It's Not Busy at Christmas Time, Is It?

[Kevenswife2]

Can't tell you how many times I've heard that! Latest is a coworker who just announced she wants to visit WDW right after Christmas day, Dec 26 - Jan 2, this year (along with her 3 grown daughters and 2 grandchildren). I told her that was the absolute busiest time of year. She said she figured people wanted to spend time with their families, not visit a theme park. She didn't "get" that the families get together and enjoy the holidays and Disney together. Then she told me I had burst her bubble.

She doesn't know anything about Disney other than the grandkids would have fun...which is true. She hasn't researched, looked at the Disney website or anything. Didn't even know what a value resort was.

I had all these things swirling in my head the more she spoke about it. "Well you just missed the free dining promotion," "You should have already made dining plans," etc.

I'm trying hard not to give my advice, unless asked, because just hearing about it and knowing what all I do from our 20+ visits, it's overwhelming me!

Thanks, I needed to vent a little.

 

[Disney_traveler]

She hasn't even booked yet? And I thought I was late booking for dec 17-23 a month ago!

 

[Kevenswife2]

She hasn't even booked yet? And I thought I was late booking for dec 17-23 a month ago!

Nope!

 

[Momof2B2G]

We booked a trip during this same timeframe 2014/2015. Travelled to DW the day after Christmas and returned the day after New Year. Never, ever again!! It was very pretty that time of year, but the crowds were horrendous. I overhead a security guard talking who got called down to DHS to aid in crowd control when DHS closed. He asked his co-workers when he got there what they wanted him to do--there were 80,000 people in DHS, and it took a few hours for all to leave on New Years Eve. Being able to ride the rides without a FP proved to be challenging. With so much money being spent to take a vacation, she should opt for a less crowded time. But, in the end, it's her decision, just like it was our decision. I'm happy that we were able to go, but would never go again that time of year.

 

[here757]

Lol

 

[NinaBella]

Many people think like she does. Years ago my boss had family coming to town for Thanksgiving. He said he was going to take them to Disney (we live in Tampa). Of course he was new to Tampa because this was when I was active duty military and it was his first year in Tampa. I mentioned it will be more crowded that week and he was shocked that people went to Disney during holidays. He thought everyone visited families in their hometowns and that Disney would be empty. He's a well educated man. It's just people don't "think" about Disney like Disboarders do. Even my DH mentioned who would be crazy enough to want to live in Golden Oaks that close to Disney. Then he looked at me and said, oh maybe those Disney crazy people on the Disney board. LOL. This was as we were driving through Golden Oaks while we were staying at the Four Seasons.

 

[cyneswith]

People go to Disney when kids are out of school, period. People go south when it's cold. School break + cold temps = Disney chaos.

Edit: It baffles me that people don't know this. We knew this when we planned our first Disney vacation over a Christmas break too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Unless asked, I don't give advice anymore. As we know here on the DIS, information on the parks, crowds, etc. is readily available on the internet. I, personally, can't imagine going on any vacation without doing some simple research first. Vacations are an investment and I'd like to get some return on that investment in the form of enjoyment of the vacation! We actually did go to WDW last year from Dec. 25 - Dec. 30 and had a fantastic time! My plans were well researched and we went in with very low expectations of what we would actually get to ride and experience. With half days in the parks, special tours and lots of pool time, it was great!

 

[Nancyg56]

Unless asked, I don't give advice anymore. As we know here on the DIS, information on the parks, crowds, etc. is readily available on the internet. I, personally, can't imagine going on any vacation without doing some simple research first. Vacations are an investment and I'd like to get some return on that investment in the form of enjoyment of the vacation! We actually did go to WDW last year from Dec. 25 - Dec. 30 and had a fantastic time! My plans were well researched and we went in with very low expectations of what we would actually get to ride and experience. With half days in the parks, special tours and lots of pool time, it was great!

I learned that lesson the hard way on Friday. Although to be fair, I was asked. Never again. Not even when I am asked.

