Crowd Size the week before Christmas?

[momsgoofy]

Okay, I've been reading the boards trying to get a firm idea for this and just can't find it yet.

I know that the week of Christmas is suppose to be the most crowded, but just how bad is the week before? It is looking more and more like we'll be checking in on 12/17 and checking out on 12/24 as it is increasingly difficult to pull DS from school the older and more involved in extra-curricular activities he gets. DH teaches at the college level every semester including summer so it's not that easy to coordinate their schedules. As we are new DVC members I will need to book the end of this month to get a room at our home resort IF there are any availabilities.

So, just how bad is it? We've been at the end of May/ first of June and during the week of Thanksgiving and dealt with those crowd levels and am wondering how the week before Christmas would compare. We are all night owls if getting up early isn't in the equation, so would the new extra hours in the evening be of benefit?

I would appreciate any opinions or thoughts ya'll might be able to share!

Thanks so much!

Laura ºoº

 

[Geoff_M]

We were in the parks from 12/20 through 12/23 and than again on 12/26. The parks were busy but "do-able". Getting there at opening and heavy utilization of FPs were the keys. I flew back on the 27th, but my wife and kids remained until the 31st. They didn't do the parks, but heard many firsthand reports that it was a madhouse at the parks then.

 

[karenmason]

I go either the first or second week of December. And I must say when we do the second week, the weekend mid month, has a huge crowd upsurge.
Particularly MK. If you are concerned about crowds, try and move back earlier in the month. The very best time to vist in MHO.

 

[MinnieM21]

We were there from Dec. 7th - Dec. 16th for our first trip to WDW and the crowds weren't bad at all. It was a perfect time to go. It seemed like it was getting even more crowded on the 16th which was the day we left. I would imagine that the 17th and on would be very crowded since kids get out of school then.

 

[ciera321]

We were there December 16 - 21 and at the beginning, there were not that many people. In fact on Friday, december 17 at noon we went to get fastpasses for RNR and there was not ONE person in line. I took a picture becuase I've never seenit like that!! Then as the weekend arrived, the crowds started to come, but still very manageable with fastpasses. I'd definately go again at that time, but I don't think I'm brave enough for the Christmas crowds...

 

[bz8bls]

We were there this past Xmas from 12/19 thru 12/31; didnit get really crowded until December 23rd on. However, was very doable if your arrived at parks early, used fastpasses and then left the park. We came back to the parks in the evenings. You must have a strategy/plan when going this time of year.

 

[flyingenie]

It is definitely very doable the week before Christmas! What a difference in terms of numbers did I see on the 24th to the 26th! Going early either way is key- I never had any lineups for disney's most popular rides on either day.

 

[momsgoofy]

Thanks with the replies! It seems that the operative word is "plan" which I do to the point of being anal according to DH, but it works because then he doesn't have to plan anything. As for seeing and doing on this trip both DH and DS are in the "let's just hangout, see what we can" frame of mind so it might actually work for us. I know that I would love to do MVMCP and Candelight Procession if we go the week before Christmas which mean PLAN...get those tickets early.

Again, thanks!
Laura ºoº

 

[rkmassa]

We were there the 18th to 23rd this year. We found it a bit more crowded than last year at the same time, but still had a great time. Lines were really long for Mission Space and Test Track. When you compare it to early June, which we have done, it is a great change of pace. The lack of nasty heat makes everything more enjoyable too. Waiting for 25 minutes in 65 degree weather beats 90 degree weather any day. We have been two years the week before Christmas and loved it. You will too. Now staying for Christmas the next week, you couldn't pay me enough. Saps the magic right out of it with all the crowds. We did that one year and said never again-ever. We would rather go in the summer. It was that bad. Enjoy your time. It is my favorite.

 

[VickiVM]

We were there last year ('03) from 12/20-12/26. It was truly our best vacation yet - most magic ever!! Crowds were not as bad as I had anticipated, but you could definitely tell the difference as the week progressed. I was glad to be leaving when we did. Planning is critical - especially PS's. Every sit down restaurant we had PS's for, people were turned away who had no PS's. They were ticked and obviously not forewarned. We did Le Cellier, Rose and Crown Christmas Eve before Candlelight Processional, Liberty Tree Tavern and Cape May buffet on Christmas Day. Also did Hollywood and Vine with Fantasmic package on the Sunday prior to Christmas (our first day there).

Although I wouldn't say we did the parks 'commando', we did utilize our time well and I felt we saw/rode most or all the attractions we really wanted to. Use Fastpass!! Only park we didn't do was Animal Kingdom. I can't say I really missed it, but we will plan for it this next summer.

