Crowds the last two weeks of dec?

[Rpsemont]

We're planing our first "Christmas" trip to central Florida for next year, and I figure I'll ask this while memories are fresh of Christmas trips this year.
AND I just bought our 7 day passes for use next Dec.

We are planning to arrive in FL 12/17 (dd 16th BDAY) and probably stay until the 30th or so. We are DVC, so will be at BWV 12/19-12/24 on points. We have friends there, so will stay at their house the other days.

I figure it makes the most sense to do WDW while we're there and figured we'd plan to US/IOA the following week. How bad are the crowds between Chirstmas and New Years? We have been many times, but most recently about 2 years ago. Historically, we do US/IOA both in one day. I figure the passes will allow us a more leisurely pace. Should we try to get to US/IOA before the CHristmas rush?
We'll have AP's for WDW so we can go their either week, but I"ve heard the crowds 12/24-1/1 can be unbearable.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Anne

 

[Metro West]

How bad are the crowds between Chirstmas and New Years? We have been many times, but most recently about 2 years ago. Historically, we do US/IOA both in one day. I figure the passes will allow us a more leisurely pace. Should we try to get to US/IOA before the CHristmas rush?
We'll have AP's for WDW so we can go their either week, but I"ve heard the crowds 12/24-1/1 can be unbearable.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Anne

Since you've been to Universal before, you should be able to see both parks in a single day BEFORE Christmas week. Anytime up to 12/25 the crowds are pretty thin but on 12/26...look out!

No one knows how the crowds for Harry Potter will affect the overall attendance but I think the parks are going to be very crowded for quite some time...just keep that in mind.

 

[christophfam]

Any chance you could tack on one night at a universal resort for the end of your stay? I was there the 28-29 and I wouldn't recommend going those days unless you have the unlimited express that the resorts give you. Wait times were well over 1 1/2 hours for most rides without express and some were up to 40 with express. I can't imagine we would have rode much of anything without express. We stayed one night and had two days of express. If you can't go before Christmas, I highly recommend at least one night at a Universal resort for the express passes and beautiful resort settings.

 

[mykidsand_i]

The only good time to be at Universal/IOA from Dec. 25-Jan. 2 is when you're staying on a Universal property/resort (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Port.) because the lines do get long...not as bad as Disney (EVER) but, long for Universal.