WDW at Christmas - should we?

[goofyguy1958]

OK, I realize that asking these question here is kind of redundant but here goes: DW recently stated that she would really like to go to WDW and actually be there at CHRISTMAS but this scares me with the descriptions of how crowded things get at this time. The questions: Any advise on resort (we would most likely stay at our home SSR)? Is it realy as crowded as I have read? Are the parks really crowded say on Christmas eve or before? Any additional info is also appreciated.

 

[bobbiwoz]

People here tend to say "Yes, it's really as crowded as you have read!" However, many people have done it and do it again and again! Best wishes! We are going NYE this year. We are doing it as a "one time deal." When we were first married, we went to Times Square for our first NYE together, and for our 40th year, we wanted to do something just as out of character, and we came up with this!

Bobbi

 

[CarolMN]

Yes, the parks will be as crowded as you have read - if you haven't been during this time, you have no idea what crowds really are. Think "Stroller Gridlock" and 60-90 minutes waits for even the "unpopular" attractions.

That said, you can still have a good time - you just need to adjust your expectations and plan activities that don't include lots of rides. For example, the decorations (in the parks, Downtown Disney and the resorts) are well worth the time to see them. The fireworks and parades are special as well. Purchase the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package for one of your evenings - it's an awesome show and if you want a seat for it, the only way is to buy the dinner package. Be sure to see the Osborne Lights at DHS and the Harlem Gospel Choir (if they are back this year).

Take a look at this link for more info on the Holidays:

Holidays at WDW

Have fun planning, too!

 

[Deb & Bill]

However, if you are thinking about Christmas 2008, you may not be able to get a DVC reservation. They are all pretty booked up.

If you really want to do this, call MS today and make a reservation at your home resort if it is available.

 

[dgaston]

And even if you are a WDW vet, I love TourguideMike's best parks recommendations for these super crowded times. It's well worth the additional $20. And there's a discount code on the TPAS board.

 

[Muushka]

We had a great plan this past Christmas that I would do again in a heart beat. We arrived Sunday 12/23. Went into the parks 23, 24. Did Candelight Processional on Christmas Eve (booked months in advance, of course ). Christmas day we stayed at our resort (VWL) and chilled. Chilled the next day and left the day after that. We saw the traffic heading into the park as we were leaving, very grateful that it all worked out so well.

 

[DisneyJen]

This will be our first Christmas at our home-away-from-home ... BWV

I am a bit apprehensive about the crowds but I have already warned DH and DD (who will be 16 in November) that it will be crowded.

I will sign up for TGM for his touring plan as well.

 

[PamOKW]

It's crowded, it's crazy, the weather is unpredictable.....but everyone should experience it at least once because it can also be quite magical!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

It's crowded, it's crazy, the weather is unpredictable.....but everyone should experience it at least once because it can also be quite magical!

I couldn't agree more. We went down Christmas of 06 and were amazed! Yes it was crowded, but with a little planning, it wasn't a problem at all. We got fast passes to the major attractions, and did a little more pre-planning than normal so we could make reservations for lunch and dinner via MS. So glad we did, as we didn't have any issues at all with the crowds.

On a side note, we were completely spoiled. The decorations were absolutely beautiful and temps were above normal. Never saw a rain cloud in the sky and it was in the 80s the entire week we were there! Crowds or not, I can't wait to go back and would highly recommend it!

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

This will be our first Christmas at WDW!!! I know it will be crowded but I have been doing research on how best to deal with the crowds and I purchased TGM too. At the 11 month window I had booked us into our home resort, SSR, Dec. 20-24 in a 1-bedroom and Dec.24-28 in a studio to save points. The more we thought about it we just didn't like the idea of having to switch rooms midway especially on Christmas Eve so this afternoon I called members services and changed our reservation. I was able to get us in a 1-bedroom at SSR for Dec. 21-28 (We will now stay off grounds the 20th to make this doable point wise for us) So as of this afternoon there was still availability at SSR!

 

[DisneyJen]

This will be our first Christmas at WDW!!! I know it will be crowded but I have been doing research on how best to deal with the crowds and I purchased TGM too. At the 11 month window I had booked us into our home resort, SSR, Dec. 20-24 in a 1-bedroom and Dec.24-28 in a studio to save points. The more we thought about it we just didn't like the idea of having to switch rooms midway especially on Christmas Eve so this afternoon I called members services and changed our reservation. I was able to get us in a 1-bedroom at SSR for Dec. 21-28 (We will now stay off grounds the 20th to make this doable point wise for us) So as of this afternoon there was still availability at SSR!

Congrats!

