Who has been the week of Christmas??

[edk35]

I would love to know what people like/dislike about going over Christmas break as DVC members staying in DVC resorts? I know it is crowded but can you really enjoy the holidays still?? Any advice/tips would be appreciated. IT scares me in a way to plan a trip during that week, but I could see maybe doing this one time to just try it, but would love to hear others reviews. I am guessing that the time between Christmas and New Year's would be the absolute most crowded....how is a few days before til a few days after?? thanks

 

[rogerram]

I have stayed once during Christmas week years ago and will never do it again. It is way too crowded. I also have stayed a few weeks before and it is much better , crowd wise and you still have most of the Christmas decorations and festivities.

 

[ldo]

Well, the pools were really nice and warm. IF you go to enjoy DVC and do non-park things, and maybe hit a park or two in the AM, you'll be fine. Make sure you have any dining ADRs in place, also.

 

[drusba]

First if you are actually intending to do it this year, you should make the ressie immediately. That time fills quickly once the 11 month window begins. It is hugely crowded. That crowd actually starts to build week before Christmas and reaches huge about the 22d and stays there until after Jan 1. When Jan 1 falls determines how soon crowds go. Next year it is a Thursday, so large crowds will still be around until Sat, the 3d, and then diminish quickly to real pleasant by Jan 5.

You get park closings to new entries because it is full. Stand-by lines for popular rides go to well over 2 hours (3 for Test Track and Soarin) and they essentially stay at that level from 10:30 to almost closing. Secondary attractions go to over an hour. You must have ressies for dinner far in advance if you want to eat. Street crowds are enormous, that 15 minute stroll from Space Mountain to Splash Mountain during slow season becomes 40 to 45 minutes because of crowd size in the street. Early mornings you can do some things quickly, but otherwise fast pass is needed and they run out for anything popular by 11:30.

In return (and you can actually get these anytime in December so it is not necessary to go at Christmas), you get some amazing Christmas decorations at parks, hotels and everywhere else. The Osborne lights at the Studios is just incredible. Country Bear Jamboree switches to its Christmas show. It is complete Christmas overdose and you will love it. Just don't go expecting to actually do many rides.

 

[edk35]

First if you are actually intending to do it this year, you should make the ressie immediately. That time fills quickly once the 11 month window begins. It is hugely crowded. That crowd actually starts to build week before Christmas and reaches huge about the 22d and stays there until after Jan 1. When Jan 1 falls determines how soon crowds go. Next year it is a Thursday, so large crowds will still be around until Sat, the 3d, and then diminish quickly to real pleasant by Jan 5.

You get park closings to new entries because it is full. Stand-by lines for popular rides go to well over 2 hours (3 for Test Track and Soarin) and they essentially stay at that level from 10:30 to almost closing. Secondary attractions go to over an hour. You must have ressies for dinner far in advance if you want to eat. Street crowds are enormous, that 15 minute stroll from Space Mountain to Splash Mountain during slow season becomes 40 to 45 minutes because of crowd size in the street. Early mornings you can do some things quickly, but otherwise fast pass is needed and they run out for anything popular by 11:30.

In return (and you can actually get these anytime in December so it is not necessary to go at Christmas), you get some amazing Christmas decorations at parks, hotels and everywhere else. The Osborne lights at the Studios is just incredible. Country Bear Jamboree switches to its Christmas show. It is complete Christmas overdose and you will love it. Just don't go expecting to actually do many rides.

Yikes then the jury is still out on that trip for us........that is what scares me the most... the park crowds. I guess if I went down to do some non park type stuff that would be nice though...just being there. I know that we have been three times the week of Thanksgiving and this past year and the time before we noticed increased crowds a lot more than our first trip. A friend of mine has gone on many Thanksgiving trips and she now feels the same way.
Add Thanksgiving week to that holiday list of becoming very crowded. I guess to me....because I have been at less crowded times....maybe I notice the crowds more in Nov. I wish we could go like the 2nd week of Dec. just to have less crowds and all the wonderful holiday astmosphere. We did that eons ago when our dd was just 3. but now with school age kids...that is impossible. That is why we have done the Nov. trips...to at least get in some of that holiday fun but like I said..the past two....were a lot more crowded.

