Christmas week - Which day??

[country-mom-of-4]

We will be in Orlando visiting both ads and universal. I know it's going to be crowded but is there a day of the week that's better than another? Or just go and hope for the best with realistic expectations? Or not go at all and check out the other area attractions?

 

[Metro West]

We will be in Orlando visiting both ads and universal. I know it's going to be crowded but is there a day of the week that's better than another? Or just go and hope for the best with realistic expectations? Or not go at all and check out the other area attractions?

Starting December 26th all local parks are wall to wall so it won't matter which day you go. It's going to be an absolute madhouse at WDW, Universal and SeaWorld. You'll have to decide if you want to deal with the crowds or not. It's a lot of money to spend and having to spend most of the day in lines is not fun.

 

[country-mom-of-4]

Starting December 26th all local parks are wall to wall so it won't matter which day you go. It's going to be an absolute madhouse at WDW, Universal and SeaWorld. You'll have to decide if you want to deal with the crowds or not. It's a lot of money to spend and having to spend most of the day in lines is not fun.

After talking it through with our family we've decided to do WDW - but not Universal. We will do 2 days of parks with a day off in between for the pool, maybe drive to the beach, go to an orchard, etc. DH is not a fan of normal crowds, so in order for us to survive this trip, we will do it on the down low - lol!

 

[macraven]

you'll have crowds at the motherland for those same dates.

 

[rcraw45425]

you'll have crowds at the motherland for those same dates.

Oh boy will you, and not to mention No onsite Front Of The Line perk!

 

[RMulieri]

Disney is going to be wall to wall people too..Your best and only hope there is get to the parks about an hour before rope drop and be ready to hit as many headliners in that first hour as you can.Around midmorning 10-11am.The crowds will pack in and the parks may possibly close to capacity.Wait times then without Fastpass will be well over 60 mins( some as much as 120mins).Also be aware that at Disney they now enforce the return times on Fastpass.

 

[country-mom-of-4]

We've been to WDW over Christmas before - stayed at the Yacht Club. I didn't think the crowds were intolerable at all (very surprised by that, actually). We didn't take advantage of any of the EMH's and just followed TGM's green park recommendations and early rd. Worked out very well for us! So we know it will be crowded, but wasn't sure if Universal was the same. I also know the parks very well at WDW - not so much at Universal. We will just save that for another trip

 

[Metro West]

So we know it will be crowded, but wasn't sure if Universal was the same. I also know the parks very well at WDW - not so much at Universal. We will just save that for another trip

I think that's your best bet.

 

[RMulieri]

We've been to WDW over Christmas before - stayed at the Yacht Club. I didn't think the crowds were intolerable at all (very surprised by that, actually). We didn't take advantage of any of the EMH's and just followed TGM's green park recommendations and early rd. Worked out very well for us! So we know it will be crowded, but wasn't sure if Universal was the same. I also know the parks very well at WDW - not so much at Universal. We will just save that for another trip

Probably a good idea.Like I said the only thing to be aware of is that the Fast pass policy has changed in March this year.Return times are now enforced and FP can not be used outside the return window anymore.This might not affect you, but I know that some holiday travellers are seriously trying to re-work the way they tour

 

[Mariellen102]

Has anyone gone to Island of Adventure on Christmas day? If so, please comment on your trip!! Also, Is it as crowded as Disney would be?

 

[tajz90]

Oh boy will you, and not to mention No onsite Front Of The Line perk!

What do you mean? Do they honor the on site hotel at that time of year?

 

[macraven]

What do you mean? Do they honor the on site hotel at that time of year?

if you go back and read the posts, you will see that statement was in reference to the motherland that i made.

 

[tajz90]

if you go back and read the posts, you will see that statement was in reference to the motherland that i made.

Whew! Thanks

 

[Maytrix]

Might want to re-think your plan and see when you might go back. If you'll go back at a less busy time, then Universal might be the better choice.

Consider you can go to Disney with no special benefits or you can go to Universal and stay onsite and get the express pass as part of your stay. All else being equal, you'll spend far less time waiting for rides and more time riding. Not being familiar with the park won't have any impact.

 

[RMulieri]

Has anyone gone to Island of Adventure on Christmas day? If so, please comment on your trip!! Also, Is it as crowded as Disney would be?

It is just as crowded and did indeed close to capacity last year

 

[Metro West]

Let's not forget the impact of Fantasyland opening in early December will have on crowds at the MK this year. You wouldn't pay me to go over there this holiday season.

 

[SprExcited]

Has anyone gone to Island of Adventure on Christmas day? If so, please comment on your trip!! Also, Is it as crowded as Disney would be?

Yes, we went to IOA on Christmas Day 2011. IMHO it wasn't that bad at all. In fact we rode every single ride we wanted to and then some. Including FJ a few times etc. The crowds were really fine.

Now on Dec 26 the parks were just JAMMED! Insane crowds.

If I could see my way clear on our next trip we'll do Dec 23/24/25.

Oh, we also did not stay on site.

 

[Mariellen102]

Thank you very much! We are not staying on site either and are going to give it a try on christmas day! Hopefully if we are there when it opens we can see/do the things we want to!!