How Crazy is it...

[ericamcl]

I've been toying with the idea of moving our trip that is currently planned for Dec 1 through 9, 2012 to later in the month so that DH and I are in Disney World for Christmas and New Years - am I nuts?
If anyone has been during this time of year please let me know your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks!

 

[pixiechick]

some will say you are nuts, that's for sure! It is a very different trip from one at the beginning of December.

But it can also be fun and fabulous. You have to adjust your expectations. It will be VERY crowded. However, we gone that week a few times and have always "done" what we've wanted in the parks. If you want to do the parks, you need to be at rope drop. If you want to eat at a TS restaurant, you will need ADRs.

We're heading back next week!

 

[bobbiwoz]

This will be our third NYE spent at WDW. We go to MK on the 30th and Epcot on the 31st. This year we're doing an Illuminations cruise on the 31st to get away from the crowds. Next year, I think we'll try going to DHS, that show is very special, according to my DS who went to it last year.

Our DS's family came last year, and hopefully will be joining us next year. We've stayed at the BWV each year.

I love fireworks, and don't mind the crowds, we just take it easy. We're a couple in our 60s.

Bobbi

 

[lions1995]

If you are not trying to jam a lot of attractions it may not be that horrible. Surely crowded, but the big issue with crowds is dining and rides. If you have ADRs and want to enjoy the holidays at the world, go for it and have fun.

 

[Greysword]

Get out the fire extinguisher, as it is going to melt your point bank.

 

[Dawn16]

We're going the same time next year and this will also be our first time at Christmas. I know booking is busy but if I call right at 11 months should a two bedroom at AKV be a problem? Anybody have any luck switching at 7 months? I shouldn't have burned two years worth of WLV points back in August! I don't think I will roll the dice and use the new online booking system a few days after it launches though.

 

[Lynne M]

If I had the choice, I'd definitely go with the first week in December. There's a reason it's the most popular time of year for DVC bookings.....you get the same decorations, same shows, same events, but without the insane, shoulder to shoulder crowds and hours-long waits for rides and food.

If you just want the experience of being in the parks on the actual holiday, then go with the holiday week. If you want to ride rides and see shows, stick with the dates you have.

 

[alldiz]

Just wondering myself if Christmas is more crowded than Easter???? Anyone done both???

I went Easter this year and was pleasantly surprised. It might be because it was late this year.
Thanks
Kerri

 

[Lynne M]

Just wondering myself if Christmas is more crowded than Easter???? Anyone done both???

I went Easter this year and was pleasantly surprised. It might be because it was late this year.
Thanks
Kerri

The week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest of the year. By far.

 

[starbox]

We've gone the week before Christmas (the 18th-22nd) for the past three years and LOVE it. We did go NYD and it was incredibly crowded, rainy, and cold. A bad combo. We're going this year from Christmas-Jan 2nd because that's the only thing that worked with school schedules and it looks like we'll hit another cool and rainy New Year and, honestly, it did eat almost a year's worth of points and TIW is blacked out several days. I am super-excited about going because December in Disney is amazing. But if I had travel flexibility and a choice of any December dates, I would personally not pick the last week.

If I could go early December, I'd jump on that!! All the holiday stuff will be up to enjoy, you'll save yourself crowds, save points, and the weather has a greater chance of being awesome.

 

[alanapapa]

We were at WDW last year for the week between Xmas and New Years. WE knew the crowds would be horrendous and they were, but we are no longer Commando Tourists (though the family we hosted were) so it didn't bother us too much. We did a lot of people watching, had fun looking at the decorations at the resorts. I think we only had two ADR's, one of which was breakfast at CP with Pooh. We were also there 2008, which was before DVC purchase. We are thinking of doing it again next year, if I get a job soon after the start of the New Year.

 

[cropman]

Best Christmas and New Years our family has ever had has been at WDW. The kids still talk about it and want to go every year at that time. We have been to NYE three times, and Christmas once. Crowds are packed, but since we've been ther a lot we took it easy. Used fast pass all the time and went at our own pace. It will be the most people you've seen at Disney. They normally close the kingdom down due to it has reached capacity. Get there early and plan a full day. They did let in guests staying on property later in the evening, before the fireworks. Last year we decided to not fight the crowds, and since we were staying at BLT, went to the Lounge. An absolutely, great experience. Some people may hate it, but if you work with it, it can be a trip you'll never forget. Good luck and plan/call for reservations for dinner as soon as you can.

