Thinking about Christmas 2008 - How busy

[DISNEYNY]

We are considering going to WDW Dec 26, 2008 - Jan 4, 2009. My kids are too old to take out of school and I have always wanted to go to the World at Christmas time. I know it will be busy. I have been twice during Easter. Is it busier then that time of year? Those that have been at this time please give me your thoughts. Thanks

 

[tcp0421]

We are thinking about going to Disney in December too. Our dates would be the first two weeks of December though. I know people have said that it is less crowded the first two weeks, but I am not sure how the crowds will be the week of Christmas and New Years.

 

[MinnieFan]

We are considering going to WDW Dec 26, 2008 - Jan 4, 2009. My kids are too old to take out of school and I have always wanted to go to the World at Christmas time. I know it will be busy. I have been twice during Easter. Is it busier then that time of year? Those that have been at this time please give me your thoughts. Thanks

This is one of the busiest (if not THE busiest) weeks of the year at WDW. (We're going during that week this year, and we also did it 2 years ago.) Everyone in the world (not just the US) is on holiday break, and it seems like most of them are at WDW! That being said, if you are prepared for the crowds, get to the parks early and make judicious use of FastPass, you can still have a wonderful time. There is so much to do and see, with extra holiday entertainment and all of the beautiful decorations, that even if you don't get on every single ride it is still well worth going.

If you don't like large crowds or if your family doesn't like to get up early on vacation to get to the parks, this might not be the best time of year for you to go.

 

[aide4]

We went Dec. 23-29 2006, and yes it it very busy! We used Tour Guide Mike, which helped alot. Also utilized fast-pass. WDW is a magical place, but during Christmas it is extra special! Have a good time!

 

[TinkOhio]

I agree with MinnieFan. It can be a great time if you do your homework and know what to expect. TGM helps alot with this! We have been there during Christmas break and Easter break, and it sure seemed alot more crowded between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1st! That said, we are stilll starting to plan for Christmas break 2008 at WDW!

 

[DizneyNutz]

We are considering going to WDW Dec 26, 2008 - Jan 4, 2009. My kids are too old to take out of school and I have always wanted to go to the World at Christmas time. I know it will be busy. I have been twice during Easter. Is it busier then that time of year? Those that have been at this time please give me your thoughts. Thanks

First let me say we have never been there this week. So this is based soley upon what I have read here since "04". We usually go one of the first two weeks. They often actually close the park to further entrance because they are filled to capacity. Now if you have been before and the experience of this being there during this exact time means more than actually visiting a lot of certain attractions then it is probably not a problem. But if you are expecting to accomplish at least everything you did at Easter then you may be dissapointed.

 

[DISNEYNY]

Thanks for the responses. We have been several times at Easter and twice during August. We thought it would be fun to be there at Christmas at least once. We are usually at the parks by 10:00 at the latest. Is there anyone with first hand knowledge about what time they have actually stopped allowing people in?

 

[micmacmissy]

10:00am is a laughably late start time for that time of year! Parks will be packed solid by then and it isn't unusual for MK to be closed by noon or 1pm. (Epcot handles the crowds better and wouldn't close that early.)

Keep in mind that the first two weeks of December have the lowest crowd levels of the entire year....but starting Dec. 23 though Jan. 2, you have the highest crowd levels of the entire year...much more so than Easter or spring break, or even summer time.

There is a very interesting thread on this exact topic...read through it...people towards the end of the thread posted "crowd" pictures...very scary!


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1578680

 

[wen774]

We are considering the same week. Our last two trips were 4th of July week, should I expect the same crowd level, or is it much worse. I swore I would never do another summer trip after the last one. I can handle the crowd, not so much the heat.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We're booked for 12/24/08 - 1/4/09 because I didn't want to take my daughter out of school for this trip. We've been to Disney during this time for a few years so we know how crazy crowded it is and we've gone Easter, August and Christmas. Since we stay on Disney property we tend to use the evening Extra Magic Hours or try to get to the parks early. On Christmas Day we're in the parks by 9am and are usually out by 1pm or so because of the crowds.

We've personally gotten into the MK around 10am, even as late as 11am and wasn't denied entry. I would strongly suggest getting to the MK as early as you can. The crowds there on Christmas day are CRAZAY but we've been doing it for years and we love it! LOL!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I've done it twice, and I'd do it again, but the crowds are MUCH larger than during Easter break. You must plan, plan, plan, and get to the park no later than 1/2 hour before opening time. Get your rides in, get your FPs and use them wisely, then get out of the parks before you burn out! There's so much to do outside of the parks that time of year, you won't be sorry. Book dinner shows, boat rides, tour resorts...have fun!

 

[byoung]

Mk will be closed by 10 am each day.

 

[disneydiz]

We have been going at Easter for the past 10-years, but nothing compares to the week between Xmas & NYE. At EPCOT, people started staking out their Midnight fireworks spots at 2-3 in the afternoon!!! We were only able to walk around EPCOT in a single file -- people everywhere. Definitely use TGM! Most of the rides at EPCOT on NYE had almost 3-hour waits. I took a lot of pictures of the masses of people -- never seen anything like it.

 

[WDW Peak Seasons]

We go EVERY Peak Season and I have some Peak Season info on my site, so feel free to check it out. It will be crowded but you can manage. Email me unc6@hotmail.com directly if you have any more Q's. thanks

 

[DISNEYNY]

Thanks for the links to the other sights. My family and I were discussing things last night and we are now considering switching to Thanksgiving week. We would go Nov 22 - Nov 30. Thanksgiving is Nov 27 next year. I believe most of the decorations will be up by then - correct? What do you think of this idea??

 

[UrsulasShadow]

If you have no other choice than to go during a holiday week, I'd much prefer Thanksgiving to Christmas. Still wildly busy, but really not to the level of Christmas week.