What do we do when crowds are packed at Christmas??

[JessetheCowgirl]

We will be at the Swan Dec 20-28. Me, DH, DS 4, DS 2, and my parents.

MK will offer the most for my two DS's, so I plan on spending the first 3 days there to beat the Christmas crowds somewhat. We will do EE or park opening (a family of early risers and will break for nap everyday.

If the crowds do get crazy near Christmas, what do we do those days??? Specifically on Christmas eve/day/26/27??? We are willing to do universal/IOA as well, but prefer WDW. We won't be doing the big thrill rides or water rides as I think it will be pretty cold.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Grumpy92]

1. Visit the various resorts each are decorated according to thier resorts theme. At the GF activities start at 4pm with caroling CMs followed by the pianist and the band. Snack on Gingerbread from the huge gingerbread house and views the carosel.

2. Visit FW the guest really go all out decorating their campsites. Most are lights and some have music and animation. They really are incredible. You might want to take in the campfire with Chip & Dale and watch the Disney movie that is held nightly.

3. DisneyQuest. We did this one year instead of the parks there was really nobody there. It was so nice.

4. Take a tour of the WL and find all the hidden Mickeys. Sometimes they even have animals visiting just to show the children. I would contact Gst Services for specific info. Gather around the fire at AKL and listen to African Folk stories.

5. Santa visits the various resorts on xmas eve & xmas morning so you might want to visit him.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks for the ideas! So, are the parks so crowded on Christmas Eve and Day that we shouldn't even bother? If we get there at opening or EE, could we at least have an enjoyable first couple of hours?

Thanks,
Kim

 

[Micca]

Last Christmas we spent our very first 12/25 at MK. We didn't ride a single thing. We watched the parade, and just enjoyed being at WDW over the holidays.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Are early mornings still bearable at MK???

Which park would you think would be a little less crowded on Christmas Eve/Day???

Thanks!

 

[XStAnt]

Kim,

Here's a suggestion. Instead of doing MK for the first 3 days, why don't you do it for 1 1/2 days, and spend an am at AK and a day at MGM before Christmas. Crowds will be very light andd you can get a lot done the first 3-4 days. Anything you don't get to you can go back and do afterwards, and hopefully you could fastpass those rides to cut down the waits.

Definitely stay away from MK on 12/25. It gets so crowded it is usually closed to new guests by 10:00 am or so. (Some people like to go this time to see all the people, decorations, etc--sort of a XMas Day tradition. If you want that, it's okay, just understand you won't be able to go on many rides).

I would try Epcot on 12/25. It usually is less of an attraction for children. PLus, the park is so big it handles the crowds better.

Do EE, especially before XMas. You can get a lot done.

You have a lot of time at Disney, with much of it before the Christmas crowds really pack the place. You should have no trouble seeing/doing most of what you want.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks, Xstant!!

I hadn't thought of visiting the other parks while it is slow. I'm such a MK fan that I would be happy seeing nothing else. Well, maybe not NOTHING else.

This will be my parents' first trip and I want them to ENJOY, without feeling like the crowds are unbearable.

I also want to try to book an Illuminations cruise and see the CP while we are there.

Any other must dos at this time of year?

 

[XStAnt]

Must do's:
1) Make PS at any restaurant you want to eat at. Otherwise the waits will be very long. Definitely try some restaurants at Epcot (Le Cellier @ Canada has great steaks, Morrocco has food you won't find in too many other places, and Japan has great restaurants).

2) Illuminations at Epcot and Fantasmic at MGM (You must get there 1-1 1/2 hours before the show to get a seat. However, they usually have 2-3 shows/night at that time of the year)

3) Cirque du Soleil--it's awesome and your parents will love it. Your kids may be too young, but perhaps you can arrange babysitting services that night. Buy tickets early as it will sell out.

4) Osbourne Lights at MGM--everyone loves this walk through exhibit.

5) Ride the front of the monorail--you have to ask a CM to do this, but they usually try to accommodate you. I think I love this because I'm just a big kid.


Although crowded, Christmas at Disney can be a lot of fun. As long as your family understands you won't be able to do everything, there may be some waiting, and lots of people around, you should be fine.

And magical things do happen here around Christmas time. Last year DW and I were on the bus back to our resort from MGM when everyone started singing Christmas/holiday songs. You don't see that everywhere

Have fun!!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I hadn't thought of Cirque--I may even just send them for a night alone.

We already have HoopDD ressies and I plan to schedule one PS per day that we are there. I want to do several Character Meals for my boys, but also meals that my folks will get a kick out of.

So far the plan is:

Chef Mickey's
Crystal Palace
Breakfastosaurus
50's Primetime
SciFi
Marrakesh
Cindy's if we can get it, if not the Norway Princess Breakfast

I know most of these aren't exactly "fine dining", but I think the experiences will be enjoyable.

Now if we can just get the Illuminations cruise . . .

 

[JulesMom]

We have been for the last 2 years at Christmas and had a blast!! We were there 12/21-12/29. By using EE(2002), arriving at park opening and using FastPass--the longest wait we had was about 15 minutes.

We arrived early and left at lunch time. We went to at least one park every day--we even went to MK Christmas morning--both years! We arrived at opening(8 am) and left about 10:30am.

The first few days of your trip will have light crowds. The closer it gets to Christmas Day-the busier it gets.

Don't miss Candlelight Processional. Osbourn lights are fabulous! We went to MGM about 8pm(12/27 both years) and didn't have too many people.

You will have a wonderful time!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Julesmom.

I've heard so many horror stories about crowds that I started to think we should just head back on the 24th. GASP!!!

