Crowd predictions 12/20-12/22?

[FutureMrsC]

I'm reading so much about the parks being heavily crowded now... I guess it will only get worse as Christmas approaches?

I've been "home" tons of times, but never any time during Christmas. For those of you that have gone at that time, how were the crowds?

How much transport time should we allow if we choose to take the bus? Would it be better to drive & park?

Thanks a bunch in advance!

 

[maddhatir]

Horrible!...save your money!

 

[FutureMrsC]

Any other advice? This is the ONLY time frame we had for going. We got offered a 1/2 price rate and it fit w/ my teaching schedule. It wont matter to us if we don't do many attractions... we're going for the festivities.

What kind of transportation arrangement should I make?

 

[dcassetta]

It will be crowded, but probably not as crowded as the week of the 25th. I would take Disney transport as the parking lots may fill and, especially at MK, the buses get you so much closer to the front gate than the parking lot.

 

[FutureMrsC]

Bump!!! There just HAVE to be other opinions out there

Thanks to those who have posted (and will post) on behalf of myself and others who desperately want to see the parks decorated!

 

[maddhatir]

Any other advice? This is the ONLY time frame we had for going. We got offered a 1/2 price rate and it fit w/ my teaching schedule. It wont matter to us if we don't do many attractions... we're going for the festivities.

What kind of transportation arrangement should I make?

Agree about using the Disney transportation-- they may be a bit crowded.

Are you using Magical Express to get to your resort......are you staying at a Disney resort??

If you are using ME and Disney transportation to the parks- you will not have to worry about transporation at all!

BE SURE to see the MGM lights!- and the 6pm tree lighting at Epcot!

The Grand Floridian (dont forget the gingerbread house!), The Wilderness Lodge and the EPCOT resorts (also nice gingerbread displays) are decorated beautifully- my only regrets- ~missing the AK Lodge decorations and ~ not seeing the resorts at night for the beauty-- we visited during the day time

Try and do your resort visiting at night. Get a nice glass of wine and stroll around- very relaxing after dealing with the crowds all day! also while at the GF- make sure you get your roasted chestnuts! I believe they are on the first floor outside- at the main entrance.

Have fun!

 

[jm1008]

Having previously gone at this time of the year. We always tried to start our day out early each and every day. The couple hours in the morning really seemed to have a lot less people

 

[blessedby3]

We will also be there during that time and we plan to get up early and take advantage of EMH. Here's hoping that the crowds will be low!!

 

[Swimnoid]

We always go from around the 15th to the 25th. These have been our favorite trips even compared to times we have gone when the parks are almost empty. Looking at the calendar I'll bet the 20th and 21st will be really fine and it will be pretty crowded over the weekend. Who cares though? You'll be in DISNEY!

 

[FutureMrsC]

True! Why worry?

Is the 20th here yet?!

 

[Kick Save]

We'll be there the same time, I'll keep an eye out for you...

We've been in the summer when its much more crowded than it should be next week, and always drive and park at the parks, except for the Magic Kingdom. It'll always save you 10 minutes, maybe more, and you are guaranteed a seat when you head back to your resort.

 

[bsmandi]

We will be there from the 18th to the 24th. I have planned most of our big park days for the beginning of our trip in case the crowds really get crazy on the weekend. From what I have read (it's our first Christmas trip, so I'm not an expert! ) it is sooo crazy during the week after Christmas to New Years but not that bad if you have a touring plan before that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that is the case! We are using ME so we will be at the mercy of Disney transportation. Hopefully, it will be as great to us as it has in the past! Have a great trip!!!!!

 

[dmk1021]

Last time I went before Christmas was 2004, and we were there the 16th through the 23rd. A few years before it didn't pick up until Christmas Eve, but in 2004 it was steady.

It wasn't that bad, IMO. Last year I spent Dec. 29 through Jan. 2 at DL, that was crazy. I agree with others that just prior to Xmas is way better than just after.

Especially if you don't have to go on every single thing (which I don't think should be a problem either), take in the atmosphere and shows, enjoy the good weather and holiday spirit, have nice meals...I think you'll have a great time, whether or not the crowds are busting.

Enjoy - I wish I could be there!

 

[Devil_Dog99]

As you can see by my signature, I am somewhat of a Christmas veteran. In fact, DW and I are leaving THIS SUNDAY!!!! We go early for the simple reason the crowds before Christmas are very manageable. It is true as you get closer to Christmas you will see more people, but nowhere near the volume you will see once the 25th arrives. As long as you have a plan and get to the parks early, you should have no problems.

Last year, we went to the MK on December 20th, and following the Ultimate Guide's two day MK plan we entered the MK at 9:30 am and was finsihed with everything on Day 1 of the plan by 2:30. Time enough to snag a primo spot for the afternoon parade.

You should have no problems with crowds. As for what to see:

Osborne Lights
Resort decorations - PO, GF, WL particularly
Lights of Winter @ EPCOT
Candlelight Processional

Have fun and Merry Christmas!!!

 

[FutureMrsC]

Thank you all for your advice! We're just outside of Atlanta, so we'll be driving down as soon as all my students have successfully gotten on their busses to go home (& the Principal dismisses all the teachers!).

Whenever my family has gone to the parks, we've always used Disney transportation... whether it be the monorail, the busses, or the boats... I only remember driving to the parks twice in my multi-trip memory.

If y'all could, could you review this plan?

12/20- leave ATL @ 3:30 and arrive @ POP around 11:30.
12/21- get to DTD @ 9:30 for store opening & do last minute xmas shopping (my DB has absolutely refused to shop around town this year- he wants to do all Disney gifts...). Spend until 12 shopping... head back to POP and put the gifts/souvies in the room. Head over to the MK after putting stuff @ POP. Park in MK lot @ take monorail to the monorail resorts. Head over to WL for our 2:40 lunch ressie @ WCC. After lunch, take boat back over to MK and wait around for 4:00 to roll around so we can get in with our MVMCP tickets. Try to catch all shows, (especially the Banjo brothers & Bob... DB is a tuba player!)
12/22- get to EPCOT before it opens. Have a blast! We're debating leaving for lunch through the world showcase exit & walking to the YC,BC, & BW. We have a Candlelight Package w/ dinner @ Alfredo's @ 4/ CP @ 6:15. Then we'll stake out a spot for Illuminations & then enjoy the park until EMH ends!
12/23- Go visit AKL in time for 10:00 Boma breakfast ADR... do any extra shopping... visit any other places... go to the Mouse Surplus warehouse (if we decide to... it's not mandatory). Head back to Atlanta by 1:00.

Must do attractions:
MK
-the mountains
-pirates
-HM
-CoP

EPCOT
-Soarin'
-Living Seas stuff

What do y'all think? I wish we had more $$ to go see the Osborne lights. There's always next year!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'll be there the same time! We're taking a couple of days at SSR before Christmas. I'll be there solo on 12/20, then parents and niece arrive on 12/21 and we leave on 12/23.
We'll just deal with the crowds, use fast pass and try not to do EVERYTHING. I know my niece wants to ride EE, ToT, RnRR and the mountains in MK. We have tickets for the Christmas party on 12/21, so we can probably do the mountain range that night.
We'll do what we can and just enjoy the fact that we're all there together!

 

[bsmandi]

FutureMrsC -

I am a teacher too! We leave the evening of the 18th, our school actually gets out on the 19th, but I took one day so hopefully we can beat the crowds!! Hope you have a wonderful vacation!!! Christmas at Disney!!!!