How crazy is Christmas week at WDW?

[Disney_and_Wine]

I disagree with all of the above posts to some extent. Busy? Sure, of course, it's the holidays. MK itself on Xmas Day itself was the nuttiest I've ever seen any of the parks. Ever. So I agree that it's busier than normal. However...outside of the one exception, I really didn't think it was some horror story. I guess a lot of it will depend on your perception and ability to deal with a crowd. IMO, all the other parks on all the other days (including MK) were very manageable. We were there Xmas week 2015. As I noted, we went to MK on Xmas day. We got there at park open and stayed until about 1pm. We got on 7 rides, maybe 8 (I can't recall, but it was one of the two). Yes, when we left at 1pm, it was a madhouse. But the other parks on the other days were fine. Certainly longer lines and such, but between using FP+ and smart strategy, we never had issues getting on rides or having fun things to do. Plus, the Xmas spirit is awesome!

Maybe I'm going against the grain, but I'd highly recommend it during Xmas week. We're going again this year, and I can't wait!!!

100% agree! This Christmas will be our 4th trip that extends from before Christmas to NYD. There have been two times that we were overwhelmed by the crowds. Christmas Day at MK - we go anyway. Early in the morning is no different than summer. By noon people flood into the parks and it gets very crowded. The other overwhelming crowd would be NYE. But it doesn't get really crowded until later in the afternoon. We usually go to EPCOT. For the rest of the week we enjoy morning EMH and stay in the park of our choice until lunch. We usually ride 5-7 rides or more by noon. We leave head back to the resort and swim and then go to another park for the evening. We use our FP+'s at the evening park and probably ride 2-3 other rides. In total, we ride 10 or more rides on most days. The exception being Christmas Day. We are there for the experience and parades, etc.

I know that people's tolerances for crowds are different, but with the right approach and some planning the crowds are not as bad as some make them sound.

Hope this helps and maybe I'll see you there

The two of you aren't really disagreeing with what others have posted. Rather, you are reinforcing it. You just have a far more positive outlook on what is essentially the same result being described. Both of you are agreeing with other posters that the parks will be crowded+, both of you are agreeing with other posters that by 1:00 p.m., there is little to be gained by staying in the MK, and both of you are agreeing with other posters that your total ride count for the days you are there will be in the single digits. That is pretty much what everyone else is saying. The difference is that you don't mind, which is great.

 

[mom2rtk]

The two of you aren't really disagreeing with what others have posted. Rather, you are reinforcing it. You just have a far more positive outlook on what is essentially the same result being described. Both of you are agreeing with other posters that the parks will be crowded+, both of you are agreeing with other posters that by 1:00 p.m., there is little to be gained by staying in the MK, and both of you are agreeing with other posters that your total ride count for the days you are there will be in the single digits. That is pretty much what everyone else is saying. The difference is that you don't mind, which is great.

I'm also guessing that those posters also don't make Christmas their only trip each year.

 

[toodycat]

The "bonus trip" vs "primary trip" is a solid point. For us, this would be our primary trip to WDW and probably our only family vacation. I told DH about the advice and blogs and videos on this thread. He thought the trip would be too crazy and not relaxing enough. Since, as I said, he's going to non-stop work mode when he returns, we might be better off making another choice and postponing WDW.

 

[RoyandWalt]

We used to go during Christmas week when we were able to get a special needs pass for our son. Now that we can only get a limited DAS pass, we now go early to mid December. I know that isn't an option for families with school-age children, but we do like the smaller crowds and still get to enjoy all the Christmas fun. And the Magic Kingdom Christmas party, of course.

 

[kay1864]

I know that isn't an option for families with school-age children, but we do like the smaller crowds and still get to enjoy all the Christmas fun.

There are a couple of options for families with kids in school. We used to go the week of Thanksgiving every year (Fri or Sat before, up through Thanksgiving Day), and crowds were moderate/manageable. We got to enjoy all the Christmas stuff--decorations, afternoon parade was a Christmas parade (this was before Festival of Fantasy), etc. Kids were out the week of Thanksgiving, so that time worked.

Same for the week of New Year's--we'd go Jan 1-5 (just before school started back), and it was moderate/manageable. Some friends who were at the same resort with us went a day early to enjoy Candlelight, and said that Dec 31 at Epcot was insane.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I'm also guessing that those posters also don't make Christmas their only trip each year.

