Offsite at Christmas time

[britt54311]

I am planning a vacation for 12 of us and considering staying off site again, but was curious about park attendance. I know it will be extremely busy at christmas but was wondering about park closures due to full capacity. How rare is this and does it really affect people who have stayed off-site? Anyone with experience in this please respond.

Cost wise it makes sense to stay off-site, but we are there to go to the Disney parks. Thanks for your responses. :

 

[7165red]

If you get there when the park opens you will get in. After 11am you will have a problem.

 

[AJKMOM]

I agree, it will be closed to off-site guests before noon, especially the MK.

 

[hercamore]

Early bird gets the worm.

Would not recommend park hopping that week either.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

We had no problem when we were there this past Christmas. It was busy. We stayed offsite. We used Touring Plans best days and stucl to them. We went to AK on Christmas day which was an EMH for onsite guests but this was not an issue since it is the least attended park on the holiday. There was no way we were going to MK or Epcot on christmas since that is exactly where "everyone" else wants to go. Make sure you get there before opeining and remember the parks open earlier than ususal than that week. I believe 8AM We left our hotel at 7 and waited at the gates until gates opened. We decided what the must do attractions were and based our touring plan on that. It was a great trip.

 

[britt54311]

Thanks for everyones replies. We are still undecided where to stay. We normally go to Disney in February when its far less crowded. Makes me nervous that we won't have a good time due to the crowds. This is the only time we decided we can go, as we have College students. We could go in summer but its far to hot for us and we would all be miserable.

This will be my sister's (and her family) first time to WDW, do you think this is an ok time for someone who hasn't been there before? Thanks

 

[swilshire]

This will be my sister's (and her family) first time to WDW, do you think this is an ok time for someone who hasn't been there before? Thanks

I really don't. It's OK for us because we've been many times and can just skip anything with terrible lines. A first timer would face lots of disappointment. It's a great time to go see the decorations at the resorts and enjoy the season, but you can't expect to ride everything or even see all the shows.

Sheila