Is Christmas "too crowded" to enjoy??

[WildernessBride]

Yes it is! Here is are some pictures from The Land on 12/31/06 at about noon:

OMG Robin, you guys weren't exaggerating when you said crowded!!!

 

[THE HAT]

Hello....We are going to be there from 12/18-12/26....I am hoping that we miss the massive crowds, as we will be leaving the day after christmas, but I have a feeling that with christmas being on a Tuesday that it might start to get busy around the 22nd.
Does anyone have any pictures of the crowds the week before christmas and the day of christmas?

I know that we will not be spending christmas at MK, we are going to resort hop to look at decorations and go to DTD, maybe use our hoppers to get into whatever parks we can to just feel the energy. We do have a 1pm for 50's but I do not think that mgmwill be to busy on this day.

We are going with the attitude that it will be busy, that we will have long waits, and not get to do everything....we are going for the holiday feel, to see it decorated, and to get away from home, lol. We know that we will be back again, and it will always be there for us!

 

[JoBird]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1358599

Just wanted to show you a previous thread with pics of crowds. Scroll through just for entertainment purposes. This goes to show you that WDW can be crowded at any time.

But, um, yeah, that pic Robinb posted, that's how Christmas is. In May I skipped all the way down through there on the way to Soarin' without stopping.

Jo

 

[WildernessBride]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1358599

Just wanted to show you a previous thread with pics of crowds. Scroll through just for entertainment purposes. This goes to show you that WDW can be crowded at any time.

But, um, yeah, that pic Robinb posted, that's how Christmas is. In May I skipped all the way down through there on the way to Soarin' without stopping.

Jo

I have to admit that was an eye opener...I mean you hear crowded and that's one thing but to see it in action is another matter enirely!! I am a little worried now, I hope we have at least one semi doable day when we're there. Those were pretty big crowds, worse than I have ever seen.

 

[robinb]

I have to admit that was an eye opener...I mean you hear crowded and that's one thing but to see it in action is another matter enirely!! I am a little worried now, I hope we have at least one semi doable day when we're there. Those were pretty big crowds, worse than I have ever seen.

Follow TGM and his suggested parks and his park plans. Get to the park early, use fast passes (hint, most attractions will take a fast pass well after the "window") and make at least one meal reservation on really busy days. PS: Nighttime EMHs are totally useless in extra busy times such as this.

 

[JoBird]

TGM is a MUST. Since finding him, I never plan a trip without his advice. Part of the fun for me is the planning, and I am able to do lots of it with his website.

I even use him for slow times...just because I TGM!



Jo

 

[lmf70]

We are also making our first holiday trip this year. I know the drill is get up early, take an afternoon break and then retutn to parks in the evening but I also know that some parks close for crowd capacity so if you leave can you get back in ??
Does this happen only at certain parks on certain days (ie.Mk on NYE)
We will be doing MK NYE stuff on 12/30 and MGM on 12/31.
I am following TGMike as well.
Also, when do you sleep ?????

 

[ScottNBecky]

When you get back from Disney

 

[mickeysgal]

We are also making our first holiday trip this year. I know the drill is get up early, take an afternoon break and then retutn to parks in the evening but I also know that some parks close for crowd capacity so if you leave can you get back in ??
Does this happen only at certain parks on certain days (ie.Mk on NYE)
We will be doing MK NYE stuff on 12/30 and MGM on 12/31.
I am following TGMike as well.
Also, when do you sleep ?????

Sleep in the afternoon/early evening. A nap does wonders when you have to tour the parks this way.

We got the most stuff done in the parks after 10pm to close. We slept in the late afternoon and were ready to go in the evenings.

We've done all the the major holidays - Easter, July 4th, spring break, etc. at Disney. The Christmas to New Years crowds (especially NYE) were unlike any of the others. I remember being in the MK one night trying to move from Main Street to Tomorrowland. It was shoulder to shoulder, shuffling along. That particular night, we left. We couldn't take it.

 

[Alltiggeredout]

I think an afternoon cocktail and a snooze will be the order of the day.

 

[Astryd]

When you get back from Disney

this quote is so very true

 

[WildernessBride]

Naps are so underrated!!!!!

 

[lmf70]

I think an afternoon cocktail and a snooze will be the order of the day.

