Disney in December or January

[katejay]

Looking for feedback on the following options.My wife and I are looking to travel to wdw either 12/13-12/21 or 1/4-1/12.What would you do?How are the crowds?We usually go for the wine and food festival every year.This year we need to plan around my wifes winterbreak.Thank You

 

[aurorae]

If you are staying on site, go in January and take advantage of the new discount on Magic Your Way packages.

 

[ToddyLu]

Well, I would go 12/13, aren't they offering free dining after 12/14? We are going 12/5-12/14, which we find to be a great time of year for us as far as crowds go. We went the same time last year and the check in line when we were leaving was quite impressive. However I think historically the week before Christmas crowds are even lower.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I would suggest going in December to take advantage of all the holiday stuff they do.

 

[stitcharoo]

Me and my family went last Christmas and we are going this christmas. The weather was awesome and the crowds really werent that bad untill Christmas Day.. but even that day was ok at night. I really loved Christmas at disney. last year was our first time and we are so excited to go again this year

 

[Metro West]

I would suggest going in December to take advantage of all the holiday stuff they do.

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[Flo Rida]

It's my husbands birthday on December 3rd and our wedding anniversary on January 11th, so for us deciding between December and January poses a bit of a dilemma. As with this year December usually wins, we are off next week.

December and January are both quieter times but the USA does Christmas better than anywhere and the Orlando area is especially magical. As well as all the extra Christmas events at Disney and Universal there is the spectacular ICE show at the Gaylord Palms Hotel. This hotel is amazing at any time of year but the Christmas decorations are spectacular.

The Disney town of Celebration is also worth a vist, apart from the nightly 'snow' the homes are wonderfully decorated and there is a great atmosphere.

Then of course there is the shopping! The Mall at Millenia has the largest Chrismas tree I've ever seen and Father Christmas has a spectacular grotto.

There's never a bad time to visit but before Christmas has to be one of the best.

Enjoy!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Katejay, have you decided when to go? I was just going to pipe in and say January. Mostly for the 4/3 deal + $200 gift card but also for the low crowds. We are going in January for just those reasons.

 

[Flo Rida]

Well we're back home again and I'm missing Florida already. It was my 88 year old father in laws first visit for 25+ years and the first time he had seen our 3 rental homes there. He had a fantastic time and wants to go again! He would really like to go for Christmas next year with the rest of the family.

We went to SeaWorld, ICE, Celebration snow, Downtown Disney, had dinner at Animal Kingdom Lodge and ended the week with Mickeys Very Merry Christmas party. We go over several times a year at different times but early December has to be the best if you love Christmassy things without the crowds or too high temperatures.

I have to say though that the greatest thrill this time was seeing otters for the first time in the pond behind our home. We were able to watch them from our bed, the dining table and our pool deck. I sat behind a bush by the waters edge too and they weren't at all bothered. The abundance and variety of wildlife around our homes and in the area generally never ceases to amaze me but this was by far the best natural encounter.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I will be there this year 1/3-1/10 after a wonderful experience last January. The lines were almost non-existant (we walked on to Space Mt. several times!) and the weather was beautiful. We wore shorts and tanks in the day when it was about 85 degrees or so, and light long pants and top at night. It really was a wonderful time to go. Also, (almost) all the decorations are still up! The only downside may be that Splash Mt. will go down for refurb on the 4th.