 

[drusba]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here is what you need to prepare yourself for if going Christmas to New Years: http://www.disunplugged.com/wp-cont...awsuit-Exhibit-showing-crowded-theme-park.jpg


Have been both Easter and Christmas numerous times. Christmas is the most crowded time of the year at parks. Easter, when it is in March or early April, is comparable for total crowds but has the advantage of usually being warmer with both waterparks open and pools useable siphoning many thousands away from the parks during the day. At Christmas it is often too cool for the water and thus the parks are it for the crowds. Stand-by lines are long everywhere: examples, Soarin' gets to 3 1/2 hours or more and that is sustained all day; even the Treehouse goes to over an hour. Fast passes for any popular rides can be gone by 11 a.m. for the entire day and evening. For sit down and buffet restaurants you must make reservations well in advance if you want to eat.

What you do get at Christmas is a huge amount of decorations and Christmas themed parades and shows (even Country Bears changes to a Christmas presentation). Osbourne Lights will be the most spectacular Christmas lights show you will ever see. You can only marvel at everything and just imagine the amount of time and money spent to put all the Christmas decorations everywhere. Don't go expecting to get on all the rides and attractions, go to enjoy the visual effects and atmosphere. Everyone should go Christmas time at least once. It assures that you will never again complain about crowd sizes any other time of year.

 

[dbs1228]

I have never been for Christmas because we have many family obligations around the holidays but now that 2 of our 3 DD's are in college and on different schedules I am so tempted to cancel F&W 2012 (we were thinking of bringing friends on that trip) and use our BLT points for Christmas. We have been every year going on 17 years so DD's have done it all and I am sure they would love going to the resorts and checking out all the decorations and spend limited amount of time in the parks. We all have AP's starting in
Feb so that is another deciding factor.
If DD's could go at the beginning of Dec I would jump on that DH and I went last year and it was awesome!
Decisions, decisions!

 

[lisaviolet]

Erica, in all these years I had never been at Christmas (day I mean) or at a rope drop - ever.

I did both last Christmas. Here we are a year later and it's on my mind constantly. Like right now. Last Christmas Eve I had the most magical night. SO MAGICAL.

I thought a few early mornings (only did three out of about ten ) and the crowds would be a he!!ish experience. Neither were for me. Crowds were probably a bit lower last year. It was freezing and a storm delayed many. And I'm sure some cancelled.

I will do it again. And actually plan to next year. Love the crowds. Love the late EMH. Love the energy of it all. Need more points!

So go for it. If you hate it - well you can check it off and go back to early December.

 

[daisyduck123]

I've been toying with the idea of moving our trip that is currently planned for Dec 1 through 9, 2012 to later in the month so that DH and I are in Disney World for Christmas and New Years - am I nuts?
If anyone has been during this time of year please let me know your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks!

No, I don't think you are nuts. I think Christmas is one of the most special times that you can spend in WDW, & by "Christmas" I mean, being there on Christmas Day. (I never quite get all the people who say/post that they are going to WDW for Christmas & then post their trip dates and they are going in at some other time in December, or even November. That's not Christmas people ).

My family spent Christmas 2007 (Dec. 20-26) at AKV and it was our most special Christmas and WDW trip ever. We did the final night of MVMCP, the Poly Luau, Wilderness Lodge sleigh ride, photo ops with Mickey & Minnie in their holiday attire, etc.

It was so nice not to worry about cooking (I NEVER, ever cook in our villa..we eat every meal out), laundry (never use the washing machine either ), wrapping gifts, last minute shopping, etc. I got to enjoy the FUN, FESTIVE part of Christmas, every day, every minute, without any of the headaches.

We enjoyed low crowds at the parks until lunchtime on Xmas Eve (we were at AK that day. That's when I noticed crowds had increased & we made that our last visit to a park. Luckily, I had made our ADRs for Xmas Eve dinner & Xmas day at resorts....1900 PF, 'Ohana, & Chef Mickey's.

I really hope we can travel there again at that time of year. What a special trip that was.

 

[Dawn16]

No, I don't think you are nuts. I think Christmas is one of the most special times that you can spend in WDW, & by "Christmas" I mean, being there on Christmas Day. (I never quite get all the people who say/post that they are going to WDW for Christmas & then post their trip dates and they are going in at some other time in December, or even November. That's not Christmas people ).

