Experts at DL and WDW, Christmas crowds are less at which park?

[mt mommy]

Thinking about "Santa" bringing a Disney trip to our kids. DD14 DS 12. I want to surprise them with an actual Christmas day trip. Open the present, leave that day. Which park is less crowded at Christmas?? DLR or WDW. I realize that BOTH with be BUSY, BUSY, after Dec. 25. But if anyone can give me an idea if this would even be worth it? Or should "Santa" come early, (my DS still might be a believer, crazy!) and go before Dec. 25TH? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[figment_jii]

If you can go before Christmas, I would do that. Both resorts are going to be very busy on Christmas and the days that follow. Usually the parks reach capacity at least once (if not more) during the week between Christmas and New Year. In 2014, it was reported that both DL and the MK reached capacity at some point on Christmas Day.

 

[SMD]

Can't Santa send a note that he needs to be in FL or CA on Christmas morning to get his present? Then the gift from Santa can be something he opens in the room that morning, not the trip itself.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I've only been to WDW once for Christmas, but I've been to DL many times. The wait times at WDW were longer, but the walkways make it seem more crowded at DL. Both will be packed. If you can go 2 weeks before Christmas, that's my recommendation. Either will be more manageable.

 

[mt mommy]

If you can go before Christmas, I would do that. Both resorts are going to be very busy on Christmas and the days that follow. Usually the parks reach capacity at least once (if not more) during the week between Christmas and New Year. In 2014, it was reported that both DL and the MK reached capacity at some point on Christmas Day.

Thanks for the input. I was anticipating that it would be crazy busy at both resorts, but I wanted to make sure before booking anything!

Can't Santa send a note that he needs to be in FL or CA on Christmas morning to get his present? Then the gift from Santa can be something he opens in the room that morning, not the trip itself.

This is a great idea!! I am trying to see if I can get DH on board. He has been saying "this trip would be their only present....." So, trying to figure out how to make an earlier trip possible. Thanks.

I've only been to WDW once for Christmas, but I've been to DL many times. The wait times at WDW were longer, but the walkways make it seem more crowded at DL. Both will be packed. If you can go 2 weeks before Christmas, that's my recommendation. Either will be more manageable.

I am going to see how I could make it work earlier in December. With DD being a freshman by December, I doubt I could have her miss any days of school. (DANG SCHOOL!) But I am looking into planning it another time.
Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Piglet99645]

I had the same question.......... Debating between DL and WDW for Christmas (I know, I'm late planning). Both will obviously be busy but I wondered if WDW resort was better able to handle the capacity.

I'm not big on MK but Animal Kingdom and Epcot are my favorites after the original Disneyland park. I could do 7 days in Florida or 5 in California over Christmas break. Thoughts? (Sorry to hijack but didn't see a point in starting a new thread).

 

[TashaDuddek]

I have been to both on actual Christmas day and NYE and I can say WDW was far worse. Yes the walkways may be larger, but for me the most important part is being able to get on rides. I have managed three Christmas trips at DL, and find it to be actually doable with busy ride lines maybe exceeding an hour on average. If you arrive early every day(they seem to let people in at least 30mins early during the week of Christmas) grab your FP's early on for the day, then you can still have a great time. In the Busiest time of year I manage to hit most of the major attractions, park hop and have time for restaurant sit down meals. I do typically arrive early and leave well before the 12pm closing which seems to work best for me.

 

[Speechphi]

We gave our kids (ages 9, 8, & 6) a Christmas gift to DLR last year...they told us it was the best gift ever!

We have an "activity" advent calendar so we were able to surprise them with that, the Thurs before Christmas. We were in the parks that Fri & Sat before Christmas.

Anyhow...because it was their "only" gift (besides the massive amount from granoarents)...

In November we started planting seeds of how much our kids have and how little other children get. And how they should tell Santa that they didn't need that much this year, so could he please bring their gifts to children in need.

Thurs 12/18 they got the DLR gift. We were home on Tues 12/22 night. Santa did come, but brought bare bones & filled stockings. Dh & I gave the kids a pair of pjs (tradition) and a cork board to put their new pins on.

It can be done before Christmas & still be their gift, you just have to make it work