 

[AZMermaid]

I have a friend who was chatting on Facebook with her sister that she wanted to book dining early "like soon" for Thanksgiving Day at Epcot for their party of 10-12. This was last week.

And this trip has been planned for over a year.

 

[Crystal824]

My husband's boss did this last year. He decided in the early fall to take both his kids, their spouses, and grand kids to Disney the week of New Year's. DH and I tried mentioned it would be very busy. They went anyway. While I think they had a good time in general, they don't understand why we love Disney so much

 

[ktlm]

I had a similar conversation with a Mom a couple of weeks ago. She was asking me about Disneyworld because she knows we go there every year. She said "We are thinking about booking a trip really soon during one of the lower crowd times since it will be much less crowded, shorter lines, and much cooler than summer." I said "Oh, are you going to pull the kids out of school and go this fall or in January or February". Her answer "No, we are going to book for Christmas break-the week between Christmas and New Years". She is a pretty smart lady so I started laughing because I thought she was just messing with me. She got a confused look on her face and said "What? Are the crowds not really low then?" I said that is the most crowded week of the entire year- worse than summer. Then she started laughing and said "Well, I guess we aren't going that week then- good thing I came and asked you!" Like your co-worker, she thought that everyone had family obligations and that the parks would be really empty that week.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Encourage folks to read the unofficial guide to Disney.great read. Will also hopefully give them a tiny clue as to the complexity of a Disney vacation

It always baffles. Me that people will book a vacation that costs thousands of dollars with no research

 

[maxiesmom]

A couple years ago one of my managers decided to take her family to WDW for the first time. She knew that I have been to WDW many time, I offered my help, and she declined. I didn't force anything on her, but it made me cringe to hear her plans. And once she was back the things that upset her were basic things, like how there is no resort to resort busing. And how Disney wouldn't pay for her to get a cab from POFQ to POR.

 

[KristiKat]

I only give advice if they ask and even then I warn them I may say something they don't like and don't want to hear. I've had people who have never been at all go without any planning or knowledge and come back complaining about how much they hate Disney and will never go again. They ask me how I can stand it. My answer is always research and planning make things much easier and more enjoyable for everyone. I'm not brave enough yet to attempt the Christmas season myself but would love to experience it at least once.

 

[siskaren]

And how Disney wouldn't pay for her to get a cab from POFQ to POR.

Apparently, she didn't realize it was an easy walk.

 

[maxiesmom]

Apparently, she didn't realize it was an easy walk.

She didn't. As she was going on about it and how offended she was, it was all I could do to keep my mouth shut.

 

[Mokat76]

I gave a friend a lot of advice last year. She was taking her kids, their spouses and the grandkids for Christmas. She actually took my advice and came back eternally grateful. She's the only person who ever listened out of the myriad who've asked over the years. For the record, she asked. I never offer anymore.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

When I worked as a TA, I had a woman expect the same thing- that most people stayed home for Christmas and didn't go to Disney. She was genuinely shocked when I showed her the crowd calendar. And then she responds with "well.....maybe we'll just watch the parade and performers and not ride anything." I actually felt bad bursting that bubble too. But I would rather disappoint her now then have her get down there and reality hit.

 

[HopperFan]

A couple years ago one of my managers decided to take her family to WDW for the first time. She knew that I have been to WDW many time, I offered my help, and she declined. I didn't force anything on her, but it made me cringe to hear her plans. And once she was back the things that upset her were basic things, like how there is no resort to resort busing. And how Disney wouldn't pay for her to get a cab from POFQ to POR.

This is the best. See this is why I couldn't work there. I would have been holding in such laughter my ear drums would have popped and surely there would have been a snort just before I wet myself.

YEAH, to OP, I don't say a word. Once someone has in their head they know it all, there is nothing you can do to sway them. The minute you try to help you are part of the nightmare that they are about to walk in to. So when she gets back she will throw blame on you. If you say nothing, she can't point a finger or say a word.

I don't know why anyone would think no one goes to Disney on holidays ........ why are hotels higher, why are holiday cruises higher, who are all those people at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade?????? A convention of family-less folks?