How crazy is Disney at Christmas?

[disneycrazy2004]

Hello there,
I hope someone out there can help me make up my mind. I would love to take my family to Disney world for Christmas next year (2009). All I have heard so far is "you are crazy - it is insanely busy".
Is it really that bad. Has anyone been there for Christmas and had a wonderful time. I am thinking for the week of Christmas and New Years.
Christmas Day for example - how early do you have to get there to see the famous parade.
Any help in this would be greatly appreciate it.
thanks a lot

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Here is a thread that may help you .... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=22273829#post22273829&highlight=christmas+crowds

Christmas is the busiest time at WDW.

As for the parade, I believe it's taped ahead of time and isn't actually done on Christmas Day. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Bonny

 

[karliebug]

Christmas is crazy----Crazy FUN! We went last year and had a blast. We were there Dec. 19-28. Take advantage of EMH and plan your days and you will have a fantastic time. Christmas day at MK is insane,though. They closed at 10:30 am. Go to one of the Christmas parties at MK. Best parade and fireworks show and hot cocoa and yummy cookies!

 

[Metro West]

I've been twice at Christmas time and last year at the MK on 12/29 it wasn't bad at all. I was really surprised but I got a great place to watch the parade and took some really good pictures. I don't know if I'll go again though...too many people throughout that week.

 

[hearts8701]

christmas parade shown on tv is taped over several days around dec 2 christmas is great fun but very busy well into new years every park fills and they end up closing the gates early because too many people believe it or not new years is busiest especially sometimes busier than christmas

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

We went at Christmas and it was CRAZY BUSY but we had the BEST time!

Go and enjoy yourself!

 

[jeppy0813]

Anyone know how the crowds are the first two weeks of dec.....we are going the 8-16.....and what is the weather like?
Thanks JEN

 

[happymommy]

The first two weeks of December are beautiful! Less crowds and the decorations are lovely - you can enjoy without the crowds. Done that a couple of times.

Did Dec 26 - Jan 2 once. It was so busy! I mean insane! I was glad we were at AKL concierge, so if we went to the parks we'd go early and for only a couple of hours. Then we'd just go back to the resort and relax by the pool and in the lounge. I couldn't believe the crowds.

I wouldn't do that week again at all. It was fun, but the crowds are unbelievable! Epcot on Dec 31st - got wall to wall people by early afternoon. We enjoyed it, though, as we had an illuminations cruise booked on breathless (concierge had arranged that ahead of time, and I didn't even know what breathless was, but it was fun). We were relaxed with a bottle of champagne, sitting under the bridge, while people above were packed in like sardines!

If you are at a deluxe resort, I'd stay concierge. That way you have a little breather - although even the lounge got very busy in spurts, but no more busy than spring break. It was just nice to have the lounge, plus then they can help with reservations and planning. I wouldn't have been able to get an illuminations cruise on new years eve myself. If it were any other way, I'd skip it and do another time of year.

 

[Princess of Genovia]

Christmas is a VERY crazy time to go to Disney. The parks hit maximum capacity some where around 10 in the morning. And on top of it all the wait times and lines are very long. I was told that once Soarin' in EPCOT hit 360 minutes during Christmas.

 

[Snow Shoe]

Yep Disney is very crazy at Christmas, but so worth being there. All of our family and grandkids were at Disney last Christmas, 12/25-1/2, and we had a GV at BWV. The GV was a big deal for us. Not being on top of one another with room to relax, or fix a snack in the kitchen.

We all had such a wonderful time, even with crowded parks. Would I do it again, probably not, but every Disney fan should at least do it once.

 

[Crystal824]

Christmas is by far the busiest time of the year for Disney. With that being said, it can still be fun. You just have to plan and expect large crowds. I have been at Christmas and plan to go again. I have also visited the parks in less crowded times. For me, visiting at Christmas is more about seeing the decorations and just being there than going on every attraction.

