Is Christmas really that bad?

[slapwhitey]

I've been invited to tag along on a trip in December. The trip will probably cover the week between Xmas and New Years. The touring plan says 10 everyday. I was there for the millenium new years and I really didn't find it too bad. I found it much worse this past April (maybe it was the heat). The only day that was overwhelming in '99 was New Year's Eve itself. Could someone who was there in recent years please give some input.

It has to be that week because one of our party is a teacher so it's either then or mid-summer and I'm not doing 95 degree weather with crowds. Thank you for any advice you may provide.

 

[katallo]

It is crowded but I think it's one of the most beautiful times to visit. There are so many special shows and events going on. I'd prefer December to July because of the heat!

 

[NMAmy]

We went last Christmas and stayed for two weeks. I don't know that we'd do it again but I'm glad we tried it.

The first week was manageable. The second week, MK in particular was just awful. It was just wall-to-wall people and trying to leave MK, I was nervous about being separated from DD and DH so we made a human chain by holding hands.

Just be prepared--make PS's (I can't stress this enough--I saw tons of people being turned away and my family was so happy that my obsessive planning had paid off and we had a place to eat one sit down meal every day) and be aware that you won't be able to do as much as you would off-season. Disney makes up for it with a zillion other activities and the decorations are beautiful.

We also did some resort touring and ate at the resorts often to get away from the crowds. The worst part, IMO, was the weather. It was COLD. Michigan cold--seriously, it was the same temp in Michigan when we left. Many days, we went to the parks early but cut the day short to go back to the resort because we were freezing.

We had fun mainly because it wasn't a once in a lifetime trip for us (we've been several times and have plans to go again) and we had two weeks so we didn't feel like we were missing out. If you go, have a great time!

 

[princess aurora]

Yes it's that busy! Especially that week. MK Park will usually close at somepoint during the day due to capacirty crowds. Have a plan and you should be okay. Like not trying to do all the rides in one day at each park.
It's a beautiful time to see the World.

The most crowded was New Year's Eve at Epcot after the fireworks: just take it slow and easy, move with the crowds, wait patiently for your bus and you'll be fine.

 

[SusanD]

We were fortunate to have very cold weather the first two days. It was strange to see people bundled up with jackets, mittens and hats in Florida. Those days were great! We saw everything and the waits were nil. The weather did improve though and the crowds went up exponentially. I understood it was going to be crowded. But it is hard to visualize the mass of humanity until you see mainstreet after a parade during Christmas week.

Yes, it is a beautiful to see everything decorated and hear Christmas music playing. However, it don't think I would go again during that week unless not going was the only other choice.

 

[cobbler]

I did it in 98. Never again. We had 2 hour waits on some ride. Of course this was before the introduction of fast pass. Still though, parks did close to capacity and me personally I would avoid that time.

But it was fun with all the holiday stuff

 

[lpizzuro123]

Yes, it is very crowded, MK and Epcot will probably close at some point in the day. My boyfriends father lives in Orlando so we do this week quite often. I am sure we will be there again this year. My boyfriends son is in high school and we do not want to take him out of school so this is the best week for us to go. I would not want to make this week my first trip but if you have been before you just need to go with the attitude that it will be crowded and you will not see everything. But what you do see will be well worth it. I love the way the parks and hotels are decorated. We usually spent NYE in Epcot. Last year we ate at Rose and Crown outside for the earlier version of Illuminations and then sat around the lake (near the entrance to Future World) for midnight. If you do not have PS for NYE, you might want to consider bringing in some of your own food. We did not have PS for the afternoon and I think I waited on line an hour for food in Mexico. Do not pass up a trip to WDW because of crowds - just wonder in the things you can do and say you will have to go back and see the things you missed.
Linda

 

[CarolB]

We were fortunate to have very cold weather the first two days. It was strange to see people bundled up with jackets, mittens and hats in Florida. Those days were great! We saw everything and the waits were nil. The weather did improve though and the crowds went up exponentially. I understood it was going to be crowded. But it is hard to visualize the mass of humanity until you see mainstreet after a parade during Christmas week.

Yes, it is a beautiful to see everything decorated and hear Christmas music playing. However, it don't think I would go again during that week unless not going was the only other choice.

Same thing happened for us last year. Christmas Day itself the parks were "empty" compared to what we were told to expect and it was COLD (but not as cold as it was in PA, where I would have been ). However, 2 days later MK closed for a while since the crowds were so bad....we were there as it was closing and couldn't even move. We made our way over to Epcot which wasn't bad at all. We went to Candlelight Processional on Dec 26 and it was so cold...I was glad we brought handwarmers....but with the warmer weather came the crowds....we were glad to be leaving when we did (I think we left 28th)....but I love the parks and resorts at Christmas time...just awesome.

 

[YourMajesty]

Dh always has the week between Christmas and New Year's off. I would really love to go this week. We have been enough that we could go and enjoy without having to see everything. The boys are getting older (5,8) so they aren't as much work as the toddler age. Maybe Christmas 06?? I'll be watching trip reports closely. I've always wanted to be someplace "exciting" for New Year's Eve...this would be perfect!

 

[WDSearcher]

From the standpoint of crowds, the week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest week of the year at WDW. If you go in knowing that, and you don't mind crowds, then you'll be fine. If you're going with the intent of a relaxing holiday vacation, you probably won't get that!

 

[DonaldsGrl103]

We were there last year from the 21st to 28th and while we were there it wasnt that bad but the day we were leaving the MK was closed due to capacity and the day before the 27th the MK was just crazy but we had a great time and we just loved the atmosphere. In fact we are considering to go back this year but again wont stay to long after the 28th since I heard it only got worse with the crowds after that. Good luck with your plans and just know it can be very COLD- it was as cold as NY when we left there except snow wasnt falling, unless you count the magic snow that came down on mainstreet

 

[dan-tot]

We go the thrid week in December. We have not really seen massive crowds in the parks. We have gotten on any rides with little or no wait times. This is a constant thing. Now I would think that the week of Christmas eve and day would be alot more people in the parks since the week is what it is. I have been in the parks both in June and December and I like December the best. The decorations and the coolness at night just seems to bring out the warm glow of the parks. I am glad that you will see Disney at its best time,IMHO. We will be there December 10-17.

Dan-tot

 

[CheezDoodle]

We stayed at WL last Christmas and didn't go to the parks. It was wonderful but cold. The hotel didn't get crowded until Christmas day. It was lots of fun and there something that if you got a stamp at all the parks(the stores right outside the parks) you got a free pin. It was lots of fun!

 

[swilphil]

If you've been at New Years, you know what to expect. I would avoid MK on Christmas Day. Pay attention to EMH. During the 2-weeks around Easter, they had EMH everyday at 7 a.m. in MK. We got tons done during that time period. Use fastpass, and get into the parks as soon as they open to do the most popular rides.