For those thinking of a Christmas week trip

[Joyfulsnuff]

We are back from our trip and we survived! We were there December 27-January 1 and we stayed offsite (a first for us). I was very worried about the crowds but we followed my son's high school band down so we didnt get to choose our dates this time. We usually go in September, once in October and once in early November so this gives you an indication of the crowd levels we are used to. I want you all to know that a trip between Christmas and New Years is totally doable (is that a word). This trip was a lot more tiring than our usual trips and is probably not an ideal time to go for a relaxing vacation but the parks were beautiful and it was worth it to see my son march at the Magic Kingdom. We made sure we were at the parks before opening and we were able to do all most everything we wanted with a couple of exceptions. We prepared ourselves long before the trip that it would be crowded and we probably wouldnt get to do everything but we really surprised ourselves with how much we were able to do. The worst of the crowds was at Epcot on December 31, it was very very crowded, even our fast pass for test track had a wait time of 1 hour and 30 minutes (we passed) we had been on earlier in the day so we didnt wait. So if you are thinking about a visit during this time and are concerned about the crowds I say go and experience it, it really is possible to go and have a good time and get a lot done, we are living proof!

 

[thelionqueen]

Thanks for the info, glad you had a good time!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I was there from 12/25-31, and although it was crowded (no duh, ma, as my DD17 says), it was not all that bad. I've only heard complaints about the crowds from those who were there the same time as I was, and it makes me wonder, "Where was I, then?". We got to do so many things in the morning without crowds that I wondered where everyone was. There were times that my family got the urge to do a park late in the afternoon, or after one of my meticulously-planned dinners, but I always knew what we'd be in for, warned them ahead of time that they probably would only get a ride or two in, and that was ok. And, hey, the Osborne lights are really easy to see after Christmas during a Fantasmic show! Hardly a soul in the street!

I'm so glad to see that someone else had the same kind of experience that we did!

 

[Danno Magee]

I'm right there with you. We were down 12/26 - 1/1. All I heard from people before we left was that it would be so crowded that there was no point in going. People told me that I wouldn't be able to ride anything. Well we always got the park at opening or before and basically rode everything we wanted. I was surprised that the parks were that empty in the morning. We went to MK on Thursday and basically walked on everything in Fantasyland. The crowds did pick up in the afternoon, but at that point, we could just cruise around taking in the atmosphere. We all had a great time. We loved the decorations!

 

[SamRoc]

Same with us here! We arrived December 26 and stayed through December 31, and had a great time. Arrived very early and left before noon and the crowds. Did everything in the MK wednesday morning (went for a fastpass for buzz lightyear but didnt need it) the only fast pass we did use was for peter pans flight at about 1130, then watched the parade and left. We also went to MGM to see the osborne lights and arrived as soon as it started getting dark. was surprised how easy it was to get around. I think we were very lucky too and didnt get into any of the afternoon crowds that I heard were so bad. Did tower of terror on tues with a fastpass and it was great not to have to wait in any lines either, but the time we did it, the line was over 100 minutes long, and that was our last ride for the day. We went last year and were happy that this year the weather was a little warmer, and plan to go again next year. Christmas week can be done, but it just takes some luck and planning!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Just a quick, maybe dumb question, but I am curious - I have 2 little girls - How are the lines for the women's bathrooms?? We were there the past two Thanksgivings and there were some pretty long waits. Any other inconveniences I should think of???

When you say it is doable - is it only if you are up and at the parks early? Do the crowds hang on into the evenings? We like to sleep in on vacation and stay late at the parks. We have gone to WDW over 30 times at diff times of the year, but never Xmas and would like to give it a try. In all our trips, we have been to MK opening once, though!! It was August and it was GREAT to walk on everything for a couple hours, but it just doesn't fit into our vacation style

How are the resort pools?? Are they packed during the day? Maybe too cold to swim?

Thanks!

Lives4Disney

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Just a quick, maybe dumb question, but I am curious - I have 2 little girls - How are the lines for the women's bathrooms?? We were there the past two Thanksgivings and there were some pretty long waits. Any other inconveniences I should think of???

When you say it is doable - is it only if you are up and at the parks early? Do the crowds hang on into the evenings? We like to sleep in on vacation and stay late at the parks. We have gone to WDW over 30 times at diff times of the year, but never Xmas and would like to give it a try. In all our trips, we have been to MK opening once, though!! It was August and it was GREAT to walk on everything for a couple hours, but it just doesn't fit into our vacation style

How are the resort pools?? Are they packed during the day? Maybe too cold to swim?

