Still have a good time?

[katyringo]

We are going the week between Christmas a New Years. I know it's going to be busy. We plan to go into super chill, have a bit of a game plan, and go with the flow.

But I can't help be worried that the big crowds will totally ruin our trip.

It's when we can go. Over holiday break or not at all.

Reassure me please!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'd go in your shoes. Get to the parks as early as you can. Eat at off times if CS. Make dining reservations for ANY TS you're interested in. Download smartphone games for in the lines!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Remember that the most important element that determines whether or not you have a good time will be your attitude! You can't control the crowds, weather, refurbs, or other circumstances, but you can always control your outlook on these things. Whether your trip gets ruined is your choice. Whether your trip is great is also your choice. It's all in how you choose to see it. The magic really is everywhere if you are willing to see it. Just tell yourself that you are going to have fun, no matter what happens. Be prepared, have a back up plan, bring snacks (hangry is no fun for anyone!), and let the magic happen. Have a great trip (because you KNOW you will!)!

 

[SteveMP]

Yep, you can always have a good time if you have the right attitude as mentioned above ^^, we are APs. There have been days where we go and the ride lines are super long, and we have just spent extra time trying different snacks and desserts, or hung out in the magic shop longer than usual, enjoy and take in the sights sounds and smells of Main Street or watched great moments with Mr Lincoln and check out all the exhibits in there, or go to DCA and draw some characters and watch Turtle Talk, enjoy a leisurely paced meal at Wine Country Trattoria or other sit down place, etc. easy to enjoy a full day at either park without a single ride with the right mindset. Just have to open your senses.

 

[WonkaKid]

Actually, the Fresh Baked crew were there at about that time last year and it was surprisingly quiet. Most of the annual passes are blocked, so it may, in fact, not be too busy.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Make meal reservations ahead of time. Keep water and snacks on your person at all times. Buy and use MaxPass.
Are you staying onsite? That first hour in the morning is a game changer if you are.

 

[tzeitel]

We have not done that specific week, but we did Spring Break at WDW a couple of years ago. We knew there would be crazy crowds so we just went with the flow (or lack of flow ) I did book a TS every day so we would have a place we could sit, take a break and have a meal without worrying about lines or finding a table. We went for rope drop, took a break mid-day and went back at night. We also took advantage of the crowds watching the parade/fireworks to do rides. Same with meals - do them at odd times. Have not tried MaxPass yet but anything that helps getting you on rides faster is always good

I agree with the pps that have said a lot of it depends on attitude. Don't let the crowd dampen your spirit - you are at Disney!

 

[mpadilla89]

Hi we will be there those days too. We were going to go for Christmas but my mother would not allow that lol.(they will come with is 2018 christmas) So we are going the 27-31. We have been before during Xmas and yes it is crazy packed, but if you get up early you could enjoy a few hours before it gets packed. and like others have said if you will have a good time depends on you and who you are going with. If you know your way around the park you will be fine.

Our plan is to have a plan but know that it will more than likely not go accordingly. It is really nice just being there during the holidays. All the deco and the characters in their holiday outfits. Definitely take time to just sit and enjoy. I get worried at times too but then i remind myself that i will have dining reservations and utilize EMH and we will get something done.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We will be there during that week too, we are surprising our kids with a Christmas and New Year's trip. This is the first time my family has gone to any Disney park during such a busy time. However, I believe DH and I have a good plan of attack (or at least I hope so). Since we are staying at GCH, we are going to utilize Magic Mornings each day we are in the park so we can ride as many of the headliner rides as we can early and when the park is getting crazy crowded, we plan to just stop and smell the roses. When the crowds arrive we will be taking a trip around the park on the train, ride the Mark Twain and Columbus ships, go to Tom Sawyer's Island, watch any shows, etc... We also bought 5 day park hoppers so if we feel that one park is getting too busy for our liking, we can look and see what the wait times are like at the other park and just hop over. I am also going to make TS reservations for each day of our trip (at least 1 TS a day, however on Christmas day and New Year's Eve I plan on making 2 TS reservations a day because I know that will be a good way to just relax and get out of the crowds, plus those are the 2 days we are NOT hopping ). We are also going to plan on purchasing Maxpass each day so we can utilize fastpasses as much as we can on our phones. If we have to leave a park during the most crowded part of the day so we can relax and possibly swim at our resort, we have no problems doing so and then head back to one of the parks that is not as crowded for the night time activities. DH and I knew when we booked our trip that we will be dealing with the crowds, and one thing my family likes to do is come up with our own games while we wait in line, games like who am I (Disney version), where in Disney am I, I spy, etc...then of course we have a bunch of Disney trivia apps that we will play while waiting too, which is funny because families around us tend to jump in on the fun as well, which we don't mind .

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Just relax, you know it will be busy so plan ahead. Get reservations for restaurants, plan to buy MaxPass. How many days are you going? Try and go for as many as possible. We have been that week and we had a blast. We also took midday breaks at the hotel to swim/hot tub (yup it was nice enough!) and just relax for a few hours without the crowds. Plan to take extra time to get from here to there and try not to stress about the trip. Like I said we had a blast, just changed our expectations to fit the situation. Enjoy your trip!!!