DISNEY during the Holidays!

[jag90]

We have been there at New Year's Eve (PAINFUL!!!), Easter (not too bad), Spring Break (YIKES!!!), and Thanksgiving (pretty enjoyable).

 

[lisareniff]

Of the two times we have gone to WDW they have both been on Holidays; Thanksgiving Wk and President's Wk. Of the two, we decided we prefer Pres. Wk best, not due to the crowds but because it is so grey and cold in Rochester all winter and it does the soul good to get some sunshine. We plan on going again in 2006 (poly & VB). It was crowded but we took my older one out of school for a couple days and went down early (Wed.), did MK before the weekend and only resort or scheduled things on the weekend. It was fine.

The only other options we have are Christmas and 3rd Wk of April(which is sometimes Easter) since we need to go during school breaks. Summer is not an option for us since we wouldn't do well in the heat.

 

[Beachangel]

The worst holiday time - President's Week. Never, ever again!

 

[sssteele]

My wife and I shared a BCV studio over Christmas with my sister in '03. She had never been to WDW, and loved it. Last year, my wife and I had a studio at VWL from Dec 23rd to 28th. Heavy, heavy rain on Christmas day, but we survived that. Just the two of us again at VWL this year from the 24th until New Years Day. We'll probably continue this as a tradition unless our son and daughter-in-law change their tradition of "just them and the grandchildren private time" on Xmas day. We love Disney at Christmas!!!!
Although we'd love to take one or both of our grandchilren with us at Xmas, it's not a great time for kids because of crowds and long waits for attractions.

 

[gopherit]

I've done July 4th and Spring Break timing before, back at least 14 yrs ago. Since those were so long ago, I won't include them in my commentary, other than to say they were both VERY crowded (and July 4th was crowded AND stinkin' hot!)

We did the week of (and including) Xmas back in '98. Frankly, the crowds were quite low every day... we were amazed! THen came Christmas morning... we went to mass and then to MK and I swear -- it was like every human on earth had stormed the Disney gates and somehow gotten in! Of course, we didn't get to experiece it for very long, anyway, as on this day, over half our party came down with stomach flu (and the other half was left to tend them in the villa!)

In 99 we went during Columbus Day week (not too bad -- but it was rainy and chilly, which may have suppressed the crowds!) Even we weren't too keen on doing the parks... which is how we came to end up at the DVC office at BW signing on the dotted line!

In 2001 we tried New Years and the week that followed it. For every day past New Years, the parks got better and better! The decorations of xmas were still up, too (although, for some reason, it's just NOT the same as seeing the decorations BEFORE Christmas... Used decor doesn't cut it... I'm such a particularist.) We really loved the easy pase of this time of year -- but the weather was chilly. Mind you, we had 70 and 80 degree weather on that xmas week trip -- but it was a Florida freakish 40s and 50s for this week -- a few days it may have hit high 50s in the direct sun! THe kids and DH prefer Florida when it's warm enough to swim.

Frankly, we rather like our late August timing now. Hot enough to swim, but lower crowds due to southern school calendars. I suppose that late Sept or Nov might be nice, but those will have to wait until our kids are out of school!

 

[mamatojon]

When we were in our last year of college we went to DL for New Year's. This was 97-98, so before California Adventure was opened. It was the most fun trip I think I've ever had at Disneyland, and it was totally unplanned. My husband wasn't working since he was doing his clinical rotations so he had about two weeks off at Christmas time through the third of January. I was working, but I was able to beg my boss into letting me have a week off after Christmas. We totally didn't plan anything, just drove down from Seattle and stayed in Motel 6's the whole time. We were a bit broke, LOL. We went to the park the 30th and the 31st and closed the place out. It was crazy! But we didn't have children then so it wasn't really hard for us to maneuver ourselves.

Disneyland stayed open that night until 3 a.m. and then 1 hr past closing for the shops on Main Street. We didn't leave the park until past 4. I remember sitting on a bench on Main Street outside of the bakery drinking hot chocolate watching everyone filter out. After leaving we had to get back to the Motel 6 (yuck) sleep for a few hours and then get going early the next day on the drive back since we had to be in school on the 3rd. Boy, those were the days. I'd do it again (sans the Motel 6's and the driving part ) if it weren't for my kids, I can't imagine those crowds and little ones.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

We did the 4th of July last year. Went to the MK and stayed until the afternoon parade. When we left the MK it was getting really crowded. Went back to the BW for a swim and then the Kona Cafe for dinner. Watched the fireworks from the beach at the Poly.

We did Christmas in 1999. Again the MK was body to body. The funny thing was, the morning after Christmas we had the MK to ourselves until late in the afternoon.

We've been there for New Year's Eve 4 times (1983, 1988, 1999 and 2000). In 83 and 88, we went to parties at the resorts, but in 99 we were at Epcot. That was amazing.

We've done Thanksgiving twice(2001 and 2002). I like Thanksgiving, because the decorations are going up and the weather is warmer than NYE. We arrive the Saturday before and leave the Saturday after. Our kids have that whole week off from school so it works out really well.

With our kids in school, we are really tied to the summer and winter holdiays. So we go when we can. I like going over the holidays, we just have to adjust for the crowds.

 

[DVC-Don]

Christmas 2004. DW and the kids surprised me with a 4 day trip to WDW (cash at the YC). Christmas Eve morn they got me to drive everyone to the airport telling me a surprise visitor was flying in for Christmas. Got into the parking garage and they pull out suitcases from the back of the car and start yelling "You're going to Disney World"!!! I was stunned and still did not believe them until DW showed me the flight ticket e-mails. We had a blast.

 

[deerh]

I voted for Thanksgiving, but not yet! I WILL go this Thanksgiving, so I gave myself a vote for that one.

I have never been during any holiday!!

DeerH

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have done NYE and NY and are doing it again this next trip. NYE is packed like sardines, but still a lot of fun, and the crowds cut back big time right after NY. We have also been there for Labor Day several times, and it was no big deal as long as we stayed away from MK.