When do you think the crowds will arrive since Christmas is on a Saturday?

[ead79]

I have been to WDW several Decembers shortly before Christmas, and I have encountered very light crowds. They seem to begin to build around the 21st or 22nd. But this year, since Christmas is on a Saturday, when do you think the crowds will begin to build? Do you think they will build earlier or later because of this? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, as we are considering going from Dec. 16-22.

 

[denecarter]

bump

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

I think the closer to Christmas you get the more crowded it will be. We went in the first week of December and it was the best trip of our lives. We are in the planning stages now to back then this year. The only day that we had crowds was Saturday.

 

[ead79]

Anyone else have any opinions?

 

[AKQJ10]

I have noticed that (possibly in an attempt to beat the crowds), that the Chirstmas vacationers are arriving earlier... sometimes with capacity crowds from the 19th-20th. Since it falls on a Satiday this year, I would expect many people (who take a week or so vacation), to leave the previous Friday night (17th), so they can get the full week in at WDW, etc.

I enjoy going earlier in the monthm when it's less crowded, yet you can still enjoy the decorations, theming, music, etc. of the holidays. No matter when you go, have fun!!!

 

[tiger82]

DO NOT GO TO MAGIC KINGDOM ON SATURDAY IF CHRISTMAS ISON SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!! I would suggest staying far away from Magic Kingdom on any Saturday let alone Christmas!I would suggest just staying away from the parks on Christmas

Hope I could be some help!

 

[Serenity]

We are going this year at Christmas and can only do so due to Christmas being on a Saturday. Because of that my son gets out of school on 12/17 - so we can spend 5 1/2 days at Disney and still be home for Christmas. I have a feeling many people will do this same thing. I have read that the crowds don't get bad till 22nd or 23rd, but with having the whole week before Christmas off, I think it will be sooner this year.

 

[disney4us2002]

Our school break is typically 10 days over Christmas/New Years so we planned Christmas 2004 with that in mind. The school calendar was approved in March and lo and behold since Christmas is on a Saturday, they are keeping the kids in school til Wednesday. Now, my kids will indeed be missing those three days because we are going to Disney no matter what!! I'm really hoping other school systems however do like ours and not give the kids the whole week off so perhaps the parks won't get crazy til the 22nd at least. Many people want to check in by the 19th however to beat peak season rates. I'm planning for big crowds & the parks to be mobbed and having to deal with it as best we can. What else can we do?

 

[kilee]

I'm going to think it's going to be closer to the weekend before too. I don't know how many schools have the full 2 weeks off. If a lot of that week off before Christmas-- expect the masses.

 

[G's mommy]

Most GA schools have full two weeks off, get out on 12/17 and go back after New Years.

 

[disneyjunkie]

NYC public schools only have 6 days out for Christmas. The last day is Thursday, December 23. My son and I will be taking a late flight out that night and staying until January 2.

We'll be spending Christmas day in the Magic Kingdom. I can't wait.