once again..im discouraged and panicking

[Fooboy]

hello everyone,
When I booked my trip, I was already beginning to feel the panic of going during the week after Christmas. It is the only week that we have available so we had no choice. We only have 5 1/2 days of playtime and then we're heading back to Texas. So I frantically started to read through books and bought Birnbaums and the Unofficial Guide. I started to do A LOT of planning and the anxiety started to wear off. But now, after reading through some guides other than the Unofficial Guide, I am discouraged by how it is sooooooo disagreeable to going that week. Some books even said that if we decide to go that week, we'll have a horrible time and spend too much money. now im sad. It's my girlfriend's first visit and our first vacation. I really want it to be as perfect as I can make it. (maybe it's a male perfection thing..) Either way, I just want this trip to be positively memorable. I'm really upset with those books that state that it'll be a time of pain and suffering if we go during that week. Please....words of encouragement...i need it. bad.

thnx
foobs

 

[mrsltg]

Ok, yes it's going to be crowded. No, you won't be alone. Yes, there will be some long waits. BIG DEAL! Utilize fast pass and figure out which rides you consider "must do's". Make your priority seatings and plan on not doing everything. Don't go with the attitude that you won't have any fun - you will. Disney is what you make it! You're going to have a great time!!!! Don't worry so much about the books - and especially DO NOT TRY TO MAKE IT PERFECT - this is a sure fire way to ruin anything!

Have a great vacation!

Erin

 

[KMH1]

WDW is a magical place...you will have so much fun! Don't worry about the crowds, but plan accordingly. If you really want to see a parade, then obviously stake out a spot early. Wake up early and beat the crowds. Each day, have a "game plan," but if you veer off track, that's okay. Definitely utilize the fastpass system. Just enjoy yourselves.

Instead of panicking and worrying right now, plan fun events until your trip finally arrives. Watch lots of Disney movies. Surprise your girlfriend with a homemade autograph book (she'll love meeting the characters!). Make a Disney paper chain and take off a link as each day passes.

You're going to have a blast!

 

[TimeWarp]

You are going to have the time of your lives. Think of all the holiday happenings and the decorations. Use your line time to discuss dinner plans and next day plans. Hey! You're going to Disney! Yeah!

 

[Grumpy92]

Hey no time to get down you are going to WDW during the most magical time. So take a breath and get the best advice from your fellow disboard members. Here are some tips for visiting during the busy week you will be there. Basically it is all in the planning and your attitude.

1. Take you xmas cheer and be flexible. The crowds will be large but if you take this attitude before you arrive it will make the trip more enjoyable. Dont expect to get everything done or as much as you normally do because this is not going to happen. But the xmas decorations and actitivies make wdw extra magical. Pick your top choices in each park (say your top 5-10 rides) and really target those attractions, use FP then when that is accomplished take the rest as they come.

2. Make PS before you arrive, especially for dinner. Look at the www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm site and pick out the places you want to dine. I know you are going to be there NYE and you wanted to go to MK. Make a PS for dinner and go early and then stay. YOur other option is to go to one of the other parks. We loved EC the best of all our NYE in the parks. We made a dinner PS, got there around 10:30am and leisurely did the park. We didnt rush, didnt worry about lines because we had time to waste. We loved that each countries cms would countdown the NY with their homelands time. So we really celebrated NY all night. The entertainment was great and we toasted the NY with champagne even wishing some of the cms a happy ny. We hugged and toasted their great work and had the best evening.

3. Some of the holiday decorations will still be out so visit the resorts and take in the decorations. I would suggest GF in the evening. Late in the afternoon the cms sing carols followed by the band & pianist. We go to tea or have cocktails in the lobby, sometime munching on gingerbread or roasted chestnuts. Curl up by the WL fireplace while enjoying a capaccino.

4. Holiday festivities, The CP will still be going that week and is a dont miss. Think about the dinner Pkg it is worth the $$. Stand under the Intl Bridge and enjoy the lights & music of the lighted canopy. Sit outside of one of the restaurant areas and enjoy people watching.

Like I said dont make the rides your focal point but rather soaking in the wonderful atmosphere. We have done many xmas & NYE at WDW so keep those questions coming.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We just booked 4 nights that week--12/29 at the Dolphin and then 3 nights at the Contemporary. I plan on enjoying every minutes crowds or not! At least I'll be in WDW and not Ohio, and the kids don't know yet, ha ha!
I plan on seeing Gary Sinise do CP on the 29th, MK on the 30th, MGM and then Epcot on the 31st and MK on the 1st. I have only a couple of must-dos at each park and no PSs yet (although I'm working on it--we've eaten almost everywhere we want to already and may just live with counter service). I also want to have some quality resort time. You'll have a great time!
Robin M.

 

[stacy2197]

I had the same fears going during 4th of July this summer. All I heard is how hot and crowded it would be. We had a blast. I only missed one thing I wanted to do and that was my mistake. With fastpasses you can do all the big rides. The only time I had a problem with the crowds is leaving MK after fireworks on the 4th. You know it's going to be crowded so at least you can go prepared. Have fun.
Stacy

 

[zurgswife]

I'm going to be there then and the best advice I can give is RELAX....It will be CROWDED.....work with it not against...try to plan but be FLEXIBLE......It is a magical time......enjoy the special things of the season....decorations, special fireworks, special christmas themed stuff at EPCOT.....

