Pre Xmas time to go ?

[zum62]

Would like to go to WDW this December the 15-21st. Does anyone know how bad the crowds will be. We hope we might be safe if we get out by the 21st which is at the start of the weekend preceding Christmas. I can tolerate some crowds, but over crowding makes me dizzy. Would really like to enjoy WDW decorated for Xmas, but would I be wiser to wait until the 1st week of March 2002 or the 1st week of June 2002. (Only feasible times for me to go).
Please give me the benefit of your experiences, I would appreciate it !

 

[arkie]

zum62 Hubby and myself went in Dec. 99 from the 15th-19th. No crowds except for Sunday. Mickey's Christmas party is great also. No lines at all really didn't need fastpass. Had plenty of time to resort hop. It was a little chilly but not bad. Oh yeah!! You may be there for the Christmas parade taping. We were!!

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

We absolutely love this time of year. We have been down there during these dates several times and frozen our behinds off at night and the next night it was warm enough to be in the pool. Bizarre! The day time temps. are warm enough for short sleeve shirts and jeans. Bring a layer for early morning and nighttime. The crowds are slim and the decorations are beautiful! We have done EE and been maybe one of two dozen people on Main Street - talk about a strange feeling. The MVMCP are great also.

A word of caution get out before the weekend Christmas week! The resorts are usually booked and the crowds starting filing in.

I'm jealous we're leaving in 2 weeks for our 2001 because we have to go to Colorado to visit family this year.

Have a great time!

Melissa

 

[Laura]

I spent two days in WDW (only two! ) on 12/14 and 12/15. Went to Epcot and MK and walked right onto Test Track at 10am. The second day was at MK on a Friday, and although the pathways seemed rather congested in the afternoon, the actual ride lines were much much shorter than in the summer months. But there certainly weren't the hordes of tourists like I was used to in my previous visits (all summertime). I took a picture of the MK tip board on Main Street to prove to everyone at home how short lines were in the middle of the afternoon!

In any case, that time of year was great for me, so much so that I will never again go in summer. The weather was fantastic (we were kinda lucky; low 80s) and the Xmas decorations were super!

 

[Beauty]

We are also going Christmas this year and I can't wait. I have heard that it is beautiful and it even snows on Main Street!

 

[sshd]

That is a good time to go. We have went from the week before Christmas until the week after before and the crowds certainly change.
We were there this past year from the 17th and the crowds were light until the 23rd and then they all came. You should have light crowds.
The weather is iffy so be prepared for anything. We wore coats and sweatshirts alot. Gloves and hats too. They were sold out even. So don't leave all that stuff at home. Take it with just in case. Another year we were there at that time and wore shorts so you never know. Just be prepared.

 

[zum62]

Thanks for all the encouragement & info. Now I have a definite goal to get to WDW for the Xmas season & the motivation to hustle extra hard to pay for it all !

 

[Geubux]

Hi zum
You were right in thinking to get out the week before Christmas. We also went in Dec 99 and stayed at CBR. They have 2100 rooms, and only 400 were rented. But, that Friday was the first full week before Christmas and they filled up that day. The other hotels had a steady stream of checkins on Sat. Hi Arkie! We must have been at MVMCP at the same time! I think I remember you! (just kidding) You will love Dec.

 

[glindamood]

I am so glad you posted this questions zum and even happier with the responses. We were there in 1989 (12/19-24) and the crowds increased daily. We are going this year from 12/15-21 and hope it is calmer. We usually go in October or November but are combining this trip to WDW with a Christmas cruise (family reunion). 216 days to go!