Thanksgiving vs Christmas

[NewmanFam6]

I am trying to decide between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2009. Are the crowds about the same? Is one easier to book over the other? Thanks for your help

 

[Muushka]

If you mean the time between Christmas and New Years, I cannot imagine any time at WDW that it is as busy at that!

I have never booked at Thanksgiving, so hopefully someone else will answer your question. I know that Christmas can be difficult at certain resorts.

 

[drusba]

Been both.

Thanksgiving: particularly about Tuesday to Sat is very, very crowded, its packed, it is quite stifling most of the day, long lines, people everywhere, you will feel overwhelmed at times.

Christmas week: makes Thanksgiving look like a tiny, off-season crowd.

Imagine a coat closet 6 ft long and 3 ft deep. Thanksgiving is like trying to stick 6 to 7 adults in that closet. Christmas is like trying to stick 100 sumo wrestlers in there.

For Christmas at DVC it is wise to make day by day reservations. For Thanskgiving just calling at 11 months out from departure date is fine unless you want a GV.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Been both.

Thanksgiving: particularly about Tuesday to Sat is very, very crowded, its packed, it is quite stifling most of the day, long lines, people everywhere, you will feel overwhelmed at times.

Christmas week: makes Thanksgiving look like a tiny, off-season crowd.

Imagine a coat closet 6 ft long and 3 ft deep. Thanksgiving is like trying to stick 6 to 7 adults in that closet. Christmas is like trying to stick 100 sumo wrestlers in there.

For Christmas at DVC it is wise to make day by day reservations. For Thanskgiving just calling at 11 months out from departure date is fine unless you want a GV.

Oh, I am so glad we're going to experience the Christmas to NYE week this year

 

[ldo]

for either, but esp. Christmas--it is KEY that you get to the park early, ride key rides and know how to use the FP system, then have a reservation for sit-down lunch, grab another FP 1st, then, eat, relax, after eating, use you FP, then evaluate whether you want to stay and do lesser rides, shows, shop---or leave and go back to DVC for swimming (pools are VERY warm), etc.
If you go back in the evening, have a dinner reservation, or just walk around--ps at DHS, you can walk onto Star Tours, etc. while Fantasmic is going on--we rode 3X in 30 minutes this Christmas week.

 

[minniekissedme]

Imagine a coat closet 6 ft long and 3 ft deep. Thanksgiving is like trying to stick 6 to 7 adults in that closet. Christmas is like trying to stick 100 sumo wrestlers in there.

truly priceless...

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

truly priceless...

Love the analogy!

 

[daisyduck123]

subscribing....

 

[Mom2PixiePrincess]

The week AFTER Thanksgiving is best! The Christmas decorations are up as well as Mickey's Christmas Party starts. And the parks are close to empty! At least that has been our experiance the last few years.

 

[minniekissedme]

I hope to get there one of these years for the holidays. We did the cruise over Thanksgiving a couple years ago and Castaway Cay was decorated for Christmas...it was awesome.

As much as I'd love to do Christmas week, I'll be happy to avoid the "Season of Sumos" and go prior to that "priceless" week!

 

[Starr W.]

This will be our 3rd Thanksgiving at WDW. We are coming in Friday before to hit Mickey Xmas party(doesn't run Thanksgiving week). All the decorations are up. The parks start getting bad about Wednesday pm. We return on Friday after Thanksgiving every year. Thus we avoid the holiday weekend and the airport on Sunday.

 

[frodgeslovedisney]

I have never been Christmas week because I have heard too many horror stories! I have been twice leaving Thanksgiving Day or the night before and staying until the following Wednesday. The first few days are crowded, but by Sunday it is not crowded at all. We went to MVMCP on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and felt like we were alone in the park! They also have all the Christmas decorations up so it really sets your holiday season off right!

 

[dblr]

Oh, I am so glad we're going to experience the Christmas to NYE week this year

So are we I wanted the kids to see WDW for the holidays before it is not cool to go on vacation with mom & dad anymore. We will be there the week between Chrismas and Ney Years @ SSR