Disney during Christmas week??

[princess-rn]

Hey guys!!! It's been almost 2 years since I've logged in here. Life is busy busy busy!!

I need some advice for those of you who have been to WDW during the week of Christmas. How are the crowds?? I've heard this is the busiest time of the year to travel there. We've been the first week of December and LOVE it but DS school schedule does not allow us to do that anymore.

 

[mom2cookies]

Been there and its crazy crazy. Mostly MK is most crowded obviously. Do-able but don't expect to do what you did before. The lines will be upwards of an hour, make sure you have ADR's if you do table service. Needless to say, Disney transportation... long lines and full busses. ITs gorgeous as you already know, but also so very crowded. I'd go again, but i've been there ( wdw ) many times and don't have small children and don't mind not riding the popular rides.
I'd say go, just with the frame of mind it will be super crowded. Make sure your DS will be prepared for long waits and take extra precautions walking through the crowds. When we went the first time my kids were 7 - 12 yrs old. DH would be in front and we would all hold hands or back pack straps with me being in the back. That is how we walked ( jostled ) around the parks, it was that crowded.

 

[happymommy]

I've done it as well. It is the most crowded week of the year. For that reason, I'd choose your resort carefully!

We were at the BWV one time, and at AKL concierge level the other time. That helped tremendously. At AKL we spent a lot of time enjoying the resort. We also had the concierge make all our reservations for us, including an Illuminations cruise on NYE (after that, we took a cab back to the AKL from the YC, which was nice). Staying at the BWV was nice, since we love Epcot, so walking back and forth was convenient.

It was fun both times (second time it was super cold!). But, plan ahead well, and go with the attitude that you won't see or do everything! Just enjoy!

We would go to a park early, then leave when the crowds were too much for us.

We won't do it again for a while, but had a lot of fun!

 

[princess-rn]

Thanks you guys! That's pretty much what I was thinking. I just wanted confirmation. I think we will end up waiting this year and going at the end of May 2013. I just hope they offer free dining at that time.

I would still like to go during Christmas again. If we do it would have to be the week of or week after Christmas. I'll just prepare for the crowd!

 

[Dismom55]

We went the week of Christmas and I think the best thing we did was to get to the parks almost at rope drop, the head to the left while the rest seemed to head to the right. Being older my husband and I would leave the parks after our dinner ADR's while our 18/15 and 21 yrs old stayed later. The parks would be very crowded by that time. I went with the attitude that I knew the parks were going to be crowded, the lines long and not to stress about it. Surprisingly we got an awful lot done by getting there early in the day.

Actually got all our must do's, hope to do's and if we have time to do's done and a few of the well might as well we have the time before it was time to head back to Ohio. We had a great time.

 

[princess-rn]

Thanks so much for the info! We are early birds so we usually do make it by rope drop. Do they still do extended hours for resort guests only?

 

[Dismom55]

Yes, different parks on different days both early days and later nights, check the Disney site calendar for the times before you go so you will be informed. Called Extra Magic Hours (EMH)

 

[rbrainerd]

It is not uncommon for the parks to reach maximum capacity during Christmas and Spring break (they will temporary close the parks off for awhile when capacity has been reached). If you go during May, you will be able to attend Star Wars weekend at HS if you visit during a weekend day. This too can be crowded but nothing like Christmas/Spring break.