Is it totally worth it at Christmas time?

[4mcbjCtr]

With all this talk of December reservations, I got this little feeling in me that I would like to be at DVC/DW December 23rd - 28th. I know it is crowded, but how crowded? Do you just end up spending not as much time in the parks and spend more time enjoying your DVC resort and the other DVC resorts? Are the lines just totally unreasonable? I have it down to start calling for day by day reservations on January 24th. I would love to get any input before that.

 

[TomD]

I love Disney. My kidz call me a Disney Freak...but I dont think I would ever go from Xmas to New Years again.

Wall to wall people in the parks.

But the weather and decorations were beautiful.

This past Dec we went the 1st week and had a blast.

OK who am I kidding I would go...lol

 

[byoung]

I will go early or middle Dec. never Xmas week.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I was at the Beach Club from 12/25-12/30. It was crowded. The lines were long. We used fastpasses, we had ADR's in place before we left home. The parks were open later and earlier than regular times. It was a magical time to be at WDW. I really loved it and we had a great time. Now, early December would be great too but I can't go at that time, but I love the decorations. So I had to go at a busy time but I don't regret a minute of it. Do what works for you and be prepared for the crowds and lines.

 

[Doctor P]

We have gone December 18-26 (1999), December 27-January 3 (2001-2002), and December 23-January 1 (2005-2006). The atmosphere is amazing and the crowds are huge. That said, we will definitely do it again and probably keep doing it. We had an absolute blast this last trip and only went to the parks for five days. We did NYE at MK and it was beyond belief in terms of crowds, but with planning we were still able to do what we wanted to do and enjoy ourselves immensely (that said, we won't do NYE at MK again).

 

[Cruelladeville]

We were at Disney this year from Dec. 22-30, and it was magical! There is just no better time to see WDW than at Christmas! Now, having said that, you have to be prepared to visit the parks in the AM, then plan the rest of the day to do something else. We went back to our room and went to the hot tub, visited the other resorts, went shopping, took naps, played golf, and so forth. We spent more time at our resort, and it was actually very relaxing. As long as you know that it's going to be very crowded, you can just sit back and relax, use your fastpass option, and do some other things besides just the parks.

 

[vascubaguy]

We did MK for Christmas Day back in 2003, and OMG... the crowds were insane. I don't think I have ever waited inline that long just to walk down the street! We weren't even going anywhere, just trying to walk around.

It was the craziest thing, and I would say it was miserable (rather than magical). I doubt we'll ever try Christmas at WDW again, but once I'm done with school (again) I might try the first part of December instead.

However, since I am still in school, I can't exactly bail on the last weeks of class and final exams in December. So, that would limit me to the week of Christmas. So, instead we are going to try NYE this year. I know it is even more insane, but why not. Can we just camp out in front of the castle for the NYE fireworks? Or maybe we'll just hang out at SSR... don't they have NYE fireworks over at DTD too?

The days right after New years should be ok... riiight??

 

[TCPluto]

We went for 10 days over Christmas 2004 for the first time. It was incredible.

Before Chirstmas is was not quite so busy. Christmas day on is was a mad house. We got all of our major attractions in before Christmas so it worked out for us.

Candle Light Processional is not to be missed, as well as the holiday version of Illuminations. The Epcot tree lighting; Carolers strolling; snow on Main St.; the Christmas parades. There's just no end to the special events and feeling of WDW at Christmas.

Santa also went nuts in the Christmas store, as well as all of the other stores....

 

[MiaSRN62]

I personally have never been to WDW past Dec 15. But several of my friends have, and said "never again". Maybe they didn't know how to work the ropes.....just not sure. But I heard stories of even steadfast options like Fast Pass not working because the passes are all gone by 10 or 11 am. Personally, because of my work, I could never visit during Christmas week, but not sure I'd miss it either. I prefer going in early Dec. You can still see all the decorations, parades, concerts etc with less crowds (and lower points too). Also, the weather can be quite changeable during Dec. We've witnessed sunny days and 80 degrees, but also have heard of temps dropping into the 40's and people scrambling for coats/hats/gloves. You sort of have to be prepared for everything this month.

