trapped in the mob on Xmas Day!

[Beanie]

You couldn't pay me enough to go to MK on a holiday again!!LOL I was there for Easter last year and it was a nightmare! People just walked shoulder to shoulder because there was no place to go! I kept thinking I was going to get lost from my Dad who had my kids with him! Scary!

As for MK this year...My dad called me that night (he is a Bus coordinator, but that night he was driving a bus from MK to the resorts since they were so busy) and he said they closed MK at 1:00 and that they had over 60,000 guests in that park alone!! I can't imagine how crowded it was! Wow! He said by 4:00 that afternoon, Epcot had all its parking lots full as well!!

 

[da disney fans]

We were at WDW Dec. 22-26 (well, went home on the 26th), and other than Christmas Day, the parks were more than manageable. We saw a lot of 60-120 minute wait signs, but we never, ever waited for ANYTHING more than 50 minutes.

I wouldn't mind doing the week before Christmas again, but Christmas Day in the MK was just too nuts. When I go to Disney, I like to go-go-go so I feel like we're getting our money's worth, and on Christmas, that just wasn't possible. However, it was at the end of our trip, and we were so very tired at that point, it didn't really matter.

 

[hannahryan]

We just returned on Christmas Eve. We stayed 12/16-12/24. The 17th, 18th & 19th were like heaven! We didn't wait for practically anything. We were able to ride everything even though the parks closed early. It was so enjoyable and relaxing. We sat down on the curb at the beginning of Main Street (prime location) for Spectromagic 5 minutes before the parade started. And there were plenty of more free spaces! Then on the 20th it all changed. Crowds, crowds and more crowds. Everyday got worse. It was such a sharp contrast from beginning to the end of our stay. After this experience, we could never go at a busy time again.

 

[Teri Zolman]

We were also at MK on Christmas day. We got there when the park opened. We were able to ride several things. We had gone to MK on the Sunday prior and rode the must ride things. On christmas we just rode what we could get a fast pass for and sorter lines. Several time my DH and I sat at people watched while the kids ran around to the rides ( they are 12 and 13). We had a great time and will be going again next year.

 

[diznee25]

I'm amazed no one mentioned this yet:

We were also at MK on Christmas day. I noticed the crowds more when using the restrooms. I had to go just right before our PS at Liberty Tree Tavern, so I hunted for a restroom in that area. I didn't know LTT had restrooms inside! I hit the restroom next to the Horse Shoe place, and there were at least 25 to 30 women in line!! Knowing I couldn't wait that long, I went to the restroom across from the Haunted Mansion. Only 10 women in line, not bad.

(Just for the record, every restroom had some kind of a line that entire day! At least during the times I had to go! The shortest line I encountered had 10 to 15 women.)

For those of you who have never been to MK on Christmas, this should give you an idea of how busy it really was!!

While it was a fun day for us over all, we won't be visiting MK on Christmas day ever again! Too many people for our taste.

 

[disney4us2002]

We are planning next year's Christmas trip and while I'm not thrilled with crowds, I still want to have dinner at LTT and see Wishes and the last parade on Christmas night in the MK. We will be leaving the next day so that is the plan but will we have to get there early and be miserable all day? If we go early and get hand-stamped, does that allow you reentry? Does the park reopen in the later afternoon/evening?

Any thoughts or opinions please.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

Any speculation about how the crowds might be next year before Christmas. We are thinking about combining a DCL cruise with a WDW trip which would put us in the parks probably the Sunday before, on the 19th. Christmas is on the following Saturday next year so when should the crowds really start to hit the parks? I don't know about other schools, but ours will be getting out next year on Thursday, the 16th.

 

[DemonLlama]

My speculation about next year:

If the parks close, you cannot get in, no matter if you have a hand stamp or are a resort guest. The trick there is that resort guests are ensured entry to A park, not necessarily the one of their choosing. However, I do not know if or when they would reopen the Magic Kingdom if enough people left later in the afternoon. I'm also thinking that if you have PSs for LTT for dinner, you will be allowed to go to the restaurant, regardless, since PSs guests could not substantially alter the park capacity. From there you should be able to stay in the park, even if there is no "re-opening." We've only been to ML Christmas Day morning, so my guess is that you will need to stake out a spot for Wishes and the parade REALLY early!

