Week Before Christmas Crowds

[GoofyDad_STL]

We are about to purchase into DVC and my DW surprised me and asked about taking a trip this Christmas (we were planning for Summer 2005). So I know the week between Christmas and New Years is absolutely mobbed, but I am wondering about the week before this (December 19 - 24), what are the crowds like and how do they compare to crowds in the summer?

As a second choice we may look at the week of Thansgiving and I am wondering what everyone's experience with this week have been like.

Thanks for any help you can give us.

 

[Fox&Hound]

We've only been to Disney during the first or second week of December, so I can't compare to the summer crowds, but we absolutely LOVE it at that time of year. The kids enjoy Mickey's Christmas party, and the parks don't seem too crowded to us. Very short lines to most rides and attractions, able to get into restaurants of our choosing, and I love Christmas shopping at Downtown Disney. The resorts are so beautifully decorated. It's wonderful. The only activities we haven't particicpated in have been water-related. Each time we've gone, it's been unseasonably cold and we've skipped the water parks and often the pools. (Only went swimming once during our last trip.) Also, the parks close earlier in December (compared to the summer), but that's never bothered us. WE LOVE DECEMBER!!

 

[Fox&Hound]

P.S. We're planning another visit this December, as a retirement gift to my in-laws (both teachers, retiring in June). They're looking forward to a pre-Christmas Disney visit with their grandchildren. My youngest will be 3 in December, and seeing Buzz Lightyear will be more exciting to him than Santa Claus! My Mother-in-law is thrilled to be able to share that experience with him.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

In 2002 we were there the week before the holiday season starts. I believe that year it was 12/13 - 12/19. The beginning of the week was great, but the people really started swarming in towards the end of the week, as the schools let out. I suspect the week you are looking at will be crowded. On the bright side it won't be nearly as hot.

 

[nasmith]

We were at WDW Dec.19 - Dec. 28th this past year---- It was crowded - but not unmanageable. I can't compare it to sumer crowds -as I have an aversion to Heat but the longest wait for rides was about 45 minutes (that I saw).......The crowds became unmanageable (IMHO) starting Christmas Day - with waits of more than 3 hours for some rides, theme parks closing by 10:00 am because they were full - that sort of thing.

I go about 4 - 6 times a year - and I would have to say that the week before Christmas is okay - as long as you have a plan (ie.... figure out where you are going to go each day - which rides are top-priorities--use fastpass--- make PS for meals - that sort of thing). It is a little too crowded to just be able to "wing-it" without ending up waiting in some lines and maybe missing some of your "must-sees".

The closer it gets to Christmas day, the more crowded it will get. The last MVMCP (Mickey's Christmas Party) will prob. be the Friday night BEFORE Christmas week. During CHristmas week - they will run the Christmas parade instead of the "Share a dream" parade; they will also have some of the same Christmas shows at the MK that they have during MVMCP. It IS festive - and truly a great time!!

 

[GoofyDad_STL]

Thanks for the responses, now it got more complicated because my wife reminded me that we have an obligation the week before Christmas and it would have to be the week between Christmas and New Years. I was at Disneyland during Christmas in 2002 and I swore never again.

Hmmm, maybe Easter break....

 

[diznee25]

My husband and I were there last year, Dec. 14-27.

Dec. 14--21 Light crowds. Didn't need Fast Pass for almost any rides.

Dec. 22-27 Heavy crowds! Some Disney buses would pass us by because they were full to the brim. Dec. 25 and 26 were the worst!! Not sure if we'll ever go back out over Christmas week.

The first week of our trip was my favorite.

Diznee25