Comparison of june and Christmas week?

[Disneycrazymom]

We have been a few times in summer. So we know its hot and crowded then!

I am considering a trip between Christmas and New Years day. What would be the same in June verses Dec 26? What would be different? Any thoughts to help me decide would be appreciated.

 

[Robo]

We have been a few times in summer. So we know its hot and crowded then!

I am considering a trip between Christmas and New Years day. What would be the same in June verses Dec 26? What would be different? Any thoughts to help me decide would be appreciated.

Very different crowd-levels.

Between Christmas and New Years day is THE busiest week of the year at WDW.

Many times they will close the park entrances to further guests as the parks (especially MK and DHS)
are over-filled with guests. Shoulder-to-shoulder in some locations.

 

[DOOM1001]

Summer crowds are big but pale in comparison to the week between Christmas and New Years,simply put those are the biggest crowds you'll see all year.I'll take the weather during Christmas over the Summer any time,but I live in Florida and despise the heat,humidity and rain.If you're from a colder climate and want some warm weather to swim you might prefer a Summer visit.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks! I am worried about the crowds! The weather would be a nice break from MO cold. It would feel warm to us. We have been at 4th of July and I thought it was pretty crowded that week. Is it even worse at Christmas?

 

[ZoZo]

Thanks! I am worried about the crowds! The weather would be a nice break from MO cold. It would feel warm to us. We have been at 4th of July and I thought it was pretty crowded that week. Is it even worse at Christmas?

Yes, super, super crowded. As Robo said, wall-to-wall, shoulder-to-shoulder people. Busiest week of the year by far, way more crowded than the 4th of July.

I myself would pick any other week of the year - no way in the world would I go during the week between Christmas and New Year's. The waits for rides, restaurants, and other activities would be too much for me to handle. But somehow, some people go back every year!

 

[baler31]

Thanks! I am worried about the crowds! The weather would be a nice break from MO cold. It would feel warm to us. We have been at 4th of July and I thought it was pretty crowded that week. Is it even worse at Christmas?

We enjoy the after Christmas week , even with the crowds the weather makes it more tolerable than July. And, yes the crowds are usually very noticeably larger than July 4th. You need a good plan and the understanding that you will not see everything. MK usually opens every day at 7am and we go then and stay until 11am and eat lunch and leave.

 

[baler31]

Yes, super, super crowded. As Robo said, wall-to-wall, shoulder-to-shoulder people. Busiest week of the year by far, way more crowded than the 4th of July.

I myself would pick any other week of the year - no way in the world would I go during the week between Christmas and New Year's. The waits for rides, restaurants, and other activities would be too much for me to handle. But somehow, some people go back every year!

We go every year with a large group of friends, we have had some of our best times at Disney during this week. We experience very minimal waiting with good touring plans and willingness to get to the parks early.

 

[canadianmom2three]

Yes, super, super crowded. As Robo said, wall-to-wall, shoulder-to-shoulder people. Busiest week of the year by far, way more crowded than the 4th of July.

I myself would pick any other week of the year - no way in the world would I go during the week between Christmas and New Year's. The waits for rides, restaurants, and other activities would be too much for me to handle. But somehow, some people go back every year!

We are one of those families who will be going back again this year. We have been 2x in the summer on FD, and this will be our second time at Christmas on FD. We GREATLY preferred our Christmas trip to either of the summer trips. The crowds are higher, but the weather is so much more tolerable that the crowds didn't seem to be a problem for us at all. It may be more difficult for those with younger children, or who are pushing a stroller through crowds, but for our 3 older children, we had NO problems with crowds or wait times, and honestly felt we did just as much as during our summer trips. We did not ever do rope drop, but we were at the parks early, and got lots done before noon. We went back almost every afternoon to the resort, and then back to parks again at night. I will never go back in the summer (and this from someone who loves the heat most of the time), the combination of heat and crowds was just not pleasant for me.

 

[disney-akj]

We went this past year over Christmas for the first time (had previously been a few times in June and over spring break). There were crowds but we got there early and followed park recommendations from wdweasy. We enjoyed ourselves a lot. If you have never been to the parks around Christmas time, it is pretty amazing and worth the visit. We really took the time to experience parts of the world we hadn't experienced before (less popular attractions) which was new and fun! We still got to do our favorite activities, just not multiple times. I wouldn't hesitate to go again during Christmas break. The weather was nice too.

 

[mouseaddicts]

Thanks! I am worried about the crowds! The weather would be a nice break from MO cold. It would feel warm to us. We have been at 4th of July and I thought it was pretty crowded that week. Is it even worse at Christmas?

We have been to WDW 25+ times (used to go 3-4 times/year). We've been the week of July 4th approximately 10 times and consider ourselves "experts" with the crowd level. We've seen (presumably off-site) guest vehicles being turned around at the entrance - park closed due to capacity - on numerous visits for July 4th. We have taken in as many as 21 (yes, 21) attractions on July 4th in the MK. We are seasoned professionals.

We have been ONE TIME from Dec. 26th - Jan. 2nd. NEVER AGAIN!!! That was BY FAR the most crowded we've ever seen WDW. It was insane! We hardly got on any rides due to crowd levels, FP limitations, etc. The weather was pleasant, but we didn't feel we got a "magical" experience that week.

The Christmas decorations are worth the trip alone, but you can go a little earlier in Dec. (or even Nov.) and see them without the insane crowd level. That's our plan this year!

Just my 2 cents ....

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks so much to everyone. My kids (young adults and teens) will all be home on Sunday. We can talk about it then. There are not too many weeks we can go. We need all 4 schools on break at the same time! Christmas is one of them so we will talk about the good and bad and then decide. I appreciate all the information.

 

[canadianmom2three]

I do think it is much more do-able with teens or at least older kids, they can follow you in a crowd, not so much concern if u do get momentarily separated etc. and NO worries about pushing a stroller thru crowds. Our 3 kids LOVED Christmas at Disney and I hope that my nephews will feel the same when we are there this year!