What is wdw like at xmas/new year

[cool chris]

hi all,
Am starting to plan our next trip and my first thought is what time of year to go. Last year we went in september and it was great, still hot and yet the parks where near on empty.

I thought it might be nice to go over the xmas/newyear period but am worried, for the extra money you spend going at that time are the parks just too busy to really enjoy? What is the atmosphere like during this period? Are all the parks, including water parks open?

If anyone can help that would be great.

thanks

cool chris

 

[vernon]

the parks do get VERY busy from a couple of days before Xmas pretty much all the way through to New Year. There are quite alot of things going on and the decorations are wonderful. Usually there is only one waterpark open at this time of year. Having been before I'm not sure I'd plan too much parktime in those busy days. I got frustrated with the queues and generally gave up on anything more than 45 minutes Q time (which was quite a lot). If you can work it, the beginning to mid Dec has all the decorations and seasonal feel without the crowds.

 

[floridamum]

Hi Chris,

We went late Nov....early Dec last year, the weather was still hot apart from a couple of days rain. It got chilly in the evenings so you would need something a little warmer to change into, you can use the lockers near the park entrances to keep long sleeved clothes in. The Xmas decs went up just after Thanksgiving and from then on you got the Christmas feel. We did MVMCP on the 1st of Dec and the Osborne Lights are a MUST see. It wasn't to busy in Nov but started to get busy Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[floridalol]

Hi Chris

IMO if you want to do theme parks forget about Xmas. We did it in 1991, went to Universal and it was a nightmare. It was the only park we did and returned the following October to use up the tickets! If you don't mind queueing for up to 2 hours for a ride then you will enjoy it. Fortunately we were with friends and had rented a villa so we turned the holiday into a restful one and did loads of shopping instead.

 

[richard3330]

IMHO Don't forget about Xmas!!!

We visited last Christmas/New Year and O.K there were heavy crowds, but it was the most magical experience ever.

Being in MK on Christmas Day and having a wonderful Christmas Lunch in WDW made it feel really special.

Osbourne Lights was fantastic and all of the decorations, shows and parades made it really really 'Christmassy'. It did rain a few times (especially NYE in World Showcase, Epcot - we all got drenched!). But in the end it was definitely worth it and I think that we will definitely re-visit at that time of year again some time in the future.

Go on - give it a try!

Richard.

 

[UKAnnie]

We went early December of 2001 and it was wonderful. Weather was hot (though from what I've heard it can vary considerably). The Christmas decorations were all up, Candlelight Processional at Epcot was super. Don't think I'd do MVMCP again - crowds heavy, and didn't think it was worth the money. Other than that, crowds were generally very low - hardly any waits. Grinchmas in IOA was great - though it seemed a bit incongruous under bright blue skies and sun!

We're planning to go again this December - we want to take in most of the above, plus do resort hopping and see the Christmas decorations in the hotels.

One thing that did surprise me though - I thought there would be a lot more Christmas decorations in the shopping malls, and Christmas music - but it seemed very low key!

Ann.

 

[Ralphly]

We did dec 2001, I the week before xmas, the parks were empty, this maybe due to Sep 11th, I was expecting more from the hotels, shops and parks in the way of decorations, but then this was our first visit and you think is going to be like it is on he tv.

I have to say its a bit wierd seeing father christmas in hot sunny weather.