Everything you need to know about WDW Christmas- Tips & Secrets

[momimouse27]

zyezye, I remember the very first time we visited during Christmas. I was so excited that I couldn't sleep at all the night before! I loved it and still love it...my very favorite time of year!

 

[Momloveshockey]

DH and I love Xmas decorations...I can't wait to see some of them when we get there for NYE. Especially a giant gingerbread house! I want to put up very few around our house, because they all have to be packed away before we leave for the trip...and along with packing for the trip....the 27th and 28th will be busy! Please no snow storms!

 

[jodilinton]

This will be my very first Christmas season at Disney and I am so excited. My husband and I will be alone on this trip which is another bonus! We go down (from Michigan) about 4 times a year but this is our 5th trip for the year. So excited!

 

[frugalfanny]

We are taking our first Christmas trip to Disney World Dec. 11-16. According to all the crowd level charts I've seen, it's suppose to be either the 1st or 2nd week for lowest crowds of the season? Is this still true?

 

[mom2rtk]

We are taking our first Christmas trip to Disney World Dec. 11-16. According to all the crowd level charts I've seen, it's suppose to be either the 1st or 2nd week for lowest crowds of the season? Is this still true?

Nah, don't fall for it. We were there the same week last year. It was far busier than it was that same week in 08. Basically, ANY time they offer free dining busies up the parks in a big way. Not peak crowds by any means, but you will need good park touring skills and know how to use FP.

One of the days that week is listed at a crowd level of 1. I've never seen a "1" and am quite sure I won't see it this time either. But a girl can dream, right?

 

[frugalfanny]

So ~ we were at DW in late May 2011 ~ do you think it will be comparable to that or even busier? I think the longest line we waited in was 45-60 minutes. We were also there in early March 2009 and most rides were walk on. What should we expect for wait times?

 

[gonecrusin]

So ~ we were at DW in late May 2011 ~ do you think it will be comparable to that or even busier? I think the longest line we waited in was 45-60 minutes. We were also there in early March 2009 and most rides were walk on. What should we expect for wait times?

One plus is you are going during the week. We are arriving when you leave (Fri to Mon). Weekends are always busier. The most popular rides (Toy Store, Space Mountain, etc) will be the longest lines but utilize those FP and you will be fine. The most crowded I have ever seen it was the week between Christmas and New Years. Swore I would never do that again. The best line times we have been for the holidays was around the 8th of Dec. It was wonderful. It is true though, if they are offering good incentives it will be more crowded. It's my favorite time to be there, it's breath-taking.

 

[TLHB70]

We just booked a trip for December 2 - 10. DH surprised me by booking it! We have tickets to our very first MVMCP on Dec. 7! I am so excited!

 

[lurkyloo]

We are taking our first Christmas trip to Disney World Dec. 11-16. According to all the crowd level charts I've seen, it's suppose to be either the 1st or 2nd week for lowest crowds of the season? Is this still true?

I second what mom2rk said. We were completely bamboozled by that outdated advice when we went in 2009 and were shocked by how crowded the place was. We're used to going in early February (the actual low season)—early December is NOTHING like low season.

 

[Phatoomch]

BTW, won't need to ride anything (wife can't do thrill rides) and not into Haunted House or Pirates. But want to get in to experience night time and Christmas lights.

Can I just say, we were there recently and it was my hubbys first ever WDW trip at the tender young age of 50. He's never liked fun fairs, theme parks etc, can't do roller-coasters/thrill rides due to his back & blood pressure. He told me, quite adamantly before we went, that he would not do any rides but just be there for the atmosphere etc - he doesn't do rides for anybody, they're not really 'his thing' he'd find them boring, its for the kids.

soooo, he didn't do any of the thrill rides (which tbh there aren't that many) but he did every other ride/attraction he could and some he did more than once - Pirates x 3, Buzz x 3, Laugh Floor x 2, Carousel of Progress x 2, Mickeys Philharmonic x 2, Haunted Mansion x 2 .... and when we had to come home, he was so sad, like a little boy and he has already planned our next trip, next year

So, maybe you don't want to do any rides/attractions but be open to them

 

[frugalfanny]

I second what mom2rk said. We were completely bamboozled by that outdated advice when we went in 2009 and were shocked by how crowded the place was. We're used to going in early February (the actual low season)—early December is NOTHING like low season.