 

[bears163]

we were there last month from the 6th-12th. we loved it but it did rain everyday but one. it was not a flood out though. we still did everything we wanted to do. the crowds were alittle overwhelming for me. no way would i go at a busy time. we fast passed everything and it all worked out. most of the time it was not worth getting the FP. it was wierd. kind of crowded but not very long lines.

 

[Pluto4Pres]

We have been once in early December (highly recommended) and twice during Chrismas Week, 26th-2nd, including NYE 1999 (remember all the Y2K doomsday predictions).

Early December is nice, the crowds are low, but the drawback is that the parks close early - 6-7pm. If you're going with little ones this is not necessarily a drawback. One of the things we did years ago when we had little ones was to visit several resorts to see their decorations. We also checked the printed schedule for events at each resort. They had things like ornament making with paper glue and glitter at YBC with Belle and the Beast making an appearance. There were many other small children's events at several of the resorts that were free but very special. I don't know if they still do this.

If you're a newbie and you're still trying to squeeze the max amount out of your park tickets, Chistmas week is not the time to go. We have had great trips during this time, but we hit the parks early, get to the big attractions first, leave during the afternoon and come back for evening events. By the time we had made these trips, the kids were veterans who didn't need to spend every minute in the parks.

The biggest crowd I have ever seen in my life was at Epcot on NYE99. The walk around WS was shoulder to shoulder packed like sardines. At one point, by the pavillion for the CP, the crowds walking in opposite directions came to a gridlock and it felt like we were about to be crushed. Of course, of all the wonderful memories of Disney, the one my kids like to recall is this time where they saw their normally mild mannered father threaten to punch out some drunk guy who kept pushing me in the back and propelling me into my family.
Despite this minor incident of ugliness, it was still a great night.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We were there from 12/29 - 1/4, OMG the crowds were ugly, but we didn't do the parks. Only 3 times, and one night was at the MK from 11:00pm - 3:00am. We got a 2 bedroom at VWL, spent alot of time in the room/at the resort. took a sleigh ride one night, watched the fireworks from the Contemporary. On 1/2 maybe, we went to Epcot it wasn't bad, then MGM had late hours for resort guests, NEVER AGAIN! that place was nuts, I am glad we saw the Osbourne lights, got some pics of the kids and caught Fantasmic, but couldn't get near RRC or TT. Lines were insane. Why they don't keep the enitre park open I don't understand. And why they hold fantasmic at closing I don't understand. We left! Now on 1/3 we went to the MK and it was very nice, but we headed over around 6:00pm till 10:00, and no lines, except Space Mountain.

I want to go again next year, mostly for the fireworks! If the weather is always like that, (75+ during the day, and cool at night) we will go everyyear.

We also went to Blizzard beach on 12/31 and no lines, it was great!

 

[bcvillastwo]

We have never during the Christmas/New Years week but we have gone in early December just after the Thanksgiving rush and it was really very nice with little or no crowds.

I would not hesitate to go again at that time of year.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Now that Dh is teaching, we will go for 2 weeks, the last week of December and the first week of January when he is off.

Yes, the parks are very crowded, and we stay out of the parks until NY day. It's still a great time to be at WDW, the fireworks are extra special, and so are the activities.

DTD will still have the actual NYE fireworks so that will be our tradition, to spend NYE at SSR, in the hot tub, watching fireworks We have spent 2004 and 2005 at SSR.

There was plenty for us to do at WDW without going to the parks and we still had a great time.

 

[laceemouse]

We just got back from VWL, stayed from 12/18 until 12/26 and it was fantastic!!!! I understand folks who say early December is better, but if you can't do that due to school or work then the week before Christmas is a great choice. It was crowded but not aweful. You have to do Christmas at WDW at least once. The decorations are gorgeous and the special activities are wonderful. Before we went I was thinking we may never go during the Holidays again but I have changed my mind and we will probably do it again in 2 or 3 years

 

[eliza61]

Depends on your personality. Christmas at the world is definitely a time for patience! The parks are filled to capacity, definitely wall to wall people and the wait for rides is usually 80 mins +. That being said, it is also definitely a beautiful place to be. My family and I enjoy walking around checking out the sites and the decorations but with the realization we may only get 2 rides in the entire time and we rarely try to eat in the park restaurants. The resorts are fabulous and I think every one has the holiday cheer.

Eliza