Christmas Week Crowd Pics

[jhaig]

For those of you at WDW now, or if you have been there during Xmas week, who can post the best high crowd picture that can fully capture the madness of this time of year at the parks - Go!

 

[jhaig]

None?

 

[lovndisney12]

Arrived 21st and departing tomorrow. Sorry no pics of crowds. We were here the same time 5 years ago and we all felt it was more crowded - especially Disney Springs. HOWEVER, crowds were light at rope drop until about 11 AM or 12 PM. Literally wall to wall people around more of the narrow walkways. Not sure how Disney Springs will be when the construction is done but it was basically a solid string of people marching along the pathways. They even had a rope separating the two different directions of traffic to keep order. We were at Disney Springs on the 22nd and again last night (Christmas day). Both were intense crowds in the afternoon and evenings.

BUT had an awesome time - which can be done with crowds like this!

 

[Ilivetogo]

My son's marching band played at 11:45 yesterday morning. (28th)

 

[Ilivetogo]

I'm not there, but if I get more pictures (that include crowds), I'll come back and post them.

 

[Ilivetogo]

For those of you at WDW now, or if you have been there during Xmas week, who can post the best high crowd picture that can fully capture the madness of this time of year at the parks - Go!

The rule: sorry.

I'll be back if I get more pics with crowds ...

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

I have some i can try to post from home tonight. I haven't posted pictures on here in ages, so I'm not sure i remember how.

Crowds overall weren't too bad. I was there 12/20-12/27. Did parks 12/21-12/26. The 26th at mk was our most crowded day. It wasn't near as crowded as i thought it would be.

ETA: i would go again this time of year in a heart beat.

 

[mshanson3121]

I have some i can try to post from home tonight. I haven't posted pictures on here in ages, so I'm not sure i remember how.

Crowds overall weren't too bad. I was there 12/20-12/27. Did parks 12/21-12/26. The 26th at mk was our most crowded day. It wasn't near as crowded as i thought it would be.

ETA: i would go again this time of year in a heart beat.

Interesting to hear that. I read so many horror stories of Christmas before hand, but I've read a few accounts now that said Christmas really wasn't that bad, and that by touring smartly using FP+, RD and avoiding MK on Christmas Day, that they really had a good time and got a lot done.

 

[Accident]

MK entered phase A closure both today and the 25th so crowds are up there (todays went back to normal, it was for an hour or so near lunch). I'm not there to see, just going by what blogs are posting about crowds..

 

[Disneylover99]

Interesting to hear that. I read so many horror stories of Christmas before hand, but I've read a few accounts now that said Christmas really wasn't that bad, and that by touring smartly using FP+, RD and avoiding MK on Christmas Day, that they really had a good time and got a lot done.

You can also have a great time, avoid crowds and get lots done on Christmas Day at the MK with good planning.

 

[pad406]

Here's a few from last Christmas

Epcot


MK Main St


And HP in Universal


But, don't let the crowds put you off, it is a fantastic time to go. We're planning our 3rd Christmas/New Year trip, and would go every year if funds would allow and work would stop getting in the way

 

[mshanson3121]

But, don't let the crowds put you off, it is a fantastic time to go. We're planning our 3rd Christmas/New Year trip, and would go every year if funds would allow and work would stop getting in the way

May I ask why Christmas is your favorite time, considering the crowds? I mean, it's crowded as all heck, yet lots of people love to go - why? What makes it worth it? (A sincerely, curious question)

 

[neoavatara]

I was at both Universal and Disney this past week. Definitely high crowd levels, but I thought Disney was actually a little less crowded than last year. Monday at Magic Kingdom, for some reason, was pretty insane though.

 

[pad406]

May I ask why Christmas is your favorite time, considering the crowds? I mean, it's crowded as all heck, yet lots of people love to go - why? What makes it worth it? (A sincerely, curious question)

Good question. For us it comes down to a number of things, no surprise there .

Yes, it's crowded, but if you plan reasonably well and have realistic expectations, that's not a problem, at least for us. We're not all about the rides, we like them, but if we miss them one day it doesn't bother us, we'll get it the next day. We normally stay for about 3 weeks and on site, so have plenty of time to get around. The people add to the atmosphere, it's not like they are barging their way around (sure, some do but you get those people at any time), for the most part they are there enjoying themselves adding to the spirit. The decorations are lovely and even wandering through the resorts makes for a lovely few hours. The campgrounds are also fab, the way people decorate is incredible.

As to the crowds, we tend to avoid the parks at the really busy times. We hit them early, skip off during the day and come back at night when it's quite. A lot of times we will alternate really late nights and early mornings. EMH mornings are fab if you're on site. EMH evenings are not so great, IMHO, as the time taken for the lines to clear can sometimes be as long as the EMH itself. However we LOVE the really late MK opening. Then 12AM+ (sometimes to 3AM) is just so fantastic. On Dec 23rd last we did BTMR 3 times in a row, once without even getting out of the cars, they just sent us on our way again as no one was waiting. 7DMT was a walk on, Space as less than 10m. It was fab.

Of course you also have to be sensible. MK on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve, no thanks, we're not that brave.

We have kids in school, so school holidays are the only realistic time that we can go. Both DS & I would literally melt in the heat & humidity of the Florida summer, so it would not be the least bit enjoyable for us. We went around Easter in 2012 and that was lovely weather, but we still prefer Christmas. It can be cold the odd day, but cold for Florida is grand for us, it just means a hoodie, or sometimes a jacket, it's not COLD as such. We've used the waterparks and the pool at Christmas, no problem. In fact, it's a great time for the waterparks, there's only usually the more hardy northern US people (no offence to those in the south ) and the Europeans there, it's really quiet.

Christmas time is not for everybody, attitude (to crowds) and expectations play a vital part. If you are a family that likes marching from one ride to the next, maximizing the no of rides, then I'd definitely be saying don't go. If you have a more relaxed touring style, try it at least once. If you can make the time, try and either come early or stay later, at least you'll probably get one 'quieter' week.

 

[han22735]

Taken from the top of cinderella's castle and posted on twitter. From last night.

https://twitter.com/easywdw/status/682399188135620610

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

I created a new thread with crowd pictures from my recent trip.

 

[Disneyalea]

Taken from the top of cinderella's castle and posted on twitter. From last night.

https://twitter.com/easywdw/status/682399188135620610

Wow!