Disney after Christmas????

[Momof2princess]

We are thinking of doing a WDW trip for right after Christmas. We would arrive on the 26th and stay till around the 4th of Jan. Have I absolutley lost my mind to go this time of year. What should I be prepared for if we do go.

Thanks

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Be prepared for HUGE crowds and just about any kind of weather. You could have some days in the 80s with cool nights, and other mornings near freezing with afternoons in the 50s. Pack lots of layers!

And did I mention the crowds will be HUGE?

Enjoy your trip!

 

[cleophus12]

We did the post-Christmas trip two years ago from the 26th to the 1st. It was the most crowded I have ever seen the parks. However, if you plan to go, just go with the huge crowds in mind. Decide the crowds don't matter, don't plan to squeeze in too much in a day, and don't be disappointed if you don't get to do everything. I agree with the previous poster about weather--be prepared for anything and don't count on visiting the waterparks unless it's really warm. Since you are staying until the 4th, you will have a couple of dead days--after the 1st, the parks will empty out and you should be able to do about anything. WDW is a beautiful place that time of year. Enjoy.

 

[dmk1021]

If you can schedule it to arrive say, January 5th or 6th you would get the last few days of the holiday decorations (I'm not sure what the exact date they come down is this year), and very slow crowds. Once New Year's passes, the crowds are very light. And you still get the holiday ambience for the most part. It's one of my favorite times to go.

 

[marivaid]

We're planning to go almost exactly at the same time, 28th to January 4th. Now that I've read the posts though I'm having second thoughts

 

[Momof2princess]

Thanks for the replies.. I have been to Disney after New Years before and it was not that crowded at all. We have never tried the after Christmas time and now I am beginning to think I know why.... Hmmm well DH and I are going to talk about all the options tonight.....He has never been to WDW so he is excited about it all

Thanks for the replys

 

[kerri0616]

For his first time, if you have any flexibility, try to go after NYD. Still get the Christmas decorations, but what a huge difference in crowds.

We're crazy people going 12/24-12/29, but we go about every year. We're mainly going to soak up the holiday atmosphere--not making commando plans. We teachers have no flexibility with our schedules. Either we go in the flaming hot summer, or in the over-crowded Christmas season.

Either way, I'd rather be at WDW than home!

Kerri

 

[marivaid]

I was really surprised that I was able to get all the ADRs that I wanted Dec 27 to Jan 4 even for December 31st at Epcot (we originally planned to spend the 31st at Magic Kingdom but after reading the forums decided to go to Epcot instead). Maybe this year is going to be less crowded ?

 

[phisigprincess]

I agree with the previous posters - if you can make it later or 2 weeks earlier, that will be a better idea. ESPECIALLY if it's your DH's first time. The crowds are unbearable. Being a mainly summertime WDW visitor, I thought it would be no big deal, but yikes. I tried to get from Liberty Square to Frontierland during a parade and there was NO WHERE to move. No walkways were cleared, no alternate paths - everyone was just forced to stop and watch the parade even if they didn't want to. I would try to go when the decorations were up, but when it wasn't Christmas week.

 

[Momof2princess]

Well after doing tons of research. (thanks DIS guys ) and talking ti over with DH we are going to fly down on the 31st, stay offsite that night then head over to POP for 6 nights.

Thanks for all the replys

 

[MariDisney]

If you can schedule it to arrive say, January 5th or 6th you would get the last few days of the holiday decorations (I'm not sure what the exact date they come down is this year), and very slow crowds. Once New Year's passes, the crowds are very light. And you still get the holiday ambience for the most part. It's one of my favorite times to go.

I concur! We did this the past two years and the crowds were really slow, but still got some of the Christmas ambiance including meeting Goofy dressed as Santa, etc. It was great!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

It's going to be extremely crowded. This is said to be the most crowded time of year for Disney World. You can still have fun and have a great trip, but you have to go there knowing what to expect so your not disappointed that you won't be able to do everything that you could when crowds were lower.