what are wait times like during Christmas

[princess lovers mom]

over on the WDW boards they are obsessed at the crowds during the Christmas season (week before and after) and showing crowd pictures and discussing long wait times- 2-3 hours for soarin' etc....

I don't get the same feeling on this board....is it not as bad?
how long for example are the waits for rides that do not offer fast pass?
is it so crowded that you cannot walk around?

or is everyone in California just so laid back that it doesn't bother them !!

 

[DLR29]

I'm assuming when you say "Christmas" you mean the week between Christmas and New Years. If that's the case...

For the most major rides like Space and Indy, wait times can be expected to be somewhere between 60-90 min for most of the day (being on the higher end during the middle of the day). Other rides that might have similar line lengths MIGHT include Splash (depending on weather), Nemo, and Soarin.

Other rides will most likely have 45-60 min like Haunted Mansion Holiday, Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Toy Story Midway Mania, Screamin, ToT, etc.

Some high capacity rides might not even get more than 30-35 min like Big Thunder, Pirates, BLAB, Jungle Cruise. The lines might be long in length, but they all move extremely quickly.

If you're talking about the week before Christmas, subtract 15 min from each of the above times.

 

[princess lovers mom]

yes we are going the week between....
those wait times are nice ! - that is less than the non peak wait times we are used to at WDW!!!

 

[Sherry E]

It's hard to say. You should pop over to our "Disney at Christmas" super thread so you can get lots of holiday-specific feedback from people. That's the main place for Christmas info, questions, answers, news, etc.

We've gone to DLR on the exact weekend before Christmas three years in a row, and the crowds definitely increased between 2008 and 2009. Last year's holiday season was the busiest one in ten years - and it was evident to me by the sheer number of people wandering around. New Orleans Square was soooo packed. Since we went on the same weekend 3 years in a row I could directly compare the crowd levels and the length of the lines. Last year was on a whole different level from 2008 or 2007. First of all, DL reached capacity pretty early on that day. Second, the line for HMH was already 45 minutes before 11:00 a.m. Third, the wall of people that congregated in front of the very beautiful It's a Small World Holiday at night (when it is at its peak of beauty) was impenetrable. My friends and I took one look at all the people and turned around. I couldn't even begin to tell you where the line for IASWH began or what the wait time was because there were just so many people in front of the whole area, just staring at the pretty lights.

After Christmas is always busier than before Christmas.

 

[NewbieMouse]

How do you think the week before Christmas (Dec 21-23) would compare to the first week after WOC opened? We were there June 12-17, so I'm trying to put into perspective how the lineups will be then compared to our June trip.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

How do you think the week before Christmas (Dec 21-23) would compare to the first week after WOC opened? We were there June 12-17, so I'm trying to put into perspective how the lineups will be then compared to our June trip.

I'd say they are comparable (I'm comparing my trips: Dec. 18-23, 2009 to June 18-23, 2010). Rides like IASW and HM will have longer wait times because of the holiday overlay, but HM will also have a FP. Splash and GRR will obviously have shorter lines since it'll be cooler out.

ETA: I know during the Dec. dates park reached capacity a few days. I didn't experience it at all (except having to get a handstamp with my AP) because it occurred during our afternoon breaks. The only reason I know it reached capacity is because of reports on the boards.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

ETA: I know during the Dec. dates park reached capacity a few days. I didn't experience it at all (except having to get a handstamp with my AP) because it occurred during our afternoon breaks. The only reason I know it reached capacity is because of reports on the boards.

If you leave and it reaches capacity, you would have been let back in because of your hand stamp? I'm staying onsite in December with the plan of taking a break in the afternoon if crowds get too much for us. Can we get back in, or if we leave do we risk not getting back in?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you leave and it reaches capacity, you would have been let back in because of your hand stamp? I'm staying onsite in December with the plan of taking a break in the afternoon if crowds get too much for us. Can we get back in, or if we leave do we risk not getting back in?

There are different levels of capacity. (I'm not positive on the accuracy of the steps)

1) stop selling 1 day passes
2) stop selling PHs
3) Only re-entries allowed (which is why even APs need stamps)
4) Park full and fire marshall doesn't let ANYONE in.

I heard it reached step 4 while we were at the hotel. After the afternoon parade, many leave back to the hotels and it reopens again. By the time we got back to the parks around 5:00 we saw no signs that we wouldn't be allowed in. If its super busy, there is always a risk of not getting back in. If you are going between Xmas and NY, I'd check crowd levels with a CM before leaving just in case. But "USUALLY" they reopen after the parade from other's accounts.

 

[momtotwolittleones]

Just yesterday a mom I know was telling me that she went two weeks before Christmas last year - right after school let out - and it was so crowded she wanted to cry. Her vow was never again would she go around that time.

That's about all I know, FWIW.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Just yesterday a mom I know was telling me that she went two weeks before Christmas last year - right after school let out - and it was so crowded she wanted to cry. Her vow was never again would she go around that time.

That's about all I know, FWIW.

If it was my only trip (especially if I'd never been before) and I couldn't dedicate 5-6 days in the parks, I wouldn't choose then to go. It's busy! Really busy!! And if you aren't familiar with the parks, the rides, and don't have the luxury of saying "no we aren't going to wait an hour to ride Dumbo" and move on to something else, then I wouldn't recommend going during that week. There were a number of rides we just didn't go on because we didn't want to wait that long to ride. We had been on everything at least a few times in the two trips prior.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thanks for the assessment. I remember you talking about reaching capacity on another thread I had posted on about these crowds (we talk a lot about crowds in here!).

I broke down and decided on booking it as a package with the three day hopper. That way I get the preferred seating, MTTMM, and MM option (as well as the free premium dining). We will only do two full days in the parks and will get there super early, and in those very busy afternoons schedule my princess lunch one day and the holiday tour the other. Perhaps for the third day I will convince my DH to go into the parks the evening we get there and knock off a few quick loaders, maybe a show. We went in June for 5 days, so this time it we don't need to see EVERYTHING. I appreciate your heads and up and stories - all the tips from this board are invaluable.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

There are different levels of capacity. (I'm not positive on the accuracy of the steps)

1) stop selling 1 day passes
2) stop selling PHs
3) Only re-entries allowed (which is why even APs need stamps)
4) Park full and fire marshall doesn't let ANYONE in.

I know I've seen this info before, but can never remember it. Now I'm printing your post and putting it in my planning binder. Thanks.

This is our fifth DL trip - first in December, though. We've gone twice in Oct, and twice during the July 4 holiday week. So we're prepared for crowds and willing to skip some rides for the chance to see the holiday decorations. I think we'll have a few specific goals for each day, and anything else we get done will be gravy. I think we'll leave early on the 31st and just plan on staying gone.

Even though we're prepared for crowds, we still may be overwhelmed, so I'm making sure we have escape plans.

I agree with NewbieMouse, the tips and suggestions we get from this board make our trips extra enjoyable.

 

[azdisneylover]

Just my 2 cents, If I had a choice to be at home, or be waiting in a line for a ride at Disneyland during Christmas when it is crowded to capacity, I would take Disneyland! Because, I wouldn't have to cook, clean, do dishes, just for starters!

 

[roxyrokz115]

It is pretty crowded, to where you are walking on peoples heels (evening time, during shows) Fast Passes will save you time. The longest time I waited in line was about 1 hour and a half. Most of the time the waiting time posted at the entrance of a ride is a little longer than you would really wait.