Just how bad is Christmas week?

[kandb]

For the people who go Christmas week, I have a question, do rides that are always walk-on like Carousel of Progress and People Mover have wait times? Just curious, if it is only the popular rides that have the waits.

 

[Disneylover99]

For the people who go Christmas week, I have a question, do rides that are always walk-on like Carousel of Progress and People Mover have wait times? Just curious, if it is only the popular rides that have the waits.

By early afternoon, everything has a wait.

 

[Cee]

DH went that week with two of our kids and said it was INSANE. Now, if I wanted to do a non-park trip(which are GREAT, BTW), I think this would be an outstanding week to go.

 

[Alesia]

By early afternoon, everything has a wait.

Including the bathrooms.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Yogi Berra said that place is so crowded that nobody goes there anymore.

 

[snuggly duckling]

I NEVER understand that people who have been that week say they had a great time. Is it just the ambiance? Obviously, it's not fun for getting to ride a lot of rides. Is it the parade and fireworks that are so great? I just don't get how people could be happy paying top dollar to enter the park when it is wall to wall people and only get to do 3 fp+ rides and if they want more rides they have to wait 2+ hours. What's so great about going and waiting hours to ride a ride or wait on line for lunch for an hour? I never understand how people could say it's "great" and really enjoyed it. Disney tickets are not cheap, how do you feel not ripped off when you can barely ride anything because the wait is 2-3 hours long? Someone explain.

We're going for our thir Christmas week trip this year. Yes it's crazy busy but as others have said, with smart planning and touring to don't have to wait. Recommended parks, rope drop, smart timing of FPs and ADRs, well-timed breaks, and a solid plan. With the exception of the Anna/Elsa line the first year when they were still in Epcot with no FP, we've NEVER waited more than 30 minutes for anything at Christmas. We even rode TSMM 6 times in one day when both FP systems were operating at the same time.

 

[aprincessatlast]

We're going for our thir Christmas week trip this year. Yes it's crazy busy but as others have said, with smart planning and touring to don't have to wait. Recommended parks, rope drop, smart timing of FPs and ADRs, well-timed breaks, and a solid plan. With the exception of the Anna/Elsa line the first year when they were still in Epcot with no FP, we've NEVER waited more than 30 minutes for anything at Christmas. We even rode TSMM 6 times in one day when both FP systems were operating at the same time.

What is this smart timing of FP's and ADR's and recommended parks? It really is hard to find a lot of info on planning during this time as i honestly believe the majority of posters here do not have experience with it or they never talk about it. I mostly see it is "Insane" comments or one liners with no details. We have the week of booked and trying to make a plan. (well we have one now but hope it works) Easy wdw does not have recommended park days so I was guessing and just going with what worked with ADR's. We plan on rope dropping (7am) 3 of the 6 days and late nights on the others. Taking breaks around 11-12? Eating lunch around then and heading back to resort until 6/7 when fast passes are or ADR's are booked near or in parks.

 

[marciemi]

I posted this elsewhere but on Christmas day last year we waited 42 minutes for the train in Frontierland (I timed it for Lines). Peoplemover always had a huge line (I believe I timed that as well and it was around 15 minutes - just looks intimidating). I don't think Carousel of Progress did - just until the next show mostly but the theater was pretty full as opposed to mostly empty like normal. We're local, had all 3 of our boys home from college and just went for the ambience. Rode the 3 FPP's we had, saw Gaston, had lunch at BOG, and mostly just marveled at the crowds. It would be a completely different experience if we were actually trying to do anything. Also keep in mind that FPP's during that time will reduce your wait but you still may easily wait 20-30 minutes on some rides even with them.

 

[5Hfan]

I NEVER understand that people who have been that week say they had a great time. Is it just the ambiance? Obviously, it's not fun for getting to ride a lot of rides. Is it the parade and fireworks that are so great? I just don't get how people could be happy paying top dollar to enter the park when it is wall to wall people and only get to do 3 fp+ rides and if they want more rides they have to wait 2+ hours. What's so great about going and waiting hours to ride a ride or wait on line for lunch for an hour? I never understand how people could say it's "great" and really enjoyed it. Disney tickets are not cheap, how do you feel not ripped off when you can barely ride anything because the wait is 2-3 hours long? Someone explain.

we went last year from Dec 23-Dec 30 and had a great time! We used rope drop, late EMH and fast passes and never waited in a 2-3 hour long line. I went through and based on photos/time stamps, this was our Christmas Day at MK. Other than getting people up and out the hotel door, we were not running or a commando type pace, but we did have a plan mapped out so no standing around wondering what to do. Our youngest was 5, so we were at his pace.

