I need week before Christmas help? Please.

[Darth Eisner]

We are head to WDW December 17th-23rd. Anyone travelled during this time in the past couple of years? Could you give me some insight on wait times and crowds for shows like Fantasmic and the Candlelight Processional? Thanks!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

The wait times for CP will vary depending on who is speaking. The more popular speakers will have lines starting at 2:00 and will usually have more people than can be seated at any of the performances by 5:00. But normally getting there around 4:00 for the 5:00 performance will get you in.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We went during that time frame last year. I recommend the package dinner seating for both. That's what we did, and there still was a bit of a line for CP's reserved seating, but nothing compared to the other side.

Bobbi

 

[Katerbug]

We will be there Dec 17-25 also. It will be our first trip so I would appreciate any other advise any experienced Dis'ers can provide. Not doing CP and we have ressies for Fantasmic Dinner Pkg. How about crowds?? Should we be ok until Christmas Eve.

Thank you

 

[MICKEEP]

We will be there Dec 17-25 also. It will be our first trip so I would appreciate any other advise any experienced Dis'ers can provide. Not doing CP and we have ressies for Fantasmic Dinner Pkg. How about crowds?? Should we be ok until Christmas Eve.

Thank you

Wanna know too....we will also be there from 17-26

 

[BWVPam]

We are there too Dec 17-23, staying in a Grand Villa at OKW. Can't wait to get there. We are doing the CP package on 12/22 and the Hoop de Doo on 12/20

 

[CinderellaIam]

I was there last year for those dates. I stongly reccomend the diner package if you want to see CP (and in my humble opinion, it is not to be missed), it was the highlight of our trip.

The crowds early in the week were light, but you could feel the parks getting more and more crowded each day. Departure day (12/23) was very crowded. It was all very manageable. Have a plan, utilize fast pass wherever it is offered and you will have a great trip.

Don't forget to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak, enjoy all the little Disney touches which outdo themselves this time of year.

 

[kaelarad]

We were down last year from December 22-Jan 2 and the crowds were heavy beginning the day after Christmas. New Years Eve is the worst. This year we will be at the Boardwalk Villa from Dec 22-28. Will never be at WDW at New Years again!

 

[MamaQuack]

We too were there in '03 around the OP's dates. The crowds became larger each day, however were not as bad as Spring Break until our departure date on the 23rd. We too had the dinner package for CP and it was worth every penny - we had dinner after at Chefs de France and the wait was enormous - by the time we were seated we were so tired we left without dessert. However, having the tickets gave us a great seat for the CP and it was a beautiful experience. If we ever did the package again I think I would opt for the first show not the 2nd which we attended. At any rate, the decorations, especially in Epcot and the Deluxe resorts are so unique and then the parades make it something I wish everyone could see just once. My advice would be just go, know it may be cold - we had unseasonable weather in the 40's - took the spread from our bed to wrap up during the Processional - and don't rush to do all the rides but try to enjoy the magic of Christmas in the parks!

 

[rkmassa]

We will be there the 17th to 27th this year, staying at POR. Last year we went the 18th to 23rd. We have also been one other trip the 21st to 28th. We learned our lesson on that trip. This year we plan to stay out of the parks the 25th to 27th. We are going to enjoy our resort and do some recreational activities like rent boats, etc. The crowds will pick up right up to the 25th when the place will be nuts! I am talking about wall to wall, elbow to elbow people. Traffic on the roads was at a standstill. Try to get packages for the CP and Fantasmic. The lines are just horrible for these.

 

[melagan]

We are going the 15-22 and am praying for great weather (65-75) and crowds the aren't bad. Can't wait sooooooooo excited