Next Christmas...

[hdrolfe]

The school board just posted their calendar for next year and Christmas break will be late, Dec 26, returning January 9th. So... this might be the year we go away at that time! I am pretty sure Disney, and Universal will be nuts over the December 26 - January 1 week, not sure about the following week. Has anyone gone that time of year? We would spend Christmas at home (fingers crossed we can actually see family this year) and probably aim to go on the 26th and say for 10 days at least, maybe do both Universal and Disney. I'm sure it will be busy, but we've been to Disney enough times that I'd be ok with relaxing at the hotel more any way. I could also look at a cruise I suppose, it might be fun to be somewhere on New Year's Eve (instead of going to bed early lol).

Any tips for Disney that time of year? I wonder if after January 2nd it might be quieter? But maybe not.

 

[dawnelda]

Sounds amazing. My daughter (who was 7 at the time), my mother and I went for 5 days between Xmas and New Years in 2019 and had a marvellous time. We didn't go to the parks at all and it was very relaxing. We stayed at Pop Century and rode around on the Skyliner, enjoyed some pool time, checked out the decorations at all the different resorts and did scavenger hunts at Port Orleans French Quarter and Pop Century (ask at the front desk for the list of items to find). We went to AKL and watched the animals. My daughter did pin trading. We bought the dining plan and had a nice sit-down meal every night. The refillable mugs were wonderful because they can be used at any resort.

In short, it was all I dreamed it would be and more. One of those rare vacations where the expectations were high and were matched by reality.

Check out this thread for things to do at the Disney resorts:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/cool-things-to-see-at-wdw-resorts.3847637/

 

[spewey]

As for Universal, my wife and I used to stay there every year between Christmas and New Years - but that was pre-daughter (14), and therefore pre-Harry Potter and the resulting crowds. But we would gladly do that again (and given the dates you mention, may this year) with two key strategies in mind - rope drop, and crucially stay on site at one of the premium hotels that offer Express Passes.
They be super-pricey I'm sure, but oh so worth it when it comes to managing crowds.

 

[bcwife76]

So we are currently booked at Aulani from December 27th to January 1st (planning to arrive in Honolulu on the 25th or 26th) but at the 7 month mark my husband wants to try and switch to FL so we can do Universal and WDW and I told him it will be nuts, crazy busy I'm hoping there won't be a lot of availability at the 7 month mark which means the decision is made for us and we stay with Hawaii lol

 

[dancin Disney style]

I haven't been to WDW in the time period you are looking at but have considered it MANY times and done a lot of research on it. The week between Xmas and NY everything is packed...hotels sell out and parks can go to staged closures. I would assume that with the current park reservation system staged closures play no part but who knows what they will be doing 9-10 months from now. It used to be busier than the 4th of July and I have been in the parks at that time....it was literally shoulder to shoulder crowds. The week following NY it does quiet down. That said everything is so different now and even when the crowd calendar shows 5/6 the parks look packed. There really doesn't seem to be a time when things are not busy...it's just levels of busy.

 

[deedubb]

My favourite time of year to go, but, it is a ZOO and you have to be prepared for that. It should be calmer after New Years. NYE is hands down the best day to be at Disney. Pre-covid, MK did NYE fireworks twice on the 30th and twice on the 31st. They are the best fireworks ever! We usually do the early show on the 30th, possibly the midnight show on the 30th, the early show on the 31st, then hop over to EPCOT for the midnight countdown fireworks. EPCOT only does the special fireworks once at midnight on the 31st. I would highly recommend staying at Bay Lake or Contemporary if you plan to do the midnight show at MK on the 30th, and move to a resort on the Boardwalk if you do the EPCOT midnight fireworks on the 31st. Trust me, you do not want to rely on the bus or your own car after the midnight fireworks unless you don't mind getting back to your hotel at 2 am.

MK on the 25th is magical, but MK always shuts down due to capacity that day, so it is crazy packed.

Pack your patience. Don't expect to do too many rides. Expect a line for the washroom. On Christmas day and NYE, make sure you book ADRs. I cannot stress that enough. You do not want to rely on quick service meals those days.

 

[bababear_50]

Disney World

https://www.rundisney.com/events/

• runDisney Walt Disney World 2023 Marathon Weekend January 5 - 8, 2023.

Universal Orlando
Under Cover Tourist says Jan 1-4 & Jan 13-16 on the worst list for 2023

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/best-time-visit-universal-orlando/

 

[tgropp]

Crowds are crazy but don’t let that stop you. It truly is magical. We love the week before Christmas and leave on the 26’th for beach time, but you will enjoy everything. We usually go to the parks from 8-12 and 6-10. Others have mentioned that you will need to register for parks so if you want to go, do that ……sooner the better. You can always change parks later if there’s availability. From what I am reading, past Christmas visitors are saying that it is as busy now or even busier. This past Christmas was the busiest time in our nine Christmas visits but I would do it again in a heartbeat

 

[bababear_50]

My thoughts
You are a seasoned pro when it comes to the Parks.
10 days is plenty to get a ton of rides/attractions and activities done.
Both you and your son enjoy Water Parks so I say mix up some water parks and Pool time into the holiday.
Universal 's Volcano Bay is just a walk away from Universals Cabaña Bay resort.
10 days will be so much fun for you to plan.
Have Fun deciding and planning.

