Dec 19-26. Good or bad time to go?

[SheriN]

Obviously the question is in the title line. But is it worthwhile to go during those times, or avoid it due to the long lines?

We went a couple years ago a week earlier and it was great! But will the week before Christmas be horrible?

We'll be taking a 9 and a 6yo, who have been before, but I'd like to take them this year as their Christmas present...since they so don't need anything more that they *won't* play with.

And is it too late to book a character meal somewhere?

 

[Steve's Girl]

Well, it will be the busiest time of the entire year. If you plan and are prepared for huge crowds, you may be OK. Personally, I would not even consider going during that time. I have been earlier in Dec. and it was great! The first two weeks of Dec. is one of the lowest attendance times of the year.

I'm sure you can get a character meal somewhere. You may have to call everyday and wait for a cancellation.

 

[nortney]

My family will be there from the 16th to the 23rd. We've been there before and yes it's busy. However, we have a great time and haven't had a lot of trouble getting reservations for a character meal EVERY day. We're going to Cinderella's Castle, Crystal Palace, Princess Dinner and more and we're a party of 7!

I think basically it comes down when you can go and making the best of that date. Good luck to you!

 

[*Seanaci*]

We went 5 years ago during that time. And we're going again in a month (21st through 27th).

We LOVED it. Didn't mind the crowds the first time as it was just me, mom, and dad. This time may be different because it's me, mom, dad, DH, DS, and my sister.

Honestly, if you don't mind crowds, it's a great time to go.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

We went last year at that time and it was o.k. We will be there Dec. 19-26 this year. We will do all the rides that are important first few days then take in the atmosphere the rest. Counting down the days.

 

[RMulieri]

Sorry, but disney couldn;t pay me to go then.I did it once and didn't care for how crowded and crazy it was. As long as i can go at slower times of year, or early December if I want to see the Xmas stuff, that is when I will go.

 

[pooh4evr]

were there last yr -our last park day was the 19th- and it was enough of a taste for me to know I could NOT handle the real Christmas crowds - a CM was telling us one day whilr waiting for a parade that the parks will close (due to capacity) a few days that week of Christmas-New Yrs as early as 930-1000am - NO THANKS!

 

[SheriN]

Wow, it's amazing how much difference a week can make in the crowds. I guess everyone wants to be in the "Happiest Place on Earth" over the Christmas Holidays.

Too bad we couldn't go earlier in December, but with the kids in new schools, and me in school this winter, there's just no way to do it.

Does anyone know about the other parks? Animal Kingdom, Epcot, don't know about the rest since those two appeal to us the most. What about Sea World?

Wondering if we went down, hit MK first, then did some of the others closer to the 25th. I'm sure the closer to Christmas Day you get the worse the parks would be.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Have to agree. Disney would have to pay me to go during that week. We are going the week before because I know that I can not handle those kinds of crowds.

 

[Silly Girl]

OP - We went those exact same days last year and the only days it was really crazy were the 24th and 25th. We spent Christmas Eve at Epcot and by early afternoon wait times for Soarin and Test Track were 120 minutes and more. Christmas Day we spent at Hollywood Studios it was nuts but we were fortunate to win Dream Fastpasses that morning so we were able to do everything once and a couple of rides twice and still left in the late afternoon. Actually the morning of the 26th was dead at the Magic Kingdom until about 11:00am. The MK opened at 7:00am and we were there around 6:45 it was so cool to come in just as the sun was rising. We left to go home around noon and it was like swimming upstream as we were travelling down Main Street. If you go in knowing that it's going to be busy and plan your days to go early you should not have any problem. Remember you will not see the crazy crowds until the 24th. Have a great time. I would go again in a heartbeat those same days if my family would agree .