Is Christmas "too crowded" to enjoy??

[WildernessBride]

My family and I were just at WDW ( stayed at WL) in June and had the time of our lives, everything was excellent. When we got back I got started on planning our next vacation in WDW, mainly because my DH was much more pliable after returning from such a fun trip!!! We decided on Christmas 2008 so we could really save up and have a big blow out vacation next year. I booked courtyard room with the bunk beds at WL and I was super happy to think we are heading back....The problem lies in the fact that I have been reading a lot about the crowdedness of WDW during the Christmas week, about parks not allowing any more guests to enter and frankly I am scared that I may have picked a bad time. Is Christmas too crowded for a family of 4 with two little ones, aged 4 and 8 (next year)??? Am I better off with going in the summer??? Any opinions?? Help!!!

 

[WildernessBride]

 

[WDW Lover]

I have been to the parks at all times of the year, and Christmas was definitely the most crowded I had ever been (though the 4th of July was awfully close). Usually the parks fill to capacity relatively early in the day and it is very crowded - but that's not to say you won't enjoy your time. If you could possibly do so, go the week before Christmas - much less crowded and still definitely have the Christmas feel. Christmas week you will see lines longer than ever and the week before would be less than summer lines. So, if you have any flexibility, go for it - if not, just be prepared. Going in December is much more magical than going in the summer, so I highly recommend it.

 

[WildernessBride]

Thanks! Unfortunately, my husband is a high school teacher and we are limited to travelling during school holidays. That fact alone makes us have to be there at the busiest times! Before he was a teacher and we went in OCtober and I must say that was my favorite time to go to WDW.

 

[dizneyluv]

of 05 from Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve.

We had the Passporter and Unofficial Guide read and with us that week. We did ALOT of research knowing it was the busiest week.

We followed the touring plans and tips and had a GREAT time. However to be fair I have to admit it was very crowded at Magic Kingdom. The other parks we toured successfully by arriving before they opened, getting fast passes and rider switch cards, etc. We ate ALL of our meals at Disney that week and became hooked.

It was very fun and I think if you do it once and plan right it's worth it. It's not something I would do again but glad we did it that time as Christmas weeks is a very magical time at Disney.

We had Christmas Day Dinner at 1900 Park Fare and the pictures of our group of 10 with Prince Charming and Cinderella are priceless.

We spent Christmas Day at MGM and walked on every ride. Everyone else was at MK! Same thing at Epcot in the early, early morning. We were never turned away because we arrived first thing!

When we felt the crowds were crazy we got on the monorail and toured the resorts. They were so beautiful. We took the boat to Ft Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge and felt like we were away from it all!

School is out this year on the 20th and I would love to go for 3 or 4 days before Christmas Day. It's not possible (saving money for our June trip) but if I could I would.

Take Care!

 

[WildernessBride]

Thank you so much, it sounds like you were able to have a great time in spite of all of the crowds. Touring the resorts sounds fun and my DH, who teaches World Hostory, loves Epcot and the countries so that also sounds like a do-able plan. I was hoping to go to 1900 Park Fare also, so I am really into your plans!!! I thought it would be a nice excuse to visit GF at the Holidays, I saw on the Travel Channel a report on GF at the holidays and the huge gingerbread house they assemble. Crowds or not I am feeling better about this already. I guess Christmas at WDW can be fun if you relax and plan a little.

Thanks for easing my mind!!!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

We spent this past Christmas at WDW and had a great time!!!

I wouldn't recommend it for someone going for the first time or someone who expects to get on a lot of rides, but if you're going for the atmosphere of WDW and the beautiful Christmas decorations, go and have a great time!

We never had a problem being denied entry to the parks, but we usually tried to get to the parks early before the crowds became too large. When we did that, we were usually able to get on most of the rides we wanted.

 

[mouseclick1]

If you go with realistic expectations, you can have a wonderful time. I am also a teacher and travel around the school schedule. We went to Christmas once a couple of years ago and it was definitely the most crowded I have ever seen it. I remember being near the haunted mansion during the early evening and looking around. People were literally shoulder to shoulder. I stood up on a curb and took a picture of the crowd with my family in the middle. I call it my "Where's Waldo?" picture!

We knew what it would be like and planned accordingly. It was a great trip. We didn't get to ride some of our favorite rides because the lines were way too long for us, but we didn't care. We had been before and knew we would be coming back, so we just tried to enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

I wouldn't want to go during Christmas every year, but would definitely go again at some point.

