How crowded is the week AFTER Christmas?

[leopardspot]

Is it worth a trip to Disney or are there just too many people? We will be traveling with a 2 year old.... Thanks

 

[welovemickey]

The week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest time of the year in the parks.

 

[CarolMN]

If your aim is the rides/attractions, it's probably not worth it. You'll find long lines for just about everything. If you will be more focused on parades, fireworks, shows, decorations and the general atmosphere and don't care if/how many rides you get on, then you'll find it well worth the time & expense.

Best wishes -

P.S. Since you are traveling with a 2 year old, I think another, less -crowded time will be more enjoyable for all of you.

 

[RJ Cumpata]

We have been 2 times , between Christmas and NYE.

Never again!

Rooms and flights are more expensive and the crowds are the largest.
1 year the parks (Epcot & MK) were full at 9:45 am. and the only Resort guests were allowed entry.

Everything being so crowed also puts people in bad moods. It just takes some of the magic away.This is not my idea of a vacation.

The last 2 years we have went the 1st week in February, much more pleasant.

 

[MarkLem]

All depends what you are looking for and to do. The parks are at their most crowded, but on the other hand, the holiday decorations are great and extra special. We went last year 12/30-1/2 and spent 4 days there. The only things we didn't get to see were some things at MGM (Indie Jones, Beauty & Beast show), but that was due primarily to the airline losing our bags when we arrived the night of the 29. This caused us to get to MGM the next morning at about 10:30 AM instead of our planned 8:00 AM.

You do have to plan more for a trip at this time (PS's, getting up early to do the parks, etc).

 

[domestic goddess]

Like the other posters have said, that is the busiest time of the year at WDW. Especially with a 2 yr. old, I would go at another time if possible. We have been twice during that time and we leave in 4 days for another Christmas at WDW!!! We will be doing the parks the week before Christmas and then the week after we will be doing things outside of the parks. Disney is great at Christmas time but you may want to try it the first 3 weeks of December instead for the same affect, if you can. If that is the only time that you can go, just expect it to be busy and decide the 2 or 3 things that you really want to do and do those first. Use fastpass and EMH to get your "must dos" done and then do whatever else you can.

I find that if you go with the right expectations, WDW can be just as wonderful at anytime of year.

We can't wait to spend another Christmas with Mickey and the gang!!!!

 

[gabsmom]

We are going to be there from 12/29 to 1/2 staying at POR. How would you compare the crowds during this week and the week of Easter? We were down in April during Easter/and school break and the parks were horrendously crowded then, is it the same, worse?

 

[Hieatt]

I find that if you go with the right expectations, WDW can be just as wonderful at anytime of year.

Couldn't agree more. We are going back down for our third trip in a row during that week, arriving 12/27 and departing 1/2. We have 4 kids, ages 6, 5, 2 and 1. No doubt, it is crowded, but if you do the required advance planning - plan an itinerary and book priority seatings, dinner packages (e.g., Fantasmic, Candlelight Processional) and follow Unofficial Guide advice about getting to the parks when they open, taking an afternoon break, using FastPass wisely, etc., it is no problem. We gook my parents the first year and my mother was amazed at how little time we spent standing in line - and was very impressed when we had quick seating at every restaurant when walk-ups were getting turned away.

You also get rewarded with extended hours, more open attractions, extra parades, shows, fireworks, etc. I love the excitement and I think it's worth it - but it does require discipline!! Showing up at a park at 10 a.m. without priority seatings would be a huge mistake that week.

Also, I think staying on-site is a must!

 

[WDSearcher]

We are going to be there from 12/29 to 1/2 staying at POR. How would you compare the crowds during this week and the week of Easter? We were down in April during Easter/and school break and the parks were horrendously crowded then, is it the same, worse?

The week between Christmas and New Year's will be at least as bad as you experienced at Easter, and probably more crowded. You do, however, have the benefit of all the decorations and cooler weather.