december 15-20, 2016...am i crazy?

[glohoffman]

Planning a large family trip and the earliest we can get there in December is the 15th...is this going to be insane? I'm a pretty good planner and we do ripe drops, but I've read horror stories of Christmas time in Disney and I'm starting to worry. Anyone go this time and feel it is completely manageable?

 

[Lucius Best]

The real insanity will be between Christmas and New Year's. Dec 15th shouldn't be too bad, but you can probably expect every day to get more busy as you get closer to Christmas. This December's crowd predictions can give you some idea:

http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/12-december-2015-crowd-calendar/

 

[IndyRnRfan]

You will be fine. The parks were dead the last time we were at Christmas until around the 22nd. Christmas fell on a Thurs or Fri and we arrived the previous Saturday. We were shocked at how low the crowds were but the 22 and 23 was like half of the world showed up. I don't think we even needed to use FP's until the evening at any of the parks.

 

[lovndisney12]

That is actually an awesome time to go. And since you are a planner and do rope drop - you will certainly be fine. If you are staying on property there is also usually free dining during this time - but of course no guarantee for 2016. This will be our third time around the end of December but unfortunately now that DH teaches and DS is in HS - we usually can't get there until the 21st / 22nd when you will be leaving. The first time we went we had dates that almost exactly matched yours and the crowds weren't bad at all AND you got to take advantage of all the Disney Christmas Magic! I do highly suggest looking at the crowd calendars and pick the suggested park day as best you can - but it won't always work perfectly. Happy Planning!

 

[Figmentmommy]

We were there last December, 12/13 - 12/20. While it was certainly busier than our December trips from years ago, it was still very manageable. Heavier crowds didn't really begin until we were checking out. We had a great trip and if you choose to go those dates I'm certain you will too!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

That is actually about the right time to get Christmas style fun without Christmas style crowds.

 

[glohoffman]

Oh good you guys are making me feel much better! We can handle some crowds, and plan on taking it easy and not rushing to do everything...just want to enjoy the atmosphere with our family, I was just afraid of wall to wall people and parks closing due to capacity.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Oh good you guys are making me feel much better! We can handle some crowds, and plan on taking it easy and not rushing to do everything...just want to enjoy the atmosphere with our family, I was just afraid of wall to wall people and parks closing due to capacity.

No need to worry. You will definitely not experience those types of crowds during that time.

 

[pmaurer74]

I have gone during that time the past two years and it was fine! 2013 was awesome crowd wise. 2014 was a little crowded.

 

[kathy884]

We went last year -- great time to go as it's before the Christmas crowds. Weather can be hit or miss. // This year we're not so lucky as DS is not our of school till the 21st. I always jump on a trip, though, if we get out earlier than most schools as it's less crowded than summer or spring break -- pretty moderate crowds which is not usually on option for us with the school schedule.

 

[glohoffman]

Great, my family has only been in mid may, and are going in September this year. We will be going with my sister in laws family and it is their first trip to Disney. We are so excited to experience Christmas at Disney, but I was afraid they wouldn't get to enjoy themselves due to crowds levels. I'm so glad this doesn't seem like the case! How about the Christmas party during that time...Anyone been?

 

[jolene63]

We went Dec. 16-22 a few yeas ago and didn't have any problems at all with crowds. The weather was perfect too. This was one of my favorite trips. I did notice that our resort had a lot of people checking in the day we were checking out. I think you will definitely enjoy going this time of year. We actually plan on going Dec. 18-27 next year. I can't wait!

 

[Sheila Enriquez]

I don't think we even needed to use FP's until the evening at any of the parks.

 

[glohoffman]

I'm seriously getting so excited now! Decent crowds mixed with the cooler weather...it sounds like it will be perfect!

 

[Ryansdad0727]

I have been twice around this time. It is a great time to go. Prices are lower than normal and crowds are not bad at all. Good choice in my opinion.

 

[JennyDrake]

Yes, it is a great time to go, but do not expect LOW crowds. Each year crowds increase and during your time frame, they will thicken by the day.

Use RD, FP+ , EMH and hop and you will be fine.

 

[glohoffman]

Yeah I'm definitely not expecting low crowds, but what everyone is telling me is much better than I was originally expecting! I am considering extending the days to the 15the-22nd and using those last two extra days to enjoy resort and non park stuff...maybe that would help feel even more relaxed and less rushed? Thoughts?

 

[GWhitten98]

Actually that is a perfect time to go. Most schools will not be off until the end of that week so Friday-Sunday may be busy, but the early part of the week will probably be pretty low crowd wise. We went 2 years ago the week before x-mas and never waited more then 20 min for even headliners until Sat. Sat and Sunday were considerably more people, but still complete manageable.

 

[glohoffman]

Actually that is a perfect time to go. Most schools will not be off until the end of that week so Friday-Sunday may be busy, but the early part of the week will probably be pretty low crowd wise. We went 2 years ago the week before x-mas and never waited more then 20 min for even headliners until Sat. Sat and Sunday were considerably more people, but still complete manageable.

The only thing I'm concerned about is that the 15th is a Thursday...so will we be getting only one good day of crowds before it gets bad? Christmas is the weekend following the one we will be there during. So we would check in on a Thursday and be out on Tuesday (if we don't extend the trip).

 

[JennyDrake]

It is hard to predict one year to the next, but in 10 years of trips 3-5x/year I can comfortably say that regardless of when you go, it will be more crowded than the precious year at the same time.

Two years ago first Saturday in May-Wednesday wait times for headliners were 30-45 min at 11 am.; this year they were 50-70 minutes.

Schools let out at different times in December and colleges tend to be out the end of the first full week. Our public schools let out the 11th. Still, it is a very good time to go and as long as you do RD, you will be fine! MK and AK are IMHO the most critical parks to do RD, then leave at 1 or 2 for rest, swim, nap, mini golf, etc. When _I_ do MK or AK in the morning, I *always* hop to a different park in the afternoon.