Week before Christmas?

[Antonia]

We plan to go Dec 14 thru 19 or 20. Not our first trip but haven't been at this time of year in about 10 years. Crowds? Park hours? Any tips or advice? Not planning on doing MVMCP. Do want to eat one meal in castle.We'll be 2 50ish grandparents, 2 parents, 2 kids ages 6 and almost 4. Staying in a 2 be villa at WL. What about sleigh rides?? $??? for sleigh rides?

 

[offkilterfan]

We've been there during this time and it was a good time to go. It's not too crowded but will get more crowded later in the week. The park hours will get extended sometime in late November. If you look up past history, you should be able to see what the hours have been. The only wildcard, is the weather. You never know what it's going to be like. We've been there when we went to the pool a couple of days and another time it was record lows in the 20's. Haven't done a sleigh ride, but have seen them going through Ft Wilderness. You can get pricing info on Disney's website. I believe there are two types. It's a great time to be there. Enjoy!

 

[saskdw]

We go every year at this time. This year we will be there Dec. 12th-26th. The parks are very enjoyable until. Few days before Christmas. We will hit the parks hard the first week when crowds are light and then enjoy things at a leasurely pace the second week when the crowds roll in.

My tip is to use the Easywdw crowd calendar and pick the recommended slow park for each day. If you do this for that week you will have a great time. Park will be slow and a lot of attractions are walk-on with the exception of the headliners.

 

[LisaTC]

went the same week 2 years ago and if we don't do October, we'll do this week. Walk on a lot of attractions and crowds low. Great weather, too!
Love Osborne lights!

 

[jenngaldiz]

Thank you so much for reading my mind! we are going 12-20. Was very nervous about going that time thanks for easing my mind a little. Just to add to the initial question we are planning on doing MVMCP in your very knowledgable opinion would going Tuesday the 16th be a good night to go? I heard reports from last year that it was very crowded and unenjoyable.

 

[LisaTC]

We went to the party on a Sunday night. It was perfect. We actually went to the Halloween party on a Sunday night, as well. I don't recall where I saw this, but Sunday night parties were recommended, depending. So, were I you, I'd choose the Sunday or Tuesday of the week you are there. Think that would be perfect. We are in the category of going to MK on the day of the party because it is a recommended day. Because of the park closing at 7 for the party, many choose another park. So we headed there early am, went back to the resort for a rest, then came back around 3 for the party. Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night...totally different experience! So fun!

 

[lilmakattack]

We were there this past Dec. from the 14-23. It was awesome! The weather was perfect, the crowds were light up until the 21st, and the christmas season was beautiful. It was so great that we are returning for the very same week this year. It's rated the 3rd best week to visit by the yourfirsttrip website and I totally agree.

We loved that the crowds were light so the majority of the week was very manageable. We hit MK on Sunday Dec 22 on a crowd level 10 day. Even that day was quite manageable but much busier. The cool part was we got to see the Christmas parade and the christmas shows plus holiday wishes that are at MVMCP without going to the party. A truly magical time to go!

 

[3CW]

We went that week last year, 12/14-12/20 and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Crowds were much more manageable than when we normally visit (June/August), and the weather was so much better! Definitely take a jacket with you each morning. We had gorgeous weather, high 70s during the day, but waiting for Illuminations in the mid-40s with the wind coming off the lake...brrr!

If you want to see the Osborne Lights with less of a crowd, don't go right when they're turned on (6ish). But that was one time we actually liked the crowds...everyone dancing along to the music and grinning, it was great!

Just to add to the initial question we are planning on doing MVMCP in your very knowledgable opinion would going Tuesday the 16th be a good night to go? I heard reports from last year that it was very crowded and unenjoyable.

Generally the common wisdom is that the later in the year it gets, the more crowded and less enjoyable MVMCP gets. Is there an earlier party night available during your dates?

We went last year on the night of the very last party, just because we'd never done it before, and honestly I didn't think it was worth it. We encountered some of the absolute rudest crowds I've ever seen in the parks on that night. Didn't feel like overall crowd level/wait times were any less than during regular hours, either. I guess the parade was cute but it wasn't worth the rest of it.

If you really want to see the holiday parade, holiday Wishes, or some of the special characters that aren't otherwise out, then go for it. Otherwise honestly, there's more than enough "free with admission" holiday cheer to go around in the parks during the week you'll be there!

 

[O2H O2H]

Great to hear about the crowds that week, as we will be there the 14th-20th, as well! SO. DARN. EXCITED!

 

[jenngaldiz]

Thank you so much for all of your expertise! I am feeling a lot less nervous about the crowd levels in general and the MVMCP. Keeping my fingers crossed! Also wishing all of you who will be there the same week a very magical vacation!

 

[sharadoc]

We were there that week in 2013. It was great. Crowds were really great, started to get busy the weekend before Christmas obviously, but overall, really great time to go.

Only "problem" was that a lot of specialty holiday merchandise was selling or sold out by then. There was nothing with 2013 on it, just all the generic Christmas ornaments, etc. I couldn't even get the holiday ears that I wanted, they were all gone already.

Otherwise, it was an awesome way to kick off the holiday season. Go to the Osborne Lights as often as you can. See the link in my signature for one of the greatest performances they did in 2013. You'll see at the end the crowd was completely quiet for a moment, it was so great.