WDW in the week AFTER Christmas

[Apixarfan]

My family of four (with two teenagers) will be traveling to Walt Disney World for a very long nine days, arriving on Christmas Day 2025. We are kind of WDW veterans a bit (me, more than the rest) but I have never been there the week AFTER Christmas. For a sort-of graduation gift we let our youngest pick where and when to take a family vacation before she starts college in a year and she said she really wanted to do WDW at Christmas. We went in early December in 2018 or 2017 which must have left some good memories with her apparently.

I have warned my teens and wife that crowds will be 10/10 pretty much every day which is why we’re stretching this to a lengthy nine days with the intention of getting popular rides done in the morning or later evening and either relaxing at the hotel or just taking it easy during peak times. We’ve been to WDW enough now that we are not packing in as many rides as we usually do.

What I’m looking for is advice or feedback about special or unique Christmas and other holiday seasonal things to see and do between Christmas and New Years Day. I’ve heard most of the ticketed evening parties like Jollywood finish before Christmas. Do they still do similar things without the need for the special add-on tickets? Any special suggestions for New Years Eve with teenagers who both get a little anxious around crowds?

I seem to recall a cookies-around-the-world thing at EPCOT before and a free Christmas tree walk through display at Disney Springs.

 

[RuntheMouse]

What I’m looking for is advice or feedback about special or unique Christmas and other holiday seasonal things to see and do between Christmas and New Years Day. I’ve heard most of the ticketed evening parties like Jollywood finish before Christmas. Do they still do similar things without the need for the special add-on tickets? Any special suggestions for New Years Eve with teenagers who both get a little anxious around crowds?

I seem to recall a cookies-around-the-world thing at EPCOT before and a free Christmas tree walk through display at Disney Springs.

I believe the gingerbread houses will still be up at the resorts so you should go check those out. And there will probably still be some holiday treats around. The cookie stroll is what you’re remembering at EPCOT. The past few years the Christmas trees at Disney Springs are scattered around, no longer a tree trail.

It’s a beautiful time to be there but I would say the crowds are a 12 out of 10. Pack your patience and have a great time!

 

[ZYX2008]

We've been that week 2 of the last 3 years. I love Festival of the Holidays at Epcot (including the cookie stroll), which normally goes until the 30th. Living with the Land also has their Christmas lights up until then as well. All the Gingerbread houses and Christmas trees are still up as well. And the New Years' fireworks are spectacular.

It's super crowded, but also fun and festive. Don't try to do everything and just enjoy.

 

[Genie+]

The single best thing to avoid crowds is arrive early. You don’t even have to do it every day - with 8 days I’d plan one ropedrop at each park and build the trip from there.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

At those ages have you considered a cruise? The lines for rides will be very long and they are not old enough to go drinking yet but like too old to potentially do a lot of the little kid stuff that doesn’t get as busy

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Honestly just spending a day resort hopping is fun - almost every resort does something a little different. I have mixed feelings about Disney Springs - it's such a madhouse that I'd try to avoid unless it would make or break your trip.

We visit this week every year and love it - in some ways because it's so crowded and we just know we won't be able to do as much, it's instantly more laid back.

Have a great trip!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Long park hours, often really nice weather, holiday spirits still in full swing - it's a great time to be at WDW. And with a nice long trip like that, tons of time to spread out, do all the things, zig or zag when needed, etc.

They can always change things but they usually run the Christmas parade at MK twice a day through either 12/29 or 12/30 (someone I'm sure will know) and Minnie's Holiday Christmastime Fireworks (same show as MVMCP) runs nightly through 12/29.

MK does four special New Years Even fireworks shows - 6:30pm and 11:50pm 12/30 and 12/31. The 11:50pm show is the "full 360 degree" version with additional launch points in the Seven Seas Lagoon. Epcot does their special show only on 12/31.

The internet will scare you about NYE at Disney, but it's totally manageable with the right mindset (mainly being flexible and rolling with the crowds). Yes it is crowded, but WDW does a great job handling things.

I do recommended making NYE dining plans as soon as you can - it's harder to wing things that evening on the fly, depending on where you decide to go.

So many fun things to do, have a great time!

 

[Apixarfan]

We've been that week 2 of the last 3 years. I love Festival of the Holidays at Epcot (including the cookie stroll), which normally goes until the 30th. Living with the Land also has their Christmas lights up until then as well. All the Gingerbread houses and Christmas trees are still up as well. And the New Years' fireworks are spectacular.

It's super crowded, but also fun and festive. Don't try to do everything and just enjoy.

I’m not sure my family has ever done Living with the Land so that might be a fun new thing for them to try. Do you need to see it at night for the lights? It’s probably been 20 years since I’ve been on it.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Honestly just spending a day resort hopping is fun - almost every resort does something a little different. I have mixed feelings about Disney Springs - it's such a madhouse that I'd try to avoid unless it would make or break your trip.

We visit this week every year and love it - in some ways because it's so crowded and we just know we won't be able to do as much, it's instantly more laid back.

Have a great trip!

Disney Springs is a super madhouse during the holidays and the buses can get filled.

I agree it’s a great week to visit

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I’m not sure my family has ever done Living with the Land so that might be a fun new thing for them to try. Do you need to see it at night for the lights? It’s probably been 20 years since I’ve been on it.

