How bad will it be Christmas week?

[RysMomma]

Hi everyone!

I should preface this by saying that my husband, kids (17 and 15), and myself, are huge Disney fans. We've gone frequently with the kids and we are toying with the idea of going down next year on our breaks. I know that it'll be crowded and I know that it'll be expensive, but we don't celebrate Christmas but we all want to see the parks decorated. It's been a dream of mine for years and now that my kids are older, they want to too. My son will turn 19 while down there and we just think it would be a fun thing to do to celebrate. I told the family not to expect the same type of trip we have had other years. It may be slower paced, not as many big rides that we usually go on, and maybe more resort hopping. But be honest with me, what else can you tell me about Christmas week there? Thanks!

 

[Genie+]

The good news this time of year is these crowds are less inclined to ropedrop than normal. It helps if you can take advantage of that.

 

[MICKIMINI]

It will be crowded, restaurants will be packed, rides with long lines but the decorations are gorgeous. IMO, the most important thing you can do is to get a resort walking or monorail distance to the park you will be at most of the time. Getting up early will give you an edge and plan to go to the back of the park and move forward doing rides until it gets ridiculous. If on the monorail, it might make sense to go to a resort for lunch and a respite from the crowds (this could go either way). It will be expensive but you know that.

I have a hard time with crowds and we don't go during Christmas or New Years now. I think you understand what you are getting into so get in the right mindset and set expectations accordingly. Again, choose your resort wisely!

Good luck!

 

[Marthasor]

I would take a look at your break schedule. If there is any chance you can go and leave on or before Dec. 24, I would do that. Christmas week itself is insanely crowded. We did it once - never again. The week leading up to Christmas Eve is a bit more manageable.

 

[melissa70]

We went last year for 20-27. Until the 25th it wasn’t bad actually. Just do LL and have dining reservations and you’ll be good

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Since your main goal is to see the Christmas decorations, if you can go in early December, you'd accomplish that without the extra crowds of Christmas week. I understand that doesn't coincide with your breaks, but it's just a thought.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I think the chaos is fun once in awhile. We have older kids as well and they have a great time. Yes, it will be crowded, but it doesn't ruin our time. I prefer to go during that time as opposed to sweating and less crowds in July/Aug

 

[Disneylover99]

Make sure you book any dining reservations you want as soon as they open up for you. When eating quick service, eat at off hours. It will be much more relaxing.

Go with the flow and enjoy!
It’s my favourite week to visit.

 

[mattburmeister]

Any thoughts on New Years Day and the week following?

 

[Mle8308]

Any thoughts on New Years Day and the week following?

Still busy, then it's the marathon that first week of January. Disney had become quite successful in filling in prior slow times with very popular events. Won't be as busy as the week between Christmas and New Years, but it won't be a ghost town, either.

 

[lorimt]

Any thoughts on New Years Day and the week following?

It’s still pretty crazy. We did Jan 1-7 in 2023 and 2025. It gets a little slower every day but the first few days are really busy.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

It’s overblown but does get busier as it get closer to the 31. It also depends what you are doing but it’s after Christmas that get a bit busier. Remember all the locals and everyone except the tippy top annual pass are blacked out so the parks have a completely different vibe than normal as most people there don’t have annual passes and the hotels are more expensive. Most people are in holiday mode also vs vacation mode. Different vibe and more relaxed.

 

[DL1WDW2]

