when do you christmas travellers go home?

[PEANUT1]

Just curious. We are going to Disney Jan 4th. I am thinking that this is when most people will be going home because New Years Day is on a Thursday and the kids don't go back to school til Monday the 5th. I'm hoping all of the crowds will be gone

 

[CraftyMouse]

Actually, the crowds tend to stay on the heavy side through that week, unfortunately. We'll be there at the same time and would love lighter crowds, but I don't think we'll see them. Actually, most of January is a moderately busy time now, especially at DVC properties. We were there at the end of January last year and it was far more crowded than I was expecting. Sorry.

 

[twinklebug]

It sounds as though the heavy crowds should be cleared out by Sunday the 4th - you'll be good. We're staying from NYE through to the 5th. (lauging at myself)... I figure we have to experience the crowds at least once in a lifetime, not really planning on getting very much done as far as rides - just there for the atmosphere.

 

[missy2217]

That following weekend is the Disney Marathon and Half Marathon, can be crowded during those times as well.

 

[DonnaL]

We usually are there the first week of Jan and while it's not empty......it's certainly not the crowd level that is there the week before. It really depends what day of the week New Years Day is. I think crowds should clear out pretty well by Sunday the 4th (I hope......because we arrive on Friday the 2nd!!). We're pretty much limited to the first week because DH is an adjunct faculty member at Penn State and we've consistently had one of our kids in college at Penn State for the past eight years......the semester this year begins on the 12th. This past year I don't think we waited more than 15 minutes for anything except Soarin......

 

[PEANUT1]

thanks for the replies...I don't worry too much about crowds but I like to be prepared. I knew about the marathon already but didn't expect it to affect things too much.

 

[tomandrobin]

We normally leave the Sunday after NYE, like most people.

By Monday, the crowds should be very managable. By midweek you'll have the parks to your self.

 

[katmittens]

We are arriving on the 1st. of january and staying until the 9th. We have been at this time before and find it to be not too busy. We also have kids in college that have to be back by the 12th. One in law school in NC and one in college in Pa. We are also from NE Pa so Linda maybe we will see you there.

 

[aprince&princess]

We are leaving on the 5th. I couldn't resist the cheaper flight and figured the kids could miss one day of school.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

The first 2 weeks of Dec are AWESOME. The parks are DEAD and the temps are pretty cool.

 

[pilferk]

Just curious. We are going to Disney Jan 4th. I am thinking that this is when most people will be going home because New Years Day is on a Thursday and the kids don't go back to school til Monday the 5th. I'm hoping all of the crowds will be gone

We went this year right around that time....the 5th - the 11th.

The 5th was a ZOO, even at A.K. But the crowds were relatively light the rest of the time, and got lighter as the week progressed.

 

[pilferk]

The first 2 weeks of Dec are AWESOME. The parks are DEAD and the temps are pretty cool.

That's what we're doing THIS year:

December 3rd - December 12th.

 

[Mtnman44]

Is this everyones' experience?...we are going during this time this year (first time in early Dec) and we have a new baby that is coming along. I would so love it if crowds were not an issue. However, the sold out DVC resorts and sold out dinner ADRs have me wondering....

The first 2 weeks of Dec are AWESOME. The parks are DEAD and the temps are pretty cool.

 

[dvc guy]

Crowds should stay consistent thru Saturday January 3. With most schools going back on the 5th people will start to head home on the 3rd and 4th.

We are staying from the 30th thru the 3rd. I do not expect any drop in the crowds on the 2nd or 3rd. We have made a christmas/NY trip 8 of the last 9 years.

Compared to 31th and the 1st the 5th and beyond will look empty

 

[pilferk]

Is this everyones' experience?...we are going during this time this year (first time in early Dec) and we have a new baby that is coming along. I would so love it if crowds were not an issue. However, the sold out DVC resorts and sold out dinner ADRs have me wondering....

Remember a couple things:

DVC "inventory" is a relatively small part of Disney's overall hotel inventory. When they set up DVC, they were smart...though it's sort of a "no brainer", I guess. They made the weeks that are typically the SLOWEST cost the least amount of points. So, in return, DVC members recognize that value, and typically use their points during that time. From what I've heard and seen, it is one of the most popular times of year for DVC members to go.

