Most crowded? July, Thanksgiving, Christmas

[LMC]

For those of you who are well traveled to WDW, in your opinion which time of year is most crowded? We already know when we are going, but we want to compare to other times traveled.

July
Christmas week
Thanksgiving week

Most specifically how is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day crowds? We thought about staying "home" Christmas Day so the kids could enjoy what santa brings but everyone else may be thinking that too so maybe we should hit the parks some. Our travel dates are 12/22 thru 1/1, will there be any slack time during the week days? We always try to avoid MK on weekends as we know those days are notoriously extra crowded.

 

[Suzyq9241]

We go every year during Thanksgiving and I think it is better than Easter, Christmas and put it this way better than any holiday in Floriday.

Easter is horrible with people.....
Thanksgiving great......

 

[stacy6552]

Christmas week is the most crowded of your three. We went in August and I'd give July a thumbs up because the hours are so long, its east not to be rushed or forced to push through the most crowded times of the day. I havent been over thanksgiving, but I'd guess its more crowded than July.

 

[LMC]

Well I guess we'll just have to make the best of it. This will be our 3rd trip this year so it's not like our kids have never seen or done any of it and "we'll have to fit it all in". Still waiting to hear how crowds are on 12/24 and 12/25 specifically. Wondering if everyone is doing the family thing or the park thing!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I searched and this is one thread I found...................hope it helps a little.



Crowds Christmas Eve and Christmas..................
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I have been asked and don't know if anyone has input. Couldn't figure out how to search to see if it has been answered before.

sodaseller
12-01-2004, 03:17 PM #2
The crowds are very heavy. Expect long lines. It's not uncommon for the MK to reach it's capacity and the gates be closed to incoming guests.

civileng68
12-01-2004, 03:22 PM #3
sodaseller


Thanks - that's what I was afraid of

sodaseller

12-01-2004, 06:30 PM #4

CamColt

Not sure what park you are thinking of, but last year we were at Epcot on Christmas Eve day and it didnt seem too bad at all. We started in the Land making cookies at 12:30, then spent the rest of the afternoon touring WS, checking out the "Santas" and the kids made masks. We went to Le Cellier(with CP package) and then to CP, and finished off a few more countries. The crowd level there then was nothing compared to MK on christmas and the following days.
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CamColt

12-01-2004, 07:53 PM #5


zurgswife
We were in MK on Christmas Eve morning (left about 12pm) and it was the emptiest I saw it the 2 weeks I was there:....we got tons of stuff done that morning it did pick up by the time we left but the morning was great....we were very surpurise ....Every day after that until new year's day MK closed by 12pm but it didn't on Christmas eve.....
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[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

and here are A LOT more.............

http://www.disboards.com/search.php?searchid=1679049

I especially like the poll: "Christmas Week:Heaven or Hell?"

 

[dvc guy]

Christmas week how best to describe it walltowall
12/22 will be the best day. The closer you get to Christmas the more packed it will be. Christmas day will be packed, avoid MK if you can.
Parks will have super long hours, try to take advantage of Extra hours if you are on site.
Good news we have gone the past 6 years and are going back this year.
The decoration at the hotels are super and the Christmas feel is great. Make sure you PS or you will not get a sit down dinner.
SLOW down and enjoy all the great holiday stuff.

 

[sjrogo713]

We are going for Thanksgiving week (OMG, 30 days away!), any advice? Where's the Best traditional T-giving dinner ? We thought maybe we would do SeaWorld
toward the end of the week, when WDW will be more crowded. Have DH who likes to eat and 11yo DS who wants to hit "everything exciting". Thanks for advice.

 

[jtopp]

July is crowded, kids out of school and too, too hot. Christmas is the single biggest attendance on record at the parks, and the often meet occupancy limits and must close the gate at one or more parks. Thanksgiving is not as bad, and the two weeks after are even better, as the parks are decorated for the holidays but attendance is lower (value season).

 

[LMC]

Thanks for all the replies! For those of you who are going what is your Christmas DAY plan? I am thinking about letting the kids play with their toys early in the day then trying to get into the parks later that day. Is that a good strategy? I know there is a chance the parks could fill up but we would probably do a park other than MK since it is on the weekend anyway.

Oh I would so love to go in off season but there is a little thing called school that gets in the way............maybe if I ever homeschool all the kids then we can.

... and the two weeks after are even better, as the parks are decorated for the holidays but attendance is lower (value season).