How crazy is Christmas?

[JenniferW]

Considering going with my MIL, her boyfriend, SIL and boyfriend, hubby, will be 10 month old and myself for a couple days around Dec 20th -28th. Do you think all the days will be crazy? We are looking into getting a condo for that many people and only plan to go maybe 2 days to the parks. I will have been to Disney in November but want to take them to see a glimpse of the magic. We can't afford to go for more days really and not sure if it is worth it. How bad are the lines? Are all the parks crazy or just MK? I've never been at that time since we usually go during Thanksgiving. We could also wait and go another season.

Jenn

 

[pennylynn]

The days before Christmas should be pretty good. But Christmas Day until New Years Eve are very, very busy. There's no way you could do everything. You would have to pick and choose. The water parks might not be to bad depending on the weather. If you only want to spend a couple of days in the parks I would definately go before Christmas.

 

[XStAnt]

Do as many parks/attractions before 12/25. Those days the crowds won't be too bad. Still a large group of people, but not overwhelming. After 12/25--huge crowds.

Avoid MK on 12/25. It typically gets so crowded they close it to new people by late morning. DW and I did Epcot that day. While crowded, it is larger and seems to handle the crowds better. Also, it is not as popular with many kids, so they usually go to other parks. If you can avoid all parks that day do it (DW and I only had 5 days and didn't want to waste any time).

Take adcantage of early entry if you're staying on site. If you're off site, go to a non-early entry park. Some suggest doing the park that had EE the day before.

Definitely get a guide book and use some touring. Modify them as you need to for your group, but they certainly help. I recommend the Unofficial Guide.

Use Fast Pass!

Use Fast Pass!

Use Fast Pass!

Did I say use Fast Pass. With a little bit of planning, smart use of FP, and early rising we did not have to wait in line very long at most things.

Disney can be a lot of fun at that ime. It just takes a little patience and planning. If you're going to be down there anyway, how can you not go to Disney for at least a couple of days?

 

[nataliesdaddy]

XMAS TIME is a veritable circus... wall to wall people... strollers are an utter complete hassle to contend with having.... my mother in her wheelchair that was even more difficult... I would avoid those dates again unless I were with only myself, my fiance and my now 7 year old that does not need a stroller... even then I think I would opt for the twpo weeks at the beginning of december - or if we go during xmas again sometime...which I am sure we will.... we would have to be staying at a monorail resort to make it all easier to contend with...

 

[Mary Anne]

I have made up my personal rules survival rules for visiting at Christmas. We have been there two times and will be there again this year.

1) If you are a once in a while visitor or have never been; turn back now; this is not the time to go. You'll have a terrible time, spend the week whining, moaning and groaning and come back saying you'll never go again. Best to pick a nice quiet time of the year and go then.

2) Book your hotel and air if you are flying as soon as you know you’re going. Airlines know people travel during the holidays visiting friends and family and they enjoy making a profit that time of the year. I’ve never seen air tickets be any lower then the day the go on sale for the holiday time period. Find out when the airlines you want to travel put out the tickets on sale for the day your want to leave and come back and plan to book accordingly. This is the one time of the year that waiting for a cheap ticket is NOT going to work. The longer you wait; the more you pay.

3) Stay on site - no matter what we would never think of staying offsite during Christmas and or Easter. You run the risk of being shut out of the parks to non on-site guests especially during the period of Dec 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31st. New Years Eve in a Disney Park? If and you're offsite be prepared to stay there from 7 am in the morning till after midnight and when leaving at the end of the day plan on at least two hours to get from the MK front gate to the PARKING LOT to get your car. Just not worth it and I don't care what kind of private swimming pool or three bedroom condo you're getting for $59.00 a night offsite. Stay onsite; let the offsite people rush out of the park at midnight with their screaming kids that have been up since dawn while you and you’re little darlings ride Space Mtn, Splash Mtn and Big Thunder between the hours of midnight and 1 am and still be back in your hotel room by 1:30 while they are still trying to get to their car in the parking lot.

4)Make at least one PS a Day I've seen CM's laugh at people walking up for a Christmas Day dinner at 2 pm and don't understand why they can't eat at 2:30 and these same people get MAD at those of us who have PS and are being seated.

5) Use Fastpass. While you may get away from not having to use it other rimes of the year, it's a must do during holiday season.

6) Use Fastpass effectively - Meaning if you've picked up a FastPass for test track at 10 am and the return time is 4 pm; pay attention; you can get another fast pass after 2 hours!

7)Crowds] - Yes they will be there. Pay attention; get up early do as much as you can before noon - relax at the hotel in the afternoon; go back in the evening. Parks are open late every night - esp MK it is open to Midnight that time of the year. Take the opportunity to enjoy the evening hours in the parks. The parks after dark are very special.

8) Leave the commando mentality home but have a plan - it doesn't not have to be a detailed minute by minute schedule but know ahead of time what is going on in the parks for the special holiday time of the year. You’re not going to get Christmas shows in March. Take the time to enjoy the Christmas shows now; R&R WILL be there in March. The Candlelight possession will not be.


9) Make your hotel room look like home. That does not mean to drop your towels and stuff all over the floor Celebrate the season as you would at home. Decorate your window if you’re at the All Stars or your balcony if you’re at a hotel that has one. There is nothing like coming back after a long day in the park to see the Christmas lights in all the Window's at the All Stars. (Hint: be sure to bring an extension plug.)

10) Have pity on the poor CM’s they are Working while we’re on vacation. Take the time to wish them a happy holiday. Trust me, they can make or break your two hours in line waiting for TTA

 

[JenniferW]

Thanks, I think if we go we'll go Dec 20-23rd or maybe just pass this trip and go another time. We've been many times, I just would like to let them see it, but I don't want it to me a madhouse!

Thanks for the quick responses.

Jenn

 

[Buckleybunch]

Here is my 2cents..

Go at the beginning, to mid Dec. THe holiday decorations are already up and the crowd isn't too bad. We were there last year from Dec 16th - 26th( I think that was our dates). The first few days were awesome. Christmas eve, and Christmas day was horrible. We did go to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas day but we knew we wouldn't ride alot of rides during that day. It was more to say we were there on Christmas day. WE were lucky enough to get PS for the Castle for Breakfast, we went to Chef Mickey's for Christmas dinner.