First trip to WDW. Week after Christmas

[csch79]

We are trying to book a trip to Disney. It is hard finding time that My wife and I can both take off and that the kids have off from school.

Our best option right now is the week after Christmas. Basically we could drive to Disney World Dec 26th and stay to Dec 30th.

We are getting mixed thoughts on this. Some friends that have been say it is horrible and miserable. Others say it is magical and you just have to deal with the crowds but if you use a good itinerary you'll be fine and get to ride rides and stuff.

We will probably stay at Pop Century. This is all of our first trip there. 2 Adults, 2 kids (5 &10 boys).

Just looking for opinions on this time of year and how bad it really is.

 

[ktlm]

It is the most crowded week of the year. The lines will be long and the paths will be crowded. There will be times you will be in an absolute sea of people. You can do a google search and find some images from that week that will give you an idea. That is the time of year, that Magic Kingdom often closes to capacity. You will have to get there early and basically stay there, because if you leave for a break intending to get back, there is a good chance you will not get back in. You will not get as much done as you could other times of the year. With FP+, you will be able to lock in 3 attractions a day that you will definitely get to do (barring a ride break down or something) so that is good, but the chances of getting the 4th rolling FP when you finish your 3, may not be that great that time of the year, or if it is it will be very limited.

We did it once pre-kid and had a great time. It was crazy crowded, but we still had a ton of fun. We did pretty good at predicting which parks would be the absolute worst on certain days and staying away from them if we could. Now there are crowd calendars that will help- I would recommend easywdw.com. It was not our first trip though, I'm not sure about how it would be for a first experience. We knew where things were, how to balance what to do when, etc. You can have fun that week, but you have to be okay with dealing with very high crowds and some long lines. I would think the 10 year old would be okay, but I would question taking a 5 year old that week. I know that DD (now 8) would not have done well at that age during that week .

Do you have any kind of fall break where the kids are off 2 or 3 days, and you can just pull them out an extra day or 2 if you are willing to do that? We find that at least at our school, they don't do much the week they are off a few days for fall break anyway, because the kids are usually too hyped up to concentrate much.

 

[blessedby3]

We are trying to book a trip to Disney. It is hard finding time that My wife and I can both take off and that the kids have off from school.

Our best option right now is the week after Christmas. Basically we could drive to Disney World Dec 26th and stay to Dec 30th.

We are getting mixed thoughts on this. Some friends that have been say it is horrible and miserable. Others say it is magical and you just have to deal with the crowds but if you use a good itinerary you'll be fine and get to ride rides and stuff.

We will probably stay at Pop Century. This is all of our first trip there. 2 Adults, 2 kids (5 &10 boys).

Just looking for opinions on this time of year and how bad it really is.

For a first trip I would discourage you from going that week. Hands down it is the most crowded time of year to go and there will be park closings.
I don't recommend busy times of the year when I have friends ask about a trip. They will get a bad taste in their mouths for WDW if they have to deal with that madness.
We have been going to WDW for over 20 years now, and I wouldn't go during those two weeks of Christmas.
It is overwhelming to plan for a busy time when you are a veteran of WDW, but a newbie
Can you go as soon as the kids are out of school…or before they go back in the fall? Maybe pick a time when the kids have a couple of days off for teacher workdays and pull them out for another 3 or so…if you are okay with that.
We have pulled our kids out over the years to be able to go at the least crowded times. So worth it.

 

[RookieLady]

If this is when you can go, this is when you can go. You must plan more, though.

Plan to do rope drop (which will be 7:00 am most days). You can walk on and enjoy rides at 7:00 am. By 10:00 am its crowded and by early afternoon its miserably crowded. Go get lunch at a nice sit down restaurant (with ADR's already made at your 180 window). Leave the park after lunch. Take a nap, enjoy your hotel or other resorts. I have never been shut out of a park as a resort guest during this week. It does happen, but it has not happened to me. We have always left and returned, even on New Years Day.

If you have sufficiently rested by taking a nap, go back at night. It's crowded but not as bad. If your little people have rested, they should be able to go the distance in the evening.

Plan character meals around characters your kids want to see. This costs money but it spares you the time of waiting in enormous lines to see them.

Make your fastpass plus reservations in the early afternoon or perhaps in the evening. Plan a basic touring strategy after considering what your kids would be interested in and what is popular--read a guide book.

Because of the crowding and the number of days you will be there, you will not get it all done. That does not necessarily translate to you won't have a good time. Your kids will enjoy it more if you can go in the first week of February where the park is emptier, but you can't go then, so don't sweat it.

