SW week after Christmas 2013?

[rackerlee92]

This coming school year my DD14 will be in high school, so we are concerned about pulling her out for a week vacation (we've been to WDW 5x, but always during low season). With that, we are in the early planning stages of an Orlando vacation the week after Christmas 2013(12/28-1/4).

DH is ready for a break from WDW and not sure if we are ready to brave high crowds when we are used to walking onto most rides. I'm thinking SW for a few/couple days. What will crowds be like? Will SW still have Christmas decorations/shows?

Any other suggestions for us? We are me, DH, DD14(15 by vacation time) and DD12(13). DD14 will do RnR at HS, as well as any of the other coasters. DD12 loves EE and BTMRR, but will NOT go on RnR, so we are thinking Universal is a no go??

Thanks!!
Rhonda

 

[Lynne G]

I am not sure, but I am sure it will be crowded everywhere. But, I will be like you. First time ever to vacation over the holidays. Since we have a Super Grover Pass from Sesame Place, we get unlimited entry to all Busch parks in the US, so we are going to visit SW, Aquadica, BGT, and most likely the water park in Tampa too. We booked the Residence Inn near SW, as it's close to SW, Aquadica, and DC, as well as minutes from the interstate. I assume patience and early time entry will help with the crowds. We may do USO too, as I have an AP, though we may not stay onsite, and my kids are not used to no unlimited express. I would like to see USO holiday decorations, so I am still on the fence. We are also doing one day in DC, as our Pass also gets us a decent discount on the cost of DC and my DD, that will be 12 when we are there, loved our trip to DC 2 years ago, and she keeps begging to go back. I really enjoyed a relaxing day there.

To say I am excited is about right. It's the only time my DH can get off and I too will not pull my kids out of school, as they are in middle and high school, and time in school is getting more important now.

Hope you have a great holiday, and if we happen to cross paths I will definitely say hi!

 

[KBF]

This coming school year my DD14 will be in high school, so we are concerned about pulling her out for a week vacation (we've been to WDW 5x, but always during low season). With that, we are in the early planning stages of an Orlando vacation the week after Christmas 2013(12/28-1/4).

DH is ready for a break from WDW and not sure if we are ready to brave high crowds when we are used to walking onto most rides. I'm thinking SW for a few/couple days. What will crowds be like? Will SW still have Christmas decorations/shows?

Any other suggestions for us? We are me, DH, DD14(15 by vacation time) and DD12(13). DD14 will do RnR at HS, as well as any of the other coasters. DD12 loves EE and BTMRR, but will NOT go on RnR, so we are thinking Universal is a no go??

Thanks!!
Rhonda

Seaworld will always be less crowded than Disney. But if your really concerned about crowds, I would plan to go to Seaworld after New Years day. The 2nd-4th would be the least crowded time. Last year Seaworld extended some of its shows until the 6th. So chances are, they probably will do the same this year. Seaworld is very layed back compared to Disney. It can be done at a relaxing pace.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

This coming school year my DD14 will be in high school, so we are concerned about pulling her out for a week vacation (we've been to WDW 5x, but always during low season). With that, we are in the early planning stages of an Orlando vacation the week after Christmas 2013(12/28-1/4).

DH is ready for a break from WDW and not sure if we are ready to brave high crowds when we are used to walking onto most rides. I'm thinking SW for a few/couple days. What will crowds be like? Will SW still have Christmas decorations/shows?

Any other suggestions for us? We are me, DH, DD14(15 by vacation time) and DD12(13). DD14 will do RnR at HS, as well as any of the other coasters. DD12 loves EE and BTMRR, but will NOT go on RnR, so we are thinking Universal is a no go??

Thanks!!
Rhonda

To the other great answers above, I would also add that it might be worth considering staying onsite at SW for the SW portion of your visit, and onsite at Universal for that portion of your vacation. Then you get front-of-the line passes for each person at each park (Quick Queue at SeaWorld and Express Pass at Universal & IOA). Those perks can be a lifesaver during busier times.

I am not a big rides fan, but I still had fun at Universal (and my DH and DS loved it). Our preference by FAR is SeaWorld if comparing the two, but Universal still has a lot to offer.

