What to do??

[tl_swift]

I had a coworker tell me that I was waisting my money buying 4 day WDW tickets becuase we are going during Christmas time and staying off site. She said we will be lucky to get in once and that even if we do we will probably get to ride only 3 rides all day because crowds will be so bad. I have only purchased one so far. I was planning on buying 1 a month so I can pay cash. Our dates that we will be there are 12/22 - 12/29. What would you do? We are staying at Orange Lake (timeshare).

 

[all4fun]

I have heard it can be very busy during this time. What would we do? We would plan on getting to the park early - as in w/in 15mins of opening, and enjoying as much of the park as we can before it gets unbearably busy. But we really hate crowds which is why we tend to go during the slower seasons and avoid the busy times.

ETA: this also may be a situation where a service like tourguideMike might come in handy.

hth

 

[tlbwriter]

Well, you *are* going to be there at the busiest time of the year. But as long as you can get there when the park opens, you should be able to have some fun before the crowds get insane. I agree with the previous poster; you definitely need some tips from someone like Tour Guide Mike or the Unofficial Guide to WDW.

 

[Aliceacc]

What you should do is smile pretty, thank her for her advice, and forget she opened her mouth.

You knew when you booked it that things would be busy. You don't need anyone second-guessing your choices. Get there early, and have a wonderful time!

 

[disney_me]

My family went for Christmas in 2005. Christmas day in MK was really crowded Everyone was lined up on mainstreet waiting for the Christmas Day Parade. Guess what, the parade is not recorded live that day!! Pass all that crowd and go right to the rides!! Get there early and make sure you use the fass pass for some rides.

Maybe try Christmas moring in one of the other parks

 

[hildarumpole]

Yes, it's going to be busy, but if you plan right and get to the parks very early (30 min. at least), you shouldn't have any trouble experiencing more than 3 rides. I agree with the others who suggested TourGuideMike. It will make the trip more enjoyable if you aren't drifting about trying to fight the crowds while figuring out what to do. If you plan on eating at any TS in the parks, make ADRs soon. You'll have a great time!

 

[autumnbaby9]

Show up at least 30 minutes before Park opening.

If the parks reach capasity before you get there and you are not staying on Disney Property you will not be alowed in. This is what your co-worker is worried about. If you show up before park opening and get in before the park reaches capacity they won't kick you out.

However you will not be able to do a mid-day break because if you leave and the park reaches capasity you will not be allowed back in. ONLY leave the park when you are ready to be done with it.

 

[Princess Roo]

I've never been at Christmas, but wanted to let you know that you also have the option of purchasing, say, a 3day ticket instead and then adding a day at just the incremental cost after you use the 1st two (just to be sure you don't waste your money if you end up getting turned away more than expected).

Or, does anyone know if Disney would refund the difference between a 4 and 3 day if the park is closed and this family tells them they are leaving the next day? Seems like they would, but I have no experience with it.

 

[tl_swift]

My family went for Christmas in 2005. Christmas day in MK was really crowded Everyone was lined up on mainstreet waiting for the Christmas Day Parade. Guess what, the parade is not recorded live that day!! Pass all that crowd and go right to the rides!! Get there early and make sure you use the fass pass for some rides.

Maybe try Christmas moring in one of the other parks

We were planning on skipping MK altogether and go to all the other parks instead. Because we live in California and have been to Disneyland several times, even during Christmas, we thought we would go see what we don't have here. I did know it was going to be busy, and I was planing on getting their before the parks open but I guess I just wasn't thinking about being turned away.

 

[fofinia]

I don't know how often people get turned away. But I was at MK onNew years eve in 1995 and we didn't get there till about 11 am (because all my lazy friends wouldn't get up!) But we were able to get in no problem. And we were off site. The lines were long. And I don't know how old your kids are and if they will be too bored in line, but we waited in loooong lines and we did everything that day. We did all the major rides and a lot of the littler things too. Did we spend the majority of the day waiting in line. Yes. but that was before I knew about these boards and pre kids. And I have to say it was one of the best days I have ever had in Disney! I think back very fondly of that trip even with the lines.

I'm sure you'll get there early enough to do most stuff. Enjoy seeing the differences. I want to go back to Disneyland to compare all the differences again. It's been about 4 years since I was there.

Don't forget to make your ADR's if you haven't!

have fun!

 

[ptcruisermom]

Have been there at Christmas time, and yes they do close the parks when it gets to capacity. Our strategy was to get there at least one hour before posted opening time because we found out from a CM that they willopen early, and they did. So we would get in the park and do what we wanted without a whole lot of waiting, and then leave around 1 pm when the park was at capacity and closed. We were going up in the ball in epcot at 715 one morning, and had only a five minute wait, later when we were leaving there was at least a 90 mionute wait.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

You have fun and definitely try Tour Guide Mike. I folllowed his route one day at Magic Kingdom, and I literally walked onto every ride! It was awesome. Very worth it. He will have tons of tips for Christmas Day.

 

[myAAbatteries&aTD]

TourGuide Mike might be worth the money for such a busy time - I like using him for our summer trips. I'd join now so you have time to get familiar w/ his site and form a game plan..... btw, we stayed at Orange Lake on our last trip and really liked it! Have fun!!! (maybe she's just jealous that you're going and she's not!)

 

[LauraAnn630]

Yea, ya know its going to be busy. But let me tell ya it is crazy crowded that week.

We only got to do 2 or 3 things. The late hours helped or we wouldnt of been able to do anything!

Get there before the parks open or forget it.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would be at the parking lot an hour before opening, stay until it gets busy, go back and take a nap then return after a late dinner and stay to closing. I would do this every day.