That's exactly what I was thinking.....
After a day at MK
After a drink and a nap
Luckily we have been before so we don't feel the need to do all the regular stuff so if the crowds get too bad we'll leave and check out resort decorations, shop at DTD or just chill at our resort. We are staying at BC for first time so I'm pretty exited about that.

 

[nklooz]

TGM TGM TGM - won't every go to Disney w/o it, that's my two cents.

Also, wondering what the three wks. in Dec. before Christmas are like?

We are open to taking DD8 out of school. I would love to see the decorations, etc., but, even if I have the right attitude, my family does not handle shoulder to shoulder crowds well, even if we're not focusing on rides, the crowds alone, can't do it.

But, still really want to experience Disney this time of year, any perspective on what earlier Dec. is like?

Thank you!!!

 

[WildernessBride]

You guys have to excuse me but I looked at the TGM site and I was wondering what exactly does membership get you? For example, do you get a sample intinerary, is it personalized to when you are going?? I usually just buy the Birnbaum's guide and plan from there, but this Christmas trip will take extra planning. I know everyone has said that TGM is worth it, even for experienced Disney travellers, but why, what does he provide that is above and beyond? P.S. This question is more to satisfy my DH, he wonders if it is worth it, me on the other hand is always willing to try anything related to finding more about Disney and planning our trip !!! So, I hope its not a dumb or redundant question, but what does TGM give the trip planner

 

[Alltiggeredout]

Luckily we have been before so we don't feel the need to do all the regular stuff so if the crowds get too bad we'll leave and check out resort decorations, shop at DTD or just chill at our resort.QUOTE]

Same here,we just want to make sure we do the new rides that we haven't done, before the crowds arrive.Then we can kick back and relax.

 

[robinb]

Yes, TGM can help with park touring plans. The biggest advantage of TGM is his list of which parks to go to on what day. What's the best park for December 26th? TGM knows. He'll tell you which is the best for AM and which is the best for PM using past crowd levels and EMH information. FWIW, I usually don't recommend park hoppers for WDW but they are a MUST over Christmas/NYE! You will want to go to one park in the morning and a different one in the evening for fireworks/parades/etc.

I know WDW like the back of my hand, but I still learn something new from TGM .

 

[WildernessBride]

Yes, TGM can help with park touring plans. The biggest advantage of TGM is his list of which parks to go to on what day. What's the best park for December 26th? TGM knows. He'll tell you which is the best for AM and which is the best for PM using past crowd levels and EMH information. FWIW, I usually don't recommend park hoppers for WDW but they are a MUST over Christmas/NYE! You will want to go to one park in the morning and a different one in the evening for fireworks/parades/etc.

I know WDW like the back of my hand, but I still learn something new from TGM .

I know I asked about TGM before...sorry to repeat...but I was a little indecisive about pulling the string and going for it...I am busy saving for next year!!...but to hear a veteran WDW traveller say that they can learn something new from TGM is impressive. That was my concern feeling like his info would be redundant to me, I feel I know WDW fairly well, but I am definately not a total expert.

 

[micmacmissy]

But, still really want to experience Disney this time of year, any perspective on what earlier Dec. is like?

Thank you!!!

I'll tell you what it's like....absolutely blissful. You have xmas decorations, cool temperatures, low crowds. We walked on to nearly every ride, even the headliners. No line to see characters. I could go on and on. We will never go any other time of the year ever again.

(I am one of those parents who is 100% okay with taking the kids out of school for a family vacation. WDW is very expensive, and while we're there, I don't want to have to fight crowds, battle the heat, and stand in long lines. That to me is misery when you're with young kids.)

 

[mjfox]

We have been going to WDW for the past 8 year for Christmas. If you are looking for a quiet time that is not the time to go. From Christmas Day until New Years Day MK will close some time around 12-1AM each day due to crowds. If you in the park during that time it's not fun to get around. We'll get up for a early morning entry and leave after lunch than retrun in the evening.

Last year MK, MGM and AK closed several time during that week and MK closed almost every day. I think if you are staying on property you can still get in but you ready don't want to be in all that crowd.

Christmas is a great time of year to be their but you have to know when to leave and come back to keep the fun going and frustration away.