What parks for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

[AmyAnne]

I know that Christmas is the busiest time and we should really go some other time, but given work/school schedules, this is positively the only time my whole family can go. So we are going to expect crowds at all of the parks. That being said, which parks are historically the best for these two days (12/24 and 12/25)? I know it's not MK so that's off the list, but what about the other three?

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

I've never been during that time, but I would guess Epcot for one of the days. When we went in May there were hardly any lines (other than the 3 most popular rides). There are also no brand new rides/lands at that park right now.

 

[yeahdisney]

We are in for then too

 

[cruiserkaren]

We went this past Christmas. On Christmas Eve we went to MK and Christmas Day we hit HS. Had a great time. We roped dropped MK, but didn’t get to HS until 1:30. No issues! Have fun.

 

[Magical2017]

I have never been during Christmas, but would love to go! Someone in my FB went that week and said MK reached capacity, so go early if you go there. (I am not sure what day it was--Christmas or NYE). We were considering a Christmas trip but are going this summer instead. Here is a link to MouseSavers that may be helpful. https://www.mousesavers.com/so-you-just-have-to-visit-disney-world-at-christmas/

 

[disneybirds]

We went several years ago and toured Epcot on Christmas Day. We did the Candlelight Processional package so had dinner at Rose and Crown about 5. We were staying at Beach Club, so did our fastpasses late morning/early afternoon after the kids opened presents. I really enjoyed spending Christmas in Epcot and especially not having to cook and clean up. Have a great trip!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I don't know about the best days, but when we were there on Christmas Eve, we went to Epcot and saw the Candlelight Processional. Christmas Eve service is our favorite church service at home with the carols and this was an amazing substitute! I definitely recommend doing the dining package for the seating.
On Christmas, we went to Animal Kingdom; it was pretty quiet until about 11:00. We then had Christmas dinner at Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[deedubb]

We did Christmas Eve at Epcot last year, watched the 3rd Candlelight Processional show, then camped out for Illuminations around America expecting it to be crazy, and it was like a ghost town. We were so shocked. Christmas day was MK. Took over an hour on the bus to get there. Glad we went, but will probably avoid MK on Xmas day in the future.

I would guess Epcot might be good for Xmas day, since Toy Story Land will be open this year, and lots of people probably still have not seen Pandora at AK.

Whatever you do, I cannot stress the importance of table service meals on your MK days. We did 3 days at MK last Christmas, and did 2 TS meals on each of those days. Every time I passed Casey's, it looked like at least an hour wait just to order. I would not rely on QS at MK unless you are a glutton for punishment.

 

[djc9699]

We went last year and did MK on Christmas Eve from 7:00 am to after HEA. Had early parade view lunch at Tony's (horrible food, but great parade view) and dinner at LTT. Had a blast. We then did HS for Christmas Day with 50s PT for an early dinner. We did not arrive until around 11:00. HS had a much more Christmassy feel than MK to us. We have the same plans this year. Never thought Christmas would become our favorite time to visit, but it has. So much more to see and do.

 

[mamaofsix]

If you're strictly going by crowd level, many of the online crowd calendars show Epcot being the least busy on Christmas Eve, and AK being the least busy on Christmas Day. Likely because AK has the least 'Christmas-y' feel in terms of decorations...

 

[mamaofsix]

And if you look at last year's numbers, the park were far busier from Dec. 27th-Jan.2nd than they were on Christmas Eve / Christmas Day / Boxing Day. So if your vacation is extending into those days, I'd be more worried about which parks to select for the week after than before/during Christmas Day.

 

[anomamatt]

And if you look at last year's numbers, the park were far busier from Dec. 27th-Jan.2nd than they were on Christmas Eve / Christmas Day / Boxing Day. So if your vacation is extending into those days, I'd be more worried about which parks to select for the week after than before/during Christmas Day.

Numbers from where? I was there over Christmas last year (and will be this year)... anyhow, MK on Christmas Day had a phased closure last year. No other closures for capacity during that week. So I would worry about where you are getting these numbers.

 

[anomamatt]

This year we are doing:

Christmas Eve: day = Disney Springs, Evening = MK (including liberty tree dinner and firework party)
Christmas Day: day = EPCOT (mostly touring international pavilions), Evening = Poly, eating Ohana in bungalow

My only absolute is that I won't go to MK on Christmas Day... way too crazy. And we don't mind Xmas/NYE Disney crowds at all. Christmas Day at MK is a whole other level...

 

[Disneylover99]

We will spend Christmas Eve in Epcot doing the storytellers and Christmas morning in the MK.
That’s what we did two years ago. It worked out great!

 

[mamaofsix]

Numbers from where? I was there over Christmas last year (and will be this year)... anyhow, MK on Christmas Day had a phased closure last year. No other closures for capacity during that week. So I would worry about where you are getting these numbers.

The historical date from Touring Plans shows that the crowds were heavy, but not their heaviest, in the week leading up to and including Christmas Day, 2017. Yes, Magic Kingdom had a phased closure on Christmas Day but it was widely reported here on the DIS boards that the other parks were far less crowded than usual for Christmas. Starting on the 27th, the crowds were solid 10's across every park for the next week (again - touring plans data). Anecdotally, many of our friends attended during this time and said it was way worse in that week AFTER Christmas than it was the week before and on Christmas Day.

As the OP noted, they will be avoiding Magic Kingdom on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So, my intention was to answer their question as to which parks were least busy - and to make them aware of how busy the days following Christmas would be.

 

[fla4fun]

We went several years ago and toured Epcot on Christmas Day. We did the Candlelight Processional package so had dinner at Rose and Crown about 5. We were staying at Beach Club, so did our fastpasses late morning/early afternoon after the kids opened presents. I really enjoyed spending Christmas in Epcot and especially not having to cook and clean up. Have a great trip!

That sounds very similar to my Christmas Day at Epcot. I was staying at YC, and went into the park at rope drop. I rode as many attractions as I could first thing, then had my CP lunch, did my FP attractions, went to CP and then enjoyed the WS holiday offerings until I left. I managed to avoid the worst of the crowds by having a set schedule during the most crowded part of the day.

I think having a good plan is more important than which park. Anything you can reserve in advance will be a big help.

 

[Vaughn4380]

We go every Christmas and avoid MK on Christmas day. We have found most of the other parks are still enjoyable and usually end up at Epcot. Getting there at open is a good idea, then as crowds increase we start doing fewer rides and more shopping/shows/street performers/eating. We like being in the park Christmas day.

 

[ttintagel]

Based on the video I've seen of Christmas Day crowds in the MK, any of the other parks would be better!

 

[tink2]

We went a couple of years ago during this week (we’ve been this Christmas week a few times) and spent Christmas Day at Animal Kingdom. I couldn’t believe how low the crowd levels were- truly the lowest crowds of the whole trip. Talked to a few CMs about it and they said AK definitely had the lowest crowds Christmas Day that year. I’d think New Years Eve might be the same since the other parks have fireworks....