I say go for it and don't regret it. Now I can say we did WDW at holiday time and my family will cherish those memories forever. (BTW, as we went through Christmas week last month, we recalled each day what we were doing last year at Disney World!!) If you have any more specific questions, pm me. I had the exact same trepidations last year as you do now.

Vicki

 

[cookie2001]

We went the 18th - 26th and agree with the above posters. One thing that was really nice is that the MK was open to 11:00 on the 18th and then again on another nite during the week.

 

[micksterlee]

We are planning to be at wdw Dec 18th thru the 26th of 2005 due to dd having tests at school the 2 days before Christmas break. I have already tried to get price quotes on WDW web site. How far in advance should I book this trip if the crowds are as big as people say. We were there in June of 2004 and crowds were huge, wait times as long as couple hours so I am guessing we should be able to cope with the Christmas crowds.

 

[mickeymousefan]

We were there from the 14th to the 19th. The first part of the trip was great. Low crowds, restaurants had plenty of available seating (except Cindys and PSB) and the rides had short lines. But Saturday the 19th was very busy. MGM was mobbed and MK was shoulder to shoulder by the end of the night. Regardless, even when we went in early December last year, we found that the weekends were MUCH busier than the week days.

One thing I did like about going closer to Christmas is that it seems more festive. As we were leaving ASMo, someone in the Dalmations sections had even hung Christmas lights in there window.

 

[lyeag]

We were there 12/20-12/24, and yes, it was crowded, but we hit almost everything we wanted. I was worried too, but it wasn't too bad. Much better than the week after Christmas. Good Luck!

 

[SusanD]

We just returned after doing WDW from Dec. 26th to the 31st. The first two days were not too bad due to cold windy weather. (I've never seen people so bundled up!) The weather improved and the crowds got very heavy. If you don't plan on being there when the parks open you won't get to see much. We did most of the rides in the first two hours of the day.

 

[momsgoofy]

I knew my DIS family would come through...thanks so much for all of the input! I think we will manage well enough the week before Christmas in 2005. I know when we were at WDW Thanksgiving 2003 MK was such a bear the Sunday before...all the locals is what I've been told, but the rest of the trip was fine...crowds? yes, but managable until the day we left...Friday (day after Thanksgiving). We noticed a much larger crowd then.

I think what everyone said is the most crucial...get those PSs as early as possible...do the big attractions earlier than later in the week...and enjoy the super magical festive feeling. We did get to experience the holiday decorations in 2003, but not MVMCP or the Candlelight Processional which are two things I really want to see.

I tend to go overboard on the planning according to DH, but he always appreciates it when were at WDW and we have no trouble dining or such. I had PS for at least 2 meals each day in 2003...it was pre-DVC and we used the Gold Plan. It was our "mid-afternoon break" instead of going to the resort we stopped and ate in a sit-down place where we could enjoy the AC and rest.

Someone posted that the MK was open till 11pm a couple of nights during the week before Christmas which I think will help us as will the evening extra hours (if they're still doing that at Christmas)...we were able to do the E-night back in 1999 and loved it! DH and DS are both night owls and hate getting up early to go to the parks so if they have the later hours it just might work. Actually, DS said he doesn't care if we go to the parks much; he'd prefer hanging out at the resort and DD.

Well, again, thanks to my DIS family, who always has answers for me!

Laura ºoº

 

[HappyLawyer]

Okay, I've been reading the boards trying to get a firm idea for this and just can't find it yet.

I know that the week of Christmas is suppose to be the most crowded, but just how bad is the week before? It is looking more and more like we'll be checking in on 12/17 and checking out on 12/24 as it is increasingly difficult to pull DS from school the older and more involved in extra-curricular activities he gets. DH teaches at the college level every semester including summer so it's not that easy to coordinate their schedules. As we are new DVC members I will need to book the end of this month to get a room at our home resort IF there are any availabilities.

So, just how bad is it? We've been at the end of May/ first of June and during the week of Thanksgiving and dealt with those crowd levels and am wondering how the week before Christmas would compare. We are all night owls if getting up early isn't in the equation, so would the new extra hours in the evening be of benefit?

I would appreciate any opinions or thoughts ya'll might be able to share!

Thanks so much!

Laura ºoº

we arrived the week before and it was so awesome, try to avoid sat and sun because even though you don't have the people who are comming down for christmas break you have people in florida and nearby who drive up-i met many of them they live 4 -5 ours away and they come up for the weekends, but during the week, on and off rides, no wait times, we go every 2 years and only go the week before