Dec. 26 super busy??

[airforcewife]

My dh just told me that we could stay an extra day, we will be at the CR from 12/19-12/27 now. (well I just emailed my travel agent to ask if she could add a day, I hope she is able to) So now we will be there on the 26th. Which park would be the least crowded? Any suggestions?

Thanks, Robyn

 

[rkmassa]

None. They are all crowded. We were there last year, and my DH said never again. We are leavng this year by the 23rd. I know the MK closed early last year for several days on and after the 25th due to capacity. Probably want to avoid that one.

 

[micmacmissy]

Yes, the week between xmas and new years is the MOST crowded week of the entire year--including summer.

Maybe do all the parks in the earlier days and spend that one relaxing at the resort, or at a water park? I don't know--but definitely avoid MK--no matter where you go you'll hit crowds, maybe just arrive early in the day and leave early in the day!

Good luck.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I agree with the previous two posts....EVERYWHERE will be crowded

We have been on 6 different trips between Christmas and New Year and it has always been packed!

 

[sgtdisney]

We were at WDW a number of years back during the week between Christmas and New Years. Packed doesn't even start to describe it. We literally got stuck in a human traffic jam after the afternoon parade at MK to the point where it was body to body and no one moved for 5 or 10 minutes (felt like 1/2 an hour but it wasn't.) Not an experience for the faint of heart.

 

[airforcewife]

Wow, I'm breaking out in a cold sweat reading this. This is the ONLY time of year we can go. My dh is USAF and this year in a special school program so can only have leave during this time. Any suggestions on what we should do with the time we'll have???

 

[jel0511]

We were at WDW a number of years back during the week between Christmas and New Years. Packed doesn't even start to describe it. We literally got stuck in a human traffic jam after the afternoon parade at MK to the point where it was body to body and no one moved for 5 or 10 minutes (felt like 1/2 an hour but it wasn't.) Not an experience for the faint of heart.

As I was reading your post I was laughing hysterically!!!! I too remember the human traffic jams, they get especially bad back in Fantasyland!!

Anyway, the advice you've been given here is pretty true. All the parks will get increasingly busy during your stay. I'd try to do most of your park hopping early in the week, and have a definate plan. Plan on utilizing Fast Pass A LOT, and plan on lots of long lines. We were there during Christmas 2001, and it supposebly wasn't as busy that year, and I've never seen WDW more crowded, and that's coming from a Summer vet. The summer looks practically desserted compared to the week between Christmas and New Years. Expect the last 4 or so days of your trip to be extremely crowded. Plan on some downtime during that time, and avoid MK after December 24th if you can.

 

[jordanyosh]

Take a deep breath.....I would suggest that you try and do all of your must sees before the crush of humanity descends on WDW. So that gives you the 20th-24th with it being busy; the 25th being very busy, and the 26th and 27th being crazy. I think it is very possible with the holiday hours for you to get the parks done the 19th-25th. I would use the 26th and 27th for shopping or walking around the parks, especially World Showcase. Go resort hopping. Catch a movie, see La Nouba.

The great thing about the CR is that you are within walking distance to the MK. You can make the 5-10 minute walk and if it is too crowded, it's not such an ordeal to go back to the hotel. Remember the CR has probably the best marina access. So SeaRaycers may be an option if the weather is nice during the day.

Have a great time regardless

 

[sgtdisney]

Wow, I'm breaking out in a cold sweat reading this. This is the ONLY time of year we can go. My dh is USAF and this year in a special school program so can only have leave during this time. Any suggestions on what we should do with the time we'll have???

I wouldn't worry too much. As was suggested, get your "must do's" out of the way before the 25th. I have never been there right before the holiday's but from what I have heard the crowds are pretty low in the days before Christmas. Look at it this way, you can experience both heavy and light crowds during your visit. On the days following Christmas, just plan to take it slow. You will be fine.

 

[Dcellbattery]

We visited int 2002 from the 18th til the 26th, the busiest time was christmas and the day after (There was wall to wall people). It was also cold that year. We had to purchase hats and gloves. Some of the CM said they could not remember it ever beening that cold.

We will be going back this year from the 19th til christmas eve. I think this will the best time to beat the christmas rush. We will cruise from 24th til the 27th.

 

[robinb]

If you're staying onsite, I would say that the MK is your best bet. It's a popular destination for the Christmas crowd who will want to go to another park on the next day. Plus, it's EE and you can see a lot in that first few hours. If you're not staying onsite, I would say MGM. All the people who went to the MK on 12/25 will be going to Epcot, it being the 2nd most popular park. Either way, I would make tracks for the gates by early afternoon and relax back at your resort while the mobs duke it out in long stand-by lines.

 

[dzneelvr]

EPCOT can handle the crowds better than the other parks as it's so spread out. Make a PS at Le Cellier or another country of your choosing for early evening the 26th and then enjoy the world showcase. You can also get a good deal of shopping done at DTD to avoid the park crowds. There should be some wonderful holiday themed items to take home as reminders of your special trip. Otherwise, just sleep in those couple days, use the resort facilities, and daydream about your next trip (hopefully) not on the same week next time!
Have a wonderful holiday. you are lucky to be at WDW.

 

[swilphil]

Since your staying at CR, I would go over to MK for EE on Sunday morning, Dec. 26th, IF you feel you must have some MK time on your last day. Do a few favorites during EE and then monorail it over to Epcot when the crowds start pouring in. I would say leave by 10 a.m. at the latest. That way you will be at Epcot close to the time World Showcase opens. I love World Showcase at the end of my trip. It's such a nice break from the theme park atmosphere.

 

[dvc guy]

We are 6 year veterans of the christmas holiday and will be back for a very short 2 day trip on the 23 & 24th. Everyday closer to Christmas it will get busier. After seeing how busy it is in the 25th it will look pretty quite on the other days. The holidays are a great time at WDW. My best guess is that you will not be able to see everything. Slow down and take in all the really neat stuff they have for the holidays. On the 26th you my want to resort hop and check out all the decorations, in the better hotels, BW villas,. Wilderness lodge and Grand Floridan to name a few. IMHO Christmas at WDW is the best Enjoy