Crowds (Xmas to New Years)?????

[Minnie]

Can anyone tell me what to expect crowd wise the week between Xmas and New Years? I just learned that the firm I work for will be closed that week and we are considering a quick trip down the day after Xmas.

We might go further south for warmer temps and less crowds though if it is expected to be bad.

Please help need to plan quickly!

 

[Bob P]

Hi Minnie,

On as scale of 1 to 10, crowds will be a 15!!!!!

Seriously, if crowds are an issue, Christmas week is NOT the time to go.



Bob

 

[NMAmy]

Crowded--more crowded than you can imagine.

We were there for two weeks last Christmas--the week before and the week after. The week after was just a nightmare--wall to wall people. The MK was so bad that I made my dh and my 15 year old dd hold my hand so I wouldn't lose them. We literally waded through people.

I knew it was going to be crowded but, frankly, I just did not realize that it would like that. We've been to WDW several times and we'll go again so it wasn't the end of the world for us. We were lucky to have two weeks--we just left the parks and did other things. We ate at different resorts and visited them to look at the Christmas decorations, spent more time at DTD, etc.

You can have fun as long as you realize what it will be like!

 

[rkmassa]

I agree. If you have never been during this time, even if described to you, you would have to see it to believe it. Wall-to-wall, elbow-to-elbow, sea of people at the MK. Park closes early due to capacity. Other parks are not as bad the few days after Christmas, but still very, very crowded. If you want to avoid crowds and experience the weather, go further south.

 

[RumpleMom]

However, this is a very magical time to go.

From looking at your signature, I can see that you are not a first time visitor. I would never recommend this time of year for someone's first time visit. Dear in-laws didn't listen, but that's another topic.

How important is it to you to see the decorations? Would your family be happy seeing the special things that aren't available any other time of year? Osborne Lights, AK Jingle Jungle Parade, resort decorations and gingerbread houses. We did it one year and are very glad that we did go then, but we were content with fastpass and soaking up the atmosphere. Our trip started 2 days before Christmas and the highlight of our trip was the Epcot Candlelight Processional. We took the kids' stockings and a very small Christmas tree.

If you have small children, don't go then, but if they are older and won't have melt downs- go and enjoy!

 

[Minnie]

As a little background on our previous trip visits:

July 04 - Hot, rainy, crowded loved it!

Dec 04 - 1st weekend in Dec for the MVMCP, very light crowds loved it!

July 05 - Hot, no rain, crowded loved it!

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In comparison to the two July trips mentioned above how is that week???? Much much worse or similar in crowd levels?

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[Bob P]

If you're talking about the July 4 holiday weekend, about the same.

If you're talking about any other part of July, Christmas will be much worse.

Bob

 

[NMAmy]

I've never been in the summer so I can't give you a comparison. But I did want to give you one more warning: It may be cold--not just chilly but COLD. I'm from Michigan and I was freezing last Christmas. The temperature was down in the 30's (which was what I had left in Michigan.) We wore our heavy coats and mittens. That's another thing to consider. We usually take advantage of EE but didn't that trip because it was just too cold to wander through the parks before the sun had come out.

I'm not trying to discourage you--just trying to give you all the information so you can make your own decision. We had a lot of fun but with very low expectations going in. Now that dd is in high school, we have to go at crowded times because I don't like to take her out of school.

 

[Carrieannew]

I have no choice but to spend the week after christmas there. Right now if im lucky looks like 3 days for the parks. Does anyone have any suggestions. It will just be myself and my daughter (7). We are staying onsite. My basic plan right now is to go as early as possible and leave in the early afternoon and head back in the evening. We are very laid back people. Im not big in to planing. And its basicly a get what we can get done kind of trip. My daughter has already been 2 other times.

Thanks for the help!