Visiting between Christmas and New Year????

[ozvisiter]

Hello everyone, I know the time between Christmas and new year is very busy but we plan on arriving then to get the most out of our holiday (as it is very unlikely we will be able to visit from Australia again). We will be staying 3 weeks so will hopefully see a reduction in crowds through our time in Orlando.

Any tips on what activities would be ok to do early in our holiday and what would be better left to later????

We want to visit all 4 parks ( probably twice each), Disney Quest, Discovery Cove, Sea World, Gatorland, and a day excursion to see the manatees at Crystal River. We would also love to see a sports game and do a little shopping.

Thanks so much for your help

 

[DonaldTDuck]

I would suggest doing non-park things most of your first week. After Jan 5 the crowds will rapidly disappear. However, if you wish to see the Osborne Lights at DHS it must be before then.The same is true of the Christmas parade at MK. You might try each park before Jan 5 and at least 1 day after. With that long, you should have plenty of time to do most everything you want.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

During the week between Christmas and New yeaar's Day is the most crowded time of year. Basically you have to get to any Park (not just the Disney ones) fairly early in the morning and expect to stay the day; if you leave you may not get back in.

The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.