Dec. 18th - 21st or Dec. 21st - 24th?

[pixiedustedme]

Which would be a better time for a short WDW trip? We'll be staying onsite and will want to attend the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and take in the Christmas theming at Magic Kingdom (not interested in attending a party, though). We'll also be taking a 3-night Dream cruise in addition to the WDW trip. I just have to decide which should come first, the parks or the cruise? The cruise will be the same whenever we take it, so the question is really when is the better time to be at the parks, in terms of crowds and festivities. Thoughts?

 

[Skywise]

December tends to be a slower time (as if WDW can really be slow anymore) but most people hold off and do trips around Thanksgiving and Christmas - New Years. As the schools close and as you get closer to the 24th the more crowded the parks will get so 18-21 is going to be better than 21-24, especially with the 21st being the beginning of the Christmas week and most people will be taking their vacations then.
OTOH being a the MK on Christmas Eve has its own magic!

 

[Bete]

Totally agree the 18-21 will be better. You will be able to accomplish a lot more.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We went the week before Christmas two years ago and found the crowds rolled in like thunder the Friday before Christmas. The further away from Christmas week you can go, the better.

 

[pixiedustedme]

We went the week before Christmas two years ago and found the crowds rolled in like thunder the Friday before Christmas. The further away from Christmas week you can go, the better.

Well, the 18th is the Friday before Christmas in 2020. That's the earliest we can go because of school, and I don't expect crowds to be low (we've been between Christmas & New Year's before, so we know what that's like). I'm just trying to figure out which of the two might be better.

Do you think the 18th - 21st would be better because it's a bit earlier, or 21st - 24th would be better because it isn't a weekend?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Well, the 18th is the Friday before Christmas in 2020. That's the earliest we can go because of school, and I don't expect crowds to be low (we've been between Christmas & New Year's before, so we know what that's like). I'm just trying to figure out which of the two might be better.

Do you think the 18th - 21st would be better because it's a bit earlier, or 21st - 24th would be better because it isn't a weekend?

I think they will both be Christmas-week crowded. In our experience, people started arriving en masse the Friday before for Christmas week vacations. I would probably still pick the earlier dates.

 

[beccasmom]

The earlier dates would be my preference. Still busy for sure, but a bit more manageable.

 

[jolynne28]

Earlier dates for sure. We did Dec 16-23 in 2017. Best advice I can give you is DO NOT go to MK on a non MVMCP. We literally could not walk it was so crowded. Go early on a party day and leave when they kick you out before 7 pm.