If you roll out of bed and are at the park by 11:00 am, it will be miserable. But if you plan, you can still have a good time during the highest crowds.

 

[Happyjen27]

If this is really, truly the only time you can go, then you should just adjust your expectations accordingly.

Expectations are the seeds of resentment, so if you have high expectations of riding many rides, and not being in line for 45 minutes at a time, you will may be disappointed and come back hating it. However, if you expect to do a few very important special things, and then view everything else as a bonus, you will come home having enjoyed the magic and smiling. It's all your expectations, which must be based in reality.

The reality is that this is the busiest week of the entire calendar year. Parks close because they are too full. Stay at a resort that is convenient to the main parks you wish to enjoy, so that you're not facing full bus after full bus of people.

And good luck! Being here on the DIS puts you at an advantage already, you'll be able to create a good plan, and you'll know that it will be super crowded so you'll have the sense not to complain about it.

 

[ChitownFamily]

If this is really, truly the only time you can go, then you should just adjust your expectations accordingly.

Expectations are the seeds of resentment, so if you have high expectations of riding many rides, and not being in line for 45 minutes at a time, you will may be disappointed and come back hating it. However, if you expect to do a few very important special things, and then view everything else as a bonus, you will come home having enjoyed the magic and smiling. It's all your expectations, which must be based in reality.

The reality is that this is the busiest week of the entire calendar year. Parks close because they are too full. Stay at a resort that is convenient to the main parks you wish to enjoy, so that you're not facing full bus after full bus of people.

And good luck! Being here on the DIS puts you at an advantage already, you'll be able to create a good plan, and you'll know that it will be super crowded so you'll have the sense not to complain about it.

This is pretty accurate!

Personally, my husband & I went pre-kids.(see line in signature) You couldn't pay me to go with kids during that week. For me, part of the magic is lower crowds- i prefer the week after thanksgiving or the first week of december. but if you must go during that time- go with a plan & as Happyjen27 stated, adjust expectations

This link offers some tips & what to expect http://www.mousesavers.com/so-you-just-have-to-visit-disney-world-at-christmas/

 

[csch79]

That pretty much confirms what we have heard and read online. It's a beautiful time to go but probably not the best time for a family with kids to go for the first time.

We are looking at some early August dates now too.

My wife is a teacher so she has the same schedule as the kids. Getting them out of school for a couple of days wouldn't be a big deal but it is harder for her to take off. So we trying to work around the school schedule which is obviously the busiest times since everyone is off about the same.

 

[ChitownFamily]

I've found the crowd calendars cab be helpful, when planning: http://www.easywdw.com (crowd calendar on left hand side)

 

[SqueakyMouse]

The week before Christmas...magical. The week after...pure craziness!!! I definitely wouldn't recommend it for a first trip...or even a second.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

I agree with the others. Disney is already overwhelming for your first few trips. I'd only consider christmas time with the idea that I wasn't going to ride any rides just to walk around...

 

[pad406]

For a different perspective, we did our first trip over Christmas in 2010. 2 Adults and 2 kids (6&8). We had a fantastic time, we did load of rides and loved soaking up the atmosphere. However, and I think it's a big however in your case, we stayed 15 nights not 4 or 5, so we had plenty of time to spread things out and also had some quiet days near the end of the trip.

I hate saying to people not to go at Christmas, there are so many people here that will tell you that, in fact we're going again this year, but such a short stay, hmm not sure. With FP+ you would at least be guaranteed 3 decent rides per day, with the shows and many other things to do you won't be bored. The crowds are manageable if you avoid mid day, we always did breaks back at the resort and mixed up late nights and early mornings.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is it will depend on your attitude and expectations. My gut says go for it. The crowds are not unmanageable, they are manageable. The atmosphere is second to none. Just do it with the right attitude and you'll love it.

 

[alicat8]

We are trying to book a trip to Disney. It is hard finding time that My wife and I can both take off and that the kids have off from school.

Our best option right now is the week after Christmas. Basically we could drive to Disney World Dec 26th and stay to Dec 30th.

We are getting mixed thoughts on this. Some friends that have been say it is horrible and miserable. Others say it is magical and you just have to deal with the crowds but if you use a good itinerary you'll be fine and get to ride rides and stuff.

We will probably stay at Pop Century. This is all of our first trip there. 2 Adults, 2 kids (5 &10 boys).

Just looking for opinions on this time of year and how bad it really is.