Actually, this is our first trip to WDW in over 18 months (please don't judge me ). Some years it's a 2nd trip, but most years it's the only trip.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

The two of you aren't really disagreeing with what others have posted. Rather, you are reinforcing it. You just have a far more positive outlook on what is essentially the same result being described. Both of you are agreeing with other posters that the parks will be crowded+, both of you are agreeing with other posters that by 1:00 p.m., there is little to be gained by staying in the MK, and both of you are agreeing with other posters that your total ride count for the days you are there will be in the single digits. That is pretty much what everyone else is saying. The difference is that you don't mind, which is great.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with your interpretation of my post. Many of the posts in this thread are "doom and gloom". Mine paints a completely different picture. My strategy is no different than when we've gone in the summer. Go early, take a break, and then go back.

Also, if you reread my post, I'm not claiming single-digit rides. We regularly ride 10 or more rides each day and that includes Christmas Day (although it'll be on the lower end). And MK is the only park where we've experienced crowds that are wall to wall. And that was only on Christmas Day and we chose to be there that day. I have found, in my experience, that other than the two days I mentioned, it's more like summer crowds (albeit there are more people). Granted, people are going to interpret crowd levels differently and that's fine. But I'm not agreeing with the interpretations of a number of the posts that paint a gloomy portrait of Christmas at WDW.

I can certainly respect what others feel. Some people really can't tolerate crowds. We usually go in the summer so we are used to elevated crowds. What I find most interesting is that some people don't like hearing the other side of the "should I go at Christmas" discussion. I'm wondering if it's a tactic to scare people away , to which I say, well played (I'm kidding, of course).

 

[KyleAfterAWhile]

Busiest time of the year.

 

[toodycat]

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with your interpretation of my post. Many of the posts in this thread are "doom and gloom". Mine paints a completely different picture. My strategy is no different than when we've gone in the summer. Go early, take a break, and then go back.

Also, if you reread my post, I'm not claiming single-digit rides. We regularly ride 10 or more rides each day and that includes Christmas Day (although it'll be on the lower end). And MK is the only park where we've experienced crowds that are wall to wall. And that was only on Christmas Day and we chose to be there that day. I have found, in my experience, that other than the two days I mentioned, it's more like summer crowds (albeit there are more people). Granted, people are going to interpret crowd levels differently and that's fine. But I'm not agreeing with the interpretations of a number of the posts that paint a gloomy portrait of Christmas at WDW.

I can certainly respect what others feel. Some people really can't tolerate crowds. We usually go in the summer so we are used to elevated crowds. What I find most interesting is that some people don't like hearing the other side of the "should I go at Christmas" discussion. I'm wondering if it's a tactic to scare people away , to which I say, well played (I'm kidding, of course).

Your description certainly was the most positive. However, our traditional WDW visit is in very late August for our anniversary or mid September when school is closed for Rosh Hashanah in New York. Since southern schools are likely to be in session during those times, we usually find the parks less populated. If this is to be DH's only vacation for 9 or 10 months, I don't want it to be stressful. Also, since my HFA son is doing as well as he is, the last thing I want to do is put him in a position where he regresses.

 

[StraightToDumbo]

WDW at Christmas is not meant to be for the attractions. Granted, they made it easier to actually see SOME by instituting FP+. When we have gone at Christmas, our expectation was that we'd have an hour at RD for rides and the rest of the time was for soaking up the seasonal festivities. We never felt like it was unpleasant due to the crowds. In fact, we found crowds to be way more pleasant than they are during the summer.

 

[rebelbuddhist]

Our neighbors go for Xmas every other year. I think they said the best day was when they rode three rides and they were there for the entire day. I can do that in the first hour when I go in early February. They close the park, usually at 10 AM for non-disney hotel guests. If you LOVE crowds, you will be very happy. I can't even imagine 100,000 plus at that park.

We have visited every Christmas since 2010 and NEVER has a park closed at 10:00 am. MK does ocassionally close to off property guests in the pm. But keep spreading these errors. It will help keep the crowds manageable!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Your description certainly was the most positive. However, our traditional WDW visit is in very late August for our anniversary or mid September when school is closed for Rosh Hashanah in New York. Since southern schools are likely to be in session during those times, we usually find the parks less populated. If this is to be DH's only vacation for 9 or 10 months, I don't want it to be stressful. Also, since my HFA son is doing as well as he is, the last thing I want to do is put him in a position where he regresses.

We have also been in late August one year. We did enjoy the lower crowd levels compared to July. I hope you enjoy your trip when you are able to take it.