Yea the lights are in a greenhouse

 

[gottalovepluto]

Any special suggestions for New Years Eve with teenagers who both get a little anxious around crowds?

You can’t be serious about this part given your dates of travel? It’s just a preference right?

 

[TCRAIG]

I’m not sure my family has ever done Living with the Land so that might be a fun new thing for them to try. Do you need to see it at night for the lights? It’s probably been 20 years since I’ve been on it.

I’m not sure my family has ever done Living with the Land so that might be a fun new thing for them to try. Do you need to see it at night for the lights? It’s probably been 20 years since I’ve been on it.

Yup!

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

You can’t be serious about this part given your dates of travel? It’s just a preference right?

I totally missed that part lol

 

[Apixarfan]

You can’t be serious about this part given your dates of travel? It’s just a preference right?

I had concerns myself but there are a few reasons I think we can make this work. 1) My family is there more to soak up the holiday atmosphere, enjoy snacks, and not as much about the rides. 2) Most days during the trip we intend to arrive early, leave midday, and maybe come back in the evening. 3) We’ve been there enough times that I know a few of the quieter nooks of the parks if we need breaks and 4) we are going to buy nine day base tickets and be okay with much shorter days than we typically do (with the exception of NYE)

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I had concerns myself but there are a few reasons I think we can make this work. 1) My family is there more to soak up the holiday atmosphere, enjoy snacks, and not as much about the rides. 2) Most days during the trip we intend to arrive early, leave midday, and maybe come back in the evening. 3) We’ve been there enough times that I know a few of the quieter nooks of the parks if we need breaks and 4) we are going to buy nine day base tickets and be okay with much shorter days than we typically do (with the exception of NYE)

The hotel you stay at will also heavily influence how you feel the crowds and the ease of going back and forth. I hate certain type of crowds too, specifically the stationary can’t move anywhere crowds such as in the hub during fireworks. but lots of people around moving about is less bad. I don’t like fully packed busses either but a lot don’t so I pick times less people are going to and from places.
Generally the crowd during this time is much friendly than normal also so that helps.

 

[Apixarfan]

The hotel you stay at will also heavily influence how you feel the crowds and the ease of going back and forth. I hate certain type of crowds too, specifically the stationary can’t move anywhere crowds such as in the hub during fireworks. but lots of people around moving about is less bad. I don’t like fully packed busses either but a lot don’t so I pick times less people are going to and from places.
Generally the crowd during this time is much friendly than normal also so that helps.

I’m still not sure how we lucked out, but we got Beach Club with our DVC points for the first half of the trip and Boardwalk for the last half. Walk to EPCOT and walk/boat to Hollywood Studios should at least help with crowds for those parks (and make midday breaks easier).

 

[Marthasor]

Where are you staying? That, IMHO, will be a big factor in making suggestions on what to see, where to visit, etc. to avoid crowds and a ton of traffic. One of our favorite things to do at the holidays is to visit Ft. W, go canoeing, visit the stables, see HDDR and book a carriage ride to see the Fort decorations. The Fort is beautiful and we love the holiday additions to HDDR. It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit without being jam packed in the parks. We have been lucky with great weather when we have traveled during Christmas, so we spent a lot of time at the pool. Visiting the resorts to see the decorations and getting some holiday snacks is fun as well. Other ideas - rent a pontoon boat, go to Trader Sam's at Poly (get in line around 1 pm or so to get your name on the list), play a round of mini golf. Lots of non-park things to do to get out of the crowds when needed. We also did Wild Africa Trek that week which was a great way to visit AK away from the crowds.

 

[Marthasor]

I’m still not sure how we lucked out, but we got Beach Club with our DVC points for the first half of the trip and Boardwalk for the last half. Walk to EPCOT and walk/boat to Hollywood Studios should at least help with crowds for those parks (and make midday breaks easier).

This will make a huge difference as you won't have to rely on buses or cars to get to two parks (traffic is quite bad that week) and there is a ton of stuff to do and places to eat in the EP resort area. We stayed at BWI when we went during Christmas week and it saved our trip honestly.

 

[gzmtlock]

Any special suggestions for New Years Eve with teenagers who both get a little anxious around crowds?

We did this week with our teens about 10 years ago. Your approach is a great one!

Sharing a story because of the above. We were at Boardwalk for our stay. Went to MK on the 30th for fireworks - worked out great. Stayed at the back of Main Street and ran out ahead of the crowds as the fireworks ended. Did Epcot on NYE. It was super crowded. At one point, maybe 8-9 pm, we were at a congestion point where no one was moving. Tons of people, and not enough space. People were jumping the low barriers to walk in the gardens. That was it for DD. She doesn't do well in crowds, started to get panicky. She and I bugged out and headed back to the villa. She was able to relax easily once we were out of the crush. About an hour or so later, DH and DS also left Epcot. They weren't panicky, just weren't finding it enjoyable. When the fireworks started, we found a bridge where we could face towards Epcot, and watched from there. It was the best solution for us!

Long story short, be adaptable. And if things get to be too much, zig when everyone else zags, as you said!

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I’m still not sure how we lucked out, but we got Beach Club with our DVC points for the first half of the trip and Boardwalk for the last half. Walk to EPCOT and walk/boat to Hollywood Studios should at least help with crowds for those parks (and make midday breaks easier).

Yea that’s a huge positive for Epcot and Hollywood studios which are probably the parks more geared towards those ages.