Last week of December, looking for experienced advice

[Pbeh]

Have been several times during the summer and the spring. Have never been during December. We are going after Christmas, Dec 28-Jan 1. 5 days, planning one day at each park, plus one extra at MK. We know it will be busy, we are staying off site so no EMH or resort perks. Mostly hoping for advice on if there are better or worse days to do certain parks (particular new years eve and day concerns). Advice on if we leave a park during the day if we can get back in or will it be closed for crowds. Also if there are special events/shows that are must sees. Any other advice is appreciated!

We have 4 adults, 13 and 7 year old boys, and a 4 year old girl.

Thank you in advance for your help, this site has always come through for us in the past!

 

[cuteduck223]

I'd be happy to help! We're there the 26-jan 2. We go every year to visit family friends and so we stay off site with the exception of Dec. 30-Jan 1 because we like to hang out at the resort and do non-park things on the 31st, and it frees our friends up to do other things. Do you know what days you plan to do which park? We have a 6 year old and 1 year old --both girls

 

[lovethattink]

Getting to a park at rope drop will help. By 10am the parks will feel like July 4th crowds.

New Year's Day last year, we went to DHS it wasn't as busy as I was expecting that day. I guess people sleep in and get later starts?

There is always the chance of parks filling to capacity those days. Returning could present a problem if a park is filled to capacity. Also parking can pose an issue. When the TTC closes, guests are sent to park at Epcot. Hopefully, the new parking lots that are being put in at the ttc will open before then.

CS restaurants often don't let guests sit until they have their food. And strollers might not be allowed in either. We've seen that happen at Pecos Bill's and the Pinocchio Haus regularly during the holidays.

 

[danny1649]

Have been twice at that time. First I would dress in layers . Put coats hoodies etc. and rent a locker to keep you from carrying around all day . Crowds will be moderate to heavy , after NY Day crowds will drop but not less than moderaat.With good basic plan and be flexible you will have a great time.

 

[hakepb]

The MK parking lot regularly closes to capacity that week. If you don't have an ADR, they may not let you back in (even if you parked in EPCOT). Get to MK early if you are driving.

Other parks should be OK.

Keep track of EasyWDW for reccommended days.

 

[lovndisney12]

Since you are off site pick parks w/o emh for that morning and do rope drop. Be prepared and watch for hours to be extended including add'l emh being added - especially for mk. Ditto on packing plenty of layers. Havent had a december trip to wdw yet where we havent had warm enough to swim weather one day and bundled up heavy sweatshirt and even coat weather another day.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Hey there,

I have a free e-book and site covering this topic at survivedisxmas.com

A lot of what PP mentioned is true - get there for RD.

Just because you're offsite doesn't mean you can't enjoy the sites and leave the parks. It gets crowded - crazy crowded in the afternoon. I'd recommend taking a break and enjoying some different things at Disney. Hop on the monorail and stop at the Contemporary, Poly and Grand Floridian. Go to the Wilderness Lodge and see the tree. Take a break from EPCOT and go to the Yacht and Beach Club! All the deluxe resorts are wonderfully decorated.

I'd definitely recommend a Park Hopper. if you get there too late, you risk being turned away due to Phased closures. Having that Park hopper allows you to hop over to another park. It also comes in handy if one park is too crowded. If you get to MK and it's way too much, you're not stuck there for the day - you can hop over to HS.

As an off-site guest on NYE Day, I'd recommend staying at the park.

Do know that Magic Kingdom does a "dress rehearsal" fireworks show (the same exact NYE show, countdown and all) on 12/30.
You can see the fireworks with FAR LESS of a crowd than NYE and it gives you flexibility - you can go to another park. Sort of a 2-for-the-price-of-1. For a younger family, I'd recommend DHS. EPCOT is more geared toward older families and millennials on NYE. There's DJs, there's a lot of drinking, and it's incredibly crowded. Now - I think EPCOT was the best fireworks show and NYE celebration I've ever seen. But - DHS has a cover band and DJ, they have drinking - but it's not as prevalent, and it's more family-friendly.

We were always able to roam DHS and find a spot for the fireworks around 10pm-10:30. That's not the case at EPCOT, where the best spots are usually taken by 12pm or earlier.

 

[Aurora0427]

Follow Josh's advice on easywdw.com for recommended park of the day!