My family spent Christmas 2007 (Dec. 20-26) at AKV and it was our most special Christmas and WDW trip ever. We did the final night of MVMCP, the Poly Luau, Wilderness Lodge sleigh ride, photo ops with Mickey & Minnie in their holiday attire, etc.

It was so nice not to worry about cooking (I NEVER, ever cook in our villa..we eat every meal out), laundry (never use the washing machine either ), wrapping gifts, last minute shopping, etc. I got to enjoy the FUN, FESTIVE part of Christmas, every day, every minute, without any of the headaches.

We enjoyed low crowds at the parks until lunchtime on Xmas Eve (we were at AK that day. That's when I noticed crowds had increased & we made that our last visit to a park. Luckily, I had made our ADRs for Xmas Eve dinner & Xmas day at resorts....1900 PF, 'Ohana, & Chef Mickey's.

I really hope we can travel there again at that time of year. What a special trip that was.

We are planning to be at AKV next Christmas as its the home resort we have the most points left at for 2012. Did it seem Christmas-like enough? I've seen the decorations and they are pretty but very subtle, no? Either way I'm sure we will be thrilled to be there. Also, did you have any trouble booking at 11 months? We will be trying for 11 nights in a 2 bedroom (Jambo) so I'd hate to have one unavailable in the middle. You must have had a long stay to be there for Christmas and fit in a MVMCP. I would love to be able to do one but they stop them pretty early in Dec., no? I can't wait - less than a month until we book!

 

[alanapapa]

We are planning to be at AKV next Christmas as its the home resort we have the most points left at for 2012. Did it seem Christmas-like enough? I've seen the decorations and they are pretty but very subtle, no? Either way I'm sure we will be thrilled to be there. Also, did you have any trouble booking at 11 months? We will be trying for 11 nights in a 2 bedroom (Jambo) so I'd hate to have one unavailable in the middle. You must have had a long stay to be there for Christmas and fit in a MVMCP. I would love to be able to do one but they stop them pretty early in Dec., no? I can't wait - less than a month until we book!

We had a GV in Kidani last (2010) Christmas and I had no problems booking. I can't remember the decorations at either Kidani or Jambo, but being there at WDW is fantastic. There is a thread (I don't know if this has been mentioned, I skimmed through this thread) about a Christmas Tree exchange that someone sets up. We participated last year and it is great. We were at AKV and THV from 24 Dec to 1 Jan so we were the last people with the tree. We sent it back to the people who donated it without too much a problem. It definitely makes it feel more like Christmas with a tree in the room, especially one decorated in MICKEY.

 

[daisyduck123]

We are planning to be at AKV next Christmas as its the home resort we have the most points left at for 2012. Did it seem Christmas-like enough? I've seen the decorations and they are pretty but very subtle, no? Either way I'm sure we will be thrilled to be there. Also, did you have any trouble booking at 11 months? We will be trying for 11 nights in a 2 bedroom (Jambo) so I'd hate to have one unavailable in the middle. You must have had a long stay to be there for Christmas and fit in a MVMCP. I would love to be able to do one but they stop them pretty early in Dec., no? I can't wait - less than a month until we book!

Yes, it seemed Christmasy enough. We were in Jambo House and on Christmas Eve Mickey & Minnie (dressed in their holiday outfits), along with Santa, were in the lobby by the beautiful Christmas tree, posing for pictures with guests. It was wonderful!

I had preordered a Disney-themed Christmas tree from a DISer who had her own business at the time. She set it up in our room while we were out. What a nice surprise for the kids to return to our room and find a tree and Xmas decorations!

The lobby was filled with gingerbread houses as the Cast members had some sort of contest between each other & their completed houses were on display for all to see.

AKV is not our home resort, so I booked at 7 months, & it was no problem.

We had arrived on Dec. 20, & did the last MVMCP on Dec. 21st that year.

Good luck!!

 

[Dawn16]

We had a GV in Kidani last (2010) Christmas and I had no problems booking. I can't remember the decorations at either Kidani or Jambo, but being there at WDW is fantastic. There is a thread (I don't know if this has been mentioned, I skimmed through this thread) about a Christmas Tree exchange that someone sets up. We participated last year and it is great. We were at AKV and THV from 24 Dec to 1 Jan so we were the last people with the tree. We sent it back to the people who donated it without too much a problem. It definitely makes it feel more like Christmas with a tree in the room, especially one decorated in MICKEY.

I've heard of the Christmas Tree exchange but have no idea how it works. I will check out that thread, thanks. We definitely want to have one in our room.