How crowded is crowded???

[stevepete]

Okay everyone, I need your help. This is our first time going to WDW the week after Christmas. We've always gone during the slow times. I am very excited to bring in the NY at the happiest place on earth but how crowded is crowded ? I've heard people say that after they went that week they never wanted to go back EVER Is it realistic to think that we can get on 4 rides a day? I've already made PS for NY eve in EPCOT but when I asked the CM if we would be able to get in, if by chance they closed the park due to crowds, she didn't know. Any advise would be great!

 

[BethBreakey]

Dont let people tell you it is bad -- yes it is crowded - but Disney right after Christmas is even more magical than ever

two years ago we went (it was not my first time during christmas)
and my 3 year old niece was with us - when santa passed by in the parade she started thanking him for all her christmas presents - it was so sweet!

Everyone is filled with an even more magical spirit than usual!

 

[stevepete]

Thanks for the reply. Do you think planning on 4 rides a day is accurate?

 

[chirsty'smom]

We went 2 christmases ago and are heading there this year 12/25-28. Yes, there's crowds, yes lines can be long BUT 2 yrs. ago on 12/27 we got there for a PS breakfast 7am and stayed til closing...we rode EVERYTHING except...dumbo,peter pan flight and the Winnie the Pooh otherwise we saw/did everything.

I'm not concerned w/30-40 min wait and if it's longer then we wait for the parade and fireworks. We walked right on 4 or 5 rides during that time.

You'll be fine! In fact I've been checking the resort availability and the first 2 wkends in Dec are almost totally booked (2 resorts left!) and the wk after xmas 25-29 you can get any resort except All Star Movies! Now that has to tell you something!

have fun, don't stress and enjoy the MAGIC!

 

[Fooboy]

hello there!
We too, are going during that week (26-to NY's day). Lemme tell you how stressed I was about going too cuz of all of the nonsense that I heard and read. Then I actually talked to a lot of people from this board and the Intercot.com board. It's all about planning and going through with your plans. Im taking my girlfriend and it's her first time at WDW. I've been many of times. My priority of course is to make sure that she enjoys every minute of it and will be fall in love with the place so we can go again in the near future. The crowds will be there, the lines will be long, but the magic will be at it's peak. Just about every member of the boards that I've talked to absolutely LOVED going during that time of the year. It's an experience. Don't expect to see and ride everything. that's one of the top 10 mistakes that people do. Go according to plan, use fast pass and don't forget to breathe before, during and after ur trip. We'll ALL have a blast when we go. one month away..so now is the time to make final preparations. I have an itinerary that I'll PM you. Maybe it'll help. It's a lot but it's definitely tentative. Good luck! Maybe we'll be in queue together and not even know it! haha!

foobs

 

[snoopy5386]

I have been twice during that time of year, and thanks to the wonder of fast pass, you will be able to do many more than just four rides. Get there as early as you can, and you will be fine. I can't think of anything that we wanted to do but didn't because of lines/wait times (just some things we didn't get to do twice or three times). The parks are open later, so even if the lines are long, there is still time to do everything (almost). Be flexible. If you want to ride peter pan and the line is an hour, go ride snow white instead and come back later. Fastpass your most important rides, and don't sweat it.

 

[BethBreakey]

You can get on way more than 4 a day if that is your goal -- if it is a high energy day -- you go on the rides just like any other time -- if it is a slow day to take in the sights of christmas - than maybe 4 would be about right --

I have never gone on Christmas where I did not get on exactly what I wanted to or see what I wanted to see!

 

[swilphil]

Stevepete--Since you are staying at the Dolphin, I think you will be fine. We went Christmas Week and stayed off-site. The traffic was unbearable, and we couldn't get into some parks when we wanted.

I do remember MK being wall to wall people, but that was later in the day. Go to MK EARLY. If you can't make Early Entry, try the Day After approach. Go to the parks the Day After they have had Early Entry. We did that during the July 4th week, and it worked great. Of course, it might be worth it to do Early Entry and then hop to another park.

 

[heart4dis]

I guess the best way to judge is wait time. 4 rides seems low. I've been at Six Flags when it was extremely crowded (hour + waits on popular rides) and still got in more rides than that. I know it's not a direct comparison...

I'll be perfectly happying taking in the atmosphere of Disney, but it will be my children's first trip. They will want to ride lots of rides!
I'm just praying and preparing back-up plans!

(Hey! I've reached 300 posts!) I need pixie dust!