Is it a nightmare to go during Christmas break?

[RMulieri]

I would never go back during Xmas...in fact Disney couldn't pay me to come.I went and though it was beautiful, it was wall to wall people.it took me 1 1/2 hrs to move down main street after the fireworks and i was close to the train station to begin with.Ride times were 120 mins for headliners by mid day.MK closed to capacity a few times during the trip.A lot of people swear by this time of year, I just can't see paying PEAK prices for the aggravation of long waits, and the fear of lost family members( esp small children) forget trying to navigate a stroller thru the throngs

 

[RMulieri]

we are going from dec. 18 to 26th.

I know it is going to be packed based on what ya'll said, and since we used to have annual passes, and they dont let you go at that time of the year.

I am hoping that with the state of the economy right now, that families are not too wiiling to take a vacation. (I know that sounds really rude, but i want to have a magical time!)

Wish me luck in December!!

I wish you luck, but I don't think the economy will affect disney too bad..the travellers from other countries are more than making up for the decline in the American dollar.Make no mistake it may not close to cpacity as quickly, but it will still be packed.

 

[yenttirb710]

Now I'm a little nervous, haha! I was actually AT Disney in December last year, but I can't remember the crowds all that well.

I'm going with my family Dec. 19-23rd of December...kind of split between the week before Christmas and the week of. Am I going right when the crowds will start rolling in?? I think I am...hmm...

 

[the who #3]

we found the parks loaded to capacity at spring break and also new years eve(mk) and another day close to new years. spring break all parks were full and closed the gates, even the water parks.

we went to mk at 10:30 am on new years eve and were planning to go back to the room for rest in the afternoon and go back for the evening. boy was that a bad idea! we realized that if we left we would not be able to get back in. all of the trouble was worth it. we did not leave until 2:30 am and even the little (6 yr old) did not want to leave. my grandchildren had never been to a new years eve party before and really loved it. the lines were long but the band music was coming thru the loud speakers all over the park and people were dancing in lines as well as the streets. it was all good clean safe fun and everyone loved it.

i am a 60 + yr old grandmother and i have never been to many nye parties because they were not very interesting. i would go back to the party at mk every year if i could. it really was worth the trouble and braving the crowds.

we go to wdw 1 or 2 times a year and have gotten used to planning the special rides that each family member feels they must have and then if we don't get on the other rides it is ok. we know we can ride those on another trip. i feel very fortunate that we can go to wdw every year. we have learned to enjoy the beautiful feeling of be at walt and mickey's world as well as the lovely surroundings. we also enjoy the resorts and the resort restaurants, they are just fantastic.

i quess it's not just about the rides anymore. it's going to be christmas this year.

 

[mhmcduff]

we are first timers going this dec 29th- jan 5th. i'm so excited- my kids are going to be so excited when we surprise them the morning of the trip. however, i am concerned about the crowds as well.

i'm guessing that using TGM is a necessity this time of year? I've been trying to decide if it's worth it to use it or not.


~fiasco




What is TGM?? Can you pm me

 

[WDisneyWforMe]

We were there for two weeks in 2006 during the Christmas Holiday. The week before Christwas was WONDERFUL!! But the week between Christmas and New Years was AWFUL! I know it was Disney and a bad day at Disney is better than the best day not at Disney but I just would never go that week again. The only way I would consider doing it was to tour for only 2-3 hours first thing in the morning at the parks and then spend the rest of the day exploring the resorts or shopping. And BY ALL MEANS avoiding the Disney transporation at park closing times!! And also that is one time of year that ADR's are MUST HAVES!

JMHO
Diane

 

[Aburns8]

The week of Christmas is horrible. But if you go any other time in December, it is worth it. The Osborne lights alone are really cool to see. Every park has a theme tree and more of the higher end resorts have gingerbread displays that are amazing. If you can go the first or second week of December, it is worth it.

 

[Anjelica]

We are going December 22nd-27th and then cruising 27th-January 3rd. I am "hoping" that the 22nd, 23rd, 24th and the 25th won't be horrible (obviously way busy) but from everything I read that the crowds really grow the day after Christmas through New Years - again just what I have seen here and there and maybe I am just hoping... We are using TGM's advice for our planning as well as the old adage of EMH's (except for MK as we can't avoid those as they are every day).

I do have a quick question - how is driving during December 22nd-26th? We are driving down on Sunday 21st-Monday 22nd (staying onsite) but what about between hotel and parks (we would only drive to non-MK parks as we are staying at VWL and taking the boat at that time).

 

[hearts8701]

never there the week of x-mas but new years week is so crowded every park filled up before noon no parking either new years eve was the worst day especially at Ecpot where new years is celebrated all night till closing it took us hours to get out of the park without children!
stay at your hotel they supply hats and celebrate at midnight too

 

[Tumblwd501]

We were at WDW right before Christmas through New Year's Day in 2006 and it was definitely wall to wall people. As mentioned by a PP who I believe was also referencing 2006, several of the parks (MK and EPCOT, I think) reached capacity by early afternoon on the Eves. We chose to visit the other parks on those days and they were considerably less crowded since everyone else was at the more popular parks. We probably won't do that time period again, but are definitely glad we at least did it once because there's nothing like being Disney Magic combined with Holiday Magic! It's just not something we need to experience again if we can avoid the higher rates and bigger crowds! lol But if you're prepared for the crowds and know what to expect, I think that's half the battle. And FWIW, we did use TGM to help pick which parks to do on what days.

 

[ChristineAndMatt29]

I went to all four parks during the second week of December last year and yes, it WAS more crowded than I expected, but it is SO magical and beautifully decorated. It sounds so cheesy but it is awesome. Also, the weather is much cooler than the summer, so waiting is a little more bearable. It sounds like you should get in and get out BEFORE actual Christmas day. Mid-December

 

[mechteach]

We are going Dec. 20-25 this year. We had planned to go the week after Christmas, but that didn't work out, so we shifted our dates. From reading this thread, I'm glad that we did! I know that it will still be crowded, but we'll at least get a couple of slower days at the beginning of the week, I hope.

Btw, expedia has unbelievably cheap hotel-only rates for Dec. 20-24 right now: $79 for values, $109-129 for moderates, and $210 for some deluxe resorts.

(Also, for the posters who asked, I'm not sure, but I believe TGM = tour guide mike.)

 

[dizneyluv]

I think it's possible to get many answers to this question. It definitely depends on your personality and that of your family. We went on our first trip as a family with extended family Christmas Eve to NY Eve 2005. It was great for our family but a nightmare traveling with sil's family. They hated everything about Disney, I am not sure why they wanted to go but I digress.

It was this time that I became a disney nut. We were well studied and prepared for the crowds. We escaped to the resorts to visit if we needed a break and JUST LOVED the Christmas season and spirit. That said we were up at rope drop every morning and parts of the family were gone all day everyday. My middle son and I had to go back to the villa some of the time because I was sick from a sinus infection (which did not stop me much) and needed the rest and he need the break from the stimulation of Disney.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be returning this Christmas although our trip ends on the 23rd so not staying through Christmas this time due to other responsibilities.

I missed the Osbourne lights and many other things that first trip and hope to see them this time. We just went in June so don't plan to focus on any headliner rides, etc. Just the shows, parades, events.

I think it can be a great trip if you research and set your expectations properly.

Take Care