How are the Crowds December 16-23

[Mickrzy]

Hi, we are going the week before Christmas 16-23 and trying to find out about crowds that week . In 2003 we went the week bebore Thanksgiving and first part of the week were okay , but by Wednesday they were really LARGE , and you could not hardly walk.

We are going to celebrate that my Husband and Son are back from their 2nd tour in Iraq and to take the grandkids dgs 5yo and dgd 7mo. We are staying offsite in a condo we stay in all the time 500 a week, and only 5-7 mintes to WDW.

Any info on crowds and what we need to do would to great.

Thanks

 

[Pocahantas]

We will be there the same time as you. From what I have read, the beginning of the week should not be to crowded but expect the crowds to build as the week progresses. Check out this Best Days Calendar which gives you a crowd rating for each day of the year on a scale of 1 - 10. Hope this helps. And to you and your soldiers for the sacrifices you have made fighting for our freedom!! THANK YOU!!

 

[micksterlee]

We were there the week before Christmas 2005.I thought the crowds were much larger than what people on the boards had described.We stayed at Pop and seemed like we spent a lot of time waiting for buses and a lot of times the buses we got on were standing room only.I do know the key is plan carefully and get an early jump on the parks, we had a couple of family members that seemed to think 10 am was early and by the time we hit the parks things were getting backed up.We did have a great time, always do at WDW but I did think the crowds were pretty heavy.

 

[horseshowmom]

We'll be there the same week (so it looks like the crowd is building already! ).

We're trying to decide on whether to do MVMCP on Monday night or Tuesday night. We were planning on Tuesday, but I'm thinking that Monday might fit our schedule better. Sooo many decisions...

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful trip and give your guys our thanks for their service!

 

[Kick Save]

We're trying to decide on whether to do MVMCP on Monday night or Tuesday night. We were planning on Tuesday, but I'm thinking that Monday might fit our schedule better. Sooo many decisions...

Go on Monday for sure. We're going on Tuesday, and this way we'll "lower" the crowd for each other.

 

[Keacc]

We have been there that same week in 2002. 2003 and 2004. We will be going those exact dates this year. The parks are manageable but get more crowded towards the end of the week.
Here are a few tips:
1. Get to the parks when they open and go for the most popular rides early.
2. Avoid parks with early entry until late afternoon.
3. Make good use of fast pass. You can get a fast pass for one ride and go on other rides while waiting for the time.
4. We always bring snacks like breakfast bars, pb&j sandwiches, fruit and water bottles so we snack on the run. You can waste a lot of time trying to get food and a place to sit at counters in the parks.
5. Get ADRs for evening dinners early.
6. Take time to see many of the countries in EPCOT and learn about the way they celebrate Christmas.
Above all, take time to wish people a happy holiday season.

 

[4lilpoohs]

We will be there 12/13-12/26. From what I've read the crowds pick up the Saturday before Christmas. I really hope that is true! We plan on being to the parks early.

 

[Jaybrad]

Dec 16 - 23 we will be there.

 

[horseshowmom]

Go on Monday for sure. We're going on Tuesday, and this way we'll "lower" the crowd for each other.

 

[Maverick Mike]

I just looked at the "Best Days" calendar, and it does show 10's for all week during the week after Christmas. But will the crowds be down from that from December 30 - January 6? That is when we are going, and are still thinking that the crowds will be awful! It shows that on December 30 - January 6, the crowds will be less than a typical day in June. Can that be right??

MM

 

[PlutoLuvr]

My mother & I went to MK last year, 12/17. It was a Saturday. It was wall-to-wall packed. I'm talking crowded like you have no choice but to move the way the crowd is moving. I've been many times when it's considered "busy," but that day trip last year was insane. DM & I laugh about it now, but it was no fun at the time.

On a better note, my MIL has driven over many times to Epcot on a Saturday right before Christmas, and she's told us the crowds are "light." Light is subjective, tho. She goes to WDW in summer when her grandkids are out of school. We go in September, end of February and beginning of May.

Maybe an option would be to avoid MK on weekend days?