Hugs Mel

 

[SleeplessInTO]

We jokingly call it our tradition to do disney at Christmas time. We were there December 2021 for 20 days. It was very busy, as usual, but we loved it. The decor, the storytellers at Epcot, the fireworks, the parades, they’re all very extravagant and fun. We only bought Genie+ one day out of the 20 days and found we didn’t really need it. (Definitely nice to have to skip lines, but wasn’t necessary for us to enjoy our time.) But we aren’t park commando people. We usually make a plan to achieve one or two things each day and soak up the atmosphere and relax. One must do, one nice to do, and everything else is just gravy. One of our best days was lounging around our room at OKW, sitting on the massive patio and watching the river flow by, visiting the main pool, watching the sun set, roasting marshmallows at the fire pit, dragging around giant chess pieces with no regard for the rules, and chatting with the awesome Cast Members who work there. Then we went over to Hollywood Studios right before park close, got in line for Runaway Railway for the 8th time that trip, rode it, and called it a night. Perfect ending to the best day ever.

Long winded post to say - my tip is to just go with the flow. Do one must do thing each day and relax and enjoy the rest. You’re at Disney. It’s Christmas.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We're planning to be there next Christmas as well! Staying onsite from the 30th til the 6th or 7th and a few days offsite not sure where or for how long. Will depend on flights. I've always wanted to see the MK fireworks on the 30th and the NYE on the 31st. We were there from January 1st to 10th a few years ago and it was a noticeable difference after the first couple of days. Although who knows now - everything has changed.

 

[deedubb]

I had my hotels booked for this year so that we could walk to MK on Christmas day up until the 30th, then Beach Club from NYE until the 2nd. When Westjet flights opened up, it was $7K for 4 people. $7K!!! My plans quickly changed! Hopefully the cost of flights will be closer to normal next Christmas.

 

[hdrolfe]

I had my hotels booked for this year so that we could walk to MK on Christmas day up until the 30th, then Beach Club from NYE until the 2nd. When Westjet flights opened up, it was $7K for 4 people. $7K!!! My plans quickly changed! Hopefully the cost of flights will be closer to normal next Christmas.

Direct flights with Air Canada are looking around $1400 for two of us, which is not the best of course but at least better than what you saw. It could drop, I'm not sure what it's normally like around that time of year, and since now it's been announced that the break is later I'm sure people will adjust their travel plans.

 

[deedubb]

Direct flights with Air Canada are looking around $1400 for two of us, which is not the best of course but at least better than what you saw. It could drop, I'm not sure what it's normally like around that time of year, and since now it's been announced that the break is later I'm sure people will adjust their travel plans.

I needed to use WJ travel bank money before it expires. The cost was originally $6K to return home on Sunday the 1st. It took a while for the other return dates to appear on the scheduler and I thought for sure it would be cheaper to return on Monday the 2nd which is what I had planned. I was shocked to see the price for that day significantly higher, pushing the total cost to $7K. We decided to book a summer trip instead and will try again next Christmas.

 

[ABCanada]

I wonder if after January 2nd it might be quieter? But maybe not.

January is traditionally a quieter month but seems to be picking up a bit. As a PP mentioned the Marathon is the first weekend in January which brings in crowds but their focus is a bit different. The runners are out at a ridiculous hour in the morning.
If you have to travel on a school break this is a great time (similar to last half of August without the Hurricane threat).
Weather can get down to below freezing but usually recovers quickly.
Christmas decorations, which I find magical, will still be up in most places.
In my opinion, first week in January is definitely one of the better times.
They often do a number of major ride and pool refurbishments in January. I think it is after the first week but I would watch so if there were any rides that you did not want to miss you get them in before they are brought down.

 

[Madame]

We prefer to travel the week before Christmas or the week of depending on school calendar - ours won’t be out for months yet so I always have to double book DVC bc we never know what weeks we have off until last minute

the week after Christmas /NYE has had massive crowds and shorter hours any time we’ve had to go then (4x). I avoid it as much as possible.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I had my hotels booked for this year so that we could walk to MK on Christmas day up until the 30th, then Beach Club from NYE until the 2nd. When Westjet flights opened up, it was $7K for 4 people. $7K!!! My plans quickly changed! Hopefully the cost of flights will be closer to normal next Christmas.

Our last trip we were booked then too, then changed plans after we got a great deal on a flight leaving New Years Day. We have southwest credits to use up so hopefully flights won't be bad around that time, but if they are we will change things up. I don't want to go that bad to pay that much for just flights!

 

[bababear_50]

Just a
FYI
I have been actively watching Red Tag / Airmiles for the past few months and prices have really started to increase about a week and a half ago.
Looks like inflation is going to hit travel industry too.
If your on the fence it might be a good time to book something just make sure it is refundable .
Hugs Mel

 

[Darth Insidious]

My favourite time of year to go, but, it is a ZOO and you have to be prepared for that. It should be calmer after New Years. NYE is hands down the best day to be at Disney. Pre-covid, MK did NYE fireworks twice on the 30th and twice on the 31st. They are the best fireworks ever! We usually do the early show on the 30th, possibly the midnight show on the 30th, the early show on the 31st, then hop over to EPCOT for the midnight countdown fireworks. EPCOT only does the special fireworks once at midnight on the 31st. I would highly recommend staying at Bay Lake or Contemporary if you plan to do the midnight show at MK on the 30th, and move to a resort on the Boardwalk if you do the EPCOT midnight fireworks on the 31st. Trust me, you do not want to rely on the bus or your own car after the midnight fireworks unless you don't mind getting back to your hotel at 2 am.

MK on the 25th is magical, but MK always shuts down due to capacity that day, so it is crazy packed.

Pack your patience. Don't expect to do too many rides. Expect a line for the washroom. On Christmas day and NYE, make sure you book ADRs. I cannot stress that enough. You do not want to rely on quick service meals those days.

I was thinking of doing World Showcase on Christmas and just grabbing food from the carts. Is that a bad idea?

 

[deedubb]

I was thinking of doing World Showcase on Christmas and just grabbing food from the carts. Is that a bad idea?

I have never been to EPCOT on Christmas day, but that park tends to handle large crowds the best and I would think grabbing food from the carts should be fine. Have fun!