Thank you for ...

[Stacy's a freak]

... illustrating how very packed the parks are around the holidays! I was having a discussion with my fiance and his mother less than a week ago about possibly giving fiance's kids a trip to WDW next year instead of the usual pile of Christmas stuff. His initial thought was to go FOR CHRISTMAS! Can you imagine my horror at that idea?!! I thought my body would jump out of my skin at just the thought. Like others who aren't as familiar with WDW goings on (the muggles to the magic of WDW), he thought that would be the perfect time - no school, the magic of Christmas, blahdy blah. Well I think I convinced him but just in case, I am going to subtly force him to listen to this week's podcast section to further explain the ridiculousness. A 4 hour wait to ride Soarin'?! Not a flippin' chance. I don't care of there's gold covered chocolate at the end, I'm not waiting 4 hours for anything.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I wouldn't go during Christmas week if it was free. My sister, who is not totally WDW clueless, actually asked me if the parks are crowded on Christmas Day. When I told her not crowded, but shoulder to shoulder, 4 hour wait times...MOBBED, she was surprised.

 

[ADP]

Just throwing my opinion in the ring, but after being in the parks two times during New Years Eve (EPCOT, and Half day AK, MK) I'd avoid the theme parks during New Years Eve. You are much better off enjoying your resort during New Years Eve. Many of the Disney World resorts have activities during the day and evening for New Years Eve. The front desk usually has a schedule of activities for the day and night.

As far as crowds go in the parks the week between X-Mas and New Years I've always used the word "Stalemate" because no one can really do anything or move after a certain point....Just like a stalemate in chess. No matter what strategy you employ you can't really move or accomplish anything. The crew is right everyone is in the same position so no one should be entitled to anything, but in the end its still a stalemate situation.

You are much better off planning a nice family dinner and enjoying your resort for the day and evening to ring in the New Year. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Michele]

If the kids have much time off before Christmas, you will find the crowds much more acceptable.

We've gone to WDW 2 different times Dec 18-Dec 23 and the crowds that week are much easier to handle.

One of those years we went with a family that stayed the week through Christmas and New Years and she said they would never do Christmas there again. But thought the week before was fine.

 

[jcb]

I'm rather fond of this photograph which WDW used as an exhibit in the Segway lawsuit (note the Christmas decoration on the lamp post in the foreground).

 

[WaltD4Me]

That picture! No way. No how.

 

[sayhello]

OMG, that is just so WRONG, on so many levels!!!

Sayhello

 

[DisneyKevin]

That photo gives me hives.

 

[jcb]

I would give even money that Bob is in this photo somewhere.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I would give even money that Bob is in this photo somewhere.

Probably right, I got out the magnifying glass and spotted a guy about half way up on the left with a Dole Whip that could be him.

Do you know what year the picture is from Jack?

 

[jcb]

Probably right, I got out the magnifying glass and spotted a guy about half way up on the left with a Dole Whip that could be him.

Do you know what year the picture is from Jack?

No. WDW simply characterized it as "Photo of Magic Kingdom (hub area) with castle in background during Christmas Holiday."

 

[Kimberle]

I've talked to so many people who think Christmas time is quiet. They are not Disney fans or planners, so they don't visit sites like this.

When I see the signs for 4 hour waits, I hesitate to believe they are accurate. I've heard Disney will up the wait times to discourage people from entering the que....

 

[jcb]

I've talked to so many people who think Christmas time is quiet. They are not Disney fans or planners, so they don't visit sites like this.

When I see the signs for 4 hour waits, I hesitate to believe they are accurate. I've heard Disney will up the wait times to discourage people from entering the que....

A 4 hour que would definitely discourage me. I avoid wait times more than 30 minutes. I do take the stated times with a grain of salt.

I have, in fact, found that actual wait times are usually less than the stated times (TSM in particular). I doubt it is to discourage people so much as to avoid the situation where the actual wait time is longer than stated. No one complains about a shorter than stated wait time.

Wait time estimates are not an exact science because crowd movement fluctuates. This last trip, for example, we all but walked on Star Tours, and immediately went back to do it again, to find that the wait was 20 minutes.

 

[Justin Jett]

I'm rather fond of this photograph which WDW used as an exhibit in the Segway lawsuit (note the Christmas decoration on the lamp post in the foreground).

Segway? Segway? Where is the Segway?

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Holy god!! That picture makes me claustrophobic from here!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've been to DLR on New Year's Day when you can't see the ground in front of you. It got so there was just nothing to do and too hard to walk. Stalemate is a good word.

However, I've notice that anytime it gets crowded at DLR, the CMs come out and start directing traffic. You can only walk one way. Looking at the photo I don't see CMs directing people. Everyone is walking every which way. I'm rather surprised because I'm always grateful for the traffic direction even if it makes you take the "long way" to get where you want to go.

 

[macman752]

It all depends on how much you want to do while you are at the park on a holiday.

We were on property from 12/23-12-27. On Christmas Day we arrived at MK at 6pm. We walked out of the park at midnight. During that time the 8 of us (including 3 boys, 9, 5 and 3) had experienced as a group:

TTA
Carousel of Progress
Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's Philharmagic
IASW
Haunted Mansion x 2
Country Bear Jamboree
BTMRR x 2
POTC

We arrived in Frontierland 15 minutes before the 11pm MSEP and the boys had no problem finding a seat on the ground right behind the rope.

It was very crowded when we arrived but after the fireworks the park became very manageable.

 

[captainofthepearl]

That picture is priceless! No thanks for Christmas. I would like to know the date on it though looks like it could be a few years old.

 

[DaPanMan]

I know we're talking Christmas, but I'll throw in Thanksgiving as well. Took the inlaws and my wife's brother's family ( follow all that? ) to WDW a few years ago.

I did all the planning, made most of the ADR's, and told them not to miss them. Gave advice on tickets, we got the park hoppers.

Then told them NOT to go to the parks on Turkey day and using my best POC voice I said, "ye be warned!!!" MK was "closed" shortly after 10 am. We stayed at the room and watched football like proper celebrants of Thanksgiving do.

 

[DaPanMan]

Just found this thread if you want to look at more amazing crowd pics.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2048556