Xmas - are we crazy?

[nic_d22]

Newbie here with a question. We went to disney last July and we all swore we would never go back in the summer again. Crowds were very manageable, especially with a plan and fast pass. But we couldn't stand the heat! So, we are trying to plan a family (mil, sil and family, us, and my parents) vacation and have 3 teachers going. So that leaves us with xmas 2007 (which is a long break since it is in the middle of the week!), easter break 2008 (which probably will be late april because easter is in march, so our break will be later instead of during easter, and who knows if the three of us will even have the same break) or summer 2008 (no not the heat!!)
So it looks like Christmas is it. I have always wanted to see disney around xmas. But, are the crowds that bad? I have no problem being a little chilly. Lugging around a 4 year old and an almost 1 year old will probably keep me warm anyway!
So will the crowds drive us crazy or is it worth it to see Disney at xmas? Is it worth the extra $$ to fly and stay at a hotel that time of year? Anyone have any opinions?
Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Tink215]

Well I will give you My advice, I absolutely love Disney at X-mas time but AVOID the week of, Dec 24-Jan 2 its the Most busiest ever.... I have been right after Thanksgiving, and the first couple of week af Dec and its wonderful, but made the mistake of spending Christmas week there last year.......We left Dec 25 on a Surprise trip for my girls,2-5 yrs.....It was Horrible the crowds were awful, I mean the Park after a parade or fireworks came to a complete stand still......I left the Magic Kingdom at 12 noon because it was so crowded, and the Rudeness that comes with it was just awful......So X-mas is wonderful I would go but dont go the week of X-mas......Have fun planning your trip.......

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I'm with you...as a teacher we get stuck one way or the other. But I can tell you we took our last trip from 12/29-03 to 1/2/04 and the crowds were awful. It was still Disney and we still had a magical time, but especially if you are taking first-timers, they will be miserable. Plus rates go way up around Christmas and Easter. If your "spring break" is far enough away from Easter itself, that might be a better bet...that is one time we haven't tried yet because I work and live in 2 different districts and we tend to have different spring breaks, and DD#1 opts of out of exams if she has perfect attendance so we don't pull them out of school.
I'll be in the heat again next week...but a hot, humid day at Disney beats a gorgeous day at home!
Robin M.

 

[Danauk]

We spent 2 weeks at WDW over last Christmas and New Year and to me it wasn't half as bad as what it had been made out to be. Maybe though it was because we planned our trip well. We researched what parks to go to on which days, got there early, did all we wanted to and left after lunch. Then we would return to a park after our evening meal to watch a parade or firework display. We avoided all the parks though on Christmas day which was nice, instead we relaxed around the resort and went to the spa. I would definately go at this time of year again.

 

[luvpoohbear]

Christmastime in the parks are wonderful. The decorations are beautiful and it only adds to the magic. We spent 10 days in 2002. We were there the week of Christmas, and OMG!!! It was sooooo crowded! For as much as I enjoyed seeing everything at that time of year, I sincerely doubt we will ever go back during that time!

 

[*~ellagirlsmama~*]

Well, we went last year dec 17th-23. First off, the World is absolutely BREATHTAKING on the Holidays. MVMCP is a must, the parade was wonderfull and main street with the "snow" falling looked like a dream.
But....it was VERY crowded, even though it was value season. Even with adrs we had to wait a long time for every meal and long lines for rides. And it was really, really cold.
All that being said, I would really love one year to go for Christmas day, although I would more than likely avoid the parks for the most part that day.
Just to be in the most magical place in the world on the most magical day of the year

 

[lovmy2girls]

Some people like the crowds, and take it all in as part of the atmosphere. Not us. We have been in July 2x now, and we are going to stay away from peak times. We just don't like it.

Christmas time would be different becasue of the temps, but I would rather go during the first of December, low crowds. But everyone is different.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Yes you are crazy but joint the crowd!! we're going Christmas of 2007!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!!! we go to WDW a lot so we don't plan on doing that parks that much, we're just there for everything else

 

[Doc CW]

Yeah the crowds are that bad in xmas, but it is well worth seeing the decorations WDW puts up for this time of year. Their is also a xtra Disney does to make it more magical. Although the crowds are insanly big and the lines for rides go on forever it is worth the money to go in xmas.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

But, are the crowds that bad? I have no problem being a little chilly. Lugging around a 4 year old and an almost 1 year old will probably keep me warm anyway!
So will the crowds drive us crazy or is it worth it to see Disney at xmas? Is it worth the extra $$ to fly and stay at a hotel that time of year? Anyone have any opinions?
Thanks so much in advance!

Can't answer about the crowds - Have only been in early December not Christmas/new year's week which is said to be *the* busiest time -- but I don;t think you have to worry too much about "chilly." I wast there for 14 days last December and one day was "cold" (low 50's, windy, rainy, we weren't dressed for it so the kids were cold). The rest of the days were definitely hot swimming days. I know it can get cooler in December, but I wouldn't expect to be chilly -- chances are your little one will be splashing in the kiddie pool! I was actually a little disappointed with how warm/hot it was.

I used to be a teacher so I understand the situation...The decorations are great...good luck with the crowds!

 

[mareed]

We were there XMAS 2004, and while it was very crowded, we left saying that we WOULD be willing to do it again someday. And we will be doing so this year! I strongly recommend checking out TourGuideMike especially for the very busy week between XMAS & New Years.

