Tell me about Christmas time at disney.....

[Hockeychic]

OK, am I completely nuts.

I have talked DH into going again at Christmas time. I just want to see the Xmas stuff.

What is the weather like???
Is it insanely crowded??? We would be arriving Dec 24th and leaving on Jan 1.

Please tell me I am not crazy!!!

 

[Bob P]

Hi Hockeychic,

The weather is unpredictable, the crowds are not!

It could be in the 70s or in the 50s during the day, and it could be in the 50s or the 30s at night.

If you're going just to the Christmas decorations I'd suggest you go earliei in December. Decorations go up the last week in November and the crowds are much thinner in early-mid December. Weather is the same as Christmas week...that is, all over the place!

Good luck,

Bob

Crowds, however, are more certain: it is packed!

 

[VickiVM]

We went two Christmases ago. Arrived 12/20 and departed the 26th. I honestly didn't feel like it was too crowded to enjoy. However, I could definately feel/see the difference in the crowds the 25th and the day we left. I think the week between Christmas and New Years is one of their hightest crowd level seasons (if not, the highest), but the week before is not so bad.

It is truly magical and I'm so glad we experienced it, but I don't feel the need to go this time of year again. The weather for the most part was perfect for this time of year. Clear, sunny, warm in the afternoons and pretty chilly in the mornings and evenings, especially once the sun went down. We had early CP show and the venue got quite chilly as the sun was setting because it's right off the lake. Take a heavy jacket if you do this event.

As a family, we toured the park pretty easily and go to see/do just about everything we wanted with minimal waits. (Go early in am to get the most accomplished). Also, make any and all PS's you think you might need. You will turned away at all major sit-down restaurants without a PS. For those who didn't have a PS, they were p**s'ed.

Have fun.

 

[bytheblood]

I really suggest you do a search and read those posts. This question gets asked about every two weeks and there is a lot of good info on those threads.

 

[WDSearcher]

The week between Christmas and New Year's is the absolute, positive, 100% most crowded week of the year at WDW. That doesn't mean you can't have fun, of course, but you have to go in realizing that crowds will be enormous. If you can go earlier in December, you'll still get to enjoy the holiday decor and shows, but will miss the bulk of the crowds.

 

[chris7]

Hi. We're planning to be there Dec. 18-26. Our first trip. From reading the Unofficial Guide to WDW and the posts I've read on this site, my plan is to hit the Magic Kingdom at opening for the first couple of days. My understanding is that the closer to X-mas the more crowded it will be. This trip is for our kids, so I want them to be able to ride and see everything their hearts desire at MK before it gets crazy. We'll hit Epcot and MGM in afternoons and evenings. I'm even OK with being at MK on X-mas day, just with no expectations of getting on rides. That's why I want to do MK really well early on.

 

[dvc guy]

We have gone the past 6 christmas , and will be there this year
. The advise you have gotten is correct. You have the honor of picking the buisest time of the year. On the plus side MK, EPOCT, & MGM will be open till 11 or 12 everyday.
Make sure you makePS early or you will be eating counter food the whole trip.
It will be very crowded, but being DVC members we take it all in stride. Don't expect to see everything. Pm me if you have specfic question. See you on the 24th at MK

 

[elaine and the boys]

We'll be arriving late afternoon on the 23rd and leaving by 7:00 am on the 31st. We know it will be extremely busy, but how about the other parks? Everyone keeps mentioning MK. I'm assuming it will be busy all over Disney World, but I wonder if some of you might have a plan as to what day we spend in what parks. Actually thinking about not going into the parks on Christmas day (Sunday). Do you think it might not be as bad on the 26th (Monday)...or later in the week?

 

[elaine and the boys]

We'll be arriving late afternoon on the 23rd and leaving by 7:00 am on the 31st. We know it will be extremely busy, but how about the other parks? Everyone keeps mentioning MK. I'm assuming it will be busy all over Disney World, but I wonder if some of you might have a plan as to what day we spend in what parks. Actually thinking about not going into the parks on Christmas day (Sunday). Do you think it might not be as bad on the 26th (Monday)...or later in the week?

 

[dvc guy]

The crowds will only get bigger as the week progresses. All the parks will be packed. Avoid MK on the 25th. Everything in WDW and everthing in Orlando from the airports to the 7-11 will be busy.
This does not mean you cannot have a good time, but you need to figure this into your game plan, which for most people means gettting up early and hitting the parks, or getting to the parks late in the day.
DS 9 & DD 12 have dragged me out of the parks at 11 PM or later after having been there all day. The resort hotels have great displays for the holidays. Key points plan, plan, plan, then be flexiable and go with the flow.

 

[elaine and the boys]

oops!

 

[vsimeone]

I just wanted to second the advice that you have gotten. We were there this past Christmas (12/23 - 1/1) and it is indeed VERY crowded!!! We had PSes every day except one and we were lucky to get one last minute for O'Hana which we throughly enjoyed. Just remember that it is vacation. Take it slow and easy. Don't be in a hurry. I would NEVER recommend that you take your very first trip to WDW over Christmas but if you go with a plan - do parks EARLY, get fast passes for everything you can, sight see and relax, you will have a FANTASTIC time!!! I, for one, would go EVERY year at Christmas if we could afford it!!!

 

[wildernessfamily]

I still love going Christmas time even though it is crowded. But depending where you are traveling from..like someone said earlier the weather is very unpredictable. We have wore Short sleeves and long pants and we have wore sweatshirts and jackets(and wished we had more to put on). So pack at least a sweatshirt for everyone. The decorations are awesome, make sure to leave time for MGM "Osbourne Family lights" In one section of MGM the streets are just covered with Millions of lights. Enjoy!