The famous Christmas parade is taped in advance. They do have a parade there in the morning for guests. Basically the same parade without the celebs. At least they used to have that parade in the morning when I was a CP. I would attend one of the parties. They are alot of fun.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

Thank you very much for all the replies
I am thinking of booking Christmas for next year - Dec 23 - Jan 2nd, 2009
I am a bit nervous, but planning on having lots of fun and take it easy.
It is too bad that the Christmas party end before we get there, I wonder why?

Is there any other parties going on Christmas week? And right on Christmas day is there a lot of going on in MK, can you see Santa?

And for those of you who were there on Christmas, how did you manage the Christmas tree gifts and Santa ( my kids still beleive in Santa)

I would appreciate any information. Thank you very much

 

[Mommy2Briana]

We went last year for Christmas 22nd-29th. Those days leading up to Christmas weren't that busy, the longest line we stood in was POTC and it was 20 minutes. But Christmas day on out was BUSY.. But it was still do-able. This trip we're staying on site and we're going to take advantage of the extra hours for resort guests.. so that should help too.. We're so excited and can't wait all though it's over a year away.

 

[goofydebi]

we went one year for new years and the crowds were pretty bad, we thought the parks would fill up but honestly we had to finally leave because is was record temps. it was in the 20's. you couldn't find a hat or pair of gloves anywhere. we live in florida and took jackets but ended up buying long sleeve shirts and trying to tie them around our ears because we were so cold. we left magic kingdom by about 8:00 but i went back by myself because i was determined i would be there for the firworks and to ring in 2001 even if i did have to do it alone hope you have better weather and a great time. i would do it again if i knew it wasn't going to be below freezing.

 

[mousetravel]

Can anyone tell me how busy it may be the weekend before Thanksgiving?

 

[backinoz]

Thank you very much for all the replies And for those of you who were there on Christmas, how did you manage the Christmas tree gifts and Santa ( my kids still beleive in Santa)

I would appreciate any information. Thank you very much

This is a bit long winded... sorry but I thought it best to include everything so you can pick and choose what will work for you.

We haven't been at WDW for Christmas, but we did live on the other side of the world from family for 5-6 years so spent quite a few Christmases away from our home. (Our girls were between baby - 8yrs at the time)

When the girls wrote their initial letters to Santa, they let him know we wouldn't be at home on Christmas Eve, we'd be staying with Grandma in xxx. They then asked if Santa could please leave most of their presents at our home, and maybe deliver just a few things to them at Grandma's place, (because it is too hard to pack all the things in suitcases to bring home - these days with luggage charges it's just too expensive). They knew that their presents would be waiting for them at home when we returned after our Christmas vacation.

A few days before we left for our trip, the girls would write another quick note to Santa, reminding him of where they'd be, and their 'present drop off' request. They used to leave this note in their little stockings in our lounge room for one of Santas elves to pick up during the night .(You know, the ones who come around to check if you've been naughty or nice ). The elf who used to visit us was called "Barney" - how do we know??? He used to leave a letter for each of our girls in their stockings to replace the one he took for Santa.

Did our girls feel left out Christmas morning because they only had a couple of smaller, more easily transported things from Santa? Definately not. In fact it was almost like they had two Christmases, one on Christmas Day with the excitement of being in Aus with family, and another once we returned home.

This year we'll also be 1/2 way around the world for Christmas - (going to WDW for NYE shortly after) - and even though DDs will be quite a bit older (10 & 11) - no-one has mentioned they don't believe in Santa, so we put out our stockings, and Santa still comes - to me & DH as well. So once again, our old 'ritual' will be dusted off ready for Christmas.

Hope this helps you plan for your kids, we found it always helped to start talking about it way in advance, and in such a way that our DDs almost thought it was their idea, and so were much more excited about the trip, and the 'double Christmas from Santa'.

No matter how you decide to handle it, I'm sure you'll have a magical Christmas & NY in WDW. Cheers!