Disney at Christmas?

[dustya21]

We are planning our 2nd trip to Disney. We wanted to go in January again, but because of school schedules we were thinking of going the day after Christmas for about 8 days. (We plan on doing some other things while we're their). Has anyone went the week between Christmas and New Year's? Wondering about crowds and weather. We were really spoiled when we went in January. The crowds were very low and the weather was beautiful. Just trying to decide on dates before we make a deposit. Thanks!!

All Star Sports - January '05
All Star Sports - winter '08 ?

 

[Lives4Disney]

We are planning our 2nd trip to Disney. We wanted to go in January again, but because of school schedules we were thinking of going the day after Christmas for about 8 days. (We plan on doing some other things while we're their). Has anyone went the week between Christmas and New Year's? Wondering about crowds and weather. We were really spoiled when we went in January. The crowds were very low and the weather was beautiful. Just trying to decide on dates before we make a deposit. Thanks!!

All Star Sports - January '05
All Star Sports - winter '08 ?

We have been going to WDW several times a year since 1990.....just mentioning that so you know we're not noobs to WDW..

Well...this past year we went 12/19 - 12/27. We LOVE WDW, but by the 27th we were really ready to leave. The place was packed. We went to MK before our limo came on the 27th and I have NEVER seen crowds like that before. It was a crush. I was told that 3 parks were closed due to crowd levels on 27th. People will say to plan, use TGM, go early etc.....did all that and still it was not too enjoyable. My kids do not want to go back for Xmas again. It was a weird trip.

We used to love going in January, but now I have a son in high school and that is just not possible any more. I miss those days!

Good luck with whatever you decide. It was fun, but just different and not fun enough to do again. This year we are going for Thanksgiving and we have done that several times in the past (along with Easter, spring break, July 4th, various times in April, May, Halloween, Columbus Day week, MLK week etc) that way we can enjoy the holiday decorations without the mega crowds.

Lives4Disney

 

[mom-mom2three]

We went the week before Christmas, leaving on the 24th, Dec 05 and 06. For us the crowds were really bad at night in MGM when they lit the Osborne lights. It was really packed! I mean to the point of almost being scarry ! I love Disney at Christmas but I do not want to be in MGM again when they turn on the lights. I think I will wait an hour or so, it does thin out. I love to sit on the side of the street and watch the snow fall in MGM, it is beauitful. For us the other parks were beauitful and not too crowded. The weather in 05 was cold but in 06 it was great

 

[sixAMmom]

Isn't that week the busiest for Disney???? I know I have heard alot of horror stories about that week from friends!!

DH 30
DW 33
DNefew 16
DD 10
DD 8
DS 6 Capt Jack
DD3 Belle

 

[ldo]

go park hoppers--get up early and go to either AK, MK or Epcot (only if you want Soarin), ride prime rides until 11-12 AM or so, then go to other park get a fast pass for later in evening, have lunch and see a few shows, then use fast pass. MGM is good for afternoons, b/c you can see 1 or 2 shows--and a 45 minute wait is not too bad if you can then see a 30 minute show. AK also does well for afternoon, if only to see Lion King and then go.
Other option is to get to park in AM, then do nice lunch or character meal lunch, and call it a day---or go back to hotel and come back later for dinner or fireworks.
It will be PACKED--so ADRs are a MUST. IF you get in early (at least by 9 am) go straight to a section of rides, stay in that area, then leave, you are OK. With 8 days, you can do this easily.

 

[Sethsmom]

We went between 12/16 and left on 12/23. in 2006. It was perfect. Went to Christmas party and candlelight processional. We just took son out of school for 3 days of his Christmas vacation week. He is 7 so not like in Jr High or Highschool. Plus at that time I believe rates are at the lowest so we were able to stay at French Quarter.

I can say I have read that after Christmas, it is overcrowded. We could see an increase in the crowds on the 23rd. Before the 23rd, had no problem and no long waits for anything. Glad we were leaving and not starting our vacation on the 23rd.

 

[zdesiree]

I never been that week, I always go the first two weeks of December, but for what I heard from Christmas to New Years that's the worst time to go, the crowds are too much. A friend of mine tried last year to spend New Years eve at Epcot and they ended in Downtown Disney because it was impossible to be in Epcot.

 

[mareed]

We were there between XMAS & New Years in 2004 & 2006. So, obviously we went back even knowing what to expect.

I would absolutely recommend TGM for this time of year. Realize that in order to get anything at all done, you'll need to be there prior to park opening, which is early - at 8:00. So, it's very early mornings - we would leave around 7:00 in the morning, so were waking around 5:30 to get ready and eat a quick breakfast. The early mornings are tough on vacation...

We'll probably be back in 2008 for XMAS, so we'll have to be up for it again! There just aren't great choices when you're limited by school vcations, so XMAS it is!

 

[summerrose]

We went the week before and left on the 23rd..It was packed..Glad to leave the crowds..But it is a great time to go with all the Christmas lights and snow on Main street..My daughter just loved that!

 

[ldo]

if you get PH and limit your expectations, you don't have to get up that early. We got up at 7:15, out by 8AM (eat breakfast in room quickly or take in car) and we drive to park--we don't wait for bus. Park and are in MK before 9 (we already have tickets--so no waiting in line). WE take the train around to frontier land and ride Big Thunder 3X in 20 minutes, then hit other rides in the area--jungle, pirates, small world, peter pan---then we are done with MK--and go to another park and see a show or two.
Another day we hit tomorrowland--buzz, lilo, space, then parade and go to another park for a few shows.
We can't get up at 5:30---but so many people don't even get to the parks until 11 am---even 2 hours is a good jump on things.