I know I have a picture of the crowds last year. I'll see if my DH can post it on here over the weekend.

 

[gcphil]

We were there the week before Christmas 2005.I thought the crowds were much larger than what people on the boards had described.We stayed at Pop and seemed like we spent a lot of time waiting for buses and a lot of times the buses we got on were standing room only.I do know the key is plan carefully and get an early jump on the parks, we had a couple of family members that seemed to think 10 am was early and by the time we hit the parks things were getting backed up.We did have a great time, always do at WDW but I did think the crowds were pretty heavy.

We were there at the exact same time and at the same resort!
I will have to agree about the buses, especially by Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In fact the resort food court was packed by then. I guess the crowds depend on the day and the park. For instance, Christmas Eve at Epcot was nice. We got there for breakfast with Princesses and left Epcot around late afternoon. Not much wait time for rides. Did not try to do a park on Christmas Day! Overall the crowds were more than I expected but still good compared to Mid Summer! Besides you can bear so much more when you don't have to deal with extreme heat!

I will say that the last MVMCP on Tuesday was way busier than I expected!!! I would not recommend attending the last party.

Have fun and enjoy the Christmas spirit!!

 

[kimysbug]

We were there last year-
dec 15th-18th
I found it pretty empty started filling up sunday/Monday but still very slow

 

[Mickrzy]

I am hoping the crowds don't pick up until Saturday the 23rd the day we leave. Would be really nice if parks were fairly light and easy to manage. With ds, dd, dgs and dgd and us not sure if we should take two cars to park, so if they want to leave early and then we can stay. Or if we should just take them back to condo and come back. Questions, questions.

 

[chrisn]

Doesn't look too bad judging by the best days calendar. Our strategy is to avoid the EMH parks and go with the best park recommendations. I am optimistic that this will be very doable and enjoyable. We will also be utilizing FP and hitting the main things first thing in the mornings. I hope everyone has a fabulous trip!

 

[MomofCKJ]

We will be there 15-22 at Pop!

I have been told the beginning of the week won't be too bad but crowds will increase as the week goes on. I started a poll on here last month about when kids get out of school for break and it was nice to see a lot of schools don't start break till after the 21st. Though that doesn't mean people don't pull their kids out of school (like we are!). Anyway, I am hoping that we are getting out of Dodge just as it is starting to explode with people!

Allyson

 

[blessedby3]

We will be there the same week and Im hoping for the Lighter Crowds!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate to go when it is busy, but my niece cant go any other time because she is in college. Hoping this will be a slow week for some reason!

 

[MICKEEP]

Looking at some of the replies above, I am not sure if we were at the same WDW that they were at.

We were there last year from 12/17 thru 12/26. Every ride, except Soarin, in every park, right up to 12/24 was a walk-on or no more than a 5 to 10 minute wait. The only crowds we found the entire week were in MK on Christmas morning, so we left there and later in the day went to MGM. MGM was pretty empty that night. Fantasmic was only 1/3 filled on christmas night.

This is such a great time to be at WDW that we will be there again this year from 12/21 thru 12/25.

 

[Mickrzy]

I really hope that it is not crowded like you said. From what I have read on this site and others, it should be really good until maybe Friday night the 22nd and really pick up on the 23rd.
This is first trip for my DDiL and DGD, and first Christmas trip for me, DH, DS and DGS, so hope all going well.
Thanks

 

[ReallyCinderella]

We've gone that same week the last two years and my best advice is to take a different approach when you go during the Christmas season. We found that if we tried going "commando," it was so crowded that it just wasn't as much fun. We had a MUCH better time when we slowed down and enjoyed the people and the decorations and took everything that came as a wonderful gift. Sure there were things we didn't get done, but I think there were so many more moments that we treasured -- listening to the Santas telling Christmas stories in Epcot, for example -- that we didn't miss a thing. Obviously, it will be less crowded earlier in the week so make sure you get the things done then that you "have" to do. Then just relax and enjoy the combination of Christmas spirit and Disney magic. It's a really special time to be going and you'll make your own experiences, crowded or not!

Have a great time!