Now I'm getting nervous When you say crowded in 2009, how crowded are we talking? Like can't move crowded or just a little more crowded than in February?

 

[Pinkocto]

Can I just say, we were there recently and it was my hubbys first ever WDW trip at the tender young age of 50. He's never liked fun fairs, theme parks etc, can't do roller-coasters/thrill rides due to his back & blood pressure. He told me, quite adamantly before we went, that he would not do any rides but just be there for the atmosphere etc - he doesn't do rides for anybody, they're not really 'his thing' he'd find them boring, its for the kids.

soooo, he didn't do any of the thrill rides (which tbh there aren't that many) but he did every other ride/attraction he could and some he did more than once - Pirates x 3, Buzz x 3, Laugh Floor x 2, Carousel of Progress x 2, Mickeys Philharmonic x 2, Haunted Mansion x 2 .... and when we had to come home, he was so sad, like a little boy and he has already planned our next trip, next year

So, maybe you don't want to do any rides/attractions but be open to them

That is so cute! And how wonderful he's already planned next year's vacation!!!

 

[JessicaFaye508]

This is such a great thread! I'm listening to my Holiday Wishes music and reading along right now... and I'm just getting SO EXCITED!! 43 DAYS LEFT!

We're risking it and going from Dec. 21st - Jan 2nd.. so it's gonna be crowded. But I have gone to Disney several times this year and I have gone on all of the rides, so my main priorities are anything and everything christmas!!

This will be my first Christmas Trip... so I was wondering about the "full capacity" thing.
- Is Magic Kingdom the only one that tends to close due to full capacity?
- Around what time do the parks typically get filled?
- Around what time to they typically reopen?
- Do the parks close due to full capacity on the 27th-30th usually?

Also
- Does every single World Showcase country have a story teller?
- Does Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, The Swan and Dolphin, any of the moderates or values had decorations worth seeing.
- When is the best time of day to go to Downtown Disney
- Does Downtown Disney have anything special going on?

THANK YOU! I'm so excited I can not WAIT!!

 

[LorieR]

We just booked a trip for December 2 - 10. DH surprised me by booking it! We have tickets to our very first MVMCP on Dec. 7! I am so excited!

DH and I will be at MVMCP party on Dec 7th too!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Now I'm getting nervous When you say crowded in 2009, how crowded are we talking? Like can't move crowded or just a little more crowded than in February?

It's neither, really. It's certainly not the crush of Christmas or President's Day, but it's much more crowded than low season. Call it "Regular Season" maybe...

And I was wondering if Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, The Swan and Dolphin, any of the moderates or values had decorations worth seeing.

I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to see these. The Dolphin's decorations were especially underwhelming the year we went (think one thin layer of craft store "snow" batting around a giant cone that was supposed to be a tree), but they may change from year to year. One thing I've heard from repeat Christmastime visitors is that all the resorts' decorations seem to be less spectacular than they once were. I'm hoping Disney has started swinging back in the other direction this year.

 

[TLHB70]

DH and I will be at MVMCP party on Dec 7th too!!

I will see you there! I will have my lime green Mickey head tied to my backpack. Please say hello if you see me.

 

[petals]

joining in!

 

[berrytwee]

i'll be there dec 21-26! so excited!

 

[frugalfanny]

Trying to calm my anxiety about the crowds. Any hints/tips/secrets about meet and greets with the characters during Mickey's Christmas Party? Is it possible to get photos with all the characters and still enjoy the party during the 5 hours? Is there any plan of attack?

 

[mom2rtk]

Trying to calm my anxiety about the crowds. Any hints/tips/secrets about meet and greets with the characters during Mickey's Christmas Party? Is it possible to get photos with all the characters and still enjoy the party during the 5 hours? Is there any plan of attack?

Unless you know someone who can hack into the Disney ticketing systems and tell you which parties might have low crowds........ then I'd suggest giving up on hoping to see ALL the characters. It will only drive you nuts. So either book a second party, or make a list of priorities and go from there. Keep in mind that a number of characters swap off, so you'll have to hit their spots twice to see them all.