XmasWeek this year with family visiting …staying at BLT…but check out the Contemporary Resort .
We have 2 teens . They can walk to MK or use monorail
Xmas Day we booked the Biergarten Buffet in Epcot Germany to get Candlelight Processional tickets. We have a vegetarian and picky eaters but always Happy with the selection .The Biergarten has a special holiday stage show with LiveMusic and German Bell Ringers. And they invite children to dance in front of the stage with or without their parents! Everybody knows how to polka right Haha
Also don’t forget the Electric Water Pageant nightly for the monorail resorts.
If you choose a different resort ,they might block access to the monorail /MK resorts unless you have reservations. One year they did stop my grandchildren but I was right behind them as we walked back & forth from MK to BLT.
Also Disney Springs has a nightly snowfall when the tree lights up.
Also the Contemporary Resort has the quick service restaurant and Chef Mickeys Buffett and SkyView Bar and shops and the Skthouse 71 has a bar with menu and table service …
I’ll keep you posted if Ithink of more things to report for holidays.
I just remembered one more thing about Xmas week. That means theMickeys Holiday parties have ended and they offer the Holiday Parade on Main Street but it is in the daytime …parades usually are prettier at night but appreciate the experience for the season … without the cost of the parties. This does mean it will be crowded with locals.
Also Santa departs for the. North Pole and Santa Goofy and Santa Stitch are ready for photos !

 

[DL1WDW2]

On New Years Eve some of the Deluxe Resorts have Activities for guests.
Music and games and the Happy New Year Party hats are distributed.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Its worse than I think you're thinking if you're concerned about crowds.
Starting the weekend before Christmas and through the new year its wall to wall people and CMs are directing foot traffic.
Entire bathrooms have to close for cleaning.
That's to give you an idea.
Its a fun time but pack your patience.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

XmasWeek this year with family visiting …staying at BLT…but check out the Contemporary Resort .
We have 2 teens . They can walk to MK or use monorail
Xmas Day we booked the Biergarten Buffet in Epcot Germany to get Candlelight Processional tickets. We have a vegetarian and picky eaters but always Happy with the selection .The Biergarten has a special holiday stage show with LiveMusic and German Bell Ringers. And they invite children to dance in front of the stage with or without their parents! Everybody knows how to polka right Haha
Also don’t forget the Electric Water Pageant nightly for the monorail resorts.
If you choose a different resort ,they might block access to the monorail /MK resorts unless you have reservations. One year they did stop my grandchildren but I was right behind them as we walked back & forth from MK to BLT.
Also Disney Springs has a nightly snowfall when the tree lights up.
Also the Contemporary Resort has the quick service restaurant and Chef Mickeys Buffett and SkyView Bar and shops and the Skthouse 71 has a bar with menu and table service …
I’ll keep you posted if Ithink of more things to report for holidays.
I just remembered one more thing about Xmas week. That means theMickeys Holiday parties have ended and they offer the Holiday Parade on Main Street but it is in the daytime …parades usually are prettier at night but appreciate the experience for the season … without the cost of the parties. This does mean it will be crowded with locals.
Also Santa departs for the. North Pole and Santa Goofy and Santa Stitch are ready for photos !

The locals are blacked out as vast majority do not get the top pass but most get pirate or pixie and some get sourcer one all blacked out

 

[Disneylover99]

I just remembered one more thing about Xmas week. That means theMickeys Holiday parties have ended and they offer the Holiday Parade on Main Street but it is in the daytime …parades usually are prettier at night but appreciate the experience for the season … without the cost of the parties. This does mean it will be crowded with locals.

Anyone with a Florida AP will be shut out by the time the party ends, so not too many locals, unless they have an Incredipass.

On New Years Eve some of the Deluxe Resorts have Activities for guests.
Music and games and the Happy New Year Party hats are distributed.

Value and Moderate resorts have also offered DJ dance parties or special activities in the past. They don’t typically get announced until a day or two before New Years, so it’s hard to know for sure what they’ll do this year.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Its worse than I think you're thinking if you're concerned about crowds.
Starting the weekend before Christmas and through the new year its wall to wall people and CMs are directing foot traffic.
Entire bathrooms have to close for cleaning.
That's to give you an idea.
Its a fun time but pack your patience.

Entire bathrooms have to close for cleaning? Is that something unique to that time?

 

[DL1WDW2]

When do they start prepping the Countries in EPCOT for the dance party stages to prepare for NYE crowds?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Entire bathrooms have to close for cleaning? Is that something unique to that time?

Yes. Normally CMs are cleaning certain stalls/areas while guests use the rest of the area. Closing an entire restroom for cleaning is different and not the norm at Disney.