How is the week BEFORE Christmas?

[lorilori]

Hi all. I know the week between Christmas and New Years is insane, but how is the week before Christmas, say arriving on Saturday the 16th for a week? Thank you!

 

[puddleduck]

We went around that time last year and the crowds were great! We just got back from a trip the Sat-Wed before Thanksgiving and the crowds were way worse this trip than our trip last year. We wanted to go back this year the week before Christmas, but the school system changed our Christmas break and we weren't able to do it. Based on the crowds last year, I think you will find it to be rather pleasant. Just be prepared to pack for any kind of weather.

 

[rkmassa]

We have been twice during that time. Once spilling over into Christmas, never again. Once leaving before Christmas, perfect. The crowds were great. Of course we usually have to go in the summer, so we appreciate any drop in crowd level. You picked a good time.

 

[hniki234]

We'll be there Dec. 15th through 23rd! I'm glad to hear that the crowd levels aren't usually that bad. I hope the crowds are low again this year. I usually go in the summer so it'll be fun if we're able to do WDW once without it being jam-packed!

 

[mom0299]

Boy am I glad to read this thread! We are going Dec. 19-23.
We are usually there in June with CROWDS and HEAT. I'm really looking forward to this trip, mostly to see the Christmas decorations.

 

[PirateChick93]

As long as you don't stay over till the sat before christmas your fine! we always planned our trips around the week before and left the sat before christmas because it starts filling up and getting tight

 

[skuttle]

We went in 2001 and found the crowds weren't bad at all, except for the Saturday before Christmas in MK. That was AWFUL!

We went last year Dec 15-24 and the crowds weren't bad last year either. Still needed fast pass. We did EMH at night in MK once and it was pretty empty.

 

[npullen]

I have to agree, that is an awesome time to go! Lower crowds, cooler temps, and I love the Christmas decorations! We love to go then, just be careful not to arrive to early in Dec, we went 12/1-12/10, and stayed at ASMo, and the Cheerleaders were staying there. It made the foodcourt extremely busy, and all outdoor areas were always packed with teenagers. We never had any problems with them, it just made things a lot more crowded and noisier. HTH

 

[bnf2]

Glad to hear all the good reports... I'm working on our 2007 trip for 12/15-22. It'll be our first trip at Christmas!!!

 

[kim]

We're going Dec. 19- 23 also. What can we expect in weather---we've never been any other time than July.

kim

 

[puddleduck]

We're going Dec. 19- 23 also. What can we expect in weather---we've never been any other time than July.

kim

When we went during that time last year it was truly a mixed bag. The first day, we were all in short sleeves and very comfortable. The next day, we are buying hoodies in AK because it was so cold and it stayed cold all day. Other days, we would start out in jackets, be in short sleeves by mid-morning and back into jackets for fireworks. Bring things you can layer in. Don't bring heavy coats, but be prepared to wear lots of layers and gloves. It can get down into the low 40's at night.

 

[purpliequeen]

We went last year, it wasn't too bad. One piece of advice is to bring a sweatshirt just in case. We went expecting the weather to be really warm and nice and ended up freezing every night. I just recall it being very windy. The night we chose to see Fantasmic was slightly raining on top of the wind, it was horrible sitting on those steel benches waiting for it to start! Have a good time!

 

[hniki234]

We're going Dec. 19- 23 also. What can we expect in weather---we've never been any other time than July.

kim

I'd even suggest bringing a coat. Granted, it may not need to be a very heavy coat, but it can get lower than the 40s at night. You never know. That's the problem. You may end up not needing the coat, but at least you'd have it if you did. Also, I've heard others who are from colder parts of the U.S. on these boards saying that the cold is a different kind of cold (in that its a wet cold) which made it not so nice for them. I'd definitely agree with the layer thing, though. You'll definitely end up needing at least a sweatshirt of some sort.