going to wdw over christmas/ honest views

[CARRIE0604]

please, anyone who has gone over christmas, what is it like, honestly.
I've been to disney in nov00, oct01, aug02,aog03, and nov04. the last trip was over thanksgiving and it was tolerable. now, it looks like out only time we can possibly go and use our "free airline credits" would be over christmas.
my kids would be 16 and 12 and they are the ones that need to be talked into missing christmas at home.

thanks for your input!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

We're going on Christmas day, until New Years Eve day, so we'll see you there!
I have done the holidays in WDW before, and found it fantastic enough to do it again. It is crowded, no doubt about that. You should avoid EMH parks like the plague. You should get up early in the morning, get to your park of choice well before opening, and get the really big rides out of the way early. You should make ADRs for all your sit-down meals. You should book dinner packages for Candlelight Processional and Fantasmic! You should not be afraid to leave the parks when it gets insanely crowded, because really, there's so much else to do! There's DisneyQuest, Cirque du Soleil, Pleasure Island (for the grownups), your resort, those little SeaRaycers that you can scoot about the lakes with, Dinner Shows...oh, there's so much more than the parks!

 

[rkmassa]

Here is my honest opinion---it is awful. Terrible crowds. So many people that the parks close early on most days. I am talking elbow to elbow types of crowds. Long lines for everything. I don't care how many holiday lights are hung and how much "magic" is in the air, it is not worth it. The crowds were so bad the year we went, we vowed never again. Last year we left the 22nd. This year we are leaving the 27th, but not going to the parks at all from the 25th on. This is of course just my opinion, so I am sure others will disagree. They will state the "magic" of the holidays, blah, blah, blah. I am just telling you it is bad.

 

[Bunch24]

Here is my honest opinion---it is awful. Terrible crowds. So many people that the parks close early on most days. I am talking elbow to elbow types of crowds. Long lines for everything. I don't care how many holiday lights are hung and how much "magic" is in the air, it is not worth it. The crowds were so bad the year we went, we vowed never again. Last year we left the 22nd. This year we are leaving the 27th, but not going to the parks at all from the 25th on. This is of course just my opinion, so I am sure others will disagree. They will state the "magic" of the holidays, blah, blah, blah. I am just telling you it is bad.

So terrible you're going back this December? That makes very little sense, don't you think?

We're going for our first time this Christmas and look forward to it. I don't expect to have the park to myself. And I think the more the merrier.

 

[the kabuki]

While we've never been during the Christmas holiday, a couple years back we caught the tail end of it on Jan 2nd and 3rd which was a week-end and boy was it ever packed.

I remarked to someone about how bad it was and the response was "this is nothing, you should've seen it last week" I couldn't even imagine how crazy it was. Too us it was just too nuts, long, long lines for everything. That's why I stick to after the Christmas/New Years holidays.

 

[rkmassa]

So terrible you're going back this December? That makes very little sense, don't you think?

We're going for our first time this Christmas and look forward to it. I don't expect to have the park to myself. And I think the more the merrier.

Hello! Did you not read my post? Not going to the parks at all from the 25th to our departure date the 27th. We are arriving the 17th. The parks are not too bad right up to the 25th. I would never, ever venture into the parks after the 25th of Dec. Thus arriving early this year and doing all the parks before that date. I will enjoy the quiet pool and see some of the rest of Orlando the last few days.

 

[darlene9947]

You must try TourGuide Mike. He is out in the parks every day and lets you know how to do the BEST of the best and forget the rest!! We used his advice in May during Star Wars Weekends and it was fabulous. I will never go back to the World without Mike!! Especially during peak holidays!

 

[Bunch24]

Hello! Did you not read my post? Not going to the parks at all from the 25th to our departure date the 27th. We are arriving the 17th. The parks are not too bad right up to the 25th. I would never, ever venture into the parks after the 25th of Dec. Thus arriving early this year and doing all the parks before that date. I will enjoy the quiet pool and see some of the rest of Orlando the last few days.

Of course I read your post. I responded to it, didn't I?

I understand you're not going on Christmas Day, but I hear that parks begin to fill up the Saturday before Christmas (so that will be, what, the 17th?) and stay that way through New Year's.

Don't get me wrong, I hope it's relatively quiet from the 15th through the 20th, when we're going, but I expect it to become really packed on the 16th and stay that way until New Year's Day.

