Just decided to go to WDW for Christmas!! Now need help....

[Travelingdad]

We just made the decision o go to WDW for the Christmas season which will be our first time. An unexpected decision but things lined up right so Yeah for us! We were just at WDW for Easter and are planning to go to Disney Tokyo and Disney Hong Kong next fall. Because of this and that we are bringing Grandma, we are trying to keep costs down this trip.

So in addition to using our Xmas funds for the trip instead of presents, we are debating staying off property. Rough numbers we would save about $1000 offsite. We will be there from 27th to 29th and from what I hear massive crowds will still be there and a good chance some parks will reach capacity. From what I was told by CM on phone they close in four phases and being a resort guest lets you back in through three of those. Not being a resort guest doesn't. So if we leave park and are staying offsite, what is the risk we run of not being able to get back in if near capacity? Also, what is the wasted time going to be with traffic leaving a coming back, finding a new parking spot? The easy answer is don't leave but youngest and Grandma will likely need the break.

I would love to save that much cash but not at the expense of ruining our trip by getting shutout. Any insight or experience you can share is appreciated.

 

[MMS1125]

It'll be VERY crowded that week between Christmas and New Years but I think you'll be fine getting into the parks. NYE is usually when the parks reach full capacity and close.

Save a trip on disneyworld.com and see if you get a pin. A decent room discount would help keep costs down and give you on site benefits.

 

[Travelingdad]

It'll be VERY crowded that week between Christmas and New Years but I think you'll be fine getting into the parks. NYE is usually when the parks reach full capacity and close.

Save a trip on disneyworld.com and see if you get a pin. A decent room discount would help keep costs down and give you on site benefits.

Thanks. What do you mean by save and get a pin?

 

[MMS1125]

price a trip out and save for later. Sometimes people have luck with that and receive pins via email a few days later

 

[Tink415]

I think it will get busier each day of your vacation. Some years we've seen traffic at a standstill heading towards MK but a Disney bus can still get through. We've also been told MK is closed but bus dropped us off and we waited a short time outside turn-styles and got in. MK is usually the most crowded. Last year Christmas week there were closures several days, several parks. Who knows what this year will bring? If possible I would stay onsite. Discounts during that week are unusual, but you never know. Another possibility might be if Grandma and youngest take a taxi when they need a break and then again if they want to return; that brings up logistics and extra cost and would probably work best if you stayed at one of the Bonnet Creek or DD hotels. Have fun planning!

 

[kerri0616]

You are receiving misinformation...We have visited The World twice during Xmas week, most recently in 2011. (12/24-12/30).

There are NO discounts or PIN codes available during this time. You will pay rack rate for your room.

It is THE busiest week of the year. There will be park closures during your trip. You must arrive at rope drop if you want to enjoy any attractions. We took a break everyday and left our park of choice. After a restful time at the resort, we returned around dinner time and the parks were reopened to incoming guests. Park closures seem to happen around 10am and last til mid afternoon, in my personal experience.

We love our Christmas Trips, but many people consider it a nightmarish week. We knew we wouldn't see "everything" and enjoyed our favorites. We ate lunch early (before 11 if possible) and had an ADR for dinner each evening.

We are big fans of the on-site resorts. We thought the bus service from POFQ was outstanding. We didn't use our car even once.

Happy Planning!

K

 

[CanadianPaco]

There are levels of park closures (hopefully some can share) and will be affecting those who stay off site. There will be park closures... we spent Christmas Day 2010 at AK and saw MK closed by 11am according to a sign board on site at AK. Research research research and congrats for a Disney Christmas!

 

[MMS1125]

You are receiving misinformation...We have visited The World twice during Xmas week, most recently in 2011. (12/24-12/30).

There are NO discounts or PIN codes available during this time. You will pay rack rate for your room.

I have to disagree with you. I had a room discount pin for dates Dec 1-30 w/out any blackouts. At least when there were none listed and when I called to price it out (it ended up being 35% off Deluxe, 30% off Mod, and 20% off value) it worked for all the dates I priced. Priced Dec 23-29 and every night was discounted

We went last year thru the 28th with a room discount pin as well so it has happened.

Evidently I didn't pay enough attention to the other parks besides where we were visiting for the day last year b/c we didn't have any problems getting into a park or hopping to a park later in the day. It was VERY crowded but if planned well you should be fine. Disney is so magical at Christmas

 

[Travelingdad]

Thanks for tips so far. We're a rope drop family and okay with crowds once in just want to void that lockout risk. So we've been July 4th and Easter, both high crowd times apparently. For those who know, how much more crowded would Xmas be - 10% , 30%, more?

 

[Tink415]

We've had visits Christmas week every year since 2004. Only got discounts in 2004 and 2005 and we had long stays to get those discounts, check in by Dec. 19 and 17 (I agonized about taking my kids out of school early). Wish I would get a pin!

We've been once 4th of July, it was very crowded, hot, sweaty and stinky. And once Easter week, parks were very crowded, water parks closed to resort guests several days, resort pool very over crowed. I can't give a percentage, but Christmas week will be more crowded than those dates. Mornings will be great tho! Evenings can be body to body in some places. Still, love those Christmas trips!