Question about Dec. crowds

[tb1972]

Our wait list just came through for Dec. 20-27 today. We wanted to visit during the holidays to see the beautiful decorations, however, I'm having second thoughts now. I've read that late Dec. crowds are unbearable. Any Dec. experts out there?

 

[StanH]

It is the most crowded week of the year. Tour smart, take breaks and it can be wonderful. It is our families favorite time to be there.

 

[Granny]

We were there for similar dates in 2006. Your first couple of days will be the ones you want to max out on attractions at the parks. The crowds build just before Christmas and are huge between Christmas and New Years.

So do we find them "unbearable". Not at all, you just have to know that they will be that way.

We are booked Dec 22-29 this year, so you can see that Christmas at WDW hasn't scared us. If hitting the maximum number of attractions every day of the vacation is part of your goal, then Christmas time might not be for you. But if you want to enjoy WDW with its decorations and special attractions like Candlelight Processional and Osborne lights, you will find it to be a great time to visit.

 

[drusba]

It really depends on what you have experienced before and personal tolerance. If you have gone Easter time before then crowds are only a tad larger. If you have gone summertime, then crowds are significantly larger but you already have some large crowd experience and probably can deal with it. If time you have usually gone is Sep or Jan (after first few days of Jan) then you are in for the shock of your life.

What is noticeably heavy is street crowds and you can often be in large crowds at MK just walking down the street which can be a major task in itself at times. If you want to do popular rides, you need to go at opening when some things are fairly easy to get on and then use fast pass. But beginning Dec. 23 you should expect in excess of 2 hour stand-by lines (in excess of 3 for Soaring' and Test Track) beginning about 10:30 in the morning. Also, make your dinner reservations 180 days out. You should go not expecting to do every ride and attraction. Instead, go to see decorations, Osbourne lights, outdoor Christmas shows, and other Christmas things as it is all amazing.

 

[tb1972]

We're usually Fall visitors - September is great in my opinion! I'm contemplating changing from xmas to Sept since OKW is available. Decisions!

 

[disneynutz]

Christmas is the only time when we have seen Disney close parks due to maximum attendance.

Bill

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I've read that late Dec. crowds are unbearable.

You've heard right.

That said, have reasonable expectations, have a plan, don't be afraid to deviate from that plan if the situation calls for it & have a blast!

 

[mousefan1972]

We're usually Fall visitors - September is great in my opinion! I'm contemplating changing from xmas to Sept since OKW is available. Decisions!

If you are used to September crowds, you may very well find Christmas week unbearable.

 

[MSUmom]

We are going from Dec 27 - Jan 5. My DS and his friend will be 16 & 17. My DDs will be 19 and 23. The first three nights are late nights at different parks. I figure they won't be moving until 11 or 12 noon. I am planning on making dinner reservations for all of us in each park where late night is and they will all be closing the parks.

 

[BillPA]

All the Christmas decorations are up by Thanksgiving. The week after Thanksgiving until Dec 15 or so, is the very best time to visit to see the holiday theme. Also a difficult time to get a DVC resort, but it is worth trying to get in then.

 

[DonnaL]

As others have said.....it is the busiest week of the year. Personally, we did it once.....and will never go that week again. But, it depends on what your family's vacation choices/preferences are......as others have stated...they love to go during that timeframe. I truly do love to see all the decorations, Christmas shows, etc. and we also have gone earlier in December to take advantage of those things.....that I would do again.....unfortunately, with our family work/school schedules (DH and I work at colleges, as does our youngest son and our oldest is currently in law school) early/mid December just doesn't work with semesters....the only family member early December works is our daughter. We have recently been going the first week of January....actually sometimes arriving on New Years Day......which, depending what day of week NYD falls...the first few days can also be very busy in the parks, but, not nearly as bad as the week between Christmas and NYD.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We like to see the holiday offerings too, but we prefer to take advantage of them early in December when we can really enjoy them. The first two weeks of December have become a must do time of year for a DVC trip for us.