Is Christmas too crazy?

[krishouse]

I know I may be too late to book but my Husband and I are considering taking the family to Disney from Dec.17-26.
We have been for Halloween, Food and Wine and were tinkering with the idea of trying the half marathon(a lot of work if you ask me ).
But I love WDW and I love Christmas, we love going to the parks but I don't know what crowd control will be like. Ofcourse on Christmas eve and Christmas day we expect it to be a madhouse! But I say you only live once!
Does anyone have any experiences they could share?
Thank you!
Kristin

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We have gone three years in a row for the week between Christmas and New Years. It is a great week to be at WDW. It is busy beyond belief but if you plan well, it won't matter. We had all of our PS made at 90 days. We got to the parks very early, stayed through lunch and then left for the rest of the day. We often returned at night after things slowed down a bit after dinner.

Last year rooms were still available after the 7 month window opened. It is a great time to visit but planning and patience are important.

HBC

 

[ricapito]

The crowds can defeat you. I personally think it spoils the trip and brings out the worst in the other park guests as well who are all at wits end with the crowds. Never again for me....

 

[MOMO2DK]

Hi
We were in WDW one year the week before Christmas, similar to the dates you plan on going. It was sooo nice. Everything was beautifully decorated. It was great to get away from the stress of the season that existed at home, and we hardly ever noticed any excessive crowds (but then again, w/ 2 small kids we don't over-do the parks). I'm thinking of another December trip for 2005.

 

[Mary Anne]

I think the time period before Christmas is lighter crowd wise then after Christmas. If you are there Christmas Eve be sure to book the CP dinner package in Epcot. Worth every penny.

 

[wdwstar]

We were there a few days before chistmas thru the week after new years.
we did universal studio and like everyone said get there early. we had all our ps, it was great, we didnt have to wait long t all to be seated. the roads were good, no back up traffic. the week after new years was even better, everyone went home, parks were empty didnt need ps and we actually were the only table sitting at dinner 6:30-7pm) at the yatch club galley. last year and this year we were there for easter, had ps and still had to wait a long time for dinner, traffic was terrible, we didnt go to the parks we just sat by the pools, poly or the yc/bc ( we split our stay) and even the pools were so crowded. our trip started off at the dolphin one night then over to VB for a few nights. VB was even crowded and so dissapointed with the easter egg hunt. there was families that were out way before the easter egg hunt started and was finding eggs, when we started at 7 am at the start time there was was only a few eggs left. there was even some kids that didnt even get eggs. if you always wanted to go for christmas then you should go !

 

[CharlesTD]

My wife has been there over christmas and said it was fun but the crowds were just crazy. She went to MK on christmas day and you could hardly move at most attractions or food counters etc.

 

[Muushka]

We did WDW through 12/26 one year. That was the last time. We decided to do a DCL cruise for Christmas this year. That way we still get to wake-up to Mickey, but the ship won't be any more crowded than it was the days before!

The parks were very crowded. Unbelievably crowded. And all the dinner places were packed. Not my idea of a good time.....

 

[Cruelladeville]

We go at Christmas all the time, and it's just lovely, but don't plan much time at the parks, or you will not have a good time. We went early to the parks, had lunch around noon, and left for the day to play mini-golf or swim in the pool. On cool days we played regular golf, shopped, went to the movies, walked or jogged, or read a good book. It is SOOOOOO relaxing!

 

[bz8bls]

My family and I sent for the first last year and we plan to back this year. We were there from 12/19 to 12/30 (we are going to brave 12/31 this year).
I agree with a lot of the advice to plan in advance. I planned all of PS in the 90 day mark. We went to the parks early, used FP, went back at night.
It was marvelous.....but you have to plan

 

[CarolynK]

We are going again this year, from 12/17 to 12/26 (our 4th xmas-time trip). In my opinion, Christmas week is a bit less crowded than NY week.
Obviously, there are very different opinions on whether or not it's worth braving the crowds.

We make very good use of FP, soak up the atmosphere, eat in our room on Christmas Eve and Day, to avoid the crowds, and try to swim alot and RELAX.
I think you should try it at least once.

 

[wdwstar]

We are actually going back but a few days after christmas, dec. 29 - jan. 8th
we have airfare now to decide if we are going to book a disney cruise and spend the rest of the time at bcv or bcv and a few days at the poly or GF.

 

[OkieDisney]

We went Dec 17-23 and stayed at VWL. The resort was beautiful and we
had a great time. Everything at WDW was beautiful.



