When should we go? Christmas or President's week?

[kteach]

So we can go Dec 21-27 or President's week....I know it might be a little less crowded president's week, but I'm tempted to go christmas, flights were actually a better price, we have 2 weeks off then, so lots of time. We haven't been since before covid, will we regret going christmas becuase it will be so much more crowded?

 

[mamaofsix]

If you've never been at Christmas - Christmas for sure! The decor and atmosphere needs to be experienced at least once in your life.

President's week has been pretty busy the past few years.

 

[Marthasor]

I would do the December dates. I have found that when the lower tiered APs are blocked out, especially in the earlier part of that week, the parks are generally doable.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Check your hotel rates. I got surprised how expensive Dec was a couple years ago. Xmas decor is amazing but personally I expect that week to be nuts with the Thursday timing of Xmas.

I’d go Presidents. Yes it’s quite crowded but I don’t think anything besides Easter hits Xmas crowd levels? Mardis Gras takes a good run at them.

 

[chalee94]

Love the Christmas decorations (and usually the weather) but the crowds are just so, so bad.

Hard to say - just be sure to stay away from MK on the 25th!

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If crowds are your only concern then you'll regret Christmas.

BUT if you like the Christmas atmosphere, you have extra time off to relax after, flight prices are better, and you're concerned about the potential for weather cancelling flights, and illnesses then you won't regret Christmas.

Just pack your patience and be prepared for wall to wall people.

 

[kteach]

We don’t celebrate Christmas…so while decor is pretty…not really a draw for us…does anyone know when hotel rooms will be bookable for February 2026?

 

[focusondisney]

We don’t celebrate Christmas…so while decor is pretty…not really a draw for us…does anyone know when hotel rooms will be bookable for February 2026?

Do you have kids in your group? Just announced, hotels bookable tomorrow along with a new benefit. Kids 3-9 get a free dining plan, if dining plan is booked by others in the room. Combinable with other discounts.

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/free-disney-world-dining-plan-offering-for-kids-2026/

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

We don’t celebrate Christmas…so while decor is pretty…not really a draw for us…does anyone know when hotel rooms will be bookable for February 2026?

Then yeah looks like February would be better.

It has varied in recent years as to when you can book for the following year.
I'd keep and eye out between now and August with it likely happening sooner than later.

ETA well I see @focusondisney had the info!

 

[Joanna71985]

One nice thing during the Christmas week, in the past once the last MVMCP happened, the Christmas stuff moved to the daytime (parade and castle show)

 

[scrappinginontario]

We don’t celebrate Christmas…so while decor is pretty…not really a draw for us…does anyone know when hotel rooms will be bookable for February 2026?

Given this I would go in February. Both times will be expensive and busy but possibly a bit less busy in Feb.

 

[kteach]

Good to know about hotel bookings opening tomorrow! Thank you!

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

I've never been to Disney at Christmas, but I have been over President's Day. Don't let anyone tell you the crowds aren't insane
President's Day - Feb 16
Mardi Gras - Feb 17 - lots of schools closed across the Gulf Coast and they go on vacation (to Disney!)
East coast winter break is President's Day week (they all come south
There will be some sort of youth sport event over the weekend

Set clear expectations for the crowd. Don't go in February and think it won't be busy, it will be packed.

Crowd Calendar

 

[Mle8308]

Busy both times, a little busier in December, but there might be longer park hours. As another posted mentioned, the prices for hotels and tickets will likely be higher in December. Especially if planning on staying on Disney property.

 

[elvispursley]

My niece, who’s never been to WDW, has midwinter break over president’s day—would we be better off going over her spring break instead?

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

My niece, who’s never been to WDW, has midwinter break over president’s day—would we be better off going over her spring break instead?

Probably both equal with the crowds. The park hours might be different. Maybe more extended hours over spring break. You can look up previous park hours to get an idea of what "might" happen. Disney tends to extend hours when the parks are busy.

 

[hardcorestitch]

So we can go Dec 21-27 or President's week....I know it might be a little less crowded president's week, but I'm tempted to go christmas, flights were actually a better price, we have 2 weeks off then, so lots of time. We haven't been since before covid, will we regret going christmas becuase it will be so much more crowded?

If you plan ahead and script some (not all) your desired attractions in advance you should be ok for Christmas. Pick the attractions you really want and go to them irrespective of wait time. In essence, some of the queues are an experience in and of itself.

 

[DeeBee3]

Since you don't celebrate Christmas, I would say February. Yes, it will be very crowded, but if the decorations and special parade doesn't make a difference to you, I would pick Festival of the Arts at Epcot. I would expect the crowds to be almost the same and plan for that.