May I ask when you left the parks midmorning, what did you do the rest of your days? I know we can hit the parks at opening because my boys are up by 6:00 everyday.

We will break for naps each day as well, from say 1:00 to 4:00.

Since you have "been there/done that" I would love to hear more about your Christmas trips!

Thanks!

 

[XStAnt]

Jesse,

I like your restaurant plan. A nice variety, something for everyone to enjoy.

You also have the right idea to get up early and use FP.

One other suggestion: have a general plan of attack for each day. Pick what rides you want to do and when. Hit the busiest rides first thing in the am, even if it involves a little bit of the "commando" style. Of course, you have to be flexible and willing to change the plan if circumstances warrant. Last Christmas, DW and I were following a plan for MGM in the early morning. We were walking by Indiana Jones and saw a show was about to start and it wasn't full. Even though we didn't plan on doing this later, we jumped in and enjoyed the show. We were still able to hit the rest of the major rides that am, and even did WWTBAM twice.

The idea of midday naps is great, but I wonder if your boys will nap or want to swim in the pool instead Good luck with the adrenaline rush.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I wondered the same thing!! I think the 2 year old will most definitely nap. The 4 year old may be another story.

I wonder about the pools at Christmas. Even with heated water, if the air temp is 60 or below--BRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! Remember, we're from Texas and used to swimming when the outside temp is 90+

I think we will try to do the parks commando style in the mornings, only because that's the style I do best!!!

 

[2belles'mom]

We were there last Christmas, December 19-27. As stated before, the first few days there will be light crowds.

We went to Epcot on Christmas Day--had a 10:00 PS for the Storybook Princess Breakfast at the castle in Norway. It was great. World Showcase wasn't crowded at all. We spent all of Christmas Day at Epcot--did the 6:45 pm Candlelight Processional (DON"T MISS THAT!).

The crowds at Epcot were bearable all day. We used Fastpass and never had to wait long in lines, spent the rest of the time dinking around World Showcase and watching the special shows.

December 26--we did Magic Kingdom Early Entry--7:00 AM. THE PLACE WAS EMPTY!!!! We had the park for ourselves and did every possible ride we wanted to--walk ons, no lines--until 9:30. We left at about then to catch the monorail to the GF for the Pirates Cruise. At 9:30, the crowds were picking up, but we had spent 2.5 hours with NO LINES and probably could have stayed another hour before things started to get too crowded.

So don't be afraid! Have fun! Go early! But don't go to MK on Christmas day.....

 

[2belles'mom]

Oh, I forgot to answer about the pools...

Weather will be the luck of the draw. During our 9 days, we had a couple of very warm days (upper 70s), but also some CHILLY days. In fact, we froze during Candlelight Processional because we didn't have good jackets.

On December 24 we went to Blizzard Beach and it was 69 or so. Tolerable for us Pacific Northwest types, but my Arizona nephew was a bit chilled.

 

[disneydisneydoo]

We were there last year the 18th through the 25th. I can't stress enough doing EE. We had at least two hours each morning before any crowds arrived. We didn't wait in line for anything and were able to do most if not all of the major attractions. We did MK on Christmas morning and arrived to find the park had actually opened prior to the official EE time and was practically empty.

We went back to the room mid-morning and relaxed, used the pool, visited some of the other resorts, and then went over to EPCOT in the early evening.

It is a wonderful time of the year to go. Everything is so beautiful. We did MVMCP and CP when we were there. Both were fantastic and worth the money.

I would definitely go again at this time of year - hoping for this December have to see if everyone's schedule works out!

 

[BuzzMe]

If you take advantage of EE the only time you'll notice the crowds is when you're leaving the park before noon, after you've hit all your favorite rides! Enights are another terrific way to beat the crowds. We've visited the parks at this time of year for the past four years and getting an early start is the best way to enjoy the parks without the frenzied mobs. I always bring my silk long johns-great for those cold Enights!

 

[Eileen226]

We arrived on the 23rd and left on the 27th and had a great time at the YC. Christmas Day we spent at Disney quest (not empty, much to our surprise but better than the parks) Christmas Eve we had reservations at R&C for the CP Dinner Package with Mr Gary Sinese (lLt. Dan from Forest Gump and the guy who "didn't get the measles in Apollo 13".) We had the BEST time. We ate dinner at O'hana the evening of Christmas, saw the fireworks from afar (saw Illuminations the night before from R&C) We have been frequent visitors so we really have seen EVERYTHING (sometimes 5 times a year from NJ). But we have our favorites! You'll find your niche if you don't plan on going to MK Christmas night for the Christmas parade! Have fun!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did CP on Christmas Eve (and we didn't get rained out - there was a lot of rain over the last holiday). It was beautiful. We had Illuminations Cruise on Christmas night. We didn't do much on Christmas day - mass at the Contemporary on Christmas morning, the kids went swimming at the pool afterwards before we ate dinner. We spent a lot of time at Epcot on Christmas Eve (to get our shopping done with the 15% discount from CP). Just pace yourself, plan on doing things early before the crowds get unmanageble. Have fun.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thank you, all!!! You've renewed my excitement in going this time of year.

Regarding CP at Epcot, how do you get that as a package??? With dinner at R&C?? Is it guaranteed seating? Or is it like the Illuminations deal where you have to time it out just right and beg and plead your way to an outside table?

I'm also now thinking about the Fantasmic dinner package. If reserved seating is included, could my family scout out the seats early and my two boys and I show up about 15 minutes prior??

I just can't imagine them being seated happily with no preshow for 45-60 minutes.


Thanks!