Planning a trip over New Years?!? Madness?

[PollyBrit]

Hi! I have never been to Disneyworld - I was thinking of planning a grand family trip for after Christmas, say 28th Dec - 2nd Jan, incorporating a few Disney days, Universal and a day at Legoland. We have 3 teens - 19,18,15 and my 8yr old, then my husband and myself.

With covid craziness - am I mad to be planning this? Here's the pros and cons i've figured in my head:
Pros - slightly lesser crowds for the time of year? cooler weather than summer (I live in GA but i'm British and I burn!) Christmas wonder at Disney etc, New years celebrations of some kind?
Cons - a LOT of things won't be happening - i'm not even sure where to look at all the events that won't be happening - anyone have a link to a comprehensive list?

Does anyone have any advice for a DW newbie like me? My 8yr old and 15yr old have never been to Disney at all! I went to DL back in 2004, I hear DW is much bigger and crazier!
Thanks in advance!
Polly

 

[sponica]

I wouldn't do a first trip under restrictions unless you know you'll be back. No meet and greets with characters, no fireworks, no parades....for me no park hopping is a real deal breaker. The water rides usually go down for refurbs.

If I did book anything, I'd make sure EVERYTHING was refundable.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Well, NYC has cancelled Times Square celebration for NYE. I wouldn't plan on anything big at WDW for NYE or Christmas other than a few decorations. I just heard Disney is laying off a whole bunch of employees very soon.

 

[LeslieLou]

NYE without fireworks is another day. I’d pass. We’ve been twice for New Years and love it - love the real madness. Wouldn’t go without fireworks

 

[Arguetafamily]

We are also going for New Year's Eve but we have been several times and are DVC members, so will come again, that being said we are bringing my niece who is 8 for her first time.
I don't think I would want to be anywhere else this covid New Year. I love Disney and somehow regardless of the restrictions, it's always magical and memory making.

One year we went to Disneyland for New Year's Eve, stayed at a hotel - we live in Los Angeles, CA - woke up at 5am to get in, stayed all day and night with 5 grouchy kids...due to weather, they DID NOT do fireworks that year. The one and only time we tried Disneyland for New Year's. Was it a bummer, sure, did we still have a good time, yes.

If your kids are all about the meet and greets, then it may be sad for you. Some of our best memories is seeing our kids faces when they hugged Baymax, Mickey, Goofy, the princesses.

They will still get to see characters but not as close. You can still eat in Cinderella's castle. You still hear the music on main street, still see the decorations, still able to get on 98% of rides, still have good food at all the parks and resorts. I feel everyone is so restricted already, they need even a toned down bit of Disney magic. Sorry the response is long. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ice cube]

Hi! I have never been to Disneyworld - I was thinking of planning a grand family trip for after Christmas, say 28th Dec - 2nd Jan, incorporating a few Disney days, Universal and a day at Legoland. We have 3 teens - 19,18,15 and my 8yr old, then my husband and myself.

With covid craziness - am I mad to be planning this? Here's the pros and cons i've figured in my head:
Pros - slightly lesser crowds for the time of year? cooler weather than summer (I live in GA but i'm British and I burn!) Christmas wonder at Disney etc, New years celebrations of some kind?
Cons - a LOT of things won't be happening - i'm not even sure where to look at all the events that won't be happening - anyone have a link to a comprehensive list?

Does anyone have any advice for a DW newbie like me? My 8yr old and 15yr old have never been to Disney at all! I went to DL back in 2004, I hear DW is much bigger and crazier!
Thanks in advance!
Polly

I'll throw my 5 cents in.....now this is coming from a dads perspective with two princesses and one queen....whether fully opened or this covid craziness nothing beats WDW especially during the holidays. Yes there will be less then years past sometimes less is more, but just think about how much more you can do. Whether its getting to spend more time on rides than waiting to get on them to having the resort pool all to yourself you can still make memorable memories at Disney. This will be our 14th year in a row for Christmas/New Years and there's no where else I want to be. Its all what you make of it. If you want to have a great time you will if not you won't. I say go for it and don't look back. Oh btw you still might burn last year it was high 80s and saw 90 last year while we were there for Christmas. and being from NY we make it a point to know the temperature while at Disney....