ADR's are dicey metrics. With the MVMCP's going on (which bring in a lot of special event guests who get dinner before the party), the Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages at Epcot, and the like....it seems like ADR's are tougher tickets. I'm not sure that speaks to general crowd levels, though. It hasn't in the past...but then, I've never seen it quite THIS tough to get an ADR for that time period. We'll see.

That being said, I've been there during that period, and I'd call it slow, for sure. I know it's gotten busier over the past few years, but even last year people said it was slower than just about every OTHER time of year. I think "slow" has become a more and more relative term, but I doubt you'll see the types of crowds you see during the summer, or right around the holidays and school vacations.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're going home January 2nd. I want to pick up our dogs on Saturday!

Mtnman44, I think you will love the early part of December. Especially enjoy your DVC resort if the parks are too crowded. You will have many more vacations in the future! DVCers are lucky! Do you care to do a CP? Are there any at all available packages during the time you are there? I would do a package, no matter what the restaurant. Keep calling, there are cancellations, and I've had experience getting a package when before none had been available! Try getting an ADR at one of the "2 TS" restaurants if you are paying and not on a meal plan. Those may be easier for non meal plan people to get at this time.

Bobbi

 

[Mtnman44]

Luckily, due mostly to the boards, I knew to start getting reservations at 6 months out! I'm all set. We have all ADRs made (not first choices, but good places), CP package, Fantasmic package, and MVMCP tickets! yeah!

Now if my waitlist for my missing two days at OKW would just come thru!

We're going home January 2nd. I want to pick up our dogs on Saturday!

Mtnman44, I think you will love the early part of December. Especially enjoy your DVC resort if the parks are too crowded. You will have many more vacations in the future! DVCers are lucky! Do you care to do a CP? Are there any at all available packages during the time you are there? I would do a package, no matter what the restaurant. Keep calling, there are cancellations, and I've had experience getting a package when before none had been available! Try getting an ADR at one of the "2 TS" restaurants if you are paying and not on a meal plan. Those may be easier for non meal plan people to get at this time.

Bobbi

 

[drusba]

We essentially go every year end of December to about Jan 8 to 10. Here is what will happen when Jan 1 is a Thurs:

1. Jan 1 to 3 will have large Christmas size crowds, 4 will be lighter but still large.

2. Crowds will start to leave in droves on Monday, making Monday quite good, Tuesday even better, and Wednesday light.

3. Marathon crowd will start to come in Thurs the 8th with most arriving Friday (half marathon is Sat and full Sun). That does not mean large crowds. Parks get a little more crowded but not bad at all.

4. Weather can be: (a) sunny and close to 80; (b) a little cloudy and in high 60s; (c) rainy but still in high 50s; (d) colder than you can ever imagine for WDW (35 in the day 20 in the evening). And all of them can happen in the same week; in fact, you can almost get them all in the same day.

 

[PEANUT1]

We essentially go every year end of December to about Jan 8 to 10. Here is what will happen when Jan 1 is a Thurs:

1. Jan 1 to 3 will have large Christmas size crowds, 4 will be lighter but still large.

2. Crowds will start to leave in droves on Monday, making Monday quite good, Tuesday even better, and Wednesday light.

3. Marathon crowd will start to come in Thurs the 8th with most arriving Friday (half marathon is Sat and full Sun). That does not mean large crowds. Parks get a little more crowded but not bad at all.

4. Weather can be: (a) sunny and close to 80; (b) a little cloudy and in high 60s; (c) rainy but still in high 50s; (d) colder than you can ever imagine for WDW (35 in the day 20 in the evening). And all of them can happen in the same week; in fact, you can almost get them all in the same day.

great info...sounds good to me.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

That info is very helpful to us, too. We're arriving on the morning of the 31st, staying with friends for a couple nights and then checking into OKW on Saturday, the 3rd. We're leaving on the 10th.

It's been about 18 years since I was in WDW for the Chistmas/ New Years holiday, but I remember how we thought it was so dang cold it was that NYE - and we were from Missouri at the time!