trapped in the mob on Xmas Day!

[da disney fans]

Was anyone else trapped in the hugest, thickest crowd at the MK on Christmas Day!?

DH and I got to the park around 9:30, and we were able to go on Splash Mountain twice (with a 0 minute wait.. I've never seen that before), go to Space Mountain to pick up a Fast Pass, stand in a short line at the Plaza Pavilion to get some lunch and ride on the Transit around the park, all with no problems. We got off the train at Frontierland and that's when the horror began. It took us 30+ minutes to walk from Adventureland to Main Street. I've never seen a mob like that. It didn't bother us, really, it was just incredible to see. I heard from a CM that the gates were closed by 1:00pm.

I doubt we'll ever go to the MK on Christmas Day again -- maybe MGM or Epcot instead. We went to Epcot for dinner, and while there were a lot of people there, there was plenty of room to walk around.

 

[Buckleybunch]

WE were not at WDW this year, but we experience the same thing last year at MK.
2004 we will be at WDW during Christmas, it will be fun to see if DH wants to go to MK again on Christmas Morning.

 

[jann1033]

that would make me crazy ( literally!)

 

[pewing]

Are the crowds really just awful on Christmas? What about the days leading up to? My mom is contemplating a family trip for the holidays next year. We have planned our trips for 'slow' times (first week in December and February) so this is 'new ground' for us

Any advice on when during the last couple weeks of December is best? Before? During? After Christmas? Seems like I read that between Christmas and New Years is the worst

 

[Buckleybunch]

Originally posted by pewing
Are the crowds really just awful on Christmas? What about the days leading up to? My mom is contemplating a family trip for the holidays next year. We have planned our trips for 'slow' times (first week in December and February) so this is 'new ground' for us

Any advice on when during the last couple weeks of December is best? Before? During? After Christmas? Seems like I read that between Christmas and New Years is the worst

We were there last Dec ( 12-26th).. IT didn't get really busy until around the 20th.. The 25th at MK was a mad house, but we wanted to still visit the MK on Christmas Day. I think we only rode about 4 or 5 rides that day.

 

[Horizons16]

YIKES!

That reminds me a lot of what NYE is like. People just packed in so tight on Main Street to watch the fireworks.

 

[mausmu]

I think it is only like that in the days leading up to Christmas and a couple of days after New Years. We experienced that a couple of years ago and it was unreal. It was as if all of Main Street moved as one. It's something to experience, but I don't know if I'd do it again. Ahhh, yes I would if I had the chance.

 

[jann1033]

crazy off topic comment ( intending to put out any flamesby warning first )

isn't that kind of dangerous? what if there was a fire or emergency. that really gives me the creeps in light of the bit about orange alert and WDW a target

 

[lisajl]

I'm so glad you posted that. We were there last Dec 23 and it was packed later on in the day. When we first got there it was great. We would walk right up and get on the rides.

We are planning a trip next Christmas for WDW, maybe we will go early to MK and leave around noon.

Thanks for the warning!
Lisajl

 

[luv2nascar]

I couldn't stand that big of a crowd
It really does sound dangerous

 

[mickeysaver]

Wow, sounds like the crowds at MVMCP on 12/19 that was sold out. We couldn't believe the mass of humanity crowded onto Main Street in the mass exodus after the fireworks and before the second showing of SpectroMagic. It was nuts. We video taped some of the crowd just to show how nasty it was. I will never do another sold out event at MK again. Maggie

 

[CarolA]

Disney does have "escape" hatches if the crowd was to become dangerous. You would get to go backstage. They have done this in the past if the crowds get too big. However, thier best defense is to close the parks which they do.

 

[Poohbear123]

THERE in 2004! I am leaving Xmas Eve, and arriving around 4:00pm. I plan on "spending the night" at MK to avoid the crowds! (Just kidding).

 

[DemonLlama]

We had a very similar experience last Christmas. The back of the park seemed eptry in the morning, and we had a blast.

We had the last PS for Cinderella's that morning, and headed for the castle from Toon town. Got to the carousel before we reliazed we were in a swarm. You literally had to "wade" through bodies, holding onto kids for dear life, to get to the entrnace of the restaurant. As we struggled to move about 20 yards, we discovered what caused the insanity: there were four popular characters all in the vicinity, so there were lines running all through the gob of poeple just trying to go into Fantasyland. We were salmon swimming upstream. We left after the late breakfast, and although it was packed on Main Street around 12:00, nothing compared to that moment at the castle.

 

[ncbyrne]

My DH won't even go into a crowded store during the holidays. I can't even imagine him on a WDW vacation on the most crowded day of the year. Thanks, but we'll stick to off season!

 

[Toby]

We were there two years ago - 12/27-1/2/ and it was so crowded, you literally couldn't move. After Fantasmic ended, I was pushed against a wall with waves of people leaving the theater. It took me almost an hour to find my party again. Waits were crazy in every park for anything - food, restrooms, and forget the rides - 1 1/2 hour waits for It's a Small World, etc. - you know, the rides you can always walk on - took all the fun out of being there...

 

[DemonLlama]

I've heard that the crowds are the worst from Christmas Day to New Years. We braved the week before Christmas and left the day after in 2002. Other than that one really packed experience near the castle, we were delighted with our trip. We were willing to get to the park before it opened, and felt like we had the place to ourselves for most mornings. No waits, or very short ones, for every attraction. We took it easier in the afternoons, and just enjoyed the Christmas decorations and sights. We were also willing to wait for parades and shows, which not every one can do. For example, we entered the Fantasmic area as soon as they opened the place, ate dinner, and chilled (literally -- it was COLD!) for two hours, but sat front row, center, with only the rail between us and the water. We taped the show that night and we enjoy it over and over at home. Many think our two hours were wasted, but we enjoyed visiting with people, and our personal Fantasmic show is priceless. Christmas doesn't work for everyone, and going the week or two before is ideal, but for us we wouldn't go any other time of the year.

 

[DVC'96]

We just got back 12/20-26. We went to the MK on Christmas Day. I wasn't planning on riding on anything, just taking in the scenery. We got there about 9:30 too-minimal lines at security and the entrance. Lots of people in the park, but not insane. We got a FP for Peter Pan, rode the carousel, Goofy's barnstormer and Mickey and Minnies house in Toontown, got a FP for Philharmionic, rode PP, and ate lunch. Then it started to get crowded. WE did Philharmonic and at 1, we staked out a place for the parade. It was very crowded by then. Afterwards we hopped on the train and left the park. We had a PS at 4:50 at the cape may cafe and I took my little one back to the room while the rest of the party stayed for Illuminations. They waited 1.5 hrs in the silgle riders line for Mission Space, but that was their choice. I really expected MK to be worse and I probably would have hated it if we stayed after the parade. I was just so happy that we could ride all am without the lines being too bad. Maybe I was just in a good Christmas mood!

 

[sm4987]

We were in MGM Christmas day, but I believe what you are saying. The day after Christmas was a living horror. I heard that it was 3 times worse Christmas day. I can't imagine. We just left the park and headed back to the hotel.

 

[The Edge]

My FIL would love that. He is the ultimate people watcher. We took him to Disney last year and that's where I discovered his obsession. He comments on everything and everyone. I should suggest Disney for a family Christmas next year.