Thanks!

Lives4Disney

There was only one day of the week that was warm enough for most to swim, and that afternoon the main pool at SSR was pretty busy.

I would venture a guess that afternoons in the park that week are fairly unbearable. If you listen to those who stayed past noon, they are all complaints about how crowded it got. I did hear from a bus driver that many of the late night parks were pretty empty, but there's no way my family could stay up that late (up to 4 a.m. at MGM and MK!). The easiest time to get around IS the early mornings. I think the bathrooms are likely to follow suit.

 

[MinnieFan]

We were there from 12/26 to 1/1, and I agree that it is manageable, especially if you make good use of Fastpass. We were in the parks early every day and I agree that the parks were not that crowded until after 11:00 a.m. On 12/31 we rode on Buzz Lightyear at about 10:00 am with only a 20 minute posted wait time. Of course, it was much worse later in the day. But we also did everything we wanted to in all of the parks, and had a wonderful time. Everything looked so beautiful, it was worth it to go just for the decorations.

 

[dsnymomof4]

We're still thinking about when to go this year, but I would love to go Christmas week - I think it would be so exciting. Besides, we've been there enough times that we don't have to worry about not "doing it all" on this one trip. My question to those of you that went is, what kind of air fares did you get - could you find bargains during this busy time of year?
Thanks.

 

[Joyfulsnuff]

We drove down so I cant help with the cost of airfare, sorry. I really believe that the key to our success was getting there early, we were able to do most things we wanted in the morning and then break for lunch ahead of the lunch time crowds. We only used fast pass for big thunder mountain and space mountain (we skipped splash this time) we used our afternoon time for our fast pass returns and then sat for a couple of hours waiting for my son's band to march at 7:30 pm. Since we were not onsite this time, we chose to stay in the parks all day since we didnt know if parks would close due to capacity, it was definitely very tiring but we tried to spend a lot of time sitting and people watching sometimes for a couple of hours or more. We only ran into 1 line for the restroom (womens) near splash mountain and the line wasnt too long, I dont know if we lucked out or what but I was expecting huge restroom lines. We tried to use the restroom when we were in a more quiet location or in a restaurant and it seemed to work for us. I posted a short report on the Universal discussion forum if anyone is interested, oddly enough Universal was the least crowded park and we got the most done there. I am glad to see others had a good Christmas week experience.

 

[Joyfulsnuff]

Sorry, I was referring a lot to MK but it was much the same for us at Epcot, the crowds at Epcot were larger due to New Years Eve and we didnt get as much done but we had fun. We set our ride goals: Soarin, Test Track, Imagination ride and the Norway ride. We got them all done in the morning with small waits and then visited the countries in the afternoon. These were the only 2 parks we did this time.

 

[dvc guy]

I guess we qualify as Christmas week veterans, we did our 6 trip this year,
12/23-12-27, here are a few thoughts
1. You must get to the park at opening if you plan on doing the rides. We hit MK on 12/24 at 8 AM and walked on SM,TM, & BUZZ a few times , it did not get crowded till about 11 AM, and as posted I kept thinking where are all the people. That night during the 8 PM parade Splash was a walk on, and it was not cold out.
2. If you want to have a sit down dinner you need ADR.
3. Airfare over the holiday week. You can get so decent fares if you book very early, I mean at the 331 day mark, flight times will change, but at least you will have a seat. This year I got a 69 ticket on SONG JFK/MCO on 12/23.
4. This is not the time of year for a relaxing trip, if you want that try October.
5. Have fun WE love WDW at Christmas and am already planning our 06 trip.
Got a question???

 

[Danauk]

We were there from December 21st - January 2nd and I too didn't think the crowds were as bad as what I thought it would be. Although it was busy it wasn't that bad. We too got to the parks early and left by early afternoon. We used fast passes a lot in all the parks but still did everything we wanted to. We did notice that the crowds did pick up after Christmas day but it was still very managable. We had a great trip and I would recommend going again at this time of year to anyone.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

We're still thinking about when to go this year, but I would love to go Christmas week - I think it would be so exciting. Besides, we've been there enough times that we don't have to worry about not "doing it all" on this one trip. My question to those of you that went is, what kind of air fares did you get - could you find bargains during this busy time of year?
Thanks.

I agree with dvcguy...call at the 331 day mark. I got a $63 fare on AA for the way down from BOS-MCO, and $112 for the return on Song (which I love!). I heard of those flying SWA getting even better fares, but I hate that airline, and they're not a preferred airline for Disney Magical Express, so you have to tote your own bags everywhere.