Since Christmas is on a Saturday, this complicates figuring out when most folks will be making their arrival for the holidays. Typically, the weekend before Christmas is the marker. I would venture a guess that the throngs that stay from 12/25-New Years won't really hit the place until Thursday, 12/23, or Christmas Eve on Friday.

 

[my3boys]

Anticipating the crowds on Christmas Day, we opted for a leisurely paced morning with presents, Santa's surprises, and room-service. Then off to Downtown Disney and dinner at Artist Point. We closed the night by watching the fireworks from our room. So for us, no crowds!!!

 

[Buckleybunch]

Originally posted by disney4us2002
We are planning next year's Christmas trip and while I'm not thrilled with crowds, I still want to have dinner at LTT and see Wishes and the last parade on Christmas night in the MK. We will be leaving the next day so that is the plan but will we have to get there early and be miserable all day? If we go early and get hand-stamped, does that allow you reentry? Does the park reopen in the later afternoon/evening?

Any thoughts or opinions please.

If you are planning to stay on property you will be okay.. My understanding from what a CM told us once that they parking lots are what closes. That you can even be an off site guest and have their shuttle bring you in, and you will get in. I"m not sure if that part is true or not.. but being on site you won't get shut out.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by DemonLlama
My speculation about next year:

. I'm also thinking that if you have PSs for LTT for dinner, you will be allowed to go to the restaurant, regardless, since PSs guests could not substantially alter the park capacity.

some one posted that even with a PS you will not be allowed in to a closed park plus will get charged for the PS you didn't keep since they take deposits for holidays . so to go there early enough and stay if you have a ps. I would not be able to take ithose crowds so I don't go then but just wanted to add that incase someone is considering it.

 

[SuBeat]

Originally posted by my3boys
Anticipating the crowds on Christmas Day, we opted for a leisurely paced morning with presents, Santa's surprises, and room-service. Then off to Downtown Disney and dinner at Artist Point. We closed the night by watching the fireworks from our room. So for us, no crowds!!!

We went with a similar plan. Slept in, opened gifts from Santa, late breakfast at Whispering Canyon and a bit of shopping at Downtown Disney. Took the bus from there straight to an early dinner at 1900 Park Fare........bus driver said MK had 65,000 visitors at that time, that's too much for me. We took the monorail from GF to MK (even got to ride up front) and picked up our boat to WL where DH took the kids to the arcade and for a swim before we finished off the day with a fireworks viewing from our balcony. A perfect, low stress day.

 

[chirsty'smom]

Just returned from WDW - but we spend Xmas day at Epcot - we did everything we wanted expect for Test Track - the lunch line/finding a table was the longest line we waited in. Epcot was busy but we apparently were sprinkled w/pixie dust because we seem to be able to avoid alot of the crowds.

The 4 days were busy but I knew that when I planned this trip.

Must not have bothered me too much 'cuz before we left we all upgrade our 4 day hoopers to APs!!!

 

[Geoff_M]

If you are planning to stay on property you will be okay.. My understanding from what a CM told us once that they parking lots are what closes. That you can even be an off site guest and have their shuttle bring you in, and you will get in. I"m not sure if that part is true or not.. but being on site you won't get shut out.

That's only partly true. WDW has different closure levels. They go something like this:

Level 1: Ticket booths close. Only people with pre-purchased tickets are admitted.
Level 2: Parking lots are closed. Only shuttles and WDW transportation allowed at park entrances.
Level 3: Admission cut-off to all but WDW resort guests.
Level 4: Nobody gets in, period.

