How crowded are the parks Dec 17 - 26?

[Peebs]

My family and I had reservations for Chrismas week but we had to reschedule for the week before Chrismas. Are the crowd levels more reasonable on these dates? Thanks for your input.

 

[Cruise04]

The crowds should be more reasonable up until probably the 23rd. Then the masses will begin to descend upon WDW. In 1999 we went from the 19th to the 26th and it wasn't bad until the 23rd. And then I never thought I had seen so many people in one spot until we went in 2001 for NYE. WOW!!!! It's so cool to be there for Christmas Day though. Hope you have a great time!

 

[Peebs]

Thanks!

 

[rkmassa]

We went last year the 18th until the 23rd. It was busier than in 2003, but not too bad. Of course we usually have to go in the summer. In 2003 it didn't get crowded until the 25th. The UG has the numbers for the time this year at a 10 on the 25th and 5's and 6's for the earlier part of the week. Hope the Guide is right. We are going the 17th to 27th, but staying out of the parks from the 25th to 27th. You picked a good week, especially since your other week was Christmas week.

 

[Here we go again...]

We are going December 14th through 21st. I am hoping the parks are managable. I just have to experience at leats 1 Christmas at Disney!

 

[denecarter]

In our experience, the build toward Christmas isn't nearly so bad as the build toward NYE.

We've been:
Dec 25 - Dec 31, 2002
Dec 27, 2003 - Jan 3, 2004
Dec 18 - Dec 28, 2004

Aren't there something like 3 bowl games within an hour or two of Orlando on NY Day? We've seen the groups of girls (to perform at half-time), football teams, and team families/alumni (including a banner/blanket/whatever hanging out the window at Yacht Club of a bowl team).

After NY, it is relatively dead; however, the special Christmas stuff has stopped (shows, etc).

Long story short, you picked a great time.