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

We went to SW the day after Christmas last year and it was wall to wall crowds! Hated it and would not do it again. On the other hand we've been on Christmas Day and had the park to ourselves. Good luck!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We went to SW the day after Christmas last year and it was wall to wall crowds! Hated it and would not do it again. On the other hand we've been on Christmas Day and had the park to ourselves. Good luck!

SeaWorld on Christmas morning 2012:





Here was the Polar Express, about 10 or 10:30 in the morning:



We walked on.

Fast forward to the 28th of December.......oh. my. Lord. Packed solid . Even with our free Quick Queues, we avoided the rides. It was hard to even walk from place to place at times due to the vast amounts of bodies.

But Christmas Day itself? Amazing!

 

[angelmom27]

SeaWorld on Christmas morning 2012:

http://s362.photobucket.com/user/th...8orlandochristmaaqsw0021_zps722b5a92.jpg.html

http://s362.photobucket.com/user/th...8orlandochristmaaqsw0024_zps978b38c3.jpg.html

Here was the Polar Express, about 10 or 10:30 in the morning:

http://s362.photobucket.com/user/th...8orlandochristmaaqsw0037_zpsacf5e3a9.jpg.html

We walked on.

Fast forward to the 28th of December.......oh. my. Lord. Packed solid . Even with our free Quick Queues, we avoided the rides. It was hard to even walk from place to place at times due to the vast amounts of bodies.

But Christmas Day itself? Amazing!

I could see it being dead that day since most people are at home. I think we might try and brave it this yr and drive up for the day. Ii will be our new LOs first christmas.

It was packed for new yrs weekend. First time we ever had been to SW with crowds the way they were. Like you said so packed you couldn't walk.

 

[rackerlee92]

SeaWorld on Christmas morning 2012:





Here was the Polar Express, about 10 or 10:30 in the morning:



We walked on.

Fast forward to the 28th of December.......oh. my. Lord. Packed solid . Even with our free Quick Queues, we avoided the rides. It was hard to even walk from place to place at times due to the vast amounts of bodies.

But Christmas Day itself? Amazing!

Hmm...this makes me concerned, as we won't even fly in FL until 12/28....

 

[angelmom27]

Hmm...this makes me concerned, as we won't even fly in FL until 12/28....

If you are going to do many days there like 3 or more you can pace yourself and do a little each day. We were there on the 30 and 31st. The only time it got bad was if you were walking by a theater that was just ending a show and everyone was coming out at the same time. There was a small wait for the shark exhibit. We always do the walking side for the wild artic since we have littles and there was no wait. We split everything up for the two days. The 31st we went straight to shamu harbor so the kids could do the rides and everything was walk on. It didn't get crowded til later that night since everyone wanted to ring in the new yr there. We still had a fun time.

 

[KBF]

Hmm...this makes me concerned, as we won't even fly in FL until 12/28....

But you said you were visiting until the 4th. Remember it will get really slow starting January 2nd.

 

[rackerlee92]

But you said you were visiting until the 4th. Remember it will get really slow starting January 2nd.

So maybe SW at the end of our trip...1/2 and/or 1/3?? What is New Year's Day like - still pretty crowded?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So maybe SW at the end of our trip...1/2 and/or 1/3?? What is New Year's Day like - still pretty crowded?

You will probably still see crowds on New Years Day (though I have read that the park isn't too bad if you go early.....many folks are still recovering from the night before).

The only bad part about waiting to visit until Jan. 2 or 3 will be that you miss the special holiday shows. But the crowds will definitely be less.

 

[rackerlee92]

The only bad part about waiting to visit until Jan. 2 or 3 will be that you miss the special holiday shows. But the crowds will definitely be less.

Ok...so we do want to see the special holiday shows. We will plan to get to the park at opening and get as much stuff done early in the day as possible.

Thanks all!

 

[angelmom27]

Ok...so we do want to see the special holiday shows. We will plan to get to the park at opening and get as much stuff done early in the day as possible.

Thanks all!

Another thing to remember is holiday shows don't start til the afternoon. During the morning time its all the regular shows.