Xmas week- Gimme the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

[Synonymous]

Okay, I'm looking for as many thoughts as possible on the advantages and disadvantages of going between Xmas and New Year. We've always wanted to go at Xmas-time, but we don't want to take our daughter out of school for a week, especially right before she gets 2 weeks off for Xmas, anyway.

We've been at Easter time and I thought it was great. We're pretty experienced at avoiding the crowds, going to the slowest park for the day, getting in early, using FP, etc. Is Xmas a whole different ballgame? Will the same strategies work, or are the crowds too big to be managed? Are there extra shows, events, etc. that make the crowds worthwhile?

I know some folks out there love that week- I'd like to hear from both sides.

Thanks!

 

[Hieatt]

Just posted this in another forum... We are going back down for our third trip in a row during that week, arriving 12/27 and departing 1/2. We have 4 kids, ages 6, 5, 2 and 1. No doubt, it is crowded, but if you do the required advance planning - plan an itinerary and book priority seatings, dinner packages (e.g., Fantasmic, Candlelight Processional) and follow Unofficial Guide advice about getting to the parks when they open, taking an afternoon break, using FastPass wisely, etc., it is no problem. We gook my parents the first year and my mother was amazed at how little time we spent standing in line - and was very impressed when we had quick seating at every restaurant when walk-ups were getting turned away.

You also get rewarded with extended hours, more open attractions, extra parades, shows, fireworks, etc. I love the excitement and I think it's worth it - but it does require discipline!! Showing up at a park at 10 a.m. without priority seatings would be a huge mistake that week.

Oh, and staying on-site is a must!

 

[sugermouse]

We are going for the sheer pleasure of enjoying the holiday season in WDW and enjoying the decorations.

 

[Mich Mouse]

The Christmas season is pure magic at WDW. We have enjoyed the decorations and festive atmosphere, and have visited over the last three years. We went once during the week following Christmas, and made a "never again" decision. The crowd level was just too much for us...It is the busiest week of the entire year at WDW. Having to wait for the bathroom for fifteen minutes during Christmas week is just not a part of my future WDW plans!
I do agree that with good planning, you can see a lot more, but it will still not change the fact that there are lines for literally everything. I have not visited the parks during Easter, but I would expect that there are only slightly smaller crowds during that time, in comparassion to Christmas.

If crowds do not bother you, or your family, Why not enjoy Christmas week at WDW? I'd rather be at a crowded WDW than at home! My personal preference however, is to visit in earlier December for all of the festivities and magic, with much smaller crowds. If your daughter can miss a few days of school, why not leave on a Tuesday and return on Sunday? Only three days missed, with five days to enjoy an uncrowded WDW. The topic of "Should I or Shouldn't I Pull My Child Out of School" has been debated here on the boards numerous times....As a teacher and a parent, I feel that a few days out of school for a family vacation should not be problematic.

Kep watching these boards over the holiday week. You will find some people posting about the magical vacation they had, and yet others will be complaining that the crowds prevented them from really enjoying themselves.

Have Fun Making You Decision! Half the fun is in the planning!

 

[sodaseller]

I cannot imagine going that week. It is just too much stress

 

[Lollipop Mom]

We were there from 12/27 to 1/3 last year and will be back this year from 12/24 to 1/2. Yes, it's crowded, VERY crowded but we still had a fabulous time!! The absolute best piece of advice I could give someone going that week is to invest in the AVP at www.tourguidemike.com. He publishes a "Holiday Survival Guide" that is second to none! It includes advice on the "least crowded parks per day and evening" that is VERY different from any advice I've seen anywhere else (this board and UG included). His tips were RIGHT ON for us. Honest to God, being there during the most crowded week WDW has had to date we didn't wait in line more than 15 minutes for anything except buying lunch at Epcot one late morning! That was the longest line I stood it adn that was only b/c we were starving at 10:30 and ONE counter at Sunshine Food Fair was open and serving lunch. Apparently we were not the only ones hungry at that time b/c the line was quite long! The only day we didn't follow his advice was our first day. Circumstances prevented us from being there early (we knew this in advance but it couldn't be helped) and we wanted my kids first experience to be breakfast with Pooh who was at the time their favorite character. The difference in crowd level for being at the MK on a day when it was 3rd on the list for "least crowded park" and 1st on the list (as it was later in the trip) was DRAMATIC. I can't say how much we appreciated the advice in the AVP! I know my husband and my father and neither do lines or waiting very well so it turned what could have been a very frustrating trip for them into a very enjoyable vacation. The crowds didn't bother us because we felt we were one step ahead of everyone and not waiting in those lines all day! I guess that's why we're headed back for more again this year! (that and the AP's expire 12/29 so we get to squeeze a few extra days out of them! )

