DL over Christmas week?

[LLS]

We've been back from our first ever DL trip for a few weeks, and my kids still cannot stop talking about it! Disney definitely worked its magic on this family.

I'm toying with the idea of going back for Christmas. Since school gets in the way (darn) of going earlier in December, we would be there Dec. 23 - 28. I've read this is the busiest time of year -- is it crazy to visit during this time?

We used Ridemax for our August visit and it was awesome. But are the crowds so heavy that it's tough to even walk?

Also, we've never stayed in a hotel on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day -- I'd love to hear from anyone who's done this (especially at the DLH). We loved the DLH in August and I'm sure it's very magical in December.

This board is great -- as always, I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

 

[DLR29]

Take the most crowded time you have ever been to DL and imagine doubling it. Christmas week is THE single most crowded week of the year and yes, even walking through the crowds is a pain. If you want to stay at one of the DL hotels, I'd book right away if they aren't booked already. However, you can still go and have a good time (assuming crowds don't spoil it). I love going to DL during Christmas time (I just don't go that particular week. ).

 

[LLS]

Thanks for the info -- I think that sounds a bit too hectic for us. All three Disney hotels have rooms available that week -- that's what made me think maybe it's not as bad as I imagined.

I really wish we could make it there in early December. I'd love to see DLR all decked out for the holidays!

 

[disneymom3]

Hey, I see you are from MN too. We are also considering going that week. DH has time off between Christmas and New years and a lot of my family lives out there. I just have a feeling that if we go, we will still have to hit DL another year because of the crowds. We are mainly going to see family but how could we not go to DL when we would be 30 miles away????

Right now I am thinking if we do it we will only go on things that are either not in WDW or are different as we have been there A LOT. (It's a lot cheaper because we drive to FL, but I won't be crossing the Rockies in a car in Dec, thanks!)

 

[tinkermell]

If that was my only chance to go back to DL doing Christmas, I'd go in a second. And to stay over for Christmas day would be soooooooooooo special!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know the crowds are going to be terrible. We went 3 years ago for only one day on Dec. 27th, and it was busy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But with Ridemax we were able to go on every ride we wanted, and still had the time to sit and watch Fantasmic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've also been there on New Years Eve. But with planning it's all doable. I guess you could say that we knew what we were in for, but we still had a blast despite the crowd.

Last year we stayed at the GC for our December visit, and it was just beautiful. The huge Christmas tree, the accapella carolers, Santa, and stories by the hearth were wonderful. Not to mention the location!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry but I don't have any info on the DLH for Christmas. No matter where you stay on site, DL is soooooooooo worth it to see for the holidays. Especially if you were just there, and then you could see the HMH and IASWH layovers.

And one nice thing too, is that if you get overwhelmed, you can always go back to your hotel, relax, hit the pool, go to the lobby and people watch, go to DTD, go to the beach, (did you do that last time?), etc, etc etc!!!!!!!!!!! One nice thing about So Cal, is that there is plenty to do!!!!!!

Good luck!!!! And if you go, and you are having a great time you can remember my name ...................... and if you are pulling your hair out, please forget all about me. Deal???????????????????

 

[cotomom]

I think as long as you know it's going to be ridiculously busy and crowded, you can make the best of it. Do things that are not the most popular, spend more time enjoying the 'feel' of the park, versus the ride aspect, and you'd be fine.

 

[LLS]

Thanks, everyone, for the encouraging words! We were only there for two days in August, so just being there for an entire week would be magical in itself! My kids just loved the Disney touches and I can't even imagine how magical everything must be at Christmastime.

Does arriving really early to beat crowds still apply during the holidays? We had EE one day and it was awesome. I know there will be no EE on Christmas Day, but will there still be EE on other days during that week?

Also, is everything open on Christmas Day? All the shops in DTD and everything in the parks? It's still so hard for me to believe DW gets so crowded on Christmas Day!

Now we're trying to decide between Christmas week or a week at Spring Break (week of March 17th for us). I'm sure this is also a very busy time. Any compelling reasons to choose one over the other?

Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

Does arriving really early to beat crowds still apply during the holidays? We had EE one day and it was awesome. I know there will be no EE on Christmas Day, but will there still be EE on other days during that week?

Also, is everything open on Christmas Day? All the shops in DTD and everything in the parks? It's still so hard for me to believe DW gets so crowded on Christmas Day!

Now we're trying to decide between Christmas week or a week at Spring Break (week of March 17th for us). I'm sure this is also a very busy time. Any compelling reasons to choose one over the other?

Red- Arriving early helps, but the parks get very crowded by mid-morning as opposed to later morning during other seasons. You definitely won't want to arrive later than 30 minutes before park opening (7:30 or 6:30 on EE days). There will probably still be EE that week.

Blue- Everything is open in the entire DLR because of the extreme crowds. Everything.

Green- While Spring Break might be slightly less crowded, the atmosphere is great during the holidays. The entertainment options and the decorations are lovely! You have to decide between a nice atmosphere and a (slightly) less crowded time. Also a ride or 2 could possibly be down during Spring Break.

 

[LLS]

Thanks! I think I'll try to talk DH into Christmas at DL! Another plus for going at Christmas is that the trip can double as a family Christmas gift, which will save me lots of time and money on Christmas shopping!

 

[tinkermell]

Thanks! I think I'll try to talk DH into Christmas at DL! Another plus for going at Christmas is that the trip can double as a family Christmas gift, which will save me lots of time and money on Christmas shopping!

The first and only time we've been to WDW was over Christmas in 2005, and we did the same thing. That was our gift to the kids too. And to make it more special I actually packed a mini tree with homemade Disney miniature ornaments, lights and garland to put in the window, and a wreath for the door. I even put lime green Mickeys on the wreath, just in case a DISSER might have seen it. Now my kids were older, and they kind of gave me the look like,"I can't believe you are doing all of this?" But I had fun, and they appreciated it.
Have tons of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!