Help 1st timer: Xmas week

[steelcitymom]

We are planning to go to Disney World Christmas eve through New Years Day. I have 3 kids (9,7,4) I have been reading about how crowded this week will be and I'm second guessing my decision. Should we wait or can this still be enjoyable? I teach and my husband can't vacation in the summer, so it's almost now or never. I have been wanting to do this for so long, I would hate for the experience to be jaded by choosing the wrong week to go.
Any advise or tips would be appreciated.

 

[jayandstacey]

First - WELCOME!
My wife (a teacher) and I just went with our two kids last month - and learned lots of valuable stuff here before going.

An answer:
It all depends on your tolerance of certain things.

If you like to pre-plan and have some strategies before you go, then you can have a great time and miss some of the 'downside' to the large crowds. But you have to pre-plan.

If you like to wing it and can 'let it roll off your back' then you will encounter crowds, but they might not bother you. You are still in the happiest place on earth, after all, and Disney does a reasonable job of dealing with crowds.

My suggestions

1. At least pre-plan some stuff, like getting to the parks early and knowing which rides you want to cross off first. That way you don't "always" have a 50 minute wait for the biggies.

2. Consider that if the experience was THAT horrible, people wouldn't go! So maybe expect the worst, then do a happy dance when you walk on to test track 15 minutes before closing.

3. Also consider, for your next trip, some time off from work. My wife has decent tenure, so was able to get away with time off in early November. We had 3 days where the parks were virtually EMPTY and it was great. But don't cancel this time - just go, then look at the next trip as the one that avoids those crowds.

If you've booked, keep the ressies.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Wow, you sure are ambitious choosing a week like this. I will be there also. But this is trip 20 for me. If this is the only time you have then go for it. Just expect long lines and crowds. We go in the summer also and do the Extra Magic Hours in the evening. Crowds can thin out then. Christmas and New Years eve plan on being in one park all day. If you leave you might not be able to get back in. Where are you staying? We are at All Star Sports 12/19-12/29 and at Saratoga Springs 12/29-1/2. You can PM me with questions if you like.

If this is your only chance enjoy just relax and go with the flow.

 

[steelcitymom]

Very ambitious, as he just told me yesterday. And we can't confirm until the weekend due to his job. That will give me about three weeks to plan/execute our first Disney trip, pack, prepare for xmas (here and there), make sure the car/kids are up to the 14 hour drive, make arrangements for the dog, and work full time!!!
BUt I can't stop thinking about Disney. I know that it will all be worth it!

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Planning this close you will most likely be limited on resort locations available. I would call ASAP. We had to take Saratoga Springs for the addition of New Years as it was all that was available.

 

[CharmedLife]

I hope that you already have hotel reservations. If you don't, they may be hard to get on-site, try some hotels in the Kissimmee area.

If you don't have dining reservations already, you probably won't be able to get those, either - plan on eating counter service. Also, as a previous poster mentioned if you can get a room at Saratoga Springs you will have a kitchen (in a 1 or 2-bedroom) so you could prepare some food in your room.

As for the crowd, I think it all depends on your expectations. If you are expecting to go on every ride, you may be pretty stressed out and exhausted after your trip. While I'm sure it can be done with some creative planning, use of fast passes, and maximizing your time in the park, it's not going to be relaxing.

I think if you go expecting to hit some of the rides that you really want to do (use fast passes, get them right away as they get "used up" for the day pretty early during busy season), but also with the understanding that you just can't do it all in one trip, and enjoy the atmosphere, parades, shops, etc., then it can still be a very enjoyable time. Just remember that Disney is not always going to be as crowded as you'll see it that week, I'd hate for you to never want to go back because of the crowds!!

If it's your only chance to go, I say go for it, but just be sure that you have reasonable expectations for what you're going to be able to do.