December Crowds

[SCADC]

How are the crowds the week after Christmas? We would like to do an extended-family trip and need to know if this is a good time.
Thanks for your input.

 

[cleophus12]

If you are talking about the week immediately following Christmas and running into New Year's Day, the crowds will be some of the biggest of the year. We have been to WDW at all times of the year, and this wins "biggest crowds" hands down. However, if you know that going in and make your plans accordingly, it is a beautiful time of year to visit. All the decorations in the parks and hotels help extend the Christmas spirit for a few more days. We loved our Christmas visit, but having said that, it's one of those been there, done that kind of things for us. We probably wouldn't do it again because of the crowds.

 

[G's mommy]

Week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest week of the entire year. Expect HUGE crowds and high prices. Go earlier in December if possible.

 

[TatenEly]

We were at Disney from 12/19/07 to 12/28/07 and I would not stay past Christmas Day again in the future...Up to and including Christmas was Great! Nothing we couldn't roll with
but as soon as Christmas was over, it was PACKED...I recall 12/27 as a terrible day at the MK...we got there and did nothing but ride the train around once, camped out on top floor of the train station for 3 hours (no joke) to have a good seat for the MVMCP Parade that we had not seen yet...it was worth the wait, great parade...anyway, we tried to go to toon town after and lines were OUT THE DOOR for Mickey & Minnie's houses...we walked through Fantasy land and that was worse

We were glad we got to enjoy the late EMHs that ran until 3am because that was the only way we fit everything in!

Try to go the week prior to Christmas but I would plan on heading out shortly after!
~Stephanie

 

[Devil_Dog99]

It is amazing how much difference a week makes in December. Last year DW and I were there from Dec 16-29. Week 1 I was able to WALK ON to Space Mountain TWICE at 9:45 in the morning. Week 2, I went over to MK to see Wishes and just laughed at the 120 minute wait at 10:00 PM for the same ride.

If at all possible go the week before or the week after. If you must go during Christmas week, I strongly suggest you get either The Unofficial Guide or Tour Guide Mike and follow their plans - they work. But be prepared to get up EARLY (6:00 am or earlier) to get to the parks before they open to be able to get anything done during moring EMH at MK. I remember last year driving to a golf tee time at 6:30 in the morning and seeing a dozen or so people at one of CBR's bus stops.

 

[sherry8253]

Not only is it one of the most crowded weeks but it is also one of the most expensive periods with the holiday rates.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

Not only is it one of the most crowded weeks but it is also one of the most expensive periods with the holiday rates.

Oh yeah - that too. DW and I changed our dates for this year. Based on the new rate policy, we would have paid 60% more for our trip over last year. We are now going Dec 7-20.

 

[desparatelydisney]

We went 12.0.06 to 1.4.07. I was walking around EPCOT beggin my husband to let's please go home (and i am a proud member of DAA - Disney-addicts anonymous ). I would only do it again if I wasn't going to live until May...

 

[Greg K.]

The first three weeks of December are better, crowd-wise.

Several years ago, we visited from Dec 12-21. The first several days were BLISS. Many rides were 10 minute waits or less. But the last couple days were a significantly different experience. You could sense the crowds starting to build, and the parks becoming more jammed.

Of course, nowadays I don't know that there are ANY times when crowds are really low. Disney has cornered the market on specials and promotions and off-season enticements, so it seems like it's always humming.

 

[GSLand]

Posts above have pretty much said it.
Our trip between Christmas and New Year's was the least favorite of all - mainly because of the crowds.

(aside: we spent a few of those days at Universal Studios - and stayed at one of their hotels. We had front-of-the-line acess to everything with the hotel card. That was good, very good).