Sounds to me like MK was at Level 4 on 12/25

 

[DVC'96]

disnee25, I forgot about the bathrooms until I saw your post! I think we went to the same bathroom-the one between Frontierland and Adventureland around noon after eating at Pecos Bills and the line was out into the hallway. We went up to the one in Fantasyland because I know it is big too and there were aobut 8 people in front of us. I didn't know about the one near Haunted Mansion. I thought I remembered one in Columbia Harbor House, but since the lunch places were mobbed at the time we skipped that search. We decided not to drink anything else at that point since we knew that bathroom situation was only going to get worse!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Originally posted by disney4us2002
. . . If we go early and get hand-stamped, does that allow you reentry? . . .

1) If the park is closed, then a hand-stamp does no good.
2) Head-count is head-count.
3) Whether you were there earlier does not count.

 

[MissDisneyTeach]

We got there Christmas morning at 10:00 am, had our family picture made on Main Street, then found our place on the curb for the parade. I had been waiting my whole life to be there for the Christmas Day parade, so we were determined to get a good spot. We took turns holding our spot. Did some shopping, but didn't ride anything. We had ridden everything on Tuesday.
It was amazing to stand there and watch the crowds come in. It was a steady stream of people! After the parade we went to EPCOT and MGM.
My mom and dad met a family on the Monorail from EPCOT to MK that didn't get into MK Christmas morning, but the grandparents did. They were on their way back to MK to try and meet up with them. That would have been terrible!

 

[DVC California]

We entered MK on Christmas morning at 8:00 AM and left after Wishes fireworks, about 10:00 PM. This is the longest time we've ever spent in any park - 14 hours - but we had a great time regardless of the crowds.

We had a quick breakfast at Cosmic Ray's, then hit Buzz Lightyear, WEDway People Mover, Carosel of Progress, and Space Mountain (FP).

Walked over to Mickey's PhilharMagic and caught Winnie the Pooh on the way.

Found curb seating for the parade at 12 noon and had lunch while we waited the two hours. (Turkey legs, chicken fingers, sandwiches, and sodas with Mickeybars for dessert.)

Parade was slightly disappointing as we had just seen it the Friday before at MVMCP. I thought there would be more pre-parade bands and acts but only had one, maybe two, marching bands. (Oh well, at least I can say I've experienced it.)

Afternoon was spent on Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Tiki Birds, and a failed attempt at Big Thunder Mountain (Ride broke down in the afternoon).

We had dinner at Crystal Palace, then managed Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Carribean, and Big Thunder. We skipped Spectromagic but stayed for the fireworks.

There were two times I really noticedthe crowds. Once was behind the castle, where Disney had trumpeteers blaring away some "heralding" type music. This caused a big traffic jam in a very tight space for people to navigate between Main Street and Fantasyland.

The second was exiting the park right after the fireworks. Main Street was filled with people all trying to leave. It literally took me 15 minutes to move as many feet. They really should have opened up those backstage exits to release some of the pressure Mainstreet and the stores were taking.

Will we do MK on Christmas again? Maybe. Do I think it was crowded? Yes, but it was manageable. Did I enjoy myself? YES!

My Two cents, Steve

 

[disney4us2002]

Thanks to all who replied about getting hand-stamped and being allowed to return.

If anyone knows, my question remains did MK ever reopen?

I am not talking in theory does the MK ever reopen after being closed due to crowds; I mean on this or any past Christmas day did the MK ever reopen? We aren't actually planning to head over next year til near dinner time to eat at LTT. If the park closes and that's that for the day, we won't make a PS at LTT next year as I understand the deposit is nonrefundable and we just can't stay in the park all day.

If noone actually experienced this, can you point me to a site where this info might be included? Would someone at WDW-INFO know?

I realize I'm planning for the unknown and it's a long time away, but I figure it's fresh in people's memory right now and next Oct people may not remember, lol.

 

[da disney fans]

Originally posted by disney4us2002


If anyone knows, my question remains did MK ever reopen?

MK *did* reopen on Christmas Day, I'm just not sure what time. We left for Epcot around 7:30 or 8 (9:00 PS at Marrakesh), and the CM at the gate encouraged us to get our hands stamped to come back after dinner. We never did come back, but the option was there.