7am left our room and walked to MK from Contemporary
walked up main st, looked at some store window displays, tried to find a photopass photog but didn't
7:55 we were on Buzz Lightyear according to ride photo
8:04 Space Mt (ride photo time stamp)
8:08 we rode Space Mt again! (ride photo time stamp)
8:10 Astro Orbiter So cool Christmas morning in Santa Hats flying high above the MK!


8:16 we found a photog and got our Castle picture in the bump out on the bridge to Tomorrowland


Headed across the park, but Pirates was down.
bathroom break Pirates area, love these!
8:37 rode Big Thunder Mt
normally we wouldn't back track the park like this, but we were trying to get everyone's favorites in that day...
9:05 Space Mt fast pass used (8:30-9:30 window)
Bathroom break outside of Space Mt
9:38 Tried Pirates again but the ride went down again at some point while we were in line, so we left the line at 10:00
10:05 checked in at CRT, met Cindy in the lobby at 10:15, seated upstairs at 10:25, Breakfast at 10:40-after 11
bathroom break at CRT before we left
11:40 Raft to Tom Sawyer Island--we'd never been over there before, kids had a blast running around exploring,
we sat and watched the crowds build in Frontierland, heard and saw the tops of the parade floats.
bathroom break on the Island
12:20 headed back on the raft
12:53 BTM had a 115 min posted wait, used our fastpass for the 12:20-1:20 window. according to a selfie time stamp we were seated on the train at 1:03.



Splash Mt next. We went there after BTM and used our fast pass for the 1:25-2:25 window.
1:38 is the time stamp on our ride photo for Splash Mt.

We liked the strategy of going towards the end of one fast pass window and then the beginning of the next to get two rides in nearly back to back.
got some popcorn in Frontierland, then headed out of the park. Took a photo of the large Christmas tree at the park front at 2 pm. Walked back to Contemp. Yes it was crowded, but the CMs do a good (militant) job of keeping paths open for movement.

Hung out in our room, had a few presents to open, then had dinner at 630 at the Wave. In hindsight I would have preferred room service or bring QS back to the room rather than a buffet.
Watched Wishes from our balcony at 9.





Didn't once feel ripped off or think about money, just soaked in the magic of Disney and Christmas! Now that being said, this was a likely once in a lifetime trip for 20th Anniversary, and we had "free" dining which we made the most of, especially with 2 kids that are "adults" at Disney and character meals.

I would be happy to share our actual touring accomplishments on the other days as well if it helps people plan.

 

[5Hfan]

What is this smart timing of FP's and ADR's and recommended parks? It really is hard to find a lot of info on planning during this time as i honestly believe the majority of posters here do not have experience with it or they never talk about it. I mostly see it is "Insane" comments or one liners with no details. We have the week of booked and trying to make a plan. (well we have one now but hope it works) Easy wdw does not have recommended park days so I was guessing and just going with what worked with ADR's. We plan on rope dropping (7am) 3 of the 6 days and late nights on the others. Taking breaks around 11-12? Eating lunch around then and heading back to resort until 6/7 when fast passes are or ADR's are booked near or in parks.

yes that is the way to do it, rope drop and/or late night EMH--after midnight especially. Leave the park or do sit down meal in the busiest part of the day. Saving fast passes for the busier times (ie not the first hour or two park is open, not using them for rides that don't need them unless a must do (small world). We like going towards the end of one fast pass window so that as soon as we are off one ride we are ready for our next window instead of having time to kill, because that time of year you often won't have time to squeeze in another ride.

 

[snuggly duckling]

yes that is the way to do it, rope drop and/or late night EMH--after midnight especially. Leave the park or do sit down meal in the busiest part of the day. Saving fast passes for the busier times (ie not the first hour or two park is open, not using them for rides that don't need them unless a must do (small world). We like going towards the end of one fast pass window so that as soon as we are off one ride we are ready for our next window instead of having time to kill, because that time of year you often won't have time to squeeze in another ride.

