How bad are the crowds at US/IOA or Seaworld in December?

[dc3684]

We are planning our trip for Dec 18-28, 2011. The first several days will be spent at Disney, we have been told by many people to avoid Disney on Christmas Day. Are the crowds just as bad at Universal and Seaworld, or would one of those parks be an option? Where would you go on Christmas Day? Unfortunately, this is the only time we could plan the trip.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I am not sure about Sea World but on of my co-workers was at Universal/Disney this past Christmas week and described it as, "pure insanity". I know at the WWoHP she reported wait times of over 2 hours just to get into that area of the park the day after Christmas. IOA was giving out time stamped passes that gave you a time to come back at a set time to enter the WWoHP or you could wait the two hours or whatever in standby line. Once inside Potter, wait times for the attractions including the stores ranged anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

Of course there are ways around that, such as staying on site, early entry ect. But either way, it give you an idea of at least how busy IOA was that week. She said it was like the entire 4 days they were there.

 

[RMulieri]

Christmas week is the BUSIEST week of the calendar year for the Orlando themeparks.Crowds start to build around Dec 23 or so and grow to epic proportions at Disney, US/IOA and Seaworld.If you can stay on site it will make it alot easier.Otherwise..Make a list of MUSTs for your family, plan on getting to the parks about an hour before scheduled opening and hit the musts on your list.Know now that its going to be crowded so bring your patience with you

 

[Metro West]

Christmas week is the BUSIEST week of the calendar year for the Orlando themeparks.Crowds start to build around Dec 23 or so and grow to epic proportions at Disney, US/IOA and Seaworld.If you can stay on site it will make it alot easier.Otherwise..Make a list of MUSTs for your family, plan on getting to the parks about an hour before scheduled opening and hit the musts on your list.Know now that its going to be crowded so bring your patience with you

 

[ducky_love]

I would seriously go ANY other time. That is the only week of the year that this local will not go near a theme park.

 

[dc3684]

Thanks for all the info so far. I wish we were not taking the trip in December, but my boys including hubby are really looking forward to it. Because it is so crowded then, I intend to plan everything out and have a really good touring plan in place. I think now we will probably forego US/IOA this trip. I would like to fit Seaworld in though because dh is military so it will be free. Hate to pass up FREE!