We are in a 1-bdr standard at BWV (our home). I really would love to waitlist for a BW view as that is what we usually book. DH said I can survive in a 1-bdr standard view for point reasons (we have a 2-bdr BW view for a week next month and are going in June 2009 in hopefully a GV or a 2-bdr BW view).

 

[ErinC]

We were there Christmas last year. Yes, the crowds are pretty bad, but we were there for a week and there really wasn't anything that we wanted to do that we didn't get done. We headed to the parks early(which is sometimes hard), but that is the only way you'll be able to ride the big rides without fastpasses or hideous waits. We did shows in the afternoons and chilled out in the evenings most days. Christmas day we stayed at VWL all day. We swam, rented a pontoon, and ate dinner at Whispering Canyon that evening. We never left the resort that day. My parents were with us, so they got to enjoy it too. Frankly, since we have a pretty large family that mostly lives in the same town with us, it was a great way to spend Christmas. We usually have to travel from house to house and eat ridiculous amounts of food all day. It was so nice not to be cooking and cleaning and worried about if we had spent enough time at each persons home. Don't get me wrong, we love the relatives but since we live in the same town, we see them all the time, not just on special occasions. I highly recommend Tour guide Mike for his recommended days, it was worth the $20. We've now done Christmas and NYE before, so I'm pretty much willing to go to WDW anytime. I think everyone should experience it once.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Do not be anywhere near MK on Christmas Eve or Christmas day after 12:00 noon. It really is unbelievable how crowded that park gets. The days prior were no problem at all. Try this website for crowd levels at the parks: Touringplans.com

 

[jade1]

Do not be anywhere near MK on Christmas Eve or Christmas day after 12:00 noon.

Totally disagree. We went to last years XMAS day parade and it was wonderfull. Sure it was crowded but so what, 70's and snowing on Main Street MK that evening alone was worth it, and the castle .

This is from XMAS day 07. (the only day that week it had a short rain shower).

 

[mblsj]

Our family absolutely loves WDW at Christmas! We went both in '05 (a bit cool, but nice) and in '06 (RAIN!!!, but still a blast), skipped last year , and will be taking our first trip "home" to AKV this Dec!

Crowds - Incredible!, but as DVC members now we know we're going back more often and are looking forward to "going with the flow". There's plenty to see and do even if you can't ride some of the headliners multiple times.

One more thing - Park hopping can be difficult. We have found it best to pick a park, arrive early, and stick with it. On Christmas Day especially, the MK can reach capacity by mid-day and more guests may not be admitted through the turnstiles.

 

[VrBchJ]

Totally disagree. We went to last years XMAS day parade and it was wonderfull. Sure it was crowded but so what, 70's and snowing on Main Street MK that evening alone was worth it, and the castle .

This is from XMAS day 07. (the only day that week it had a short rain shower).

Thank you for posting your photos. They are really beautiful and the fireworks over the castle are spectacular.

 

[Muushka]

YEs, Jade1. I've seen lots of the castle at Christmas pictures, yours was the best. Great job, thanks for sharing.

 

[photobob]

I think your frame of mind is very important. We get so many different reports from people who went during the same timeframe and they will have polar opposite views on crowds and how the trip went. One will say they had a great time can't wait until next Christmas and another will say never again. Know ahead of time what to expect, and plan accordingly. This is not the time of year to think that you can go do every attraction, but more of a time to soak in the atmosphere of being at WDW for Christmas.

 

[jade1]

I think your frame of mind is very important. We get so many different reports from people who went during the same timeframe and they will have polar opposite views on crowds and how the trip went. One will say they had a great time can't wait until next Christmas and another will say never again. Know ahead of time what to expect, and plan accordingly. This is not the time of year to think that you can go do every attraction, but more of a time to soak in the atmosphere of being at WDW for Christmas.

Agreed. I'm not saying its the best time for everyone either, I am saying for us it was our best trip ever-all things considered. Best weather (esp from Minn), longest park hours, best decor, best parades, best fireworks, best atmosphere, best family shared time. The DVC resorts are full always so the only difference there is better decor and since the pools are warm again, it is better swimming in the winter as well. Will admit that its the week the kids have off so it reduces our choice-but I think we would pick that week anyway it was so fun. We also did every attraction we wanted without huge waits using FP, late night and a couple early AM's. Going again this year-it's the best.

 

[tomandrobin]

People here tend to say "Yes, it's really as crowded as you have read!" However, many people have done it and do it again and again! Best wishes! We are going NYE this year. We are doing it as a "one time deal." When we were first married, we went to Times Square for our first NYE together, and for our 40th year, we wanted to do something just as out of character, and we came up with this!

Bobbi

MK on NYE has a very Time Square feel to it! ABC will have cameras there to televise the NYE celebration.

I hope you have a Magical 40th anniversary celebration!