Holiday crowds-December Planning

[lauritagoddess]

What does everyone think the crowds will be like this year for Xmas and New Years? I’ve never considered going at this time of year because of the crowds. But if there’s still restricted capacity, how crowded do you think if will be?

 

[amyoooo22]

It will definitely be less crowded than it usually is! We've gone to WDW many many times during the holiday season, and the crowds have been (understandably) huge. But, considering that they are currently limiting, and the parks aren't super crowded now, my guess is that perhaps they will start allowing more people in. But, it probably will be nowhere near as mobbed.

 

[MarkS2112]

You probably won’t be at 50% capacity so it should be ok. International travel will still be restricted and most people won’t be traveling. So should be less than the insane levels. However the seasonal festivities will be less at the same cost. Less crowded and less park time with highest cost of year.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Trying to think about it a couple ways. Either capacity is still low so crowds won't be anything like years past, or if capacity is increased then hopefully that means it's safe enough to open more dining, more resorts, and restore parades/fireworks. Guess we'll see!

 

[MBTigger]

I doubt that fireworks and parades will be around, but I would be surprised if we did not see increased hours and a slightly higher capacity to go along with it....

 

[soniam]

Anywhere from a 0 to a 10 There's no way to tell this year. If I could predict it accurately, I would be investing in something right now.

 

[MBTigger]

I am waiting to close and for points to load on a DVC contract. We are planning a trip for the spring. If the points were not so high, this is the ONE time I might consider visiting WDW during the kids holiday break....

 

[lauritagoddess]

Thanks for the responses. It’s such a gamble this year. I actually have a trip booked for January, the week after New Year, but with the reduced crowds, I was thinking it would be nice to experience the holidays at WDW, even if they’re not the same as normal. I’m going to price it out and see how much the difference in cost is.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Trying to think about it a couple ways. Either capacity is still low so crowds won't be anything like years past, or if capacity is increased then hopefully that means it's safe enough to open more dining, more resorts, and restore parades/fireworks. Guess we'll see!

That is a positive way to look at it!

We are going 12/5-12/12. Since we go every year, if there are no parades or fireworks, that's ok for us. I'm hoping that some of the shows will be back, but again not a deal breaker for us. I really do hope that the Christmas decorations, especially the Castle lights. And I hope that the parks will be open late enough to actually see them. We have only been once at Christmas and that was many, many years ago.

Like everyone else in the world, we are just ready for a break away from real life for a while. 99 days to go!!!

 

[Bete]

This year will no doubt be a scaled down holiday celebration. More than likely there won't be a Christmas party or Candlelight Processional or any Epcot holiday storytellers either. It's unlikely all the Disney restaurants and resorts will be open by that time. We still don't have a vaccine. You still have quarantine going on between the different states. Economics has hit hard, as well.

All of this will keep the crowd level down for the holidays even if Disney allows more guests to come.

If you are satisfied with the lesser experience then I believe crowds will be less.

 

[DisneyMom0604]

We are thinking about going in November now with the lower capacity and stay off property since the resort perks are pretty much gone. Anyone gone at the beginning of November or December? I would like to avoid the crowds that go along with school holidays (if that's even a thing this year...??). I just want to see decorations and enjoy some Disney time. Our April trip was moved to September, and now we are looking at moving it to the holidays.

 

[Mollygirl21]

What are everyone's thoughts on the various parks on Christmas Day? I know MK would be the most popular pick but I am really interested to hear the pros (or cons) of each of the parks - what makes that particular day special in each park?

Our family of 3 has 3 different favorite parks:
me: AK
DH: Epcot
DS8: HS

Thanks!

 

[soniam]

We are thinking about going in November now with the lower capacity and stay off property since the resort perks are pretty much gone. Anyone gone at the beginning of November or December? I would like to avoid the crowds that go along with school holidays (if that's even a thing this year...??). I just want to see decorations and enjoy some Disney time. Our April trip was moved to September, and now we are looking at moving it to the holidays.

Normally, the beginning of November is pretty busy due to last weekends of Food & Wine and the Wine & Dine run. However, the run is virtual this year. I don't think they have announced a specific ending date, just Fall maybe, for the current F&W incarnation. It's also not drawing crowds as much as in the past. There is the possibility of Jersey week and Veterans' Day holidays though. I don't think those will be as bad. Jersey folks might still have to quarantine upon return. Beginning of December is usually much less crowded and probably will be. You do get more DVC members staying at those times though, since point values are lower then.

 

[dachsie]

We are thinking about going in November now with the lower capacity and stay off property since the resort perks are pretty much gone. Anyone gone at the beginning of November or December? I would like to avoid the crowds that go along with school holidays (if that's even a thing this year...??). I just want to see decorations and enjoy some Disney time. Our April trip was moved to September, and now we are looking at moving it to the holidays.

I am going the week after Thanksgiving

 

[Ksquared]

This will be our 2nd Christmas trip and the last time we chose not to go to a park on Christmas day because of the crowds. But this year we decided to book a park hoping it won't be as crowded and we chose MK because it may be the only time we get to go on Christmas Day. However, we realize it may be sold out because of it's popularity. We did go on Christmas Eve the year we were there and that was fun leaving right at midnight.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

MK on Christmas Eve. It will be packed but a great atmosphere. Then AK on Christmas Day with a Christmas cocktail at Nomads as soon as they open.

 

[jimbostacks]

Hey Team:

I have read a few posts about how Christmas crowds will be down and that the likelihood of fireworks, Christmas around the world, Candlelight Processional all seem not so good. I would think the fireworks at Epcot could work, or even moving the Processional to a larger location or something. I really hope they come up with a good hybrid plan. Of course safety and this year is very different. Typically when to Christmas plans come out?

thanks!!!

 

[skeeter31]

Typically Christmas plans are out by now. Since Disney didn’t sell tickets to the Christmas party before the shutdown (as they did with Halloween party) they don’t have to announce the cancellation this early. There is a thread in the news and rumor boards with more information and thoughts. But if you’re hoping for any sort of actual events, you’re going to be letdown. CP is almost guaranteed not to happen as they wouldn’t be able to bring in the choirs and I’m sure celebrities wouldn’t want to participate. Fireworks will probably still be a no go at any parks. And parties probably won’t happen. But decorations should still go up (I would just think the gingerbread houses won’t go up in the resorts).

 

[MickeyNana]

Whatever you do stay out MK. We are at Disney every other Christmas. We learned the hard way to avoid MK on Xmas. We have tried going early Xmas morning and that was okay, but had to leave before lunch. Packed, Packed, Packed. We were in MK Xmas eve this past year (we had reservations in the Castle), We got in and got out. Could barely move. We make a point of going to MK early in the trip. Sometimes a couple of people in the group will go late in the evening but...

 

[Rockbro]

I don't think the MK will be packed due to controlled and reduced capacity.