Tell me I'm not crazy!!

[riatees]

I am seriously considering planning our next trip Home, during the week between Christmas and New Years. I have avoided this week like the plague in the past because we really hate crowds. We have become quite spoiled always visiting Disney either the first or 2nd week of December and having minimal crowds. The thing that has changed is there will now be 4 kids in highschool and they really can't afford to miss that week from school now. When they were in gradeschool it was a little different. We really want to go next year and we love being there during the Christmas season but I am afraid it will be a much different trip than we are used to and I don't want anyone to be disappointed. So I guess my question is, if I can even get the reservation for that week, how bad is it. Are you still able to enjoy your vacation or do you feel like you are constantly in a race and not getting anywhere. Please give me your thoughts good and bad, I have to make this decision soon.
Thanks.

 

[Cee]

I personally have never been there during that week. But one year in the 90's my DH took two of our kids and he said that he would never again do it. It was so crowded in the MK one day that he said they had no control over where they went. The crowd literally moved them and he was terrified that he would lose the kids. Now I know folks go that week and are able to have a great time. But I would never do it myself.

If you decide to go, please prepare yourself to enjoy "the World" a whole new way. Especially if you are used to low crowds. It will be CRAZY crowded.

 

[Havana]

We go this week almost every year. Getting to the park at rope drop and using fast pass are key. We still get the major attractions done without stress. Waiting for the fireworks and parades take a little more time in waiting for a good spot. We go other times of the year, and find that we miss the Christmas week spirit. And if you haven't seen the decorations yet, there just isn't anything to compare them to!

 

[3dog2kidmom]

We go this week almost every year. Getting to the park at rope drop and using fast pass are key. We still get the major attractions done without stress. Waiting for the fireworks and parades take a little more time in waiting for a good spot. We go other times of the year, and find that we miss the Christmas week spirit. And if you haven't seen the decorations yet, there just isn't anything to compare them to!

This. We like to go Christmas week too. Get there early, use fastpass, and be flexible.

This will be our first Christmas "home" at BLT so we are super excited.

 

[Crystal_27]

We will be right there with ya - we'll be there from December 18-January 1. I know its going to be super crowded, but I also am very excited to share in the holiday merriment with my fellow Disney lovers. Christmas and Disney: what better combination of magic?

 

[dgaston]

Before DH retired after 38 years of HS teaching, Christmas week was one of our few options. As a veteran of 6 or 7 Christmas weeks, I strongly recommend spending the $20 on TourguideMike for his Best Parks, Best Days advice. There usually is a link and discount on the Theme Parks page here.

Lower your expectations, arrive early for rope drop and use Fast Passes. We always do a holiday tour of the deluxe resorts and have our own vote on the best gingerbread houses.

Consider a sleigh ride at WL, and enjoy all the decorations.

Have a great trip! This year we're there from the 18th to the 29th, a mini-family reunion with my brother, his wife and my CA nephews, now 18 and 16.
If you see lime green Disney shirts with Mizera - Gaston Family Holiday, that's us!

 

[Coach81]

Going to be VERY, VERY crowded.. but if you go with the right attitude.. it is a great time!

Good luck with your decision..

 

[riatees]

Thanks all for your replies so far. We have seen the decorations, done MVMCP and seen the Osbourne lights when we have gone the first week of December. That would be my first choice again if it weren't for school. I am right now just going on the fact that even full capacity Disney is better than no Disney!!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

My thought is that if you go frequently and know your way around and know what attractions you want to see and ...understanding how to use fast passes and which rides/ attractions are most popular, it would work out ok. I would arrive at rope drop though. It does make a lot of difference in the busy season...

 

[WDWBlue]

Going to be VERY, VERY crowded.. but if you go with the right attitude.. it is a great time!

Good luck with your decision..

We've gone this week three times. We love it, but you do have to plan on a different approach because of the masses.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We'll be there with the family this year. I was able to book some character meals, and we'll take it at what ever pace we need to. Air fare were much more than we hoped, and I'm not sure the rest of the family will be coming for that week again.

 

[JWG]

You are just as certifiably crazy as anyone else on the disboards and/or anyone who goes during that week. Which, I guess really makes you normal.

We're contemplating going over Easter 2012 so I'd say the crazy goes all around.

 

[riatees]

Yes I guess I'm crazy because it looks like we are going to do it, if I can get the reservation that is!! We want to stay at OKW which is one of our home resorts and we will need either a GV or 2-2BDrooms. Not sure what my chances are, we would be checking in the day after Christmas. We are already talking about driving because I know the airfare will be outrageous!! Haven't driven from Philly since I was a kid because my parents wouldn't fly, just remember it was a very long drive. We will have 2 full minivans and plan to drive straight through the night. Well I'll keep you all posted on how I make out with the reservation. Thanks again for your input.