Basically the same for us.

Rope drop those 7 am MK openings. We crush the first 2-3 hours of the day, usually hitting 15+ attractions in that time. We will have a late breakfast or early lunch ADR around 11ish, FPs scheduled for after we eat. Then we can go back to the resort and rest, or stay in the park doing other less crazy things, like shopping, Tom Sawyer island, country bears, etc. We will do a dinner ADR around 6 and then stay as late as we want afterward.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The week between Christmas and New Years? Really, truly - how bad is it? How does it compare to say the week before 4th of July?

It is insanely busy. DD gets overwhelmed with crowds..she doesn't act out, but withdraws. I would never in a million years take her to wdw over christmas. IIRC you had concerns for your summer trip about sensory issues with one of your children. I would not ever take a child with sensory issues to Disney over Christmas if there were *any* other option. It is a recipe for disaster.

 

[SparklePixie]

The week between Christmas and New Years? Really, truly - how bad is it? How does it compare to say the week before 4th of July?

For kids with sensory issues or those who can't stand still in line for any amount of time, it is Hell on Earth.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think you mentioned once that your husband wasn't a huge fan of WDW (please correct me if I'm wrong!). I would not recommend that week in that case.

 

[5Hfan]

we had to alter our trip date at the last minute, so we lost our day of fast passes planned for Hollywood Studios. We were too tired to rope drop for that day either, as we wanted to be there in the evening as well for Osborne lights. So yes, showing up at the park at 5 pm, Dec 26 with no fast passes we were met with long lines and crowds. The area was solid people, but not too packed to move and we found pockets that weren't bad. At about 5:40 pm we got a spot in view of the switch, and were there when the lights turned on. Walked around and took in the lights, it was more crowded as we were leaving the area about 6:30.

If you don't like Disney or Crowds this is not the week for you! There were pockets of space however.



The crowd got worse after 6:30, so we headed out. We did ride Star Tours as it was posted 25 minutes...ToT was over an hour, TSMM was ridiculous and we did not check RnR because youngest is too short. But we knew that going in, just went to see the Osborne lights.

We left HS after 7, took the bus to MK, and were checked in for the Fireworks dessert party by 8:10 pm.

 

[5Hfan]

For the people who go Christmas week, I have a question, do rides that are always walk-on like Carousel of Progress and People Mover have wait times? Just curious, if it is only the popular rides that have the waits.

longer waits than they normally have, but not 2 hours like headliners. We did use that week to go on CoP and Hall of Pres which we had not done before, and the People Mover is great during evening EMH to sit down, enjoy a rest and ambiance while you're waiting for the crowds to thin.

 

[Disneylover99]

I NEVER understand that people who have been that week say they had a great time. Is it just the ambiance? Obviously, it's not fun for getting to ride a lot of rides. Is it the parade and fireworks that are so great? I just don't get how people could be happy paying top dollar to enter the park when it is wall to wall people and only get to do 3 fp+ rides and if they want more rides they have to wait 2+ hours. What's so great about going and waiting hours to ride a ride or wait on line for lunch for an hour? I never understand how people could say it's "great" and really enjoyed it. Disney tickets are not cheap, how do you feel not ripped off when you can barely ride anything because the wait is 2-3 hours long? Someone explain.

The ambiance is a big part for me. We love the Osbourne lights, the storytellers in Epcot, the festive treats for sale, the decorations at the hotels, etc....

Plus there is nothing more magical then walking into the MK first thing Christmas morning. With the 7am opening, you can get a ton of rides in during the first three hours without fp.

 

[cluvsdisney]

My BIL went during Christmas break once and he said never again. The park was shoulder to shoulder packed.

 

[Drfate102]

I love Disney World between October and December. We always go for Christmas and NYE. At EPCOT we saw a 4.5 hour wait for Soarin. However, go in with the right expectations, and it is truely the most magical time of the year.

 

[okilydokily]

We have lived in Orlando for 3 years and always had premium passes since the move. Mostly for the parking, we stop in many days after work. We went to premium to go to the water parks. Now with the new AP's, we may go to the one with blackout dates since we had never gone during busy periods anyway. So this year, we have no family in town nor going to see family, so we are going to hit the holidays just to try it. I am a little spoiled since we can go so often and skip most busy times, but I want to experience it on the holidays for myself. Should be fun.