WDW X-mas 12/23 - 12/27

[ilikemike]

Looks like most everyone is headed to Disney the week or two before us (DH, DD9 and ME) Did I pick a less than perfect time (tho how could ANY time at WDW be LTP?)
Two yrs ago DD & I went to WDW and met a "local" and she just raved about how much fun WDW X-mas was - - no lines, great decorations etc..... Couldn't afford this past X-mas but I just booked for '04. Has anyone been to MK on Dec 25th? Am I getting my DH into a MAJOR nightmare crowd scene or what? I've been lucky the past 3 years with crowds - last year Spring Break was AWESOME - the longest we waited for rides was 25 minutes (which was good because had the bratty teenage SD with on that trip)

 

[disney4us2002]

LTP? No, but definitely popular and crowded. Are you staying onsite at Disney? Many reports have shown the MK to close to offsite guests at various points over the Christmas to New Year's week and especially Christmas day. We're going the 19th to 27th but I've about talked myself out of MK on Christmas day even though I LOVE the MK. It is allegedly wall to wall people and not very enjoyable. If you are onsite, try to go with the EE days and do most popular rides at park opening. I read one trip report from someone who waited almost 3 hrs for Mission:Space. I would never do that but that is to give you an idea of the crowds. I've also read that Christmas 2003 were record numbers for Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There were several days from 12/25 to 1/1 that the MK and some of the other parks closed for periods of time due to capacity. It happened more frequently for MK than the other resorts.

 

[freediverdude]

I was at MK on Christmas day 2002 and then again on Christmas day 2003. 2002 was pretty pleasant, even though a fair number of people, and rides were still doable. 2003 though was much worse, and I probably won't do MK during the day for Christmas day 2004. I arrived at 9:30am, and already the park was mobbed. The bakery on Main Street had a line going halfway down the street, so I told myself I would go over to Cosmic Rays and try to get something there. Wrong, breakfast breath! Well the lines there were all the way back to the door, and it took 30-45 minutes just to get up to where you order. The rides weren't really doable unless you wanted to wait about 2 hours per ride, or get a fastpass, and then the next fastpass not available until several hours later, which meant like maybe 3 rides all day. So yes, at least in my opinion, it wasn't worth it during the day. However, starting about 9:30pm after the first Spectromagic and fireworks, the park cleared out and people could ride whatever they wanted. In the 2 hours between 10pm and midnight when the park closed, I rode all 3 mountains as well as some other rides. There was even a castle forecourt stage show at 11pm, that was only attended by a couple hundred people! So I think if I'm there at Christmas this year, I'll probably do another park during the day, go back to the resort for a rest and dinner, and then do MK late at night.

 

[HappyLawyer]

We are heading down a week before you but then doing a cruise then returning the only reason i am doing a week before is cuz it is still value season, and many people are probably doing the same, the hotels are so much cheaper but u will still have a ball, get to what ever park u want early on christmas as it will probably fill up

 

[XStAnt]

12/23 and 12/24 will be crowded but doable. 12/25-12/27 will be extremely crowded, with MK almost certainly closing on 12/25 and probably on other days, as well. Whoever told you they went on Xmas week and had no waits was either lying or was talking about the week before Xmas. (She probably was talking about the Xmas season at Disney, which usually starts in early December).

That being said, with a little planning that week can be a lot of fun.

First, make sure you and DH understand it will be very crowded and you won't be able to get to do everything.

Second, make a plan for which days to do which park. If onsite take advantage of EMH. If not onsite, stay away from EMH park.

Third, make a list of must do rides, a list of rides you can skip, and a list of rides you'd like to do but if you can't do it you won't regret missing it. Make sure you do your "must dos" and fit in your others as time and opportunity fits.

Fourth, make Priority Seatings for any sit down meals you want. If you don't you will have long waits for lunch and dinner, eating into valuable park time.

Fifth, Use FP, use FP, use FP!!! Make sure you maximize it's use by learning how to hold more than one FP at a time.

Sixth, enjoy the Xmas time festivites such as: Candlelight Processional, Osbourne Lights (if showing this year), Holidays Around the World at Epcot, and the various decorations.

Seventh, avoid MK on Xmas Day. With crowds large enough to close the park you will not get on many rides/attractions. It will be wall to wall people. Unless you want to be able to say you were at MK on Xmas Day I, personally, don't feel it's worth going to that day. I recommend Epcot. Because it is so large and spread out it tends to handle the crowds better than the other parks. Plus, many people don't feel it's as "kid friendly" so they stay away on Xmas. (However, Epcot still will be EXTREMELY crowded that day as well).

Eighth, have FUN!!! Remember you are on vacation, in Disney, and it is Xmas time. Enjoy yourself and don't sweat the small stuff you can't control--like the crowds.

Good luck and enjoy yourself.