How crowded during late Dec early Jan?

[fam4jc]

Hi. I've already got reservations for late Nov early Dec but may have to change them do to work requirements. (they are blocking out vacation request time). So, how bad are the crowds in the parks around new years? I am particularily interested in Dec 30 through about the 3rd of Jan. Has anyone been there during New Years?

Thanks. Just trying to decide if we shouldn't just scap this trip and go late fall instead. I really wanted to see the Christmas decorations, but not if it's mad house crowded. We went June 6 through the 13 and it was too crowded then for us. so, any advice?

thanks
shellie

 

[safetymom]

The crowds don't start to thin out until after New Years, then you have another surge for MLK Day. Later in January is very nice.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Dec 30-Jan 3 would be worse than June. Way worse. Parks often get closed during this time.

 

[Harligirl]

The decorations are beautiful BUT when I visited Disney during those times- It was madness! I had NO idea that it got that busy! Once you entered the park, you couldn't leave because once the park was closed, there were people waiting to get in. So, at one point, there was a man flipping out because he wanted to go to his car to get lunch- nope, couldn't go or those people over there were going to get in, etc...etc....Absolute madness! Parks were closed like an hour after they opened!

I suppose if you prepare yourself for the crowds it would be alright, but for me- no way will I ever go back during those times. Just a bit too crazy for me! Hope I didn't scare you too much!

 

[billwendy]

whenever we go during this time of year, we plan on enjoying the atmosphere, decorations etc,,,,not the rides. you have to go with the mind set that it will be terribly crowded (especially on new years eve). i guess that with the holiday being at the beginning of a weekend, the crowd will stay through some of the weekend making it longer till the crowds thin out.

we went once the week after thanksgiving, and had the place to ourselves with all of the beautiful decorations and mickeys very merry christmas party too!!!

good luck in your choice!!!

 

[minnie56]

We have been at WDW for the last 4 New Years and have decided that's it! No more...it is madness! Makes for a miserable time when you spend hours and hours in a park and see one attraction!

Later in January would be great!

 

[mikesmom]

Very bad, way bad, you have no idea. Went once on New Years - will never do it again. Wait just a tiny bit later , and things will be better.

 

[gottaluvdis]

We went for a 1 day quickie trip on Dec 29. after visiting my in-laws over Christmas. Never again! We stayed at the Doubletree Disney property just outside Downtown Disney and were told if we didn't get on the first bus to the MK (8:00 am), we would run the risk of the park closing and not getting in. While the decorations were nice, it was unbelievably cold. We had to purchase socks after we got into the park to wear as mittens. It didn't warm up (into the 50s) until after noon time. We're from the Northeast so we're used to cold, but hadn't anticipated it down there and we could have used winter coats. It didn't make one bit of difference regarding the size of the crowds though. I've been to Disney at least 2x/year for the better part of 15 years and have never seen it as crowded. We won't go again during the holidays period. A much better time to see the decorations is just after Thanksgiving - no crowds at all.

 

[minnie my my]

I have to agree with everyone else. We left on the 23rd a couple of years ago. That was the day everything seemed to go crazy. I will never forget the numbers of people pouring into the Magic Kingdom. I have to advise against it. It be worth waiting another year to see the Christmas decorations at the first of December.

 

[trooper]

The week between Christmas and New Years is the busies week of the year at WDW. On any given day there is between 150-200,000 people on property. It's beatiful, but not worth the hassle. If you can avoid it, do.

 

[fam4jc]

Well, that settles that! I had a feeling it was bad, but you sure have clarified how bad. I'll just wait to see if they definately block off the dates I want to ask for (another week should tell for sure) and then reschedule. I wouldn't put my family through that. We got stuck trying to get out of MK just before the light parade and it was a nightmare trying to get down main street. quit frankly, it freaked me out to be shoulder to shoulder with so many people.

Thanks for the first hand information. It made deciding sooooo much easier.

 

[safetymom]

If you are trying to leave at the end of the day with everyone else it is going to be bad no matter when you go.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We have been on several occassions between Christmas and New Year...and it is usually very crowded!

 

[DisneyMom]

Yikes - we've gone in mid-December before but due to schedule problems with my grown kids, Dec 26 - Jan 2 was the only time we could all get time off - now I'm seriously thinking it won't be a good vacation after all if we're fighting crowds the whole time!! Is the week of Jan 1 - 6 any better?? My daughter has to be back at college on the 7th or 8th.

Just rechecked the school calendar and the semester "opens" 1/7 but classes don't start until the 12th, so a 12/31 - 1/6 trip looks possible - are those dates better for crowds (with the obvious exception of New Years Eve which we anticipate to be a madhouse but that's part of the fun!!)

 

[wonderlandaddict]

I was wondering that also, my daughter goes back to college jan 18. I was thinking a trip jan 3-8 might be good. How do you think the crowds that week compare to June. June is very crowded to us!!!!!

 

[Harligirl]

Hi

I went this year Jan 4-9 and it was wonderful! I guess the New Years crowds dwindle after the first. We didnt have to wait on any rides (well, minimal wait )- it was great. I have also done the New Years Day trip and I am all set with that! Holey moley! Crowds, anyone???? You need to mentally prepare yourself!

Good luck!

 

[Poorman]

We go ever January, after the 1st the crowds go away. This year the 1st is on a Saturday so the crowds will leave on Sunday, Monday the 3rd the parks will be relativly empty. You have to pay attention to the weather it could be very cold or nice during the day. The nights are always cool. This year we were able to swim during the day. Good luck.

 

[wonderlandaddict]

this is wonderful news!!!!!!!!!! thank you