Magic Kingdom Christmas Day

[wendyt_ca]

Please someone explain to me why someone would visit MK on Christmas Day? I genuinely do not understand, that photo looks miserable I'm assuming it feels like times squares on New Years. Every ride, restaurants, shop, bathroom, walkway etc is beyond packed. What is the point? Just wondering for those that do visit MK Christmas Day.

It's for the experience. I have always wanted to be there on Christmas day. I grew up watching the Christmas day parade every morning so it has been on my bucketlist to be in the park on Christmas day for the experience. But when we go that will be our 12th vacation to Disney since 2006 so it isn't as though we are concerned about missing any of the rides and have a lot we need to do. We want to get every Disney experience and we don't have kids so figure this is the perfect time to do it. And I want to experience New Years Eve there as well. I am expecting huge crowds and to just spend the day doing whatever. We are going in Sept and again next March for 3 weeks so this trip is pretty laid back for us. Plus it beats spending Christmas day visiting family and cooking a big Christmas dinner, a break I am looking forward to

I actually was in Times Square on this past New Years Eve with a friend of mine and it actually wasn't that bad and I didn't mind standing there and felt it was completely worth it! I prob won't do it again but it was an amazing experience. I figure if I can handle 11 hours in a baracaded section without being able to leave I can handle a day in Magic Kingdom where I can at least find a place to sit, use the washroom and slowly walk around

Thanks everyone I was thinking it would be good to get there around 8 so that's what I will do!

 

[itchin2go]

Please someone explain to me why someone would visit MK on Christmas Day? I genuinely do not understand, that photo looks miserable I'm assuming it feels like times squares on New Years. Every ride, restaurants, shop, bathroom, walkway etc is beyond packed. What is the point? Just wondering for those that do visit MK Christmas Day.

I don't understand this either.

Going to WDW at Christmastime? Sure. Going to another park on Xmas day? Maybe. But going to MK on Xmas Day? No way.

But this is what makes the world go 'round. To each their own.

 

[maxiesmom]

Last year EMH at MK was 7 am. Just for planning purposes.

That is what I was thinking too. So OP, if you want to be there for rope drop, get there around 6:30 am.

 

[wendyt_ca]

If I'm not worried about actual rope drop would it be safe to get there around say 8?

 

[Traveliz]

If I'm not worried about actual rope drop would it be safe to get there around say 8?

Yes but if you are on site you really should just plan on being there for the 7AM opening. What you will accomplish in the first hour will be such a boost to your day and the next couple of hours after that. In the 7-8 AM hour I have accomplished Space, Buzz, Stitch, and a picture with the fire chief and a large family pic at the front of the Castle. In the 8-9 we knocked off Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Aladdin, 9-10 we did Big Thunder, Splash, Haunted Mansion. Lunch was early and then we did the 12:30 Parade (times are different over the holiday week) and THEN IT WAS REALLY BUSY.

Also in there we did the Pirates Tutorial and some meet and greets but you get the idea. Alot accomplished early and losing that hour does make a difference.

We also left and had no trouble getting in late afternoon (there is an ebb and flow with the crowds and typically after the later afternoon parade it's no problem getting back in).

Nighttime though is where we really saw the crowds.

Liz

 

[canadianmom2three]

I think sometimes people are a little dramatic about Christmas Day....
We were not there last year, but we were there in 2012. On Christmas Day we weren't planning to go to the parks, but we did have the opportunity to stop by on the way back from brunch at the GF at about noon. Yes the park was very busy, but we did get in with no problem, and despite everyone crowded down main street to watch the parade, we made it to the TTA with no problems, and with very little wait, got on and rode it - AMAZING view of the crowds for sure (and did make us decide to leave, since we had just been at MK the day before). However, it we did go back that night,again, got back in with NO problems and rode MANY rides with virtually no wait including POTC, dumbo, jungle cruisex2 before exiting the park and watching the fireworks from outside the gate - no crowds there lol! WE then boarded our bus back to POR, and were the ONLY passengers (yes, on christmas day).

Just for perspective, on the day prior (which was Dec. 24), we arrived AFTER rope drop and still rode Buzz x3 with no wait, SMx2 with next to no wait, and went on to do tons more rides before leaving at around noon. In fact, we did not make rope drop one day of that trip, and still got everything that we wanted and way way more done with just arriving reasonably early and following our plan. So I am always shocked when people are so amazed that anyone would want to go to Disney at Christmas. We could go any time of year we want, we've been other times of the year, and we are still choosing - in fact - we are super excited - to be going back this year at Christmas Hope you have a fantastic trip as well OP!!!

 

[wendyt_ca]

Yes but if you are on site you really should just plan on being there for the 7AM opening. What you will accomplish in the first hour will be such a boost to your day and the next couple of hours after that. In the 7-8 AM hour I have accomplished Space, Buzz, Stitch, and a picture with the fire chief and a large family pic at the front of the Castle. In the 8-9 we knocked off Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Aladdin, 9-10 we did Big Thunder, Splash, Haunted Mansion. Lunch was early and then we did the 12:30 Parade (times are different over the holiday week) and THEN IT WAS REALLY BUSY.

