Disney During Christmas

[Nettaboo]

Hello everyone,
I was thinking of planning a family trip to to DW during the week between Christmas and New Years 2009. Most likely it would be myself and my husband my daughter who would be 5 then, my sister and her boys (would be 7 and 4 then)..
Anyway I wanted to know if this was a real peak time and the pros and cons of going this week..any help would be great!!

 

[Gabkatt]

I don't want to be too negative, but thats the busiest week of the year. They have had to turn people away and shut the gates because they are at max capacity. I've been there when this has happened! We couldn't even get down main street...we left.

 

[daisyduck123]

We are going to be in WDW for a week over Christmas (Dec. 20-26).

We're only going then because we just plan on relaxing, dining with the characters, touring resorts to see the decorations, & going to MVMCP.

The crowds will be HUGE...but we go often, so we don't plan on doing many attractions.

**I have to say that if this were a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or the only trip we'd be taking for a long time,....then we wouldn't go during Christmas. But since we've already spent 18 nights in WDW this year, we won't mind the crowds.

 

[Nettaboo]

WOW I did not realize it would be that busy!!
I don't think you were being negative at all..this is the exact information that I needed to make an informed decision!!
Thank you both so much!!!!!!
We went to Universal this year but this will be the first trip to DW for all of the kids so I will plan another time!!!
IYO when is the BEST time to go?

 

[daisyduck123]

IYO when is the BEST time to go?

Hi again!

IMO, I'm not sure about the "best", but a great time to go is early May.
If you're able to pull the kids out of school, I highly recommend that time of year...the spring breakers are gone, & schools have not yet let out for summer break.

We pull the kids out of school then every year, for a 9 day trip (they miss a Friday & the following Mon-Fri).
Crowd-wise & temperature-wise, it is wonderful then!!
The temps are usually in the 80s & we have little to no waits on most rides.

*Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival goes on at this time, & it's just Beautiful!!

 

[LauraAnn630]

We went Dec 23 - Jan 3, 2007. Now we call it our 6 thousand dollar mistake!
Room rates are at there highest.
Crowds were unbearable!
Lines were longer than wed ever seen them.
It was to cold to swim 7 out of the 10 days we were there.
My family didnt even want to go back to the parks.

Our worst trip ever!


Go the 1st or 2nd week of December. Decorations are up. Crowd level is low.

 

[BlueJeansGirl]

We have gone twice the week BEFORE Christmas - once driving home on the 23rd, and once driving home on the 24th. Both times were great - low crowds, Christmas decorations up, beautiful weather. BUT - watching people check in on our last couple of days - I could imagine how busy the week after Christmas is! I would not hesitate to go back the week before, though.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

We were supposed to go for Christmas this year, but I couldn't get any good prices on airfare. We changed our trip. We have gone at Christmas time before and it is so beautiful. Very Crowded. We didn't spend the whole vacation in the parks, we went to all the resorts to see the decorations.

 

[bean]

I agree with BlueJeansGirl. We went last year the week before Christmas (17-23) and it was wonderful. The crowds were light, the Christmas excitement was huge, and the weather was great. Around our last day the crowds started to pick up to the point that we were glad to be leaving. Especially at night!

 

[elderfam]

We have found 4 times during the year that we like to go..all are during the school year. May & Sept can still be summer hot which is great if you want to do the water parks. End of October, food and wine festival at Epcot and MNSSHP at Magic Kindom. MY Favorite time is during the 2nd full week of December . No crowds, all the christmas decorations are up, characters are dressed for the holidays, holiday parades are running, Osbourn lights are up at MGM....great room deals.

My DH and I have talked about going for christmas before, but we wouldnt even attempt to go to a park if we do. You will need to have a plan for dinning and sit by the phone waiting for the phone lines to open and make your ressies as far out as they will let you.

Good Luck and let us know what you decide to do..