How busy was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Hi All! Long time, no talk!

We have decided to head back to Orlando for Christmas next year! YEAH! We have heard the horror of how crowded WDW is on Christmas day, so we decided to do WDW the week before, and then do USO/IOA Christmas Weekend. Are we just asking for the same crowds, craziness and insanity? We will be staying at the HRH again...we LOVED it in October....so FOTL is going to be the way to go, I am sure. I just want to know if I am going to have to wait in line an hour for a sandwich or coke as I watch my boys get bumped around in a crowd?

Also, what Holiday Fun did they have at the parks? Was Santa there? Special parade? Were the parks decked out in Christmas decor? Was there a special evening party ticket you could get like MVMCP?

ANY and ALL thoughts are appreciated!!! THANKS ALL!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

A GB groupie informed me that it wasn't busy (especially compared to WDW) on Christmas Eve. Things start picked up right after Christmas. You can usually tell, based on the park hours. It's a drastic increase right after the holidays, but I think you should be okay.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Thanks FlyFly! My only concern is that Christmas is a Saturday this year. I wonder if that will bring in MORE crowds?? Or will it keep people away..."thinking" that it will be really busy?

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Well, because it's a Saturday, it may be a bit busier, but I love Universal on the Holidays anyway. I feel most people will be home with family during Christmas, but...you never know.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

It will probably be busier because it's a holiday and a weekend, but stay on site and you will have no problems.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Thanks guys! We are going to stay at the HRH, so I guess we'll just grin and bear it ..... and hold on TIGHT to our boys as we venture the parks! Gotta LOVE FOTL access!!! Thanks USO/IOA!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by WDWCrazzyCunninghams

Also, what Holiday Fun did they have at the parks? Was Santa there? Special parade? Were the parks decked out in Christmas decor? Was there a special evening party ticket you could get like MVMCP?

The parks are decorated, yes. Santa was there last year and will most likely be there this year (with the 24th being his last day, obviously). He will be in USF, and the Macy's parade will also be in USF, which steps off around 5p.

IOA will have Grinchmas. That contains the story of the Grinch, meeting the Grinch and the Mt Crumpit Snow Plummet. If you're bold enough to stay for the 26th, you can see fireworks.

And there are no evening ticket specials.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Originally posted by the Dark Marauder
The parks are decorated, yes. Santa was there last year and will most likely be there this year (with the 24th being his last day, obviously). He will be in USF, and the Macy's parade will also be in USF, which steps off around 5p.

IOA will have Grinchmas. That contains the story of the Grinch, meeting the Grinch and the Mt Crumpit Snow Plummet. If you're bold enough to stay for the 26th, you can see fireworks.

And there are no evening ticket specials.

THANK YOU DM!!! If I can, a few more questions......

The Macy's Parade...is this every night? Certain nights? Just Christmas Eve?

What is Mt Crumpit Snow Plummet?

What is Whobilation?

We are leaving the 26th. Are the fireworks on the 25th or just the 26th?

Sorry for so many questions so early in the year, we are just trying to plan it all out! We are just a tad excited. Can ya' tell?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by WDWCrazzyCunninghams
THANK YOU DM!!! If I can, a few more questions......

The Macy's Parade...is this every night? Certain nights? Just Christmas Eve?

What is Mt Crumpit Snow Plummet?

What is Whobilation?

We are leaving the 26th. Are the fireworks on the 25th or just the 26th?

The Macy's Parade is every night starting in mid December. The parade route is below.

-Mt Crumpit Snow Plummet is a snow/ice slide that is next to CITH and is open during Grinchmas. It's nothing spectacular, but it is fun.
-The Whobilation is the name of the show where they tell the story of the Grinch. The final show of the night is the tree lighting ceremony.

HTH

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

DM, YOU ROCK! Thanks so much! Pictures and everything!
THANKS so much!!!!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

We stayed at HRH Christmas week 2003. Although we checked out on 12/23, I did see a sign in the elevator saying you could sign up to have Santa visit your room on Christmas morning between 7 and 8:30 AM. He would bring a bag of treats (unspecified). No price was listed so I assume there was no charge. Santa was also scheduled to appear during the breakfast buffet in the Kitchen. Perhaps they will do that again this year as well.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

THANK You IMGONNABE40! I am making a list, and checking it twice, gonna make sure this vacation is REALLY nice!!!! I wonder if I could slip Santa a few gifts that we would give them. Something that they might have asked for specifically? HHhmmmm..... I know it could be done if we were staying Club Level....but I don't see that happening this year...not with the cruise too.
Thanks again everyone!!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

YOu will have a blast at HRH. Haven't stayed myself, yet, but am planning on it. It's getting great reviews!