 

[Anjelica]

We really don't like crowds (who does) but we have decided to go this year during Christmas week. There are a variety of reasons why we have decided to go at this time of year:

1 - We have a 7 day western cruise starting December 27th, 2008 so we wanted to make sure we came in at least the night before.
2 - We have never been during Christmas or even the weeks before Christmas to enjoy the ambience, etc.
3 - My son's daycare closes Christmas Eve through the next week and my daughter's school (she will be in kindergarten) closes roughly the same time. Figured that before she got to much into school (1st grade and beyond) we go ahead and take a trip.

We booked at our home resort, VWL, for a one bedroom starting Monday, December 22nd through Saturday, December 27th. We are totally prepared to not do much except enjoy the atmosphere. We know we will need to make ADR's at least 180+10.

For us - it made sense to go this year for all the reasons above. In being on the forums for a few years, the best advice I have read is to not expect to do everything or even half of everything during this timeframe.

Maybe we will see you folks there!!

 

[becca-becca]

A few questions. We are going during 12-20 to 12-26. These are our plans and I have a few questions as well.

1. First of all, I have been 3 times in the last 2 years and we have made ADR's at 180 days out. What is 180+10? Maybe I am missing something or maybe I don't call it that. Is this a DVC perk?

2. If you have an ADR at a park for dinner and the park has closed due to capacity, can you get in for your ADR or are you out of luck?

3. We plan to go to MVMCP if we are so lucky as to still have one on our dates to utilize controlled numbers at park. Good plan or bad? Never been to one before.

4. My DH does not want to get park passes for every day we are there, I am a "park commando type" and I am having a hard time with this. I guess it depends on what park ticket deal we decide to get.

5. We plan on getting in early, doing our 4-5 goals per park (such as Fantasy Land, SM, BTMR and HM) and getting out. That may be more than we can do in one morning. We plan on spending the afternoon and lunch either at another resort or AKV.

6. How crowded is the park before 10:30 AM? Are they really bad? We have only been in January before, so I doubt I really know what a crowd is. (I think January is crowded!)

Any suggestions?

 

[mikeandkarla]

Parks will be fine in the am. I recommend being there when they open. The later in the week of Christmas, the busier the parks get. I would strongly recommend to be nowhere near MK on Christmas eve and Christmas day after about 2 pm, and definitely do not stick around to see Holiday Wishes! A sea of people literally block Main St. so you can't leave if you want to. Christmas is a very magical time at WDW, just do a lot of research and you'll be fine. Maybe try www.tourguidemike.com Very helpful site.

 

[lovinthemouse]

We have not been the week of Christmas, but were there this past New Year's week. We arrived on the 29th of December and departed on Jan 5. We loved it. We were still able to see all the decorations and festivities. The only thing we did not get to do is MVMCP. My only advice is not to do the MK on New Year's Eve. The crowds were unbelievable. That being said we got to ride everything we wanted with FP and we saw the fireworks and parades. Good luck

 

[edk35]

We have not been the week of Christmas, but were there this past New Year's week. We arrived on the 29th of December and departed on Jan 5. We loved it. We were still able to see all the decorations and festivities. The only thing we did not get to do is MVMCP. My only advice is not to do the MK on New Year's Eve. The crowds were unbelievable. That being said we got to ride everything we wanted with FP and we saw the fireworks and parades. Good luck

Yeah I would think that being there Jan. 2nd through the 5th was good but how was 29th until Jan 2nd? Did you notice a decrease in crowds that 2nd week after New Year's?? I wouldn't mind trying that.....going after Christmas and staying til after New Year's day. Hmmmmm more food for thought. LOL
Glad you had a good trip.

 

[lovinthemouse]

Yeah I would think that being there Jan. 2nd through the 5th was good but how was 29th until Jan 2nd? Did you notice a decrease in crowds that 2nd week after New Year's?? I wouldn't mind trying that.....going after Christmas and staying til after New Year's day. Hmmmmm more food for thought. LOL
Glad you had a good trip.

The crowds did slim down some on Jan. 2. I have to say that we were prepared for the crowds so it did not seem horrible except for MK on NYE. Clearly that was where everyone wanted to be to ring in the New Year. We did have a great time and I just booked our trip for New Years '09. We are going down Dec 28-Jan 3 this time. It was worth the crowds.

