For those just back, how were the crowds?

[Dakota731]

For the week before Christmas? We are debating that week next year (we've been to WDW in May, July and August) so have nothing to compare December to?

 

[Yoshi]

It was crowded but not as bad as past years.

12/21 we went to Hollywood Studios. Other than Rock N Roller Coaster that got a 2 hour wait because of breakdowns, lines were ok elsewhere. We got to Fantasmic 35 minutes early and still got seats in the main area.

12/22 was Magic Kingdom. Since it was a party day lines weren't that bad except at 7DMT and the usual rides like Peter Pan and Space Mountain. We got 12 rides in, saw the parade and had lunch at BOG from around 10 to 6:30.

12/23 was Epcot, Soarin was 45 minutes in the middle of the day. Test Track was 80 minutes, 20 for single rider around noon. The Frozen ride kept breaking down and did have a 130 minute wait when we went to use Fastpass+

12/24 we started the day at Typhoon Lagoon and it was empty. Nothing was more than 5 - 10 minutes even when we left at 3 and temperatures were in the low 80s. We then went to Magic Kingdom and it was more crowded than Thursday but still not horrible especially since we used our 3 FP+ and were able to book more for some rides like Buzz and the Speedway. Crowds thinned out after Wishes at 9.

12/25 we went to Animal Kingdom and crowds were very low. The safari had a 10 minute wait at 2:00 and other rides like Dinosaur had no wait in the morning and Everest had basically no line using the single rider line.

 

[stinkpickle]

By watching the Lines app, last week appeared to be quite a bit better than this week.

 

[Accident]

I didn't feel as crowded as it should have (summer felt more crowded) but rides were the same as the previous week and much longer than before that. It's really crowded but comfortable when not trying to ride things. None of the parking lots have hit capacity as far as I know but they are getting pretty close.

The overflow food service has been opened. the bypass opens at night.

the hub at night is a zoo and there is a fraction of hte cast members directing people around than they should have.

Tonight is going to be 42F during the nye eve fireworks so I'm hoping many just can't last

 

[SweetMissy]

We went on the 18th to Epcot and MK and it was more crowded than I expected. Yes it was a Sunday but I didn't think the crowds would pick up until that week. I know now to skip the weekends or don't plan to stay the whole day. Have a good plan.

 

[loves to dive]

We were there the 19th thru 23rd and it seemed more crowded than we were used to (we tend to go March/April and August/September) but it was manageable. We didn't ride many rides since this was a last minute trip (booked 3 weeks prior) and our goal was just to enjoy the place. Ride waits were anywhere from 30 to 75 minutes. The only time it was really crushing was the night we got to MK as the FWs ended (it was open to 2 for emhs) and it was a nightmare trying to go against the stream, we backed ourselves into a corner at Casey's and waited it out. We were a little surprised when leaving Epcot after the FWs going out the IG that there were so many people heading that way. Silly us thought by getting a spot down in the little spot they have parties at by the lake we would be able to just scoot over the bridge and out the back gate but it was like the running of the bulls. We had no problems getting same day ADRs and had I wanted to book FPs the night before or morning of we would have been able to except for SDMT and FEA (we couldn't even make up our mind the morning of where we wanted to go so FPs were out of the question).

 

[Dr.Mickey]

We were there the 17th to the 23rd. We have kids and work around the school schedule, and this was our favorite trip in years.

Background: our oldest is in 7th grade, and until about 3rd grade, we would take him out of school to avoid the largest crowds. And before he ever existed, we never went during school breaks. But that ship has sailed for a while for us.

So...We would say last week was significantly less crowded than Easter week 2 years ago, and pretty similar to early June the last few years. It was significantly more crowded than the first week of December (business meeting last year). For our family, we expected summer crowds, but as long as it wasn't full on Spring Break or the week of Christmas, we were happy.

One more note: it is hard to overstate how much the comfortable weather made last week so much better than June.

 

[Dakota731]

Would there be a big difference in crowds the weeks of Dec 9-16 versus December 16-23?

