Park strategy for holidays

[TraceyPoppins]

Any tips for Disney veterans visiting MK or HS on a major holiday like Easter or Christmas? We've only ever visited "off season" (X 5) but are looking at future options. Can you experience enough with holiday crowds

 

[Alesia]

Get to the parks well before opening and come armed with a good, solid plan.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Yes, but it helps to adjust your touring style. And maybe some expectations.

I disagree with Alesia. I think arriving before the gate opens is a mistake. Holiday weeks, the best approach is to focus on using the late hours. first hours are of secondary benefit.

Generally the best approach is to zag when the crowd zigs. NEVER eat lunch noon-1:30pm. Much better to eat ice cream at 11:50am, and lunch at 2 (when ice cream lines are long. Use your head.

It also pays to be aware and don't do dumb stuff. Like count your party WELL BEFORE the front of the queue. when you are NEAR the front of the queue- hold up fingers to = your party, BEFORE being asked. In QS queues- hove your $ and your order ready in advance. If you have DDP, read how it works BEFORE you arrive. Keep your eyes open for ways to wait less. Be flexible. Do NOT make specific promises to your family (we will ride Dumbo at noon) vs, "(Ooh look- Dumbo has an hour wait, but Pooh has only 10min wait.) During bust weeks, WDW adds lots of fun soft attractions , like bonus characters. Those are fun to see as well.

Last, I personally will no longer pay holiday week rates- WDW + airfare! YIKES! Gouging! If at all possible, I'd straddle my trip - say Thursday to Thursday vs. Saturday to Sat. Again- zag EVERY time the crowd zigs.

We also save big flying into Tampa vs. MCO. Also, Tampa hotel rates may be much lower. consider a split stay with maybe arrival/departure night at inexpensive offsite. also, even within WDW- holiday weeks area good time to pick value resorts vs. sky high deluxe rates. It is also a great week to have a rental car.

 

[TwoCortWort]

Any tips for Disney veterans visiting MK or HS on a major holiday like Easter or Christmas? We've only ever visited "off season" (X 5) but are looking at future options. Can you experience enough with holiday crowds

I have been at Disney St Patrick's Day, Easter, Christmas Eve and Day.

Christmas Day I would avoid MK if possible, unless you get there early do everything and leave. We swore off doing MK on Christmas Day after we did DL that day 11 years ago and the place was packed! We do it on Christmas Eve now, but think everyone is catching on. So many think the Christmas parade is actually taped on Christmas Day, when it's not. But yes we have always gone at Christmas, this goes back to when I was a toddler. Best time of the year to go is Christmas in my opinion. If you get there early enough the crowds are manageable, but as the day goes on and by noon its close to capacity if not already there.

 

[Dentam]

I wouldn't go around Easter again - parks were insanely crowded. It was very crowded Christmas week but at least we had all of the holiday decor at the resorts to tour around and enjoy during the busiest times of the days. I would do rope drop and late evening hours as others have said and enjoy the resorts/pool during the afternoons.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I would never go on a major holiday. That being said if I did get there before rope drop. It's your only hope

 

[MelanieRI]

Any tips for Disney veterans visiting MK or HS on a major holiday like Easter or Christmas? We've only ever visited "off season" (X 5) but are looking at future options. Can you experience enough with holiday crowds

Well, one of the good things I can say about FP+, is that you will know you have at least 3 rides a day you know you will get to go on! lol Be prepared for long waits for anything else. However, I've always liked going to Disney during busy times. They add more shows, more hours, more transportation. They really beef things up to help control the crowds. I kinda find it frustrating to visit on "off" times (are there those times anymore??) when the hours are less. We like to stay out late. MK at 3 am - I'm there! Love it. MK closing at 10/11? AK closing at 5 pm, DHS at 8:30....yuck! It makes me feel like I can't get everything in, can't take a break in the middle of the day, etc.

 

[angierae]

We went to Animal Kingdom on Easter Sunday in 2012 and the parks didn't seem any more crowded than they'd been all week, but I thought people's fears about Easter Week at WDW were overblown anyway. We had a great trip and didn't spend hours and hours in line.