 

[edk35]

The crowds did slim down some on Jan. 2. I have to say that we were prepared for the crowds so it did not seem horrible except for MK on NYE. Clearly that was where everyone wanted to be to ring in the New Year. We did have a great time and I just booked our trip for New Years '09. We are going down Dec 28-Jan 3 this time. It was worth the crowds.

Oh okay. That is good to know. Do you have kids??

 

[lovinthemouse]

Oh okay. That is good to know. Do you have kids??

Yes we have 1 DD 11.

 

[edk35]

Yes we have 1 DD 11.

oh okay. I was wondering because when kids are involved and big crowds...can make for a harder trek through the parks. Ours are older so no strollers. Have you been at other times less crowded? I guess for me....we have been at less crowded times and know how nice the parks are then that busier times just seem sooooooo miserable when there are so many people. Thanksgiving week used to be pretty good til the day before Thanksgiving and now it gets crowded way before that.

 

[dblr]

We made our reservations for 12/27 - 1/3 so we are watching your replys to pick up some tips, I want the kids to see DW @ this time of year before they don't want to go with mom&dad anymore( their loss ), We are from Delaware so we might not be far from you in Md. We reserved a 2bdr @ SSR can't wait, hope you have a great trip.

 

[lovinthemouse]

oh okay. I was wondering because when kids are involved and big crowds...can make for a harder trek through the parks. Ours are older so no strollers. Have you been at other times less crowded? I guess for me....we have been at less crowded times and no how nice the parks are then that busier times just seem sooooooo miserable when there are so many people. Thanksgiving week used to be pretty good til the day before Thanksgiving and now it gets crowded way before that.

I could not imagine doing the parks with strollers as crowded as they were. But there were a lot of people with them. We usually travel over Spring Break and summer due to DD school schedule. It is usually crowded during the summer. We used to stay at The All Stars and the crowds were crazy. Now that we are members the resort is much better. Artist Palette was a little crowded but nothing like AS Resorts. Until DD is on her own we will continue to travel during busier times of the year. The holidays are worth it though.

 

[Anjelica]

Someone had a question about ADR's and 180+10. Means you can make your reservations for restaurants starting 180 days out plust up to 10 days after that (gives you a leg up on those that can only make at 180 days out - I believe that is for folks who stay off site).

I do not know the answer to the question regarding ADR's and park closing due to capacity but that is a good question.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

We went about 3 years ago during the week between Christmas and New Year's. We weren't there for Christmas day, but we were there for NYE. We had a WONDERFUL TIME! Yes, it was crowded, but if you do the usual crowd diversions (Fast passes, arrive early - leave midafternoon - return in the evening, TGM, etc.) you should have no problems! We enjoyed seeing all the extra decorations! As for NYE, we went to MGM (Hollywood Studios -- I'll never get use to that name!) and had a BLAST!! My kids loved the live music on stage. It was kind of like a Radio Disney concert. And the fireworks were really cool! We all agreed it was the best NYE we'd ever had!

I say "Don't be scared! It's a magical time!"

 

[edk35]

Someone had a question about ADR's and 180+10. Means you can make your reservations for restaurants starting 180 days out plust up to 10 days after that (gives you a leg up on those that can only make at 180 days out - I believe that is for folks who stay off site).

I do not know the answer to the question regarding ADR's and park closing due to capacity but that is a good question.

You know this is a very good question. Very interesting. I bet you would have to get to the park early in the day to make sure you can get to that ADR later on though. I can't imagine the CM's letting people in based on them saying they have an ADR because if the parks are at capacity...... letting people in to eat doesn't mean that is all they will do....go in eat and leave. So if it were me.....anyone in that situation would be better off just hanging at the park regardless of the crowds and make the best of it.

 

[LVSWL]

You know this is a very good question. Very interesting. I bet you would have to get to the park early in the day to make sure you can get to that ADR later on though. I can't imagine the CM's letting people in based on them saying they have an ADR because if the parks are at capacity...... letting people in to eat doesn't mean that is all they will do....go in eat and leave. So if it were me.....anyone in that situation would be better off just hanging at the park regardless of the crowds and make the best of it.

I agree, this was addressed in a thread last fall with a quoted from another site about how WDW handles the crowds during that time with a 4-step closing process and it appears that it does NOT matter if you have an ADR if the park is at capacity. I will BUMP that thread, so look for it.