Will our trip be a nightmare?

[heyitsnicolelee]

Hi all- It's been awhile since I've been on here!

My boyfriend is entering our police academy in June and will be graduating December 23. He gets two weeks off in-between his graduation date and when he has to start working, and he really wants to go to Disney during those two weeks. I know crowds are going to be insane, but I don't want our trip to be ruined by it. I've been to Disney three times before, but he has only been once and didn't get to see or do a whole lot while he was there.

So the dates we were thinking were December 31-January 8. I was thinking New Year's Eve and Day just do Downtown Disney and relax by the pool, etc. Then for the remaining days do a 5 or 6 day Hopper depending on the crowd levels. I know it will be busy, but I would still like to be able to enjoy it.

Tips or advice? Thanks!

 

[DemonLlama]

It's only a nightmare if you make it one.

You're plan is good, and crowds start decreasing after Jan 2.

We've been before, during, and after Christmas and the week after New Year's (arriving on Jan. 2) and have had a blast every trip.

If you can get there early and stay late, crowds are totally do-able and you'll still get to experience most everything.

 

[mshanson3121]

Actually it should be good! My understanding is after New Year's the crowds will start dropping off. I would love to do a Christmas-time trip someday! I think it's similar to any other busy-season touring: rope drop will be your best friend!

 

[BlueFairy]

The marathon is June 8 next year. So you will notice busier resorts toward the end of the week. Big races before park opening on Sat and Sunday.

You are planning ahead. Work the plan and you will have a fantastic time.

Highly recommend Easy WDW for planning your park days around the ebb and flow of the crowds.

 

[gap2368]

you will be fine yes it will be crowded it almost all ways is at disney do rope drop if you can the first 60 to 90 minutes are very quiet in the parks, and do not think you will get to do and see every thing because you will not, but with good planing you should be fine.

 

[anniemae]

Yes it will be an absolute nightmare. Just kidding! It will be FINE. The holidays are amazing, and my dream is to spend Christmas or New Years at Disney. Yes it will be crowded, but have a good attitude and it will be wonderful. It is a great time to be there, the resorts are decorated beautifully. Crowds drop after New Years Day since schools go back right after new years day.

 

[mshanson3121]

The marathon is June 8 next year. So you will notice busier resorts toward the end of the week. Big races before park opening on Sat and Sunday.

You are planning ahead. Work the plan and you will have a fantastic time.

Highly recommend Easy WDW for planning your park days around the ebb and flow of the crowds.

I'm really going to hope you mean January 8, lol....

 

[BlueFairy]

LOL!!! Yes! Oh my! I guess I was distracted. The marathon is January 8!

 

[AshleeH]

You're going into it knowing and expecting crowds. That makes a big difference. I would personally not do the parks on the busiest days (there are so many other things to see and do - resort hopping, Disney Springs, restaurants away from the parks) and avoid the worst of the masses. It will also save you a bit of money on ticket prices if you do that.

 

[lovethattink]

You should be good! It's June now. You've got a little over 6 months to plan!

 

[Nancyg56]

We went one year from January 1 to January 8, Sunday to Sunday. I was blindsided because I remembered an empty park starting January 2. That never happens anymore, with some schools getting a longer holiday break. WIth that said, the parks were kind of busy until Wednesday or Thursday, or maybe we just adjusted. Then dropped way down by Friday. The marathon was that weekend, so dining was busy, but I really did not notice that the runners really impacted the crowds in the parks.

I think that just being prepared is the key. You know that there will be more people there so you will nto walk in with unrealistic expectations, as I did. I will say that we had a blast, and I bet you will as well.

 

[edk35]

We were there during the Jan. marathon in 2012 and the crowds were not bad at all. We would do it again!! Have fun!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think you will be fine, but I would not recommend going to Disney Springs on Dec. 31. We were there on Dec. 26 last year and the crowds were immense. I would choose something resort related for Dec. 31 - perhaps a nice dinner in the EP resort area and walking around the Boardwalk (the Swan/Dolphin restaurants, BC/YC and BWI restaurants are all good).

 

[Disneylover99]

I would expect the first week of January to be crowded, but not New Year's crowded. Our schools don't start up until January 9th next year (which is much later then usual).