Xmas at Disney - is it crowded?

[momof2intx]

We are thinking of taking the kids to Disney this year right after Thanksgiving instead of doing tons of Xmas gifts.

How is it that time of year? We usually go during the summer months. I have heard from some that it is busy and from others that it isn't.

Thanks in advance,

Jennifer from TX

 

[Ariel8676]

Right after Thanksgiving until the first 2 weeks of December is a great time to go. The weather is great and crowds are low and you can see all the decorations. We went the week after Thanksgiving last year and it was AWESOME!
If you were going more towards the end of the month i would tell you that you are nuts..lol j/k We did it one year and it just CRAZY!!!!

 

[Gillian]

Depending on where you are planning to stay (ie all stars?) you may want to check into the Pop Warner dates. It's a very, very large group of school kids (football & cheerleading) and they tend to take over wherever they stay. If you search there are threads about it. That's the only concern I'd have with early december.

We went last year dec 16-23 but didn't do parks on the 22nd or 23. The only crowded day we had was friday the 21st. I would have gone the week before it we could have but there was too much going on at school.

 

[chrisw127]

We went the second week in December last year and it was great. When I lived in Florida, we always went then and will try to do it from now on. Most of the time we walked on rides. The only day that was remotely crowded was Friday and a little bit on Thursday and of course there were waits all days for certain things (big name rides and rides in fantasyland in particular). We'd heard that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party would be super crowded, but the night we went it wasn't even sold out (the party two days earlier however, was apparently packed and kind of awful).

I will say, it was a bit hot (and we are from NC).

Is the week immediately after Thanksgiving crowded? I've heard different things as was wondering that myself.

 

[wld4mky]

We went at christmas time 2007
we were at port orleans FQ -resort was not crazy busy
and spent Christmas eve in Magic Kingdom it was busy but very very magical
I would recomend at least one Christmas trip in your life time-spectacular

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

FYI - Pop Warner will be there the week of 12/8. My family is going from 12/9-12/16.... not to happy, but at least we are not staying at their hotel!

 

[okeydokey]

We've gone a couple of times the week following Christmas. It was a bit busy the Sun and Mon but by Tuesday it was fabulous, hardly any lines at all. The park is just beautiful too.

 

[DawnM]

The week of Christmas is very crowded. We went once on Christmas day and by 10am they were not letting anyone else into the park. Cars were parked on grass areas and all over the place. It was a madhouse.

Now, if you can go other than the 2 weeks 100% of the American schools are on vacation, you will be fine. Otherwise, Christmas is crowded.

Dawn

 

[momof2intx]

I think we will look into arriving the Saturday after Thanksgiving and try to get out of there before those Pop Warner kids get there. Who are they?

 

[mommyof2princesses]

We are going the 7th through the 13. I heard pop warner takes over the value resorts and they head to the park in the evenings. So, hopefully they won't be to rambuctious. We are staying at AKL and don't stay too late in the parks. I am so excited to go during Christmas time!

 

[gatorfreud]

We went last year for 9 days starting the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was awesome! I did not find it too crowded at all. All of the Holiday stuff was up and it was perfect. I have heard about the Pop Warner thing, so try to avoid whatever hotel that is! Have fun!

Kim

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

We went Dec. 17-24th and the only really busy times were the 23rd and 24th. The other days were quite nice! Have fun!

 

[RMulieri]

Week of Christmas at Disney is the Busiest week of the year.