The parks are extra magical with all the decorations and everything. You do have longer hours for all the parks (most are open 8 am to 11 pm or midnight between Christmas and New Years) plus the Christmas Parade, 2 spectros every night, 3 Fantasmics etc. With good planning you can go and have a FABULOUS time without the headaches you hear about during that busy travel period!

 

[Synonymous]

Thank you for the responses, everyone. We have used TGM before and found his advice to be great. I'm glad to hear he does a special plan for Xmas.

My wife, especially, is hesitant to take DD out of school, especially since we want to go for a long trip, not just a couple of days. The excitement of Xmas week is attractive to me, as long as things are manageable with good planning.

We wonder, though, about why Mickey's VMCP is not run closer to Xmas. Is it worth going earlier in the month to do that? We saw a special on Travel Channel that talked about it and we'd really like to do the party. Would we be missing out by going during Xmas week when MVMCP is not running?

 

[laceemouse]

Tom, first let me applaud you for not wanting to take your daughter out of school. I feel that we all have enough time off to do some wonderful vacations without having to interrupt the learning process. And, there is a lot of stress involved with telling teachers, doing the make-up work, ect. We plan to go next year at Christmas and I was wondering the same thing as you about missing the party, as we would arrive after the last one ended. I posted this ? before and was told that after the last party, EVERY parade at the MK will be the Christmas parade. The special shows that run during the party continue to run on a schedule after the parties are over also. Plus, you will still be able to do CP, Osborne lights, Christmas around the World AND see all of the beautiful decorations! I don't feel that we will miss a thing!! We went to MNSSHP in October when my kids had a long weekend off. I was NOT impressed. It was pretty crowded, and I have been reading the MVMCP has been very crowded this year. Just read all the posts about it!!! I also agree with you about a longer vacation being preferable Enjoy planning your great trip....I can't wait to call DVC and make my ressies in 01/05....Lacee

 

[JudyS]

...We wonder, though, about why Mickey's VMCP is not run closer to Xmas. Is it worth going earlier in the month to do that? We saw a special on Travel Channel that talked about it and we'd really like to do the party. Would we be missing out by going during Xmas week when MVMCP is not running?...

MVMCP can only be run when MK closes very early. As Christmas approaches, the park is open too late for it.

We did MVMCP last year and liked it, but this year DH has to work in early December so we're going to brave the crowds the week after Xmas instead.

To some extent MVMCP is the "soft opening" for MK's Christmas features. For example, the Christmas Parade is staged for the first time of the season during MVMCP, then also runs during regular MK hours later in December. By going during regular hours at Christmas rather than during MVMCP, you will miss out on the free photos, hot chocolate, and smaller crowds. But, many of the special Christmas attractions that are used for Christmas are the same attractions that are presented during regular hours at Christmas.

We are very much night owls (no kids) and plan to stay late (until they kick us out, maybe!) rather than go early. Does anyone know if Tourguidemike would work in this situation?

 

[Synonymous]

Thanks again, Lacee and Judy. Judy, TGM does talk about what parks are best to go to in the evening. He splits each day into which park you should get to at opening and which you should go to in the evening. I've found his advice about both to be very helpful and I like following his strategies and tips better than following a formal "touring plan."

 

[JudyS]

Thanks, Tom! Think I'll give TourGuideMike a try!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We love to go for the atmosphere. We are DVC members, so if we miss out on something on a trip, we can hit it the next time. Some of the attractