When do the Christmas crowds get heavy

[PKT531]

If we are going Dec.18-26....when can we expect to see the crowds get really thick? Or will they already be thick when we arrive on the 18th.

I am just trying to decide if we should come home on the 26th or just come home on the 23rd.

 

[testtubes]

You will probably notice a significant increase in crowds by the 20th and 21st. I would get in the most important rides by the 21st, then take it a little bit slower the rest of the time. You will always get more accomplished if you make it to the parks about 30 min. prior to opening and push hard till noon or early afternoon. As it gets closer to the 25th, it will get extremely busier (and that is an understatement). You can also schedule certain events or activities the last three days of your trip that are not affected too much by the crowds: Keys to the Kingdom tour, an afternoon at Fort Wilderness, a round of miniature golf, trip to the movies, stake out a site for the night parades and fireworks while someone else gets snacks). In other words, try to plan activities that excludes the massive crowds by Dec. 24-27. Just sightseeing is fun at this time of year because of the decorations and Xmass entertainment throughout WDW. Have fun!

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

The 20th and 21st will be when the Christmas week crowds start pouring in.

 

[harleyquinn]

Most of the schools in my area start break on Monday, December 22nd, which means their actual last day of school is the 19th.

So I think the 20th will be the first day they start arriving. but I think the PP advice about tours and other entertainment is a great idea!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

If we are going Dec.18-26....when can we expect to see the crowds get really thick? Or will they already be thick when we arrive on the 18th.

I am just trying to decide if we should come home on the 26th or just come home on the 23rd.

The UG crowd calender has the crowd levels on the20th as a 4 (very low) and then has the 21st as a 7 (medium-high) and then the numbers start going through the roof for the rest of the week.

 

[kellyg403]

We have usually gone the week before Christmas. Checkin and crowds are a breeze when we get there. Great crowd level. By Thurs, you really start to notice the crowd grow in size. By the Sat before Christmas when we check out the resort really shows a noticeable crowd level. The emh parks really are where we see the difference later in the week. Or a day when there is a christmas party at MK, thurs and fri. Everyone navigates to other parks.

Get as much done in the beginning if you can. The waits are minimal!

Kelly

 

[cheerky]

Oh I hope the UG is correct! We will be there the Dec. 15-22. I hope we have low crowds and get out of dodge before it is packed! We've been Easter week before and it was nuts!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Oh I hope the UG is correct! We will be there the Dec. 15-22. I hope we have low crowds and get out of dodge before it is packed! We've been Easter week before and it was nuts!!!

I have pretty high confidence in UG as they has been pretty accurate on our trips in the past. We check in on December 13 and check out on December 22. So, our last day in the parks will be December 21 and I think it will be more crowded on that day. I guess we will see. . . I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it!!!!!

 

[ajcolorado]

Do you have good touring plans and "best days" information? The UG is great for that, as is TGM. You'll have a good time if you're at the parks when they open and you're ready with a good plan.

 

[cheerky]

I have pretty high confidence in UG as they has been pretty accurate on our trips in the past. We check in on December 13 and check out on December 22. So, our last day in the parks will be December 21 and I think it will be more crowded on that day. I guess we will see. . . I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it!!!!!

Yay! We are sooo excited. We will probably finish our trip on the 21st at the MK... always do. I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait!!!

 

[rubybpc]

Where would be best park be to spend Christmas Eve? And Christmas Day? Also, is the Magic Kingdom ending its Christmas Parade on the 19th??

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Where would be best park be to spend Christmas Eve? And Christmas Day? Also, is the Magic Kingdom ending its Christmas Parade on the 19th??

UG suggest MK on Christmas Eve and Epcot on Christmas Day. I would most definitely avoid MK on Christmas Day as it is known to start closing procedures by noon due to crowds being at capacity levels. As for the Christmas parade it can only be seen during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party up until the 19th, which is the last day of MVMCP. Starting on the 20th MK starts showing the Christmas parade in place of their regular 3:00 p.m. Dreams Come True Parade.

 

[rubybpc]

Thanks!! so what would you recommend for the 25th and 26th?? Good I thought we were gonna miss the MK Parade by a day.

 

[Cruise04]

The 25th and 26th will be some of the most crowded days. From the 23rd to the 31st is the worst! Although with breaks starting on the 22nd that day could be bad but I'm guessing some people may have that as a travel day depending on when they are booked through.

We went to MK the first time we were there for Christmas on Christmas Day and it was so crowded and a bit disappointing - it wasn't what I thought it would be like. So now we resort hop on Christmas Day and do Epcot on Christmas Eve and then either MK or DHS the day after Christmas. But that's just because we've done MK once. I always feel it's worth doing at least once just because it's the holidays. But the crowds are really bad there on Christmas Day.