Also, it CAN get quite cold. I tracked some of the actual temps during our 2004 trip, and one day the high was 53 and the low was 37. We're talking long underwear under your jeans, 2 pair of socks for insulation, jackets, hats, gloves, and hand-warmers! We also had members of our party with blankets wrapped around them trying to stay warm. Another day was 63 with a low of 40. I believe it was unusually cold that year, and there were 2 different cold spells during the time we were there. I definitely say to be prepared and pack layers. It may not sound that cold, but it's a damp sort of cold and you're out in it most of the day.

Just be sure to get there early, make ADR's for any table-service meals, and have a good general plan. Enjoy!

 

[vsimeone]

Yep! You are crazy to go at Christmas but let me reassure you that you will be in the company of a LOT of other crazy people!!! We have done it many times and are doing it again this year. We have ridden/done/seen about every attration at most of the parks so our method is just to go with the flow. We plan a couple of things to accomplish in the parks and if we do - great! If not - that's reason for another trip!!!

I tend to disagree with Tink215 in that I really have never experienced more rudeness at Christmas. If anything, I think people are generally more kind and patient but there are a few bad apples in every bunch!

I do TOTALLY agree with mareed about the weather! He/she may have tracked the temperatures but forgot to mention the WIND CHILL warnings on 12/26! IN FLORIDA!!!!

And it is true - the thermometer may have said 53 but I live in Ohio and a Florida 53 is NOTHING like an Ohio 53! This was us on 12/26/04

Note: hat, gloves, winter coats = COLD!!!

For as many times as we've gone at Christmas though - it's true - that was unusally cold and also, by 12/30, the kids were swimming at Blizzard Beach!

I say GO and have a GREAT TIME!!! It's DISNEY WORLD!!!

Best of luck with your decision and plans!

 

[helenm29]

You MUST go at Christmas! it's a magical time for all of the Disney parks...lots of decorations, happy people all around you and WONDERFUL weather (most of the time)sure, an occasional rain shower but no big deal! We went December 2000 and December 2003 and had a great time! just expect a bit of crowding and have a BLAST!

 

[momof2dizkids]

Call us crazy too!! We plan on being at WDW 12/21 - 12/27. This will be our first Christmas at the parks, and we can't wait! I've heard that it will be super crowded, but, each day that passes, my anticipation grows!
I've already made our ADR's and we have our MVMCP tickets for 12/21.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We were there betweem Christmas and New Years in 2005 and had a great time. I would never recommend this time frame for a first time visitor, but if you are a WDW vet and know some tricks of the trade then it can be wonderful. Just touring the resorts can be fun, seeing all the decorations. Long hours are great, we did EMH until 4:00 a.m. at MK on 12/30,31st and had the park to ourselves after 2:00 a.m. In fact staying as last as possible is great since crowds really thin out the later and chillier it gets. Its not like summer when everyone stays late to avoid the heat. Late nights are not doable if you have very young kids but it worked for us. Make ADR's, stay at a resort you love since you will need a place to retreat to, away from the crowds. For us we went for the experience, not to ride rides. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but it was intense at times. And my final piece of advice would be to purchase Tourguide Mike. He has a whole section on surviving Christmas crowds that came in very handy.

 

[kimkarli]

I am also a teacher, so in the same situation. We are going this month (23-29) and am planning the next trip for Christmas 2007 also!!!! Hopefully the week before Christmas, but I guess I will have to wait and see the school calendar!!! I know it will be so beautiful and magical, I guess we will be planning together!!!

 

[lovesmurfs]

the high was 53 and the low was 37. We're talking long underwear under your jeans, 2 pair of socks for insulation, jackets, hats, gloves, and hand-warmers!

Long underwear at 40-50 degrees? Come to Chicago sometime. My kids wear short sleeves in that weather......but I think they're future members of the Polar Bear Club.

We're going to be there December 14-23, so we're hoping that the first part of the trip won't be so bad. We do plan to bring warm clothes (if nothing else to ensure it is warm, like bringing an umbrella to ensure it won't rain)

 

[puddleduck]

Well, we went last year dec 17th-23. First off, the World is absolutely BREATHTAKING on the Holidays. MVMCP is a must, the parade was wonderfull and main street with the "snow" falling looked like a dream.
But....it was VERY crowded, even though it was value season. Even with adrs we had to wait a long time for every meal and long lines for rides. And it was really, really cold.
All that being said, I would really love one year to go for Christmas day, although I would more than likely avoid the parks for the most part that day.
Just to be in the most magical place in the world on the most magical day of the year

We were there those same days and found it to be very uncrowded. We left the afternoon of the 22nd so I can't say about the 23rd, but we got on all rides w/ very little wait. We also only found it to cold for about 2 days, but not winter weather cold. We went to the last MVMCP and walked onto every ride. The only ride w/ a line was space mountain. We would go back the week before Christmas in a heartbeat.

 

[kerri0616]

Hello from a fellow teacher.

We actually enjoyed our July 2005 trip in spite of the heat!! We always seemed to stay one step ahead of the crowds with our fast pass expertise.

Apparently, we're crazy also! I just booked 12/24-12/29/06 at OKW!! We're excited about seeing the parks and resorts in all their holiday glory! We figure whatever rides/shows we catch will just be the icing on the cake. We've got our ADR's made and a rough plan of which parks we'll hit on each day, but we're planning to get there at opening (7:00 am!) and stay til the crowds smother us. Then we'll take a well-deserved break and then hit another park after our fabulous dinner. We may be crazy, but we are giving it a try!! We WILL survive X-mas at Disney!!

Happy planning,
Kerri

 

[nic_d22]

Thanks so much! Sound like it may be worth it. FYI if anyone else has any more info, the exact dates we could go would be the 23rd to the 29th. Give or take a day depending on airfare. We only have off from before xmas to new years, and I would like to be home for a day to two to do the piles of laundry!