Week before Christmas?

[Family Fun Mom]

Has anyone been to WDW the week before Christmas? Or the week before that? I'm wondering about the weather, crowds, swimming, and all that. I would just love to see all the decorations. I imagine WDW at Christmas is really something else.

I'd be so grateful for any info. Thanks

 

[Darth Eisner]

Disney the week before Christmas is very doable and not bad crowd wise. Use the online guides to do the right parks on the right days, take advantage of extra magic hours(especially the late ones), FASTPASS and make those dining reservations. We did it last year and had no problems. Average wait was about 10-15minutes for the big rides at the right times. The longest we waited was 45min for Soaring but it is the latest and greatest.

Be sure and see the WL, AKL and GF. Don't miss the Candlelight Processional, the Osborne Lights, Holidays Around The World and MVMCP. You'll love it! We're going back next Christmas.

 

[MICKEEP]

We were there last year 12/19 thru 12/26. I agree with Darth Eisner the ride waits the week before Christmas were not bad at all. We only did soarin with fastpass. Christmas morning in the MK was a nightmare, especially when the power went out and none of the rides were working. But we found that MGM Christmas evening was pretty empty. We went to a Fantasmic show that was only 1/3 filled.

A comment on the weather. Be prepared for anything. We went down totally unprepared for the cold weather. We went with shorts and t-shirts thinking it was going to be hot every day (hey, it is Florida) and we wore long pants and newly purchased sweatshirts most of the time.

Don't waste your money on MVMCP since all the special party events and shows are held during normal park hours that week.

 

[DisneyFan06]

I am considering booking a trip from 12/19 to 12/23 but it will be a Solo Trip because no one wants to go with me and I told them I would pay for EVERYTHING

 

[disneygal33]

I am considering booking a trip from 12/19 to 12/23 but it will be a Solo Trip because no one wants to go with me and I told them I would pay for EVERYTHING

I'll be there the 9th thru the 18th, if you're paying I'd be happy to send my family home and hangout with you!! 12/23 is my birthday

Seriously, if it were me I'd go by myself. I'd look at is as my time to no have to listen to anyone. I could do what I wanted!!

 

[DisneyFan06]

Seriously, if it were me I'd go by myself. I'd look at is as my time to no have to listen to anyone. I could do what I wanted!!

True, I am going to go by myself, but it just sucks because I wanted to have this big family thing and everything. But you know what a TRIP is better that NONE. Therefore, I will make that trip and it will just be me and the mouse.

 

[TheresaNY]

If you go the first week of December and plan to stay in a value or Port Orleans resort.....watch out for POP WARNER !!!

 

[countrymom32]

After christmas and the day of are the worst for crowds. Try doin things not directly on disney property. ICE at the gaylord palms hotel is awesome. 9 degree weather with huge ice exhibits and sculptures. great for the whole family. christmasinorlando is a site that lists events and things going on. enjoy!

 

[VLee]

So glad to hear that it is not that bad the week before Christmas!

My mother and I are going to be there Dec 16 - Dec 20, heading out that afternoon. She is 78, has had knee surgery and refuses to ride the scooters, so I was hoping for an uncrowded visit and short waits.

Was a little worried about the MVMCP that we will be attending the night of the 19th though...

 

[anneofgreengables]

We are going the week before Christmas 12/16 to 12/23 for the first time. I hope what everyone is saying about the crowds being not bad is true... We did book for our first MVMCP. I hope that night won't be crowded.

 

[3for Me]

We were there last year from 12/19-12/26 - it was very manageable. When we were checking out on 12/26 - the lobby of the GF was packed! You literally could hardly move. We were glad we were leaving!

Frankly, we hardly encountered many lines at all during that week and MVMCP did not seemed all that crowded. (We did it on the last night.) I do think you still need to go with a good plan and ADR's, but if you do that, you should be fine.

It is so special at that time of the year...wish I was going back -(sigh).

 

[anneofgreengables]

Thanks. We do have ADRs and a plan. Our MVMCP is on a Monday, not the last one, so hopefully it won't be crowded.

 

[mbb]

We're there from the 18-26 onsite..and the til Jan6 offsite. Glad to hear that it *might* not be unbearable crowd wise.

ADR's - check!
PAP's - check
MVMCP - 21st - check!
CP - 23rd - Check!
And we've planned MGM for NYE

 

[blessedby3]

We will be there the 16th-23rd too!! Cant wait to get there and I hope it will not be crowded either. Also doing MVMCP for the 2nd time!!!

 

[MomofCKJ]

We'll be there Dec 15-22, only 70 more days!

Allyson

 

[micksterlee]

We were there the week before Christmas 2005 12/17 - 12/24 and I thought the crowds were huge.We stayed at Pop and the food court was always packed and we waited for at least 20 minutes every time we took the bus.We waited in lines at some of the popular attractions for about an hour.On most days we arrived at the parks around 10am and they were very crowded in my opinion.

 

[BrianD]

Great time to go. The week before Christmas is our favorite time of year there. Really gets us in the Christmas spirit.