Christmas Week: Heaven or Hell?

[Jen D]

We are thinking of going Christmas Week 2006. I don't mean earlier in December, I mean checking in the 24th or 25th and staying until right before or right after New Years. I've read about people who surprise their kids with the trip on Christmas morning and head to the airport in the afternoon. I love this idea. I also love the idea of getting out of town that week... it is a slow work week and that post-Christmas letdown sets in.

We really can't go earlier... dd's school goes all the way to the 23rd and even if we wanted to miss a few days, before Christmas is crunch time for dh. I've always wanted to go for Christmas and New Years.. a great magical time. What a Christmas present.

But the downsides are huge-- the two "C"s... Cost and Crowds! Resorts are hugely expensive, although this year there are good AP rates up until a 12/25 check-in. (Can't count on that for 2006 though.) Airfare is a nightmare for flying in this period... of course I'll hunt for deals but it is about double the normal rate. And then there are the crowds, which I know are brutal.

So I ask of you, Christmas Week travelers? Was it worth it? Would you do it again? I need advice, words of wisdom, whatever.

 

[phisigprincess]

We did the 2nd week and it was wonderful. We still got to spend Christmas at home along with enjoying all of the Christmas activities Disney had to offer with minimal crowds.

 

[Melissa M]

We went during Christmas Week last year. This was our first trip to WDW, so we had nothing to compare it to. We utilized the morning EMH and hit our "must see" list, then we hopped to a less crowded park.

We went with the attitude that we won't be able to see EVERYTHING, but that's okay. It gave us an excuse to plan a future trip.

We had a blast!!! I firmly believe that if it weren't for all the good advice on these boards, the trip could have been a disaster. You guys are the best!!

BTW, I voted for "Amazing. I'd do it again!"

 

[dougsmom98]

Our first trip was the week between Christmas and New Years and with a lot of planning and getting to the parks when they opened, we did a ton. We went with our three sons who were 2,2 and 4 at the time. It was magical and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
-Amy

 

[Jen D]

Well, I love reading the positive reviews but the poll is running overwhelmingly "Never Again" right now! But none of those people are posting.

Keep the responses coming!

 

[Credit Man]

This will be our first year to go Christmas week, so I did not vote. However, I am looking forward to the trip and we will deal with the crowds.

 

[erinz]

I've never gone at that time, but I've read ALOT of posts about it and the majority say it's horrible in terms of crowds. As in total gridlock from 11am (maybe even earlier) on. But it may be just how you plan it, as the other posters on this thread wrote.

Maybe you should try to do a search under "Christmas Week" or something like that, and read what folks have said from past years.

Good Luck!!

 

[Toby]

If you want to spend hours of each day waiting in line for rides, having Fastpasses run out by 10:00am everyday, people pushing and shoving, 15-20 minutes in line for bathrooms, crying kids, tired parents crabbing, just to see some Christmas decorations, then by all means go. The decorations are gorgeous, granted, but the crowds are not to be believed. You will have a wonderful time if you don't want to do rides or see the shows, but I went with my husband and kids, who grew quite frustrated at not being able to ride what they wanted, without having to spend 1 1/2 -2 hours in line. My husband said it was a very expensive vacation just to see some Christmas trees...

 

[Tink215]

I will be doing this this year, We plan on surprising my 4 year old and packing all the bags and leaving Christmas Morning!! We are going with the expectations of large crowds and stuff, My DD has been to WDW about 5 times and the baby has been there 3 times, our last trip being Oct of last year, We plan on being a little more focused on the Epcot and MGM, But realize if we cant see it all there is always next time!!! I am planning as much as we can with two Character Dining's and lots of family time!!!! We plan on lots of Hopping from theme parks, lots of time just going back to our room for some lunch and exploring the resorts as well, Those are my expectations!!!! Our main focus on this trip is to be together as a family not going to everyones stressing over the Holidays!!! Wanted to do something for just us!!!! With all my reasearch I have found its a very magical time of year but busy as well, so if you are going plan,plan,plan and just have fun!!!!

 

[Melissa M]

We got up at 5:00 each morning in order to make it to EMH at 7:00 am. When we went to MK, by 7:10 we were on Space Mountain.

My DD13 said, "If we'd have stayed home just like any other holiday, I'd be in bed right now. But by golly, I'm on SPACE MOUNTAIN!!! That's always better than sleeping in."

In my opinion, a crowded day at Disney World is still better than a mediocre day at home or work. And it's still better than the crowds at after-Christmas sales.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

We did a week at Christmas a couple of years ago. We stayed at the Poly, enjoyed the pool most days, did the parade on Christmas along with thousands of our closest friends, but avoided the parks except very early in the day. It was beyond crowded! It was 4th of July crowded at the MK. We did fast pass a few rides, but we did not get to ride much. I would say it is fun once, the place was extremely festive, but I will not do that week again. Next year my kids get out of school early, so I would do it but come home on December 23. After that you can not hardly walk in the parks and it just is not worth the money to not ride anything. Even as an AP holder!

