How crowded is crowded??

[hmmerr02]

Hey everyone...my DH and I are considering heading over from Tampa for one night (December 28) to see WDW at holiday time. We've never been this time of year and was wondering how crazy it would really be. We're not interested in the parks, but maybe some other activities that would be fun?? Any ideas?? Would you go??

 

[PamOKW]

It will be very crowded. You might not even get into the parking lots. They sometimes have to close the parks in stages -- non-WDW resort guests are the first to be turned away, mostly by closing the parking lots. Lines for the attractions will be ver long

However, it is absolutely fabulous and if you can roll with it and enjoy the extras -- like the special shows, Osborne lights, other decorations, the decorated resorts you can really have a wonderful time. I'd make the trip.

 

[JoBird]

I was there this past December 27th, for one day only at the MK...crowded THAT day was 87,000 people in that park alone by 1:00PM. It was the most people I've ever seen in my life. Go for the experience of saying you did it once, then be prepared when it's out of control and you're in disbelief at the enormity of it all.

 

[poohj80]

If you aren't interested in the parks, you can always explore the resorts. All are beautifully decorated! I love the gingerbread house and tree at the GF and the Wilderness Lodge. Make a day of it, plan a meal, and just enjoy.

You might also consider booking a tour that doesn't require park admission.

 

[Safari Queen]

DH and I always spend a day checking out the resorts. The decorations are wonderful everywhere. You can look at the animals at AKL, take a walk through the wood at VBL, stroll the Boardwalk at BWV...whatever. We try and plan it so we can have all our meals in the resorts, starting with breakfast at Boma finishing up at BW for dinner and maybe some time at Jellyrolls. You can have a lovely day!

 

[aunt2brant]

On the bus back to our resort the other day (10/4), we were the only ones on the bus and we got totalking to the driver and he told us that the week of Christmas, there are 1 MILLION people on Disney property. He said that same thing that an earlier poster said, they quit letting people in... they start with off-property guest, then eventually it gets closed to everyone. He also said that if you get in the park that day, under no circumstances should you leave...and he said that all of the fast passes were usually issued by lunch time or earlier.

 

[pennylynn]

If you've been to Disney before and can give up the rides then you should definately do it. My sister and I were there between Christmas and New Years a couple of years ago and it was wonderful. But we had just been there in the spring so we didn't really miss riding everything. But just seeing the parks and the resorts will be worth the hassle. It's unbelieveably beautiful at Christmas time.

 

[AStamm]

We were there for the entire week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day last week and the only day a park was closed that I'm aware of was New Year's Eve at Magic Kingdom...it was CROWDED!!!! A CM told us that MK closes when they hit 75,000 people.