December 2010 - Never been, Need HELP

[nyyankees5]

So here's the deal. We love going to Disney...Who doesn't.. We haven't been in a while (5yrs). Never been in December, more of a end of september family. My husband doesn't like crowds or lines. We have a daughter with some special needs an are worried about how crowded it really is, and how long the line waits are. Anything longer than 30 - 45 min might be a problem. We live in AZ so we get out of school around Dec 16th. We have no problems taking kids out of school a few days early. Would love to wake up Christmas morning in Disney, but don't necessarily have to stay to long past Christmas.

Questions:

1. How crowded is it?

2. How long are the waits for the buses. Looking to stay at POR or Family Suites.

Any other info you can share with me would be greatly appreciated.

Erin

 

[greendoor678]

Hi there,
Someone may correct me if I'm wrong, but the Christmas holiday is considered a peak time to visit WDW. I was there for the holidays in 09 and New Years Eve and it was crowded, but not the same crowds as you will see on Spring Break. New Years Eve at Epcot was the most crowded I've ever seen it and it was a bad experience for our family (but I know you aren't asking about NYE...just thought I'd throw it in there.) Its a great idea to go to celebrate Christmas but be prepared to wait in some lines. The decorations and music are beautiful though.

 

[greendoor678]

If possible, try to visit at the beginning of Dec before the schools let out for holiday. The crowds are minimal. We visited around Dec 12-14 back in 2003 and it was not very crowded. This may be a challenge since you have a child in school though. Just thought I would add this.

 

[sjs314]

It was always a dream of mine to visit Disney for Christmas but after doing some extensive reading on the Dis and other forums I came to the conclusion if you do not want to have long waits and or crowds everywhere you go Christmas week is not a wise choice.

 

[Shih-Tzu]

According to some other threads I have read, there are days parks reach peak capacity and they don't let any more guests in....so it must be REALLY crowded....I don't think I'd try it even if someone paid my way to go.

 

[nyyankees5]

Thanks Everyone. Our dates are are 12/11 - 12/25 or 26th. Has anyone every been at that time.

Thanks again

 

[VickiVM]

We went Dec 20-26th in 2003, I believe. In fact, we were just watching home movies last night and saw our video from this trip. It was all that and more!!! We have been 7 times and this was our favorite trip of all of them.

You could definitely see a diff in the crowds from the beginning of the week to the end of the week. But our strategy was to get dinner reservations locked down early, and get all of our 'must see's' done early in the week (Mon and Tues) and then just go with the flow the last two days. I suggest spending Christmas Eve, Day or the 26th @ Epcot where it's more spread out. There is plenty to see and observe without having to wait in line.

At the time our kids were 11, 9 and 7 and just soooo thrilled and happy to be there. It was almost comical how nice they were to one another. Now that they are teenagers, I commented to them last night that I wanted to trade them in for the kids in the video!

 

[Mikeyto_96]

Like so many others it has been a long time dream of mine to visit WDW at Christmas. I will be living out my dream 12/23 - 12/27. Yes, I know it will be EXTREMELY CROWDED, but I don't care! I will be with my family celebrating our Saviours birth in the happiest place on earth!

 

[VickiVM]

Like so many others it has been a long time dream of mine to visit WDW at Christmas. I will be living out my dream 12/23 - 12/27. Yes, I know it will be EXTREMELY CROWDED, but I don't care! I will be with my family celebrating our Saviours birth in the happiest place on earth!

If you plan carefully, you won't regret it!

 

[WDWBW09]

Our family was there for two days after a three days DCL - December 20th through December 22nd - 2009 To state it simply it was wonderful. Our most memorable family time ever.

However it was very crowded.

My advice to you:

1. Pick several things you and the family want to ride or attractions you want to see and stick to it. Try to ride everything - you and your family will be miserable. An example of what we were able to ride at MK on December 21st.

AM:
Space Mountain (Fast Pass)
Peter Pan (Fast Pass)
Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion (No Fast Pass - Excessive Wait)
Carousel of Progress
Transit Authority

NOON:
Columbia Harbor Lunch
Nap at SSR

PM:
Shopping / In awe of the decorations and the snow on main street!
Crystal Palace Dinner
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Light Parade
More Shopping
Christmas Wishes

We walked past many things we wanted to ride. Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Etc. Could I have pushed and done more yes but it would have ruined the memory.

2. Make your ADR's I saw at least 25 families turned away at the Crystal Palace.

3. Pack for cold weather we did to some degree but not enough. It was very cold.

Everyone who loves WDW should do this at least once. I prepared my family, who's used to riding everything ahead of time, it would be very difficult to ride everything. That way the dissappointment was very low and they appreciated all we rode.

Goodluck with your planning!

 

[iluvpiglet]

If you plan carefully, you won't regret it!

I agree! We went Christmas week in 2007 and we had a great time! We went to the parks when they opened and it was practically empty. There were hardly no lines and we were able to do everything we wanted to do before lunch. Then, back to the resort for lunch at the food court and swim. We were leaving just as the crowds were coming in. At night, we went back to the park for the fireworks or night time show. It was awesome! I would definitely go back again. The decorations and music and overall atmosphere is worth it!

 

[sah95]

Thanks Everyone. Our dates are are 12/11 - 12/25 or 26th. Has anyone every been at that time.

Thanks again

We are going Dec. 11-18 this yr. We have been this week in Dec. for several years in a row. However, I must confess, it is the only time in Dec. that we have been. We don't go earlier in the month due to Pop Warner & we don't go later in the month due to the crowds. When we go to the parks on our departure day the crowds have increased a lot. I take my son out of school the week before his Christmas break starts. He makes good grades & attendance won't be held against him until he is in 9th grade. (This will be our last yr.)
An option would be to tour the parks & do everything that is on everyone's list to do the week of Dec. 11. Then the week of Dec. 20 could be at a slower pace. You all could enjoy the activities & decorations at different resorts, do some shopping, etc... You all could go to the parks & leave when they get too crowded for your family, but not feel like you are missing anything.
Have a great trip!!!!

 

[nyyankees5]

Thanks everyone. We are BIG Disney Lovers so we feel we must do this at least once. The kids last day of school is Dec 17th, so we are thinking about taking them out that entire week to beat the crowds. It has been a few years since we have gone and my little one has never been so we will need to see stuff he wants to see.

 

[alwaysdisney]

We have gone the 1st weekend of December, right after Thanksgiving and we had my future father in law, who is in a wheelchair. We stayed at the Wilderness cabins because, we were along the boat route which for us was easier to take the boat then bus transportation. In the afternoon, when he got tired, we simply took the boat back to our cabin and it was also great having a full size kitchen as well. I have also gone over the Christmas holiday with my brother & nephews. Yes, the park is crowded, go early, then take a break during the off times, for example, get to the park early in the morning, then leave around 1:00 then go back at 4:00, at 4:00 a lot of people are leaving the parks to get back to the resorts for dinner etc. You'll also have to pack warm clothes too... I remember one year it got down to 32 degrees at night... burrr had to buy 12 Mickey Sweatshirts... Ouch!!