Laura

 

[musicmama]

We did it last year (2004) and stayed offsite, just off of Hotel Plaza Boulevard. We got up in time to make most regular park openings and still grab some breakfast at the hotel - only took about 10 minutes to get to parks. We used FastPasses and were generally OK. The only difficult day of our trip was New Year's Eve - really really insane, but we survived. We arrived on the 27th and left on Jan 2nd. This year, we're arriving on the 23rd and leaving on the 2nd...

So I would say - go for it!!!

 

[winniedapooh]

We went once and said never again...but after crowds went down, we changed our minds, lol. We are doing it again, leaving 12/25 through 1/8. Can't wait.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I've been to Disney World four times during Christmas week. It became family tradition to take Amtrak from Houston to Orlando arriving on the 23rd or 24th and staying for 5 or 6 days. I think (just my personal opinion) that Christmas in Walt Disney World is the most beautiful thing and everyone should do it at least once. The atmosphere, the shows, the decorations, it's just beautiful and amazing. We always stayed at an All Star (better rates) and just loved it. The crowds weren't bad at all, at least nothing that my mom, brother and I couldn't handle. I know my brother and I alwasy got on every ride that we wanted to and the waits weren't terrible (and this was even before Fastpass was introduced). The only thing that was difficult to get to were the parades (unless you saved your spot an hour before the parade started) but we still got some good spots. The Christmas Day parade (that is/was televised) is usually very crowded! Last time I went to DW it was in August and it was just too hot and crowded. This time I'm going in January and I'm looking forward to low crowds and nice weather but I'll still miss my Christmas in Disney World.

 

[PiRSquared]

Did it two years ago, doing it again this year. We weren't there on Christmas day last time -- got there evening of 26th (drove all the way for NJ). We had fun, but you have to have the right attitude -- I'm here to enjoy it. We won't see everything, but we have priorities. Make dining reservations. Pick your park days carefully. But we had fun!

 

[kwdietrich1]

I have to say after going Christmas week 4 years in a row and one other time 10 years ago, that I can honestly say that June is more crowded to me. We go every Christmas and June, and my DH and I agree that we will probably just drop June and go every Christmas instead. Being teachers, our times of the year to go are limited. The weather is cooler, sometimes tooooooo cold (last year I wore gloves and heavy jacket 4 out of the 6 days, along with a poncho for the rain Christmas day.) Animal Kingdom was practically deserted. This was the day after Christmas. The only problem with crowds that really annoyed me was after the parades and the closing at MK. Other than that, we cherish our time with all the Christmas decorations, hot chocolate in the park, special gift bags the resorts hang on your door Christmas Eve, and the wonderful cozy feeling that I really get in WDW at Christmas. It is a much try! Go with the attitude that you don't have to do everything, and you'll be fine!

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

We are going back this year but we are going earlier. It is a must do thing!

 

[kocar]

Our family of 6 unanimously prefers WDW at xmas over any other time of year so far. Although we're limited to xmas, spring break and summer since my husband and I are in education.

The decorations, candlelight processional, hayride at Ft. Wilderness to view the decorations in campground and cabins, etc. is magical. Our first family trip was Dec. 2001. I was apprehensive about not being home for xmas eve, but quickly forgot those concerns once I saw how Disney recreates the magic of a northern xmas right down to the "snow". We did notice a significant increase in the crowds on Dec. 26th, the day we left for home though. I would advice doing all early entry and EMH if at all possible to avoid crowds. Pre-plan everything down to the routes you will take. Research best strategies for each park. I would suggest buying a subscription to www.tourguidemike.com It will be the best $25-$30 you spend.

Good luck!

 

[denecarter]

Couldn't say "only once" 'cause I've done it more already. We've been three times during the Christmas holiday season.

Dec 25 to Dec 31... cold, increasing crowds as we went
Dec 27 to Jan 3... cool, increasing crowds til NYE, then "relatively" empty
Dec 18 to Dec 28... cool, best trip of the bunch, really not "horribly busy" until Christmas, by then we were just coasting

Part of it will depend upon your expectations... expect crowds and lines, don't expect to ride everything, expect to slow down and catch more of the atmosphere... then it will be good.

 

[GoofyDad869]

We went over Christmas 2003. We got down to the World on 12/27 and stayed until late afternoon 12/31 - had to make it a short-ish trip because my little brother and his girlfriend were starting Spring classes at WVU (Go 'Eers) on 1/3 or 1/4. We had an absolute blast despite the crowds! We stayed at the Beach Club (see sig below) so we were a short walk to both the Boardwalk and EPCOT World Showcase.

We were in EPCOT on New Years Eve to eat at the Land restaurant. We decided to take a quick stroll around the park before we got in the BAV (a rental van we dubbed Big-A** Van and referred to as the BAV in earshot of the kids with more tender ears). We walked by Test Track (stand-by wait was listed at 210 minutes) and Mission Space (stand-by wait time listed at 150 minutes). As we were driving back home through north Florida/south Georgia that evening we were all joking about the people just getting in line when we walked by were 'just now' getting on Mission Space or Test Track.

My brother still mentions that trip (in a very good way) almost every time we talk to each other.