"Winging" a trip after Christmas?

[bryanb]

I love last minute trips! I too am an AP holder and I would do it. Because you have been twice already, you don't have to "see everything" and can be flexible which IMO is a fun way to do Disney World. If the crowds are crazy just do something else - go to another park, enjoy a sit down meal wherever you can get a ressie, go explore a resort or Fort Wilderness, ride the boat transportation or the monorail. A Disney trip is always fun IMO - just have to be flexible and creative if the waits are long and the parks are crowded. But there is a lot to do at WDW - and a lot of overlooked fun activities that lots of people don't know about. When I do last minute trip I almost always am able to book fastpasses and dining reservation that I like - maybe not the ones I would have chosen if I'd had lots of prep time but sometimes these are the best discoveries.

Agree! Having an annual pass definitely helps give you a completely different mindset. You can pop into the theme parks and leave anytime to enjoy other activities without feeling like you're wasting a day of admission. It's very freeing.

 

[TwinkleKS]

I'd go for it. You have the right expectations. You have been before and will go again. You know on this trip you won't get to ride every ride. So go, have a blast. Enjoy life We spend Christmas at the World every year and this year are staying through New Year's. It's a blast!

 

[HopperFan]

I say go for it. As long as you have the right frame of mind going in (sounds like you do)

I wouldn't be so sure of that. So many schools are out that entire week too. I think it will be lower than the week before but still very crowded. We'll be there, so I hope I'm wrong, and you are right. But I don't think so. Not with the way breaks are falling this year

Agree that OP has the right attitude and flexibility and expectations for fun trip. GO FOR IT!

1000% AGREE that crowds are going to be high since it's a week off school for many, especially those close (SE) and coming up on Marathon weekend (school holiday means full families coming for that). Plan on high crowds, and if you get more done than you expected = a bonus.

 

[Dug720]

Not true. The majority of crowds are expected to remain through the first week of January next year, so be prepared.

Yep, and with Marathon Weekend at the end of that first week, the crowd for that will start coming in Tuesday or Wednesday with the 5K on Thursday, 10K on Friday, Half on Saturday and Full on Sunday.

 

[mtiger]

Thanks everyone - the boy gets out of kindergarten on Dec. 21, so thinking about pulling him out on Dec 16 and maybe trying that week. Looks like touringplans has that week more around a 7 (vs 9/10 the next two weeks). All depends on what the school says as we took him out 8 days earlier in Sept. Either way, we'll make the best of it and get through as a family. Assuming the same "rules" apply - get to as many RDs as possible, ride till 10, use FP+, get out of there for naps and decide later whether to return. Hoping the pools will be heated enough to swim as my boys can not get enough minature golf and/or lazy rivers. Thanks again - this board has helped us so much on our 3 trips so can't give enough thank yous.

 

[csjordan]

I give that advice, to someone who is going just 1 time in their life or even to those that have never been before but plan to return sometime. And I hesitate to suggest it to anyone who goes very infrequently. What you can accomplish during a trip that week, and what you have to pay to do it (no discounts on site, higher prices across the board) is so much more I really do not think it's a good idea to go except for those who can go often and who can totally alter the type of trip and what they'll except to get done. I don't believe the PP falls in to that so I do think it would be fun and I would do it (am doing it, but we fly, ain't driving 8 hours from here, much less another 5 from Memphis).

I totally agree with AngiTN! This will be our 4th year at WDW between 12/26-1/4, and while crowds are usually a little slower on 1/1 (at least in the mornings), my birthday Jan 2 is always crowded, particularly at MK, where I always spend my birthday. I'm breaking tradition this year, though, and spending it at AK! My brother and his family are coming for a few days to celebrate with me (for my 50th...yikes!) and they have not ridden FOP yet. So excited for us all to ride it together!! I would not count on a low crowd that week. It probably won't be as bad as the week before, but I would still plan for crowds.

 

[fla4fun]

I think having the right attitude and a good plan can make it a lot better. You don’t have to make the plans way ahead of time, but I would have your FP and any ADRs in place before hitting the park each day. So long as your expectations are realistic you’ll be fine. I often do last minute trips (like booking less than a week out) and have done them over Christmas and other holidays. They were fun!

 

[wonderstruck88]

I guess I didn't consider that most schools would be out that entire week. Here in Michigan, the university (my employer) starts back Jan 3 as do kid #2's daycare and kid #1's elementary school (public). That's the sad reason why we are leaving on the 2nd (we wanted to stay longer, but have work and kid's school). I assumed, likely incorrectly, that most schools would start back on the 3rd. Good to know...

I wonder if this will make Christmas week less crowded this year? (not saying it won't be nuts and packed, but just a little less so?). Because it's spreading the massive Christmas break crowd across two full weeks?

I’m surprised to hear that you guys are going back so soon! Another Michigander here - I’m a U of M student but live in a different county. The university as well as the public schools in our county don’t resume classes until January 8th. Unfortunately it sounds like your area may be a bit of an outlier there.

 

[mtiger]

So in all the options, think we have decided to go Dec 15-22. Little boy would miss 4 days of kindergarten, but not sure how much they get down those last 4 days anyway. My wife and I can swing it at work and we all feel a lot more comfortable with 5-7 crowds (vs 9-10). Found a deal on eBay for $800 for 7 nights (2BR) at WBC, so pretty happy with a ~$1500 week at Disney. Thank you all for the advice.

 

[disneybirds]

I think you will enjoy the week before Christmas! School here doesn't get out until 12/21, so I think you will have lighter crowds than the first week of January. Enjoy! Love having APs.

 

[mom22boys]

So in all the options, think we have decided to go Dec 15-22. Little boy would miss 4 days of kindergarten, but not sure how much they get down those last 4 days anyway. My wife and I can swing it at work and we all feel a lot more comfortable with 5-7 crowds (vs 9-10). Found a deal on eBay for $800 for 7 nights (2BR) at WBC, so pretty happy with a ~$1500 week at Disney. Thank you all for the advice.

As a teacher, I can honestly tell you in kindergarten you get nothing heavily academic done the last four days before Christmas break.
Go and enjoy Disney with your family!

 

[mamamelody2]

I'd do it!