It will be great if you think it will.....

 

[Fooboy]

THANKS EVERONE for ya'lls words of encouragement!! i know it's all about the attitude and going in expecting the worst. Of course, it is Disney!! haha we will have a wonderful time. but now, it's time for some more planning

foobs

 

[dizzyintx]

Hey Fooboy,
I live in San Marcos, so we are almost neighbors. Just think of it as being in traffic on IH 35 or mopac. If you do your homework, you will know alternative routes to take. Same at disney, if you do you homework and its too crowded just use your planning and fastpass. WDW crowded, is better than Austin traffic anytime Have a great time ! Kim

 

[Fooboy]

Originally posted by dizzyintx
Hey Fooboy,
I live in San Marcos, so we are almost neighbors. Just think of it as being in traffic on IH 35 or mopac. If you do your homework, you will know alternative routes to take. Same at disney, if you do you homework and its too crowded just use your planning and fastpass. WDW crowded, is better than Austin traffic anytime Have a great time ! Kim

Kim, you just made my day! haha! absolutely, that traffic on 35 is horrendous! it seems like it only gets worse. But at least I have Jeff Ward to listen to on 590 (that is, if you listen to KLBJ). Thanks so much for the analogy! kudos!

foobs

 

[Kallison]

To make an analogy, before our end of August trip this year all I read on the boards were people coming back and posting -
"Hot and crowded -- will never go again this time of year. " I also was feeling panicky. This was our 4th trip in 4 years, but hey you do spend big bucks. I even almost cancelled and ended up shortening the 11 day stay by 2 days. I don't know if we lucked out, but the weather was very aggreable, sure it thunderstormed, sure there were a few wicked hot days, but we adjusted. It was more crowded then we were ever used to, but we got to parks at opening and used FastPass. We were traveling with 7 people including a grandmother on a scooter. The two of you will be able to dip and dive into attractions quickly and probably won't have trouble getting tables for two at primo times. My two biggest tips are get to the Parks 30 min. before opening. We skipped Early Entry parks and slept in a little but were still at the gates at opening. Only the MK felt crowded, Epcot and World Showcase seemed deserted all the time. Also eat at off times - lunch at 11, dinner at 4 or later times. Eat at nice restaurants, drink wine, watch the British Invasion & Off Kilter and don't worry! You will have a blast.

 

[Donald's #1 Fan]

Stop panicking. You can't help but enjoy yourself. It's natural, it is the environment, it is Disney, it is Magic!!

 

[Gary M]

AS mentioned before get to the parks early and avoid the EE park of the day. You'll have a great time.

 

[jann1033]

maybe you'll be one of those who enjoy the crowds, some have posted they wouldn't go any other time. the first time we went was in the Mid july and While I wouldn't go back at that time again we still had enough fun to want to go back! ( just at another time but I really can not tolerate heat, makes me physically sick, or crowds). If you are the type that has to get to everything at it's "appointed" time and loses it if you don't you'll have a miserable time but if you take in the magic how can you help but enjoy yourself? just accept there will be crowds and try to have the mind set that you are all at one big happy party.

 

[rasnlms]

We'll be there with you - I know it will be crowded - but you are in Disney

Just relax and have a great time - don't stress over lines and crowds.

See ya there!!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

In order for my husband to get time off from work we must time our trips with his conventions. We've always gone during Easter and I too panicked the first year after reading that week and Christmas were the peak weeks. There are some advantages.

1) Longer hours - take a nap or use the pool in the afternoon then go back to see how beautiful the park is in the evening.

2) Extra parades and Fantasmic. If you want to see the shows wait for the second showing. It is always less crowded.

3) A real party atmosphere. To me, the parks can seem desolate so empty. People, talking and laughing. Fun for me.

4) Waiting in line you meet some great people. The Easter after Sept. 11th there were quite a few firefighters from the NYFD and loved hearing their stories.

Really and truly, attitude is everything. You are forewarned it is crowded so it won't be a shock. You won't be able to run from ride to ride so enjoy the special Disney touches.

 

[DisneyMim]

Not to worry! Yes as everyone else said it will be crowded, but it really won't matter. Just go and have a good time. If you go with a good attitude you will be ok. You may not be able to do everything, but that's what your next trip is for. Everyone kept telling us we were nuts to go during Easter, but we went anyway (2X now) and had a blast! Sometimes too much reading and planning is a bad thing. Go with the flow!!

Have a Wonderful Trip!!

 

[2MuchOhana]

We will be there, too. Despite the crowds, we are really looking forward to spending our Christmas at WDW. Your trip will be as Magical and Wonderful as you make it; so leave your stress and worries at home. Yes, it maybe more crowded than other times of the year. Think of all the new people you are going to meet while standing in line. Maybe you'll even make a new friend or two .

We hope that you have a Great Trip. Maybe we will meet while standing in line!

The Soltwisch Family

 

[indyanna]

Think of it like this. Maybe its so crowded because it's a spectacular time of year to go and you're going to get to be a part of it!