Also in there we did the Pirates Tutorial and some meet and greets but you get the idea. Alot accomplished early and losing that hour does make a difference.

We also left and had no trouble getting in late afternoon (there is an ebb and flow with the crowds and typically after the later afternoon parade it's no problem getting back in).

Nighttime though is where we really saw the crowds.

Liz

I see where you are coming from. We aren't concerned about rides at all that day though. I would rather be able to sleep in an extra hour or so than do the rides. We go to Disney frequently and will have 2 other days at MK during the trip so our only concern is being in the park We just want to be there for the afternoon parade and the fireworks in the evening mainly and just to spend the day in the park. I just don't want to show up and not be able to get in.

I think sometimes people are a little dramatic about Christmas Day....
We were not there last year, but we were there in 2012. On Christmas Day we weren't planning to go to the parks, but we did have the opportunity to stop by on the way back from brunch at the GF at about noon. Yes the park was very busy, but we did get in with no problem, and despite everyone crowded down main street to watch the parade, we made it to the TTA with no problems, and with very little wait, got on and rode it - AMAZING view of the crowds for sure (and did make us decide to leave, since we had just been at MK the day before). However, it we did go back that night,again, got back in with NO problems and rode MANY rides with virtually no wait including POTC, dumbo, jungle cruisex2 before exiting the park and watching the fireworks from outside the gate - no crowds there lol! WE then boarded our bus back to POR, and were the ONLY passengers (yes, on christmas day).

Just for perspective, on the day prior (which was Dec. 24), we arrived AFTER rope drop and still rode Buzz x3 with no wait, SMx2 with next to no wait, and went on to do tons more rides before leaving at around noon. In fact, we did not make rope drop one day of that trip, and still got everything that we wanted and way way more done with just arriving reasonably early and following our plan. So I am always shocked when people are so amazed that anyone would want to go to Disney at Christmas. We could go any time of year we want, we've been other times of the year, and we are still choosing - in fact - we are super excited - to be going back this year at Christmas Hope you have a fantastic trip as well OP!!!

Thanks have a great trip as well! We will be together amongst the crazy crowds!!

 

[Traveliz]

I see where you are coming from. We aren't concerned about rides at all that day though. I would rather be able to sleep in an extra hour or so than do the rides. We go to Disney frequently and will have 2 other days at MK during the trip so our only concern is being in the park We just want to be there for the afternoon parade and the fireworks in the evening mainly and just to spend the day in the park. I just don't want to show up and not be able to get in.



Thanks have a great trip as well! We will be together amongst the crazy crowds!!

Then perfect - 8:00 would be plenty early - you could probably wait until 9 even. I would feel comfortable doing that.

Liz

 

[sjbond]

We were in MK last Christmas Day shortly after rope drop. We were actually surprised at at how quiet it was. It was like most people avoided it because of the anticipated crowds. We left just after lunch and it still was not as busy as we expected. It was amazing to walk up main street first thing in the morning with the performers singing Christmas carols and with all the decorations. We likely won't go at Christmas again, but only because it is way more expensive at that time of year.

 

[RoosMama]

I responded earlier in the thread but wanted to add:

It did seem last year like the World was pretty quiet early Christmas morning. I think a lot of families were opening presents before heading to the parks. We opened presents Christmas Eve night.

Also, since you mentioned watching Wishes - it was jam packed to watch last year Christmas week. We had to jump a fence just to get out. If you don't care about the projection show, etc., we watched them from behind the castle where it was much less crowded. You also get the fireworks all around you plus a view of the Beast's castle too!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Please someone explain to me why someone would visit MK on Christmas Day? I genuinely do not understand, that photo looks miserable I'm assuming it feels like times squares on New Years. Every ride, restaurants, shop, bathroom, walkway etc is beyond packed. What is the point? Just wondering for those that do visit MK Christmas Day.

We were in MK on Christmas Day 2012. We got there at RD and rode a lot of rides in the first 3 -4 hours. Around 11 am it got really busy, especially along Main Street. We shifted gears at this point (used FP-, went to lesser-visited attractions, rested, etc.). We found several places in MK that were not as crazy as Main Street. We also watched the parade in the afternoon.

Yes, MK is very busy on Christmas Day. But I did not find it to be the nightmare that many people seem to describe. I think they key is to be flexible and plan ahead.

We will be in MK again this Christmas Day. Hope to see you at RD, OP

 

[kristainohio]

We were at disney for Christmas week last year (2013). We did MK at 7 am every day but the 25th. I did see the road going into MK as we left the GF after our Christmas day brunch...it was insane. The tollbooths were shut down and it was a parking lot out there. We never felt ridiculously crowded that week except in the evenings. In fact, we are going back this year!