Dec. 21st. - 28th crowds ??

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Hi Everyone !

A co-worker of mine just told me that she is thinking of taking her kids, with two other families, to WDW Dec. 21 - 28.

For me, for a solo trip, no children, my usual time to go to WDW is somewhere within the first 2 weeks of December.

I warned her that it's going to be MOBBED at the time she wants to go.

OK.....so she really wants to know.......just how mobbed will it really be? What are the usual wait times for attractions?

She wants the kids to experience Christmas at WDW, and I'm trying to convince her that she can still experience everything Christmas, but with lower crowds, earlier in the month.

So she wants to know what to expect for Dec. 21st to 28th.
Can you please give her the Low-down for those who have been there at that time period ?

Thanks So Much !

 

[DemonLlama]

If you are wiling to get to the parks BEFORE opening, and use early entry (if applicable) it's doable, but I wouldn't recommend this time for a first trip -- there will be mobs. Parks will close by mid-morning because of crowd capacity, and parades/shows will needs LOT of planning and time to get a spot to see them. Wait times can exceed hours during the middle of the day for popular attractions, and fast passes will disappear very quickly.

If there's any possible way to go a few days earlier and not stay as late, you will cut down on some of the madness. The true mobs appear Christmas Eve through New Years.

 

[zurgswife]

We were there this past year from Dec 20th to Jan 4

It was very crowded starting on the 25th...amazingly enough th 24th was very nice...but starting the 25th the thing was to enter the parks early and get out before 12pm on most days....by 12pm you could barely move at magic kingdom. From Dec 25th until Jan 1 MK and at least one of the other parks was closed by 12pm one day it was 11am....

they should make sure they realize what the crowds will and don't try to do to much because the lines are so long you will make yourself crazy...

 

[SuBeat]

We were there from December 20-27 just this past year. In the early days of our trip it was fairly crowded, but doable. Crowds built up until Christmas Day when they exploded...people were everywhere. I don't think I would suggest going this time of year for a first timer, but it can be done if they plan accordingly. Definitely get the must-sees done in the first days of the trip, and spend Christmas and the days after at a more laid back pace.

 

[CamColt]

I agree with the others. We were there from 12/20-12/29 this year and while it was busy early on, everything was fairly managable. A lot of it was getting to the parks early and using EE(we did for MK2x and AK1x). We also went in having a plan so we knew just what we wanted to get done. We actually got a lot more done than expected, the first part of the week. By the end(after Christmas) we just took it easy and since we had gotten so much done earlier, we didnt really have too much left to do. The crowds didnt affect us that much,but I know if I had a list of stuff I wanted to do, and I was in those crowds in the MK where I could barely walk, I wouldnt have been too happy. But, being in our situation, it was cool to see it that mobbed.

 

[HollyJoy]

Personally, i've never been there in December, but we are heading there during that time this year. We will be there from December 4-10. We chose inbetween Thanksgiving and Christmas specifically for the lower crowds. And, from what I've heard, it's already decorated for Christmas.

 

[dgaston]

We were in FL from 12/24 to 1/03. I found the crowds to be the largest I have experienced despite two earlier Christmas trips. If you were not in the parks for the opening, it was horrible. We got in a 65 minute wait line for MS because the FP return times were 4:40, cutting it too close for our 5:00pm Candlelight Processional Time, and ended up waiting 145 minutes!!! I saw a little garden I NEVER want to see again. Later on we were at Epcot for an opening, and rode both TT and MS by 9:40 am. You must get to the parks at opening.

We also had PS for all the important meals. We tried to get a walk-in for Garden Grill at a lunch and were told everything had been booked for some time. We did have an excellent time (PS for Cindy's breakfast, 'Ohana, Boma, LeCellier, a Fantasmic package and even an Illuminations Cruise) but it took planning.

By the way Sorcery in the Sky at the Studios (NYE) was amazing!!!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Thanks everyone for the replys.
When I think this thread is about done, I will print this thread, and give it to my co-worker. Then Nancy, ( my co-worker ) can plan from there.

P.S. I was telling Nancy how much
The DIS is like a "family"

 

[Baloo]

We were there a couple years ago Dec. 26 to Dec 30.First of all let me tell you how HORRIBLE the traffic was between Atlanta and WDW!!! It took me nearly 13 hrs to do a trip that usually takes 8 hrs from our home here in Tennessee.I knew the parks were going to be crowded but I had NO IDEA the drive would be so bad!!!

We had been to WDW several times in Dec previously and were there to basically "get away" this trip.Like I said we knew it would be crowded and it was only the 2 of us,my son Erich and I, we weren't in a big rush to see and do everything. Erich and I slept in and went to the parks later in the day.We usually ended up at MK because it stayed open until midnight.We had APs so weren't real concerned how long we waited...which was a good thing.ToT and RnR took us about 90 mins. each! But we met a couple in line and enjoyed talking to them and ended up riding both rides together.

I think your friend would be much better having her kids exprience WDW Christmas EARLIER in the month! Especially with all those people going it could get nuts!We've been to WDW earlier in Dec so IMHO it's a much better time to get that really Disney Christmasy feeling for the first time!

 

[CamColt]

Oh and as mentioned above, PSs are a MUST! We were waiting to be called at Le Cellier on Christmas Eve(we did the Candlelight Processional Package) and quite a few people went up to the podium to ask if they could get in. The standard response was, "Sorry, we are booked through January 1st".

 

[Grumpy92]

Pre-planning early is the key. Dont expect to get as much done as you would any other time of the year. Make PS as soon as you reach the 90 day mark. Stay at a Disney resort so you can do EE, then leave midday for a break back at the hotel.

Thats when you would do naps, swims, resort dining, resort tours of decorations. The parks are open late so that is the upside. But will tell you that on xmas day, xmas eve & NYE the parks usually fill to capacity by 11am. MK is the most crowded and usually fills by 10am. The week between xmas and NYe is the busiest time for wdw during the entire year.

The holidays are an extra magical time to be at wdw but I would advise going earlier then the holiday week. Make plans for PS, MVMCP, CP and the Yultide Tour months before you arrive. Most of the holiday festivities begin right after Thanksgiving.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Thanks ! You guys are the best !