Just how Busy 12/19-27?

[Kevenswife2]

I've found a great airfare and Disney has the Buy4/Get 3 Free promo going on. I'm looking at Dec 19-27. How busy will it be?

I know it's holiday season. The only busy times I've visited are Spring Break, June, and the end of Thanksgiving week. Is it that much worse than those times? I've heard Magic Kingdom usually closes the gates by 10 am on Christmas day...what about the other parks?

DD and I are both in school and I'm afraid we won't be able to take a family vacation once I graduate and have to find a fulltime job. I don't think they'll give me a vacation during the first year of work.

Is it really that crazy-busy?

 

[jacksmomma]

I have never been brave enough to go then. I have heard that it is insanely busy. As you said, MK is always closed because they are filled to capacity. If you go just bring you patience and some deodorant!

 

[EthansMom]

One of our neighbors went over Christmas break a couple years back and said the parks started refusing entrance VERY early... like by 10 a.m. they couldn't get in to MK. Also, I've read reports by people who say that once in the parks, they could barely move. Doesn't sound fun to me.

WDW isn't going anywhere. It'll still be there in the future.

 

[JohnsPrincess]

In *my* opinion, Spring Break is FAR WORSE than the Christmas crowds. I REFUSE to go to MK during March/April because it's just wall to wall people. I will brave Epcot then...and the other parks if I'm feeling brave. But not the MK. During Christmas, I go to all the parks. Yes, it's busy. But it's doable!! In fact, we'll be there from the 20-23 this year and then heading on the cruise. Lol I'm not worried a bit! There is just no more beautiful place than Disney at Christmas.

 

[RMulieri]

Been there done that...Disney would have to pay me to go back then.In the words of a fellow Dis'er " imagine everyone you know standing in your bathtub waiting 120 mins for a towel"..It is gridlocked.

 

[jaynesherer]

If you go and try to get a room at Disney anytime during the first two weeks of December there is not a room to be had, but put in the dates you are wanting and every room is still available. Its crazy!! Somehow that should not be. I am guessing everyone is going the first two weeks, because of free dining, even the ones who usually go during Christmas. I could be wrong, and I hope I am, as I will be there the 1st two weeks of December and I am a little worried.

Any thoughts???

Jayne

 

[Magical09]

We did Christmas week in 2007. The 19th to the 24th won't be busy at all. We did most of the parks and rides before Christmas day. On Christmas we did not go anywhere during the day. We spent it at the pool knowing the parks would be too crowded. We went to see the Osbourne lights Christmas night and it wasn't too bad. We went to the parks after Christmas day and it was too busy for us. We were happy that we booked things like the princess tea party and the Polynesian dinner show so we had things to do without waiting in line for rides on those days.

If your flexible you can do it. I would go to the parks and favorite rides before Christmas day and expect things to be crowded Christmas and days after. You also need to see the night show at the Castle in MK, it is just awesome.

Can't say I would go Christmas week again anytime soon. It was great but I would not do it every year. They hike up the prices at restaurants during that time and you also need to make reservations early.

I have family that prefers the first two weeks in Dec. They say it is very quiet during those weeks.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We spent last Christmas at Disney from Dec 23 to Jan 2. YES, it was BUSY!!! We braved the KM on Christmas Day...were at the gates shortly after 6 for a 7 opening (for EMH), BUT we got to do everything we wanted to do that day (which was just about every ride!). If you use a strategy and keep moving it is totally doable...save the sites for the afternoon when it is crowded and lines are LONG. Honestly, I don't know that I would have done any of the parks at that time without being able to take advantage of the EMH! DH and I thought that New Years was MUCH worse than Christmas because by then the Christmas spirit was gone and you just had a lot of irritated people crammed together...then add in the noise makers that were handed out in the middle of the day!

I am a teacher so our options are only Christmas and Summer...I would do Christmas again before dealing with the summer crowds and heat!

Have fun!

 

[AmyBWV99]

We've gone twice at Christmas and New Years and no year was worse than the other. We think summer is far worse crowdwise. We've never gone to MK on Christmas day but found Epcot nearly empty and walked into 2 sit down resturants.

 

[nu2dvc]

I believe that lots of families come down the day after Christmas and stay through New Years so your dates will not see the worst of the crowds.