Disney at Christmas

[nanceliz]

We have been to Disneyworld numerous times in June. But, my teenage boys want to go next time at Christmas time. Is it worth it to go during the holidays? I know the crowds are crazy busy. I'm not sure if it is a good idea or a mistake.
What are your thougths? How much busier is it than June?
Thanks!

 

[Lesley Mahler]

I'd like to know too!!!

 

[mrs_noopie]

I'd like to know too!

We're going (I hope) the second week of Dec this year. Heard/read the crowds were light, but it seems hotel choices are pretty limited from what we're seeing as we try to make plans now...

We're excited for the Epcot storytellers and Christmas Processional, the Osborne Family lights at DHS, and we hope DVMCP isn't too crowded (we loved DNSSHP last October).

 

[lyeag]

Our family has only gone in Dec. I went as a kid in the spring, and I love Dec at WDW. We usually go the week before Christmas and check out on Christmas Eve Day so we can spend the holiday with nearby family. We love it!

Granted, you never know about the weather. The first year when we arrived there were wind chills in the 20's! We still had a great time. The next trip it was in the 70s and 80s. The decorations and the mood is great in Dec. We dealt with the crowds with no problems. We just planned well. I really don't have any desire to go at any other time of year. Yes, it is crowded, but at least it is not really hot.

We are hoping to go when my dh returns from the deployment he just started. Christmas 09!!!!

 

[DesigningMouse]

When we went it was crowded but not crazy crowded. We were there Dec. 16-22nd. The very first time we went was in May/June and it was crazy hot but after the Christmas trip I was sold and that is the only time I want to go now.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We have been to Disneyworld numerous times in June. But, my teenage boys want to go next time at Christmas time. Is it worth it to go during the holidays? I know the crowds are crazy busy. I'm not sure if it is a good idea or a mistake.
What are your thougths? How much busier is it than June?
Thanks!

The first three weeks of December have slower crowds and it is value season. The week of Christmas (starting around Dec. 21) through New Year's is the single busiest and most expensive week at WDW. The parks are known to close by noon on Christmas because the crowds reach capacity levels. It is much, much more crowded than June. Also, if you are planning on going for Christmas this year, you would be hard pressed to get any dining reservations, as the 180 day window has already passed. There are many people here on the DIS that go during Christmas week and have a great time, but I know I could not. I can feel the wave of claustrophobia hitting me, just thinking about the wall-to-wall crowds and people.

 

[Disney_Angel]

Subscribing

 

[Disney_Angel]

The first three weeks of December have slower crowds and it is value season. The week of Christmas (starting around Dec. 21) through New Year's is the single busiest and most expensive week at WDW. The parks are known to close by noon on Christmas because the crowds reach capacity levels. It is much, much more crowded than June. Also, if you are planning on going for Christmas this year, you would be hard pressed to get any dining reservations, as the 180 day window has already passed. There are many people here on the DIS that go during Christmas week and have a great time, but I know I could not. I can feel the wave of claustrophobia hitting me, just thinking about the wall-to-wall crowds and people.

Thanks for the TIP!!!

 

[ngneer98]

we went the week between Christmas and New Year's in '06 and '07. it's crazy crowded, BUT manageable if you are smart about it. get there early, take a mid-day break (or do non-ride things as the lines get INSANE in the afternoons......minimum 60-90 minutes for ANYTHING, including characters!), have rezzies for meals or do counter-service as you can't just walk into anywhere and expect to eat.

You can get quite a bit done in the mornings just as the park opens, if you can get your kids up for it! get fastpasses first thing, as they will run out by early afternoon for the major attractions. We've never been there on Christmas Day, but on New Year's Eve, MK shut down at something like 11AM because it reached capacity (there are different levels of "shut down"...if you're a Disney resort guest, which we weren't, you can still get in).

The last 2 years, the weather has been amazing......80's the entire time we were there...I was thinking it'd be cooler and we ended up having to go buy shorts!

HTH......you can have lots of fun that week, and the Christmas decor is great to see.....you just need to accept the fact that you're not going to get to see/do/ride as much as you normally would because of the crowd leve. Once we accepted that fact, we were okay.

diana

 

[jenseib]

I've not been there that time yet either, but if I were to go, I would go sometime in the first two weeks. I can;t stand it so crowded.I went to MK one summer and the lines were all like 90 minutes, some up to 3 hours and it was horrid. I never want to go when it is that busy again.

 

[luvmy2sams]

DH and I went from December 28-January 2, 2002. It was crazy busy, but if you go with a plan and the right attitude, you'll have a great time. The parks did close to capacity during the days, but we did lots of walkons late in the evening. Planning is a must....I can't imagine going without any ADRs.