Then again, I don't know when the majority of schools are letting out for Christmas break. It might not be until the Friday before Christmas (23rd). If that's the case, then maybe we WILL have the parks to ourselves. LOL

Didn't mean any disrespect by my post, it just struck me as weird that you thought it was a terrible time to go, yet you're going back during Christmas season.

 

[Danauk]

We are also going at Christmas and I can't wait. We will be there from the 22nd December - 2nd January. Yes I know it is going to be busy, I think by now people who read these boards understand this. But I also think that people who read these boards, subscribe to TGM or touring plans etc have listened to this and are doing enough planning to make sure they have a great time. We (there are 4 adults in our group) have booked backstage tours, have planned resort days, days to tour the resorts and look at the decorations have planned days off site at other attractions (booking tours there too as we know it will be crowded where ever we go.) We are going to make sure all our evening ADR's and dining packages are made and that we get to the parks early and leave after lunch. We do not expect to go on every ride, we have made a list of rides we would like to do and are realistic about that.
Now saying all that I do expect that despite the huge crowds we will have an amazing time. I read all the advice given here from people who have been in the past, have subscribed to TGM and have all the info I need in my Passporter. I am sure people who plan in a similar manner and who are realistic about what WDW will be like when we are there and have a plan according to this will be fine and we will have an amazing holiday. I hope to see some of you there.

 

[gilld]

We went in for 3 weeks from 22nd 1997 and it was horrendous until Jan 3rd. Parks closed by 9.30am and so many there people we felt it was dangerous. It was also extremely COLD with frost most days. Never again at that time of year.

 

[gjw007]

I spent last year in Orlando and went to MK on Xmas day. I didn't even bother to try any rides as I don't like waiting in long lines. The weather was cold and started raining making matters worse. I did see the 'Twas the Night Before Xmas show at the Galaxy Theater. Entertaining. The 1:00 PM parade was cancelled due to the rain (I was standing waiting with a group and asked who was going to look stupidier; me for standing in the cold and rain attempting to catch the flu or Disney for putting on the parade in such conditions - Disney answered that question ). I left the MK about 1:30 and didn't even bother to go back for the rest of the week. I believe there was a day or so in there they announced that they closed MK from any additional guests other than those already in the park.

I spent several days enjoying MGM, Epcot, and the Animal Kingdom. I'm not a fan of Epcot, per se, but I enjoy it at Xmas. If you enjoy Xmas, I think that you will love Disney at Xmas, especially if you don't spend too much time at the MK (I would still go to look at the decorations, watch the show in the Galaxy Theater, the parade, etc., but just don't plan on spending most of the day there on rides). . I also went to Universal and SeaWorld, so there are other activities as well.

 

[rkmassa]

Of course I read your post. I responded to it, didn't I?

I understand you're not going on Christmas Day, but I hear that parks begin to fill up the Saturday before Christmas (so that will be, what, the 17th?) and stay that way through New Year's.

Don't get me wrong, I hope it's relatively quiet from the 15th through the 20th, when we're going, but I expect it to become really packed on the 16th and stay that way until New Year's Day.

Then again, I don't know when the majority of schools are letting out for Christmas break. It might not be until the Friday before Christmas (23rd). If that's the case, then maybe we WILL have the parks to ourselves. LOL

Didn't mean any disrespect by my post, it just struck me as weird that you thought it was a terrible time to go, yet you're going back during Christmas season.

If you check the Unofficial Guide web site, you will find that crowds do not pick up until the 25th--just as I stated. They jump from a 6 to a 10 on the 25th. We saw it first hand one year. You would not believe the people pouring into Disney on the 25th. It was nuts. Christmas week beginning the 25th until the 2nd of January is an awful time to go to the parks--the parks. We plan on ejoying our resort and pool for a few days the 25th and 26th. We are going during the Christmas season, the 17th, but for Disney that starts way before the 25th. They put up decorations long before the 25th, so you can go to the parks and enjoy the decorations before the "masses" show up the 25th. The OP wanted to know what Disney was like over Christmas--the actual holiday, and I stated my honest first hand experience. We will always go to Disney the week before Christmas, and sometimes stay a few days longer, but we will never go to the parks after the 25th again for the reasons I earlier stated.