 

[choover2576]

We were in the parks from 12/18 - 12/27 and thought it was crowded, but not nearly as bad as I expected. We were able to see and do everything we wanted by being at the parks for rope drop, using FP's and Touring Plans.

I don't have much to compare it to since it was only our second trip. But, we were there last year for Jersey Week and hubby thought that it only felt a little more crowded this time. It was however, it was much warmer than expected.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Would there be a big difference in crowds the weeks of Dec 9-16 versus December 16-23?

Absolutely!
We were there 10th - 18th...
17th and 18th were much much busier than earlier in the week. Mostly at MK and Epcot.
We had a wonderful week and planned our week knowing that the w/e before and days leading up to Christmas would be busy, busy, busy.
All of our days between 10 and 16 were low to moderate crowds.
We would absolutely go that week again!

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

We were there the 16th-22nd and it was fine! The previous year we did the 15th-21st and it was a much different experience. After that trip we thought we were crazy doing those dates again but this year was nowhere near as bad. It was crowded but completely manageable! We left feeling great about our trip and would definitely do that week again for 2017. Of course it could get more crowded next year during those dates but we had such a great experience this year we would take the chance!

 

[CinderellaDream]

Ditto to the post above. We were there Dec 16-21 and crowds were noticeable but also manageable. We went to MK on 12/18 (a party day) and I was so surprised with how much we got done. We arrived for EMH but within the first hour of regular opening we were able to ride SDMT back to back in less than 25 minutes.

 

[xlsm]

We were there 12/16 - 23, and I was shocked at how manageable it was. Later in the afternoon it picked up in the parks, like it does on any day...I have a trip report in my signature if you're interested.

Our schedule: 12/16, arrival, checked in at boardwalk
12/17 - morning EMH at AK, left at 11, Sanaa lunch at noon, DHS evening for Jingle Bell Jingle Bam dessert party (FPs here: star tours, toy story, tower)
12/18 - resort hopping, DH and one kid to Epcot (it was busy, but it was a party night at MK) while I was with the other kid who had been to urgent care for ear infection that morning while he napped, afternoon/evening MK for MVMCP (which was awesome as far as crowds go, in my opinion)
12/19 - Epcot morning and early afternoon, AK for a couple of hours in the evening (FPs here: safari and everest)
12/20 - MK morning (super easy morning! left around 2ish), Disney Springs evening - crowded!!
12/21 - Epcot all day, not terribly busy, but we were mostly in World Showcase and not riding rides. Had FPs for Character Spot (didn't use), Spaceship Earth, and Frozen, plus candlelight processional package w/5pm show
12/22 - DVC tour, MK morning with "free" FPs from the DVC thing...crowds still seemed ok, no worse than July or August crowds we've encountered, left at 2pm (last MVMCP night). DHS evening after dinner with FPs for first Fantasmic and Tower.
12/23 - departure day

I carefully planned our days, and that may have helped for crowds...but I was pleasantly surprised by how manageable it was. It felt no worse than summer, and in some ways, less crowded.

 

[Veera]

We were at the parks during 23-31 December. We did early mornings when it was not too long lines. I had planned FPs and lunches for the peak hours. Sure it was crowded but nothing too bad in my opinion. Restroom lines (ladies!) were quite bad on New Years Eve. Disney managed to move the crowds quite well. Also we didn't have to wait for buses longer than 15 minutes on any day, and on many days less than 10 min.

 

[Dakota731]

We were there 12/16 - 23, and I was shocked at how manageable it was

Thanks so much - how long were the ride waits?

Anyone there the week of 12/9-16 - I can't decide which week to go and crowd level may help me make a decision!

 

[portcityw]

We were there 14-19. Felt like it was about the same as the last few years, during the same week. We did fantasmic on 12-16, and Hollywood was insane. I don't think I have ever seen a park that busy. That was the only issue we had

 

[Accident]

As of tonight they are noticeably less. MK was still packed but not like it was last week. HS was pretty nice actually. I overheard a lot of people talking about airport in the morning or tomorrow plans so it's about to really shrink in crowd size so with some luck, it'll be back to normal winter by the end of this week.