 

[Pbeh]

I'd be happy to help! We're there the 26-jan 2. We go every year to visit family friends and so we stay off site with the exception of Dec. 30-Jan 1 because we like to hang out at the resort and do non-park things on the 31st, and it frees our friends up to do other things. Do you know what days you plan to do which park? We have a 6 year old and 1 year old --both girls

That's one thing we're trying to decide. We have a tusker house rez for the 29th, other then that it depends on if there are better days for different parks this time of year. Particularly MK, we know it will be packed, but if one of those days will be slightly less packed we'd prefer that.

 

[Pbeh]

Follow Josh's advice on easywdw.com for recommended park of the day!

I've tried but he hasn't given any yet.

 

[Pbeh]

Thanks Pluto!

 

[Aurora0427]

I've tried but he hasn't given any yet.

The December crowd calendar has been out for months. It's on the website.

 

[Aurora0427]

I've tried but he hasn't given any yet.

Link

http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/12-december-2015-crowd-calendar/

 

[Pbeh]

The December crowd calendar has been out for months. It's on the website.

He doesn't have park recommendations for the last week of December. Basically just says its a ten each day.

 

[Aurora0427]

He doesn't have park recommendations for the last week of December. Basically just says its a ten each day.

That is so weird! I'm sorry! I wonder if he's waiting until it gets closer???? I didn't even notice the ? marks!

 

[Pbeh]

That is so weird! I'm sorry! I wonder if he's waiting until it gets closer???? I didn't even notice the ? marks!

I know, what I heard is because hours can be changed that week last minute, he can't make any recommendations. That's why I'm hoping people who have been there that week have some personal advice. Thanks!

 

[Skywise]

I wouldn't leave during the day on the 30th or 31st if you're going to be at MK. Last year the park wasn't at capacity but the traffic getting into the park from the outside was long. It was so bad that the resort bus service was on alternate routes and still took longer to get around.

 

[Pbeh]

I wouldn't leave during the day on the 30th or 31st if you're going to be at MK. Last year the park wasn't at capacity but the traffic getting into the park from the outside was long. It was so bad that the resort bus service was on alternate routes and still took longer to get around.

Thank you!

 

[mortimor]

For me, staying off site I would not venture away to take a break, especially when visiting MK. That seems to be the crown jewel for everyone during Christmas. It is not just getting into the park, but getting into the parking lot that can be a pain. You could end of wasting a whole lot of time finding out that where you wanted to go is no longer an option. One time, we had to return a rental car to the car care center just outside of MK on Christmas Eve. It was approaching two hours just to get through the pay booths because MK was closed and every car had the same question, why is is closed, where should I go now and what are you going to do for me. We go every other Christmas for the last 15 years and have seen some years where the parks were open and others where the parks were closed or in stages of closing. From memory, in the afternoon we always got into where we wanted to go, but I do remember years where our plans were put on hold for a few hours waiting for the park to open back up...and that first people let back in will be resort guests. For New Years, EP is crazy busy but seems to always accept people coming in. It is beyond stupid how busy it can get each day. If I was staying off-site, I would be getting out of my car at the parking lot at least 1 hr prior to opening and plan to spend as much time as possible each day at the park (past noon even walking around is difficult) and then head out for the day. I love going during this time of the year but it is difficult to appreciate how hectic is can be. Three years ago, I had to stop at a restroom after the nighttime parade was over. Our group was to meet on main street to watch Wishes (the same spot where we always stand.) I had roughly an hour to use the bathroom and walk, what any other time of the year would take all of five minutes. I made it within 20 yards of my party on time, but simply could not get through the crowd. Luckily, a CM came through and was basically pushing his way through...and this was on the dedicated walkway that is supposed to remain open for travel. I literally grabbed onto his shoulder and asked him to not lose me. I made it just as the show started. Now to make this sound even crazier....we will be there again this Christmas!!

 

[cuteduck223]

I would do epcot the 28 or 29 so you can see the storytellers, candlelight, other christmas type things that only run through the 30. I would do MK on the 30, as it will still be full but not quite as bad as the 31. We typically do AK on the 31, but thats because our kids are too little to stay up for the fireworks--its the least crowded because they don't have fireworks. On the 1st, Everyone is tired from the night before, so rope drop would be to your benefit regardless of park choice.