 

[CheshireVal]

I think it's the best time to go-- everything is so beautifully decorated and the atmosphere is truly fantastic.

As for crowds, we're there on or around the 17th every year (for the past 5 years anyway.) Last year was the first year we actually stayed through Christmas Day, and we liked it so much, we're doing it again this year! We never experienced any unpleasant crowds at all. Even on Christmas Day, the weather was so dreary (constant downpour) that we had Animal Kingdom all to ourselves in the morning. That afternoon at Epcot was pretty much the same.

I imagine the crowds on the 25th are pretty bad in good weather, but just plan on leisurely seeing shows and looking at decorations that day instead of counting on riding all the rides.

You'll have a terrific time!

 

[D3sdoll]

Don't they let resort guests in to the parks no matter what? This will be our first holiday season. We are going from Dec. 24 - Jan. 1. Was this a one time only closing for MK?
Is the best stratagy to go early and leave early?

Thanks!

 

[cobbler]

Don't they let resort guests in to the parks no matter what? This will be our first holiday season. We are going from Dec. 24 - Jan. 1. Was this a one time only closing for MK?
Is the best stratagy to go early and leave early?

Thanks!

They do let resort guests into A park but maybe not THE park you want. So if MK closes, its closed, even if you are a resort guest.

We went over Xmas 98. Never again. This was before fastpass was introduced and we waited over 2 hours for the Safari in AK. AK also closed to capacity while we were there for the day so we couldn't leave if we wanted to come back.

Lines are long, tons of people. Its beautiful but its just madness. I wouldn't go over Xmas if I could help it.

 

[rkmassa]

Don't they let resort guests in to the parks no matter what? This will be our first holiday season. We are going from Dec. 24 - Jan. 1. Was this a one time only closing for MK?
Is the best stratagy to go early and leave early?

Thanks!

As a resort guest, you are always guaranteed to get into "a" park, but it might not be MK if it is full. You might be told to go to another park that day. Early MK park closing is the norm, not exception the 25th on. The weather was really nasty last year, so the crowds would have been down. Good weather will bring lots of people. The 25th on is not the best time for counting on riding much due to extremely long lines. Go early no matter what.

 

[CARRIE0604]

Thanks for all the replys.!!

The way things stand right now, my DD 15( 16 0n 12/31) is all for it. My DS12 is aghast that we wouldn't have presents. "The vacation is the present" didn't go over well. I haven't even mentioned this to DH since he has never been "bitten by the mouse" and probably never will. The funniest thing of all is that my DD suggested that just her and I go and that my DH and son can cook for the family and invite them all over. Well, there's no way we're spending Christmas apart but I still favor all of us going. We've been there enough times that I know enough to avoid the parks on 12/25.

Thanks Everyone

 

[don8life]

If you have been before and aren't counting on doing all the things you usually do in Oct, nov(meaning amounts of attraction) and just want to see the decorations and parades you should do it just for the experience of doing at at Christmas.

Now, if you really want to get your money's worth and want to do lots of attractions do not go. I won't do it again. OMG, it was horrible. And your not even gauranteed to get in if they are filled.

I would be seriously pissed if i spent all that money to not be able to enjoy it properly.

If I'm in Florida visiting for Christmas, we'll pop in.

Good Luck

 

[jann1033]

we have never been over christmas, usually leaveing the day value season ended...however one year we stayed one extra night ( must have been slow cause we got a post card with a low rate for that night while at wdw) and the difference between those 2 days was unbelievable... from no wait one day to 30-45-longer waits for everything the next( and that was at epcot on a non ee day)...almost sorry we stayed and the actual holiday time would have to be jammed packed.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Don't they let resort guests in to the parks no matter what? This will be our first holiday season. We are going from Dec. 24 - Jan. 1. Was this a one time only closing for MK?
Is the best stratagy to go early and leave early?

Thanks!

That is EXACTLY the best strategy. Get in line 45 minutes before opening time, DON'T go on EMH this week, get the headliners first, then go catch a couple of your other favorites. If you're early, you'll get the headliners before most people have made it through the gates, and hit the other rides while they're all on the headliners.
MK closes early to new admissions just about every Christmas week, so no, this is not a one-time deal. Just plan around it. I've never heard of any of the other parks closing early due to overattendance, though. But I haven't heard everything yet....