Pre-Christmas / High Crowd Strategies

[patdoc98]

We are thinking about a trip for 12/17-12/23/2016. Family of four. Never been to WDW during a high crowd time, and we're wondering first, should we scrap the idea altogether?

Assuming we go, what are your most important tips for the high-crowd times, and for late December in particular??

Does any of the usual advice change for high crowd times?

We are roughly thinking (1) use park hoppers and have a morning park every day and an evening park most days, (2) use EMH a lot, since it will be more worthwhile during the high crowd times, (3) stay in the "morning park" only until about 10:30 or 11 am (using FPs 8-9am, 9-10am and 10-11am), then head back to the hotel pool for lunch/rest/naps, and (4) hit rides again after an early dinner.

Does this all seem workable/fun?? We're not sure! It is intimidating to check EasyWDW's crowd calendar and see it blank for those dates in 2015!

Here's the background:

We have been to WDW twice since having kids, and we feel pretty well-versed in most park strategies (rope drop, EMH, FP+, rider swap, etc.), but we always went in November.

For 2016, my wife is teaching at a public school with a regular calendar, and both our kids will (finally!?) be in school. So we want to take vacations according to the school calendar this year.

Last night, we booked CBR for free dining, 12/17-12/23. We booked it thinking we would cancel it eventually, but the timing would be great for a trip. With the free dining, and having never stayed at CBR, it could be a fun vacation even with minimal park time.

What does everyone think?

If we don't go at this time, we'll skip 2016 and go sometime in 2017, maybe late August. I think we're stuck with the school calendar for awhile.

 

[redsbe]

"We are roughly thinking (1) use park hoppers and have a morning park every day and an evening park most days, (2) use EMH a lot, since it will be more worthwhile during the high crowd times, (3) stay in the "morning park" only until about 10:30 or 11 am (using FPs 8-9am, 9-10am and 10-11am), then head back to the hotel pool for lunch/rest/naps, and (4) hit rides again after an early dinner."

Yes that plan will work, also set your expectations lower and more reasonable understanding that you may not be able to see and do everything as that would take more time in a park during which crowds will build. I think visiting during peak crowds does have its limitations, but the people who really run into problems with it are those unexperienced, unprepared or have unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved (especially if they think they can sleep in and wonder into park in late morning or later!)

 

[pmaurer74]

we have gone twice during this time and will be there the same time as you. The crowds are high moderate but nothing awful. The 23rd might be hairy. Go and have fun!

 

[patdoc98]

Thanks redsbe and pmaurer! Any other advice / views are appreciated!

 

[cassie58]

We went 12/19-12/24 this past Dec., and while it was busier than our usual Thanksgiving timing, if you are well planned, use the EMH along with FP, and take breaks/hop as needed, I think you will be fine. It is a great time to see all the Christmas decor up, we love it! If you haven't seen it before, jump on the monorail one day and see the giant gingerbread house at GF. We might go between Christmas and New Years due to DS soccer tournament at ESPN, and that is not a week I would voluntarily choose, but won't complain about being back at Disney this yr.!