Crowds Christmas week???

[tink0283]

I am looking for some info about crowds during Christmas week. We currently have a trip booked for Dec.13-17, but we are contemplating changing it to Dec.17-21. Changing it would allow my parents to join us and enjoy seeing WDW with their grandkids. I am just a bit concerned about crowds tho!!! We usually visit Disney in December, but always go before schools start winter break bc I know crowds get heavy. How bad will the crowds and wait times be during those dates??? Can someone tell me if changing our dates is a bad idea?

 

[KEW]

One thing to consider is if you've booked FP+, ADRs, etc. yet and if you are willing to lose them/rebook what is available...and also consider room availability for the resort you are staying at.

 

[tink0283]

One thing to consider is if you've booked FP+, ADRs, etc. yet and if you are willing to lose them/rebook what is available...and also consider room availability for the resort you are staying at.

Yes I have considered those things. There is actually some availability at a few of the restaurants I have ADRs at and I only have a few sought after Fast Passes since my kids are little. My main concern really is the crowd level.

 

[Gentry2004]

I think it will be more crowded for sure, but hopefully manageable as we are there 12/15-12/23.

 

[Happy_2_B]

Can someone tell me if changing our dates is a bad idea?

We have been there several times during this time frame. The closer you get to Christmas, the worse it will get. And the difference isn't subtle- in our experience the crowds after 'approximately' the 15th/16th/17th (depending on calendar adjustments) are significantly higher. The 'surge' starts and it just keeps getting more crowded. Florida residents with a Gold Pass or below are 'blacked out' starting on the 18th this year. Disney blacks out residents with the lower priced APs when they expect big crowds- so this may be an indication of what to expect as well.