Experience with Holiday Visits/Crowds?

[penguins_fan]

Considering a trip around Christmas, likely at BCV. Haven't done a holiday trip before but thinking of using first year points to try it. For anyone who has done this, can you still enjoy the parks with the crowds? Is it better to go a few days before Christmas, say 12/21 - 12/27 rather than between Christmas and New Years?

 

[Doctor P]

I have been during the holidays at least six times, including 12/19-12/26 in 1999 and 12/27-1/3 in 2001/2002. Depending on when Christmas falls, the week before Christmas is often much less crowded than the week after Christmas but the crowds pick up as you get closer and closer to Christmas. Christmas Day at MK was the most crowded day that I have been at any theme park ever, but it was also very magical and, with planning, very enjoyable. You MUST get PS's if you want a sit down meal (and I would generally recommend that at the holiday time anyway just for sanity sake). You also need to be more flexible as the crowds ebb and flow, trying to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. And you need to be very patient and willing to wait things out sometimes (we sat for a long time so we had a good seat for the Christmas day parades and fireworks; ditto for the NYE Illuminations at Epcot). I love being at WDW at the holidays and wouldn't discourage you. Frankly, NYE at Epcot was very smooth and no where near as congested as I expected despite the crowds.

 

[PamOKW]

Depending on when Christmas falls, the week before Christmas is often much less crowded than the week after Christmas

This year WDW begins the holiday season pricing on12/20. As Doctor P describes, the crowds continue to build with some people having Christmas at home before arriving at WDW.

Doctor P has done an excellent job of describing the situation. I really enjoy Christmas week at WDW but you do have to "go with the flow". It especially fun for the DVC'ers who don't need to go on every ride because we know we'll be coming back.

If you do decide to go for Christmas and you are planning to fly, don't wait to long to book your flights and make car rental arrangements if necessary. Things may still be slower in the airlines this year but the past track record was that flights and rentals book quickly.