Xmas thru New Year's

[DisDadX2]

We're considering a trip right after Xmas and through NYE. How crazy is it during that time?

 

[Disney Chick2]

We went 2 years ago. I prepared for the worst and it was the best. The waits were alittle high but not bad. We never waited over a 1/2 hour and used fast passes wisely. Have fun. It's a special place to be at that time of the year!! Oh and we planned for cold weather and had shorts on most of the time.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I think we were there about the same time as DC2. I agree with what she said - plan ahead, use Fastpasses, and you shouldn't have a problem.

Some things I do remember :

Hit the parks in the morning. Starting a few days before NYE the Magic Kingdom was closing the parking lot about 10 a.m. That didn't affect us as we were staying on-site, but it does give you an idea as far as the crowds.

Especially for NYE, make your priority seatings early. We decided to do Epcot for NYE and I made a lunch p/s at Garden Grill, and a dinner p/s at Le Cellier.
I remember walking to check-in at GG for lunch that day (Wed., 12/31) and the person in front of me asked when the next open p/s was. The CM's response - "next Tuesday" (!!). I remember seeing people in the counter-service area downstairs with their tray on top of a trash dispenser because there were no available tables. With tourism picking up again, expect crowds and plan ahead accordingly.

Would I do it again ? We'll be there this Christmas .......

 

[domestic goddess]

We have been there twice at Christmas and both times it was a zoo!! If you plan it right though, you can have a great time. Don't expect to do everything and plan what you really want to do. We planned to do the "must do" things first and then everything else that we were able to do was a bonus! Like the previous posters have said, use Fastpass and plan to get to the parks early or stay late(if they have night EMH at that time). WDW is so special and beautiful at Christmas time. We love it! Also, make sure to make you AR's(PS's) at the 90 day mark to be sure that you get what you want.

Have a great trip!!

 

[rkmassa]

We went 2 years ago and vowed never, ever again. It was absolutely packed. Wall to wall people. Traffic was awful. Very long lines. Fast passes for rides ran out quickly. A few of the parks closed early due to capacity.

We had arrived 4 days before Christmas. We managed to get most everything done then. The days after were terrible. I know our family will never go back during that time. If at all possible, go before Christmas. I believe the Unofficial Guide rates the days during Christmas at 10.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you have a 75 min wait for Small World, it's crowded.

 

[TinkOhio]

I agree completely with ScottOK!

We had a great time last year because we knew what to expect. Use fastpasses every time that you can, make as many dining arrangements as you can afford, and relax when it gets croeded in the middle of the day. Use that time to see some shows, shop, or just chill and enjoy the holiday magic.

Also be prepared for wild weather extremes at that time of the year. Last Dec. 26th, we went to the MK with ski hats, parkas and mittens. We lasted only about 5 hours and had to go back to the resort to thaw out! (We're from the Cleveland area, so we know cold!) By the end of the week, we were very warm--temps in the 80's! Dress in layers!

Have a great trip!

 

[ginga]

We went immediately after Christmas in 2003 with two teenagers and had a blast. I was really worried about the crowds but we used fastpasses early on to do the things we really wanted to, and then later in the evenings the crowds - those with the small kids particularly - thinned out and it was wonderful. The parks are beautifully decorated. We had such a great time we're going back this Christmas. I, however, would not go with small kids where you have to get a stroller through the crowds. Just my opinion.

 

[sugermouse]

We went last year and to be honest, never again. The decorations were beautiful. However, the weather is extremely variable that time of year, not very warm and some rain. The crowds are beyond anything that you can imagine. We have a lot of patience but it was put to the test. Some people complain about the summer, but I will gladly take the summer over Christmas.

 

[justhat]

We went 12/27/02-1/4/03 and yes, it was packed, but we're going back again this year! We got up early and hit the parks for EMH which was at 7am cause the parks were all opening at 8. We'd stay out till maybe 1pm, go back to the room and nap, watch animals (we were at AKL 1st half) or rent boats (GF 2nd half). Then we'd shower and head back to the parks for our dinner PS around 5 or 6 pm, then stay out till around 11pm. We really didn't hae many waits doing it this way, it was just walking through the park where you felt the crowds. But if we're going back again (and this time with our daughter who will be 22 months old), how bad can it be!?!

 

[dznyacct]

That is one of my favorite times of the year to visit WDW. We have spent 3 Christmas/New Years at WDW and yes, the parks were crowded and filled to capacity a few days, but it is a truly magical time to be at WDW. I wouldn't recommend it for a first time trip to WDW by any means. We are DVC members and are lucky enough (due to good use of PAPs) to visit WDW at least twice a year, so we try to mellow out during our Christmas/New Years trips and just kind of going with the flow (and making good use of fast passes).

 

[Waggy182]

We were there last year over Christmas and New Year, and it's no more crazy than any other time. We had a wonderful time and the decorations for the season are really something you need to see at least once. Very nice.

 

[the kabuki]

If you can wait until right after new years' you'd be better off. Few years ago, we went on Jan 2nd. I saw the tail end of the Christmas/New Years crowds and I just couldn't imagine being down there then. I thought it was a zoo those 1st two days after new years', but had many people comment "this is nothing, you should've seen it last week" Yikes!

 

[*Flower*]

been doing Christmas trips for 4 years now, and already have our reservations made for this year too.

DH and I work at the same company, and things seem to slow down over the Christmas holiday period- so we make our plans for our longer vacation then.

Of course there are always the weekends........