We're taking the whole family in 2009, arriving before Christmas and staying until after New Years. We can't wait!

 

[exwdwcm]

Christmas week to new years is the busiest time of year at WDW. crowds are crazy and rates are high. we avoid it like the plaque, but we don't have school age children yet either. I worked as a CM during the holidays before and it was nuts. i would not go then if i had a choice, i know sometimes it is the only time folks can go with school out etc. Like another poster said, with proper planning, you can minimize the time you spend in lines, but still be prepared for crowds and higher room rates, hard to come by ADRs etc. MK usually closes on Christmas day- it fills to capacity for a few hours at least. I just do NOT have a good time with crowds like that- and i don't feel it is a good value, just not for me. but others manage just fine- depends on what you want out of the vacation.

I've been during spring break and swore that off ever again too.

of course this all compares to going in early December which was AWESOME, so it made all those busy times just seem that much worse. we went the first or second week of December and had a blast. low crowds, perfect weather (shorts during day, sweatshirts and jeans at night), holiday decor up, low hotel rates. couldn't beat it. We had a blast. i highly recommend early December to anyone. we didn't wait more than 20 minutes for anything. soarin and other e-ticket rides did sometimes have longer lines, but we used FP and got there at opening to do those and get htem out of the way. we did tea cups, dumbo etc without hardly waiting at all. we rode almost everything on the MVMCP night.

we loved:
Osborne family lights
MVMCP
special holiday wishes
resort decorations- especially WL, gingerbread house at GF etc.
epcot storytellers
Christmas tree lightings each night
great holiday shopping

it was just so magical. we saw and did everything we wanted.

 

[DisneyTiger]

When people think of Disneyworld at Christmas, they think December. That's not necessarily true! Christmas is by far my favorite time to visit the world. We have actually had 2 trips when our first day there was Thanksgiving Day. There is no one in the airport and the parks are slow too. The days after are even slower. The best part about doing this is you are able to see the transformation into Christmas. You go to sleep Thanksgiving night and wake up to Christmas everywhere! You can experience all of the Christmas magic a little early which really gets you in the spirit. We have also been the first week of December and the crowds were very light also. Last year, my husband and I flew in on Thanksgiving day and went bar hopping around all of the hotels. We got to see all of their decorations and try some fun drinks. We finished the night at California Grill watching Wishes. It was the best Thansgiving dinner ever and I didn't miss the turkey at all

 

[Hubbleo]

I've gone a few times in Dec...but always early Dec. The week of and between Xmas and New Years is the absolute busiest time of the year. Early Dec however is great...hardly a line to be found!!!

 

[RMulieri]

I have gone the beginning of December and xmas week.I will NEVER go again xmas week.It was so busy, Mk closed to capacity by 10a on xmas day.I usually can handle crowds but to quote a fellow dis-er (imagine everyone you know in your bathtub and waiting 180 mins for a towel)The decor is nice and it is festive but too busy for my taste.i love the beginning of the month.Still festive and lower crowds.

 

[lisajl]

We have been in mid December. The last time we went it was crazy! Mk was at capacity by 11:00 am. We were waiting in line for Space Mtn and my DH said, "Never again!" I have only been to WDW 4 times, and this is the only time we have been. I love it then. It is so magical, but yes, it is crowded.

We are planning a trip for Oct 2009. My DH wants to go for Halloween and the Villians. I am all for it, but will surely miss the holiday time!

 

[Sukie]

I have gone the beginning of December and xmas week.I will NEVER go again xmas week.It was so busy, Mk closed to capacity by 10a on xmas day.I usually can handle crowds but to quote a fellow dis-er (imagine everyone you know in your bathtub and waiting 180 mins for a towel)The decor is nice and it is festive but too busy for my taste.i love the beginning of the month.Still festive and lower crowds.

I love your analogy of the tub. We were at POP Century in 2006 Dec 9th--16th. It was great. Going again this Dec. 7th---14th staying at the same resort. I have got to get my Christmas shopping done.

 

[jtopp]

Usually go in early December, the best time of year. Last year, arrived late Christmas day and left New Years Day. Crowded is not the word. If you stay on property and never leave, with proper planning you should be okay. Keep in mind, everybody else who goes and stays off property needs to get around, and the local population is also out and about on holiday. I went out for pizza, and the 15 minute drive took an hour and a half. Still, it's a beautiful place to be for the holiday.

 

[despina]

we went one year Dec 10-17...not crowded. We got on the rides with no waiting.We did the MVMCP, great christmas stage shows. We love touring the resorts looking at their Christmas displays, especially the Grand Floridian's giant gingerbread house.....it was great.

 

[devalsam]

Subscribing

We are heading down Nov 30 - Dec 7 this year and I've been wondering what to expect crowdwise and weatherwise.