For a first trip, I wouldn't do it. You might never want to go back. I've been at lots of different times of the year. I'm a teacher, so I always go during school breaks. I'm used to busy-busy, but that week after Christmas made me miserable. (And I'm a Disney freak-in 100+ degrees, crowds, and thunderstorm downpours I'm still happy at Disney...) I wanted to leave and never go back-it was the most frustrating vacation I've ever had. Like all of my Disney nightmares where I wander around trying to accomplish things but can't!!

I just don't think you'll be able to appreciate it for what it really can be-the Christmas lights are pretty, but not worth my sanity!

 

[alicat8]

Wanted to add that your best best is to back it up to summer vacation, if you don't mind the heat. If your schools get out in late May, early June-go then. If you get out later and go back to school at the end of August-go then! That's when we've learned to go. We tend to get out late June and go back around Labor Day. Crowds drop a little after mid-August when most of the south goes back. And they're not quite as bad in early summer before the north gets out. Hope that helps

 

[Happyjen27]

I think I would rather battle the heat than the crowds, so probably August would be better for you to go.

Both times I pulled my kids out of school to go in early December, both of their teachers were jealous that we have that option, because they cannot, I feel for teachers being locked into that schedule. Well, until they have all summer off.

Your strategies are going to be remarkably the same, but for different reasons. Now you'll hit the parks first thing in the morning to avoid the heat. And you can feel confident to take an afternoon break during the hottest part of the day because the parks will not close for capacity when you return in the evening when it's cooler.

Have a fantastic trip!!

 

[mm1971]

We are trying to book a trip to Disney. It is hard finding time that My wife and I can both take off and that the kids have off from school.

Our best option right now is the week after Christmas. Basically we could drive to Disney World Dec 26th and stay to Dec 30th.

We are getting mixed thoughts on this. Some friends that have been say it is horrible and miserable. Others say it is magical and you just have to deal with the crowds but if you use a good itinerary you'll be fine and get to ride rides and stuff.

We will probably stay at Pop Century. This is all of our first trip there. 2 Adults, 2 kids (5 &10 boys).

Just looking for opinions on this time of year and how bad it really is.

You will get mixed reviews here as well. It is the busiest week of the year for crowds. The parks and resort will be very busy. Those that were miserable most likely did not plan sufficiently for the large crowds. It is typical for MK to have closures over this week and July 4th week so if you plan to visit, RD is the best option. The Christmas decorations and theming is very nice and the atmosphere is magical. I know, probably not helping a lot.

Here is my feelings: As a first time visitor, it is all about expectations. If you think your family would be OK with no seeing and doing everything, waiting in lines for rides, food, etc..., and just enjoying being on vacation together then I say go for it and keep it in perspective. You'll have a great time and with FP+ will get to ride the few rides you consider "must do's".

If you do not like crowds, want to be able to see and do as much as possible and want to see the parades and fireworks without being there an hour or so early to find a good spot then I would say you should choose another time. I know it's hard with the restrictions. We started going in late August (right before the kids head back to school). The bonuses are lower crowds, reduced costs for both the resort and flights, hot weather so pools and WP are a go and we typically get to see and do everything we plan for. Yes it is HOT and can be humid, but it's a summer vacation.

Good luck deciding.

 

[csch79]

Well after much thought I think we found some time in October that will work. The week of the 13th.

It looks like there are some halloween activities going on but the crowd calandars don't look TOO bad during the week. We'd be in the parks the 15, 16, 17, 18.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

Well after much thought I think we found some time in October that will work. The week of the 13th. It looks like there are some halloween activities going on but the crowd calandars don't look TOO bad during the week. We'd be in the parks the 15, 16, 17, 18.

Your going to love October!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ktlm]

Well after much thought I think we found some time in October that will work. The week of the 13th.

It looks like there are some halloween activities going on but the crowd calandars don't look TOO bad during the week. We'd be in the parks the 15, 16, 17, 18.

That is a wonderful time of the year to go! We have been that Christmas week, May, June, November, and earlier in December and last year we went in October for the first time. October was a little more crowded than our week after Thanksgiving or December before Christmas trips, but definitely manageable. I think you will be much much happier with the crowd levels that week for a first trip than you would the week between Christmas and New Years. If you can swing the cost, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is fantasic. It has a geat parade, a fun villians show at the castle, lots of great characters to meet, a great atmosphere, and trick or treating. It is so fun to see all the guests in costume. There are some really great costumes that some people come up with. Many adults dress up for the party, but if you don't like dressing up, it isn't required. DH doesn't really dress up so we found him a Superman T-shirt that had a cape attached, and he wore it with jeans.