christmas week good bad

[my3cinderellas]

Im debating on christmas week 2009, any pros/ cons for dec 26-jan2?
Is this typically very busy? our other option would be fd if offered in the fall.

any advice would be great!

cast
me-32
dh 31
dd 9
dd 5
dd 3

The only real pro i see to going in august/sept is that my dd's will be 8, 5, and 2 so it would be cheaper that way.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Busiest and most expensive time to go. As long as those two factors don't matter to you, then it is a great time.

 

[TinkOhio]

Another thing to consider is that Aug./Sept is HOT down there that time of the year!!! If your little ones aren't used to that kind of heat, it may make things less pleasant.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Or it could be extremely rainy, as this week has been.

 

[OceanAnnie]

We went last Christmas for two weeks. We left WDW on the 23rd. When we first got there the crowds were light. It got progressively more crowded with each day. By the time we left the difference was incredible. I don't care to go back during the time frame close to Christmas. It was crazy town for us.

 

[lisa3383]

If there was any way for you too push the vacation back a week you would move from Holiday/Peak pricing to Value and the crowds would be sooo much less! I'm guessing you are locked in because those dates track the kids' school vacation. Still, its something worth considering.

As far as weather - we love the Florida weather in Dec./Jan.! Best time of year in my opinion.

Another plus for that time of year: holiday decorations are still up (usually through the first week in January (around Jan. 6/7 they stop the Osborne Family lights and holiday parades, also trees/decorations start coming down).

 

[weesignlanguage]

I was wondering this too...with being a teacher and going for FD this year and most likely next year, we were considering get the AP and were trying to figure out when we would use it (other than the hot crowded summer or spring break) that I am not in school. We cannot be gone on Christmas day but were considering going sometime the week after Christmas...anytime between Dec. 26 and Jan. 5....would crowds be as terrible that time of the year??

What about hotel costs (on or off site)??

 

[RNMOM]

We have gone several times just before Xmas and twice during the week of Xmas.

Frankly, we love it. Yes, it is crowded. Yes, it is noisy and yes you will have to wait for everything.

If it is not your first time and you are not the kind of people who feel you have to ride every ride you will probably have a lot of fun. There are a lot of special events that go on the entire period. Epcot has special "Santa" storytellers who perform in costume and tell the legends in their country. There are special holiday meals and all the wonderful decorations are spectacular. Each resort has special performances and events for the children.

The resorts are not discounted during this time of year. The whole week is busy as they also have a lot of special events for NY Eve. I have found most people to be more relaxed and happy during this time. Maybe because I was just so happy to be at my favorite place that I feel this way.

We tend to spend a lot of time at Downtown Disney and go to a movie and enjoy the singers they have performing. Really, if you stay on property and don't have to battle the traffice or parking it isn't that bad. Well, busses at the end of the day when everyone is leaving, that's bad.
We relax, plan our meals ahead and just go with the flow. Remember, they have special parades too. I think it is worth doing at least once.

 

[weesignlanguage]

Is there any resort (on or off) that is nice and give great deals this time of year??? During or after Christmas?? Just curious!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

"Deals" and Christmas usually do not go in the same sentence for vacation travel.
If the WDW resorts do not work for you, there are lots of Good Neighbor Hotels that can also be booked through calling the Disney res line. That way you could maybe compare prices all in one call.
Some off sites most likely offer perks such as free breakfasts, etc.
However keep in mind that week is probably the busiest all year (if July 4th does not beat it). And getting around can be quite an issue. DH has seen cars lined up during Christmas from the MK gates to 192. Cars will even be parked near the Hess station and Richard Petty Driving Experience.
PI clubs will be closed in less than a month. So guests who use to go there may end up in the parks.
The Disney parks will also experience temporary closures through the days. (And reopen when possible.) On site guests are guaranteed to enter a park. Off site would not have that guarantee at all.
During those terribly busy times, I would not consider staying off site, unless you had plans for other places besides WDW and had your own transportation. And even that would be tricky for someone not seasoned in that area.

 

[janiebegood]

Busiest and most expensive time to go. As long as those two factors don't matter to you, then it is a great time.

Neither of which I really knew when I booked, Luvs2Roam, since I hadn't found the DIS boards yet! *sigh* Still, it's our anniversary New Year's Eve, so I'm sure we will have fun, even if it's busy!

Our approach is to go "against the grain" on those two very busy days (Dec. 30 and 31) by hitting the parks when they open and staying through the morning, going back to the resort for the afternoon, then heading to our dinner ADRs -- one night at 'Ohana and the other at 1900 Park Fare, hoping that the resorts will be less nutso than the parks would be on those nights.

We don't plan to even try to get into a park in the evening either night. We'll watch the fireworks from the Poly beach!

 

[Luv2Roam]

The last few years DH has had no issues with getting into a park early evening. If you are a WDW resort guest, you can get into a park. Just not maybe the park of your choice.
Although you can imagine how packed the parks are.
I recall last NYE pouring rain for awhile early evening. The year before that rain showers moved in late afternoon.
That seems to thin crowds a bit, even on NYE.
You did right by having ADRs. That's a big step ahead.
NYE in a park is like Christmas shopping -- you know it will be busy and hectic. Just plan accordingly.

 

[janiebegood]

NYE in a park is like Christmas shopping -- you know it will be busy and hectic. Just plan accordingly.

Gotcha! Holiday spirit for all!

 

[my3cinderellas]

Thanks for all the info, i have little kids and there is no way they'll be able to handle all those crowds and i dont really want the extra expense. We did free dining last yr in sept and it was 90-100 and as much as it was hot, it was well worth it. im going to look into that instead, i guess taking my kids out of school will have to do as it would be better financially. We can go learn at epcot right?