 

[louey]

We were there this past Christmas and as long as you get to the parks early, I mean early you should be fine. We noticed that in the afternoon some of the parks would be at capacity and would not let else anyone in so just keep that in mind. Otherwise we had a great time, have fun!!!

 

[Kitka]

I honestly would not do it again, though we have wonderful memories of the trip.

You just have to go into it knowing it won't be a laid back trip - you can't wait in the a.m. to get to the parks because almost every day I went they ended up shutting down access to the MK due to full capacity. And ride lines are so long that you truly have to pick your couple of favorites to ride and anything else is gravy.

But the lights are wonderful. The feeling of excitment is there. It's a hard call!

 

[dizneyluv]

We did get to ride all the rides except MK, just too crowded. We followed the touring plans, took long breaks at restaurants and toured the Christmas decorations.

Being our first trip we were told NOT do it but it was the only time all 10 of us could go. I would not go that week unprepared. I would absolutely having touring plans and plan to go early and take long breaks for meals.

I have pictures from this trip if you'd like to see. I can post them later including the Gingerbread House at the GF.

Take Care

 

[WildernessBride]

One nice thing is that my DH is great at getting us up early and out to the parks when we stay there. He is an early riser and the organized type, I think he got that from being in the military, but he'd never let us get to the parks past 9am so we should be okay. I am really only concerned withthe atmosphere and food ( I love eating at WDW restaurants!!) so that is also a plus for me. This will be somewhat challenging it seems, but ultimately worth it in memories. I loved the "where's Waldo" picture that one of the previous posters took, that is funny!!! I will keep a relaxed attitude and enjoy!!! Thaks for the comments

 

[WildernessBride]

Love to see your Christmas at WDW pics!!!

 

[WildernessBride]

We did get to ride all the rides except MK, just too crowded. We followed the touring plans, took long breaks at restaurants and toured the Christmas decorations.

Being our first trip we were told NOT do it but it was the only time all 10 of us could go. I would not go that week unprepared. I would absolutely having touring plans and plan to go early and take long breaks for meals.

I have pictures from this trip if you'd like to see. I can post them later including the Gingerbread House at the GF.

Take Care

Sounds fun and thanks!!!

 

[ldo]

pick a park in the AM and do 2-3 commando style, then spend the afternoon walking around, enjoying Epcot, see a show or two at MGM, and tour hotels--and you'll be fine. Get a park hopper, so you can do MK several days in a row in the AM for 2-3 hours, and then go over to Epcot and do just a few countries each afternoon.
As long as you have reservations for dinner and don't plan to do rides in the afternoon without a fast pass, you'll be finel

 

[LakeAriel]

A friend of mine went last Cristmas with ther family and said., "never again". The parks shut down on a few of the days it was so crowded. She was very disappointed!

I guess the weeks before are OK..At least I hope so, with children still in school.

 

[WildernessBride]

Anyone know what to expect weather wise at Christmas? Is it at least dry? I am going to plan, plan and plan for this trip so we don't feel like "never again" too. I don't know if planning is a panacea for all the crowds at the holidays but it must at least help a little bit.

 

[louey]

You really have to pack for both warm and cold weather. One day you may be swimming and the next having to wear a light jacket. Definately check the forecast before you go but we packed for both, because it can get real chilly. Make a list of everything you want to do and where reservations are required make them as soon as you can. The decorations are so nice you will have fun regardless of the crowds.

 

[WildernessBride]

I can't wait to see what Christmas is like at WDW and WL, I am so excited now!!!

 

[PrincessDadx2]

We went last Christmas and are going back this year

I think it is key to be on site during this time. It is very difficult to visit the MK from offsite during the busiest times.

Our plan was to get to the MK at 7am for EMH in the morning. Amazing how many rides you can do in 2 hours when you start early We then left when the park started to fill up and went back to our resort for a nap. Then we went to Epcot to see the Santas or MGM for the lights at night. I would not try to go late and wait in lines, that would be miserable for us.

Some of the best times we had were the decorations at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, etc and the magician and storyteller at Boardwalk.

The only problem we had was at Animal Kingdom. It was so crowded we were actually afraid for our kids safety. We ended up renting a stroller so we knew where they were in the crowd.

Go early, use fast pass, enjoy the resort decorations and the whole scene. It will be crowded, but you will have a great time.