Were going Christmas week

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Were going to MK Christmas Eve and then HS on Christmas day, never done that. How packed will it be??
Just DH and me.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

MK - very, but better than Christmas Day; HS is a wild card because of TSL and the construction. Same places become log jammed because of traffic flow.

Pack you patience, comfy shoes, and a sense of humor — you can always break into random Christmas carols and start a sing-a-long.

 

[kniquy]

If you plan accordingly - maybe hit rope drop and leave for a bit in the afternoon - that could ease the stress of crowds. Go with low expectations and you won't be disappointed. That really is the best way to tackle these busy holidays

 

[hakepb]

Be ready for the most packed you’ve seen (unless you’ve done NYE)

Don’t plan on driving (unless you arrive early and don’t leave in the afternoon), take Disney Transport.

But, it’s an extra-magical time at WDW if you enjoy spending time together!(but not a good time if you need to do a ton of rides over and over)

 

[southerngirl528]

Be ready for the most packed you’ve seen (unless you’ve done NYE)

This is true. From a few days before Christmas (think when the kids get out of school for Christmas), through New Year's is the very busiest time of the year.

For your MK day, I would go EARLY in the day as the MK definitely does close due to capacity crowds at Christmas. Resort guests are guaranteed entry to "a" park, but that does not mean it might be the park of your choice.

 

[hakepb]

This is true. From a few days before Christmas (think when the kids get out of school for Christmas), through New Year's is the very busiest time of the year.

For your MK day, I would go EARLY in the day as the MK definitely does close due to capacity crowds at Christmas. Resort guests are guaranteed entry to "a" park, but that does not mean it might be the park of your choice.

I think those staying on-site, with multi-day tickets should be OK.

I know phase 1 (TTC parking closed) is likely, but has MK reached the final closing phase since New Fantasyland opened?

DHS might be a greater capacity problem with closed areas.

 

[PollyannaMom]

For your MK day, I would go EARLY in the day as the MK definitely does close due to capacity crowds at Christmas. Resort guests are guaranteed entry to "a" park, but that does not mean it might be the park of your choice.

Ooooh, I did not know that part! We're also going for our first Christmas trip, and were planning on doing Epcot on the morning of Christmas Eve and MK in the afternoon/evening (opposite of the day before). Hmm...maybe I'll switch to two solid days instead??

 

[southerngirl528]

I know phase 1 (TTC parking closed) is likely, but has MK reached the final closing phase since New Fantasyland opened?

I've never worked in the parks, but I know that MK has gotten at least a couple of stages higher than Phase 1 in the last 10 years or so. I don't have stats, but had a coworker whose DH worked in the MK in a role that monitored crowds and initiated the various closing phases.

 

[hakepb]

Ooooh, I did not know that part! We're also going for our first Christmas trip, and were planning on doing Epcot on the morning of Christmas Eve and MK in the afternoon/evening (opposite of the day before). Hmm...maybe I'll switch to two solid days instead??

Epcot has enough people space it’s never a closure problem with Disney transport. (On this NYE, Epcot’s busiest day of the year, I went to DAK earlier in the day/afternoon, then went to Epcot at night)

MK is a greater closure risk, but with On-site and multi-day tickets I believe worst case scenario is waiting 60-90 minutes in the evening before enough guests leave to let you in. (It’s not a, “once a park closes, it’s closed for the rest of the day”)

Edit: to be completely fair, I arrived at MK by noon on both Dec 30,’17 and July 3rd ‘18 and stayed through the special fireworks as extra insurance, because DW was slightly concerned. I didn’t hear of closures those days to merit that concern.

 

[PollyannaMom]

MK is a greater closure risk, but with On-site and multi-day tickets I believe worst case scenario is waiting 60-90 minutes in the evening before enough guests leave to let you in. (It’s not a, “once a park closes, it’s closed for the rest of the day”)

I did some reading, and it looks like the fact that I have an ADR in the park that evening works in my favor as well. So I'm less worried now.

 

[SL6827]

I am planning a three night trip during December as well, just to see the decor, shop, soak up the atmosphere, ect. December 19-22, no parks what so ever. But should I be concerned about crowd levels at say the monorail resorts? They don't limit the ability to sight see and such then? I imagine we will just use Disney transportation to get to most places instead of trying to get a parking spot at the resorts we are going to visit.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

I am planning a three night trip during December as well, just to see the decor, shop, soak up the atmosphere, ect. December 19-22, no parks what so ever. But should I be concerned about crowd levels at say the monorail resorts? They don't limit the ability to sight see and such then? I imagine we will just use Disney transportation to get to most places instead of trying to get a parking spot at the resorts we are going to visit.

You shouldn’t have any problems. Great thought sticking with Disney transportation; you could even Minnie in a pinch.