That being said, I won't go again at that time. The other guests and the
cast members made it kind of not fun. We were at WDW during Charley
(the hurricane) and the cast members were much more friendly then even
considering the stress that they were under. They were willing to joke
around with us and the kids, but didn't do that in December. I think
that they were feeling particularly stressed about the number of guests and
not being able to be home with family over the holidays. Also, even though
the decorations were Xmasy, it wasn't overwhelming and I actually kinda
lost my Xmas spirit being there. It wasn't worth the stress of doing all
the Xmas stuff before we left so everything would be ready when we
came back.



Crowds don't really bother me, we have been in June and August, so we
knew what we were in for.

If I were to go again it would be earlier December. Which we won't be
doing for awhile with kids in school.

 

[ddhoeg]

We were there from 12/27/03 - 1/3/04 and I wouldn't do that again. The crowds (and the resulting pushing and shoving) made the trip much less enjoyable for us. On New Years Eve, MK had reached capacity and stopped admitting people around 10:00 a.m. We were ready to go back to our hotel for afternoon naps and had to decide whether to risk leaving and not being readmitted later. The line to ride Small World was over an hour! CMs put tape and rope (similar to what they use during parades) in the middle of the walkway between Peter Pan and Small World to better direct people, where one side was moving towards Haunted Mansion and one side moving toward the carousel. Otherwise you couldn't go anywhere. The crowd of people was so thick that you literally couldn't move! Forget about pushing a stroller through the mass of people! I even lost my 8 year old son for a few minutes getting a FP for splash mountain. He went down the steps from me and got swept away by all of the people in that area. I was watching him the entire time and it was like he just disappeared in the wave. It is hard to describe the number of people in that area in words. A wonderful CM helped him find me (although we were never more than 30 feet apart), and after a few tears gave us several extra FPs to ease the pain. I have never seen MK as busy as that day. My preference would be to go early in December and enjoy all of the beauty of the season with less crowds and a more relaxing atmosphere. We have gone the week after Thanksgiving for the past 6 years and just love it then. It is considered the adventure season too so less points and you still get all of the decorations and Christmas music! JMHO. Enjoy your trip!

 

[CarolynK]

This past NY, we didn't even step foot inside a park on New Year's Eve until we went to World Showcase at 11:40 pm. No trouble getting in. Saw the fireworks, then left.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

This past NY, we didn't even step foot inside a park on New Year's Eve until we went to World Showcase at 11:40 pm. No trouble getting in. Saw the fireworks, then left.

Similar to us but we went to the MK in the morning on New Year's Eve. Left after lunch and returned after dinner at around 8:00 P.M. The park may have been closed to outside guests but it wasn't to those staying on property. We walked in without a problem. Last year we did the same at EPCOT. The year before we were going to but it was raining to heavily.

HBC

 

[jade1]

IT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO. That said we often go other times of the year also so we are prepared to not expect to do a lot of attractions during Christmas. Its more for the great atmosphere and escape winter etc. Also we try to stay at a VWL for the boat or an EPCOT resort to at least reduce the dreadfull bus rides. Just do it at least once so you know.

 

[ztam3]

It is my absolute favorite time to go. The weather is usually awesome. The crowds are big, but not untolerable in my opinion. The Christmas atmosphere and the spirit makes it well worth it to me. We were there the week before Christmas 2004. We stayed at the Old Key West and had the time of our lives. I am graduating from college this December and I am going to try to talk my sweetie into a Graduation Celebration at Disney. I would definatly recommend it if you have never been. You may find that it is not for you, but it is a must see once!!!

 

[gjw007]

My wife has been there over christmas and said it was fun but the crowds were just crazy. She went to MK on christmas day and you could hardly move at most attractions or food counters etc.

I went last Xmas and I expected a larger crowd. Later in the week I understand that they stopped admittance to MK as it was so busy but I showed up around 10:30 on Xmas. morning. The worst was the crowds although I concede that if you were going for the rides it might not have been enjoyable (I wanted to see the parade and the various Xmas shows). I waited in the rain in the 40-something temperature with a good spot to see the parade for 45 minutes before Disney announced that they weren't running the 1 PM parade due to the rain. I had talked with my neigbors to see who was going to be more foolish: Me for standing in cold rain for 45 minutes or Disney for running its parade in such conditions. I headed back to the resort after that and spent much of the afternoon in the tub trying to warm up.

 

[rriley25]

We've been once at Christmas and we'll never go again. Way too crowded! Much more so than during the summer months...by far! On top of that, we think it's too cold to swim too. The decorations are beautiful but not worth the headaches.