Do Christmas crowds ruin the trip

[Dobie]

I know this has been asked before, but, please, kind people, bear with me. . .

My family (DH, DD16) and I were at Disneyland the week following the Pirates thingie (6/25-6/30.) I thought that the crowds significantly diminished the magic of the trip. . . although we were able to make good use of FP, PS's etc, it was just hard to move around. Plus, it was hot and muggy. In contrast, a trip to DL that week two years earlier was very doable.

I am contemplating a trip to Disneyworld for 12/21 to 12/28 ish 2007. We are teachers, so Christmas is the only nonsummer time we can go. Will it be as congested, etc. as DL was during a busy week?

Thanks in advance.

 

[hniki234]

I've never been the week after Christmas, but from what I've read on the boards that is the busiest time of the year. So yeah there'll definitely be crowds. I don't think it takes away from the magic, though. Then again I usually go during the summer so I'm used to crowds. We're always able to get everything we want done when we go.

 

[lovethattink]

It is very crowded then. However, it's what ever you make out of it. The decorations are beautiful! The extra entertainment is great! The extended hours are a plus as well! If your main goal for a trip to WDW is only to go on attractions, you will be disappointed by the crowd levels. However, if you plan to take in the ambiance of the holiday, you can have a most enjoyable vacation.

 

[Smooshdog]

One big difference is that the Magic Kingdom is bigger than Disneyland, so there is a bit more room for the crowds. It will be busy, but I think it wont seem as bad as the Disneyland crowd. I was at Disneyworld two years ago for Dec 30 and 31 and it just seemed like a normal summer month to me, except it wasn't as hot!

 

[kerri0616]

Hello!

I will let you know how we feel about the Christmas crowds! We're visiting WDW 12/24-12/29!! I'm also a teacher and our last trip was in July 2005. Crowds were manageable but it was just so hot! This time we decided to endure the biggest crowds of the year but hopefully in more comfortable weather.

I called for our ADR's 180 days out. I subscribed to TGM. I ordered our CP package the day it became available. I have planned for us to eat a granola bar and juice box at the bus stop of our resort at 6:15am in order to enter MK at 7am. We'll then have counter service lunch at 10:30 in order to beat the crowds. In short, I've planned everything to death in order to maximize our time in the parks before we are overrun.

I'm keeping my expectations fairly low about riding our favorite rides multiple times. We're going to absorb the holiday atmosphere, decorations, music.

I promise to write a trip report upon return!

Kerri

 

[Dobie]

Thanks everyone for your quick replies. Kerri, I'll be looking for your trip report. You gave me hope!

 

[rkmassa]

You don't know crowds until you have seen Christmas week crowds. Having been twice during this time, I can tell you it was not fun and did take away from some of the magic. Second trip at Christmas time, we went 10 days. Arrived 7 days before Christmas, and stayed away from the parks the last 3 days. You will have some time before Christmas to enjoy the parks, but the 24th on will be nuts! Wall to wall people, especially at the MK. I would buy a subscription to Tour Guide Mike. He will tell you which park to be at for each day of your trip. We used him for our last Christmas trip, and he was right on for each day. The one day we threw the TGM plan to the wind, we were sorry. The park was nuts and had very long lines for everything else. We stuck to the plan for the rest of the tirp and had a much better time. This allowed us to see and do everything before the Christmas crowds showed up, so we could relax after that.

 

[Dobie]

Thanks

 

[kaelarad]

DH and I are Christmas veterns of 12 years! Like many posters, it is what you make of it. The holiday atmosphere is out of this world. Will you get to ride Favorite rides multiple times, if you get an early start. The crowds are huge but I find them just as bad in summer. Big difference is the weather. I would rather be in a crowded line in dec than July.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

DW and I will be making our 9th Christmas trip in 11 days!! We'll be down there the 17th-29th. We will get the parks out of the way pre Dec 25th, see Epcot on the 25th and then enjoy everything non-parks the rest of our stay.

I think if you have to be there between Christmas and New Year's, follow the advice of others and plan, plan, plan!!! I can't vouch for TGM, but the UG touring plan's are fantastic!! Properly prepared, you can probably do the parks without the crowds ruining too much magic.

Good Luck!!

 

[harleyquinn]

I'm contemplating a trip at this time in 2007, so I hope you will all report back about your experiences.

I'm sick of going in the summer and am dying to see the decorations.