WDW 22-28 Dec - Bad time to go?

[chrysilis]

Hi I'm from Australia and me and my wife to be will be going to the USA for our honeymoon in December including 6 days in Orlando at the moment from the 22nd to the 28th of December. My understanding from research is that this is practically the worst time of the year to go due to school holidays however our flights with AA are booked and we can not get refunds. Is going to WDW for that week going to be as busy as I have been told? Otherwise we have worked out alternate plans (Orlando from 15-22 Dec) but would need to book and buy new tickets which we would prefer not to do.

Thanks from down under!

 

[cbg1027]

Dec 22-28 is one of the worst times you could go. It will be VERY busy - to the point that parks will start to close due to capacity crowds. To put that in perspective, the headliner rides would have 75-130 minute wait times. I would not want to spend so much of my precious vacation time waiting.

I know coming half way around is a big trip....but I think I would advise you NOT to visit Disney during that time. I personally wouldn't want to be there during such a busy time.

If you decide you can stomach the expense of changing your dates to Dec 15-22, the crowds will be MUCH lighter then. About half of the other week!

No matter when you decide to go, i would highly recommend investing in the book The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Also, check out their website at www.touringplans.com. They are the masters on helping you make the most of your time in WDW. And for any question you cant find the answer to there, these boards are a GREAT resource.

Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials and have a good trip!

 

[chrysilis]

Thanks for your reply cbg1027!

My understanding of the crowd level does come from the Crowd Calendar at Touring Plans I thought they may have been overstating it but I guess not!
Since we want to go to IOA, Universal and Cape Canaveral as well while in Orlando the amount of people anticipated to be there has become a major concern for us.

Thanks again and I think we will consider more strongly changing our flights, wish they were refundable! Lesson learnt

 

[nurse.darcy]

As a person who frequents WDW and DLR regularly, I will tell you that it is crowded but not unmanageable. Its a beautiful time of year to go and if you go with a plan, you can make the most of it at that time. Do the following:

1. Stay on-site at a WDW hotel. Park closures will not affect you then. Parks are closed to those staying off-site and locals.

2. Do take advantage of early morning EMH. Avoid late night EMH at all parks except Animal Kingdom, unless you arrive well after the late EMH starts (say 30 minutes to one hour).

3. Arrive 30 minutes or more before rope drop. Go on the most popular rides first. For instance, at Epcot ride Soarin and Test Track (get a fast pass for each as you ride, then you can do it again). At DHS ride Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster. At Animal Kingdom ride Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari. At Magic Kingdom ride Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road and Splash Mountain.

4. Get fast passes for the rides that have them then go stand in line for others. Don't let waits get you down. Enjoy the Christmas sights and smells.

5. It is IMPERATIVE that you make Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs). Its going to be hard enough at this time to get some places since you are already beyond the 180 day mark. You can do this on the WDW website.

6. Relax and visit the resorts to see all the beautiful Christmas displays.

A couple of things to keep in mind. Two years ago at this time of year it was next to nearly impossible to get a WDW hotel room during Christmas. This year, its no problem at all. The economy here in America has most people NOT choosing to travel at this time. WDW is expecting lower than normal crowds this year. I have been visiting the Food and Wine event at Epcot for the last few days and the crowds are definitely lower than they were last year or the year before. I havent had to stand in enormously long lines to get foods from the different countries represented like I did last year. If it were absolutely horrid to come during your dates, no one would want to go. Just have a strategy, relax, realize that its a bit crowded and enjoy yourselves.

 

[SeattleJen]

We are going to be joining the maddness Dec 21st-28th! I am sure it will be a zoo but i figure there are ways to make the best of everything! Whenever you decide to go enjoy yourselves!

 

[lisanki11]

i went to magic kingdom on christmas day in 2005 and had the worst time of my life at disney, there was so many people you could not move, i was there from 9 til midnight and rode 2 rides, the christmas day parade it great if u actually can get close enough to see it, the weather was a little chilly

 

[cbg1027]

Thanks for your reply cbg1027!

My understanding of the crowd level does come from the Crowd Calendar at Touring Plans I thought they may have been overstating it but I guess not!
Since we want to go to IOA, Universal and Cape Canaveral as well while in Orlando the amount of people anticipated to be there has become a major concern for us.

Thanks again and I think we will consider more strongly changing our flights, wish they were refundable! Lesson learnt

In my experience, Touring Plans is usually quite accurate. I've used their info for 6 different trips and it hasn't steered me wrong yet.

If you do decide you can't change your dates, then it is even more important to learn about touring plans and how to use and make them!

 

[chrysilis]

We have decided to cancel our tickets and buy new ones so that our experience of WDW won't be horrible, I just hope that the rest of the world doesn't decide to do the same

Thankyou all for your comments!

 

[PEANUT1]

good decision and have a great time!!