Disney for Christmas - DEC 2008

[Mamide2]

Is it really a mad house? Super crowded and overwhelming?

Any tips?

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Unfortunately, yes.

Having said that, there are thousands of people who go at Christmas every year and have a great time. But have a look at this thread so you can get some tips as well as manage your expectations:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1490464

 

[Mamide2]

Thanks!

 

[7165red]

I agree with the aove posts. I have been to WDW many time. Our last visits were 0/6/0/7 &08. We love it it is so exciting and you can feel it in the air. Everything looks so beautiful. I know you will enjoy it!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Yes, it's very crowded, but I have loved it. Last year was the first time we went during Christmas week, and we are returning this year. Take advantage of the EMH, especially the early morning ones if you can. You can get a lot done in the parks, with minimal crowds, before the park even opens. Also, if you're staying on property, take mid-day breaks. You will all need it, and it will make your stay more enjoyable.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Have a great time!

 

[toxicvixen]

My sisters, myself, and a few friends of ours went last year.
We've been there several times during the year, but we go their for our winter vacation and it is the busiest time of the year, but it is so wonderful that you'll easily look past all of the people.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

My sisters, myself, and a few friends of ours went last year.
We've been there several times during the year, but we go their for our winter vacation and it is the busiest time of the year, but it is so wonderful that you'll easily look past all of the people.

I totally agree with that. It's so worth it!

 

[colonialtinker]

Is it really a mad house? Super crowded and overwhelming?

Any tips?

We went last year for Christmas. Never again We arrived at POR on Dec. 20 crowds weren't too bad, by the 24th it was a zoo. It continued to get worst We saw people getting knocked down or ran over. EMH was even crowded I promised DH that I would never go at Christmas again. This year we are going the first week so I can get my Christmas fix in If there is any way you can avoid going during that time I would recommend it

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We have gone several times for Christmas and are going again this year. Yes, it is definitely crowded-no doubt about it. This is not the time to think your going to get on all the rides/attractions or see all the shows. It's really more of a time to soak up the atmosphere. You just have to go into it knowing that it will be a different experience than any other time of the year you visit.

 

[katdocnorf]

I have been several times during Christmas. If you go for rides as well as atmosphere, I suggest going from Thanksgiving to around the 15th of December after that it is a definite madhouse. We typically go for atmosphere at that point. My suggestion is to only think about a few days in the parks and to use only for specific things i.e. Candlelight Processional (must see); Osbourne Family Lights (must see), and of course MVMCP. Other things I enjoy doing is resort hopping. You have to see almost all the resorts during Christmas the decorations are just amazing such as the Life Sized Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian (there is a gingerbread store inside of it, must buy some). Just go with a very open mind and do not expect to go to ride rides.

This year we are going again right after Christmas. This makes the second time we have done this. We miss out on MVMCP, but we still get to look at decorations and get the mad house of New Years.... Generally it slows down for a couple of days after Christmas and then picks back up again a day or so before New Years so we get a couple of days of not so bad crowds. I think some of this has to do with locals coming for the festivities too.

 

[RFrank9504]

Thanks!

If you go earlier in the month or end of november it great-crowds arent bad and the parks are decorated for the holidays!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

When we went last year, we were there from Dec. 18th through Jan. 1st. Yes, there were crowds, but we want on all the rides we wanted to go on, multiple times. It's a matter of good planning. EMH really work best during this time and we used TGM for some great tips. We also loved how magical everything looked and how everyone seemed to be. With the exception of Christmas afternoon (we were leaving the MK after eating lunch), we didn't see too much craziness. We learned from TGM which parks to do when. If you go to parks on the wrong days and/or times, the craziness can be overwhelming.

Enjoy as much as you can. It's a special time to go.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

New Year's Day was not as crowded. I guess everyone sleeps in!

 

[bfbulldog]

If at all possible try to go between the last week in November until the week before Christmas, you get all the beautiful decorations and ambiance you would during Christmas week, but with the added bonus of getting the value rates at the resorts and low crowds. This is when we usually try to go, because we went one year during Christmas through New Years and the place was insanity. The MK was closed by 11AM most days to non-resort guests for several hours at a time and when you were in the parks, you were facing huge wait times to ride most attractions or to get food.

 

[yettimedic]

we went last year flew in on X-mas day because of a blizzard in Denver we were supposed to fly in on my b-day 12/22 not so much when we did get there it was beautiful but OMG crowded i grew up around wdw and went many summers but never have I been when it was so crowded (now I know why my parents never took me to the MK growing up)lol it is wonderful but make sure you plan and schedule well we stayed until the 2nd of Jan. and it never slowed down.

 

[DBurdette]

I was thinking about going the Dec. 15th - 19th. The 19th is the Friday (weekend) before Christmas. Christmas week would be the following week.
Would the crowds still be down during this time? Thanks so much!!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I was thinking about going the Dec. 15th - 19th. The 19th is the Friday (weekend) before Christmas. Christmas week would be the following week.
Would the crowds still be down during this time? Thanks so much!!

This is still a pretty good time to go, although you will see it become more and more crowded as you get closer to the weekend.

 

[DBurdette]

This is still a pretty good time to go, although you will see it become more and more crowded as you get closer to the weekend.

I was hoping since Thanksgiving was the last week in November this year that there are 3 full weeks before even the week of Christmas. We will be checking out Friday the 19th.

 

[Schlbdriver]

We were there Dec 24-27 of 06 and had a PERFECT time. So just know it can be super crowded and still be great. Highly recommed dining reservations if you want to eat at a sit down, the character dining is awesome and the food is great too. Even for buffets, Crystal Palace dinner had the best Prime Rib.
And no waiting in line to see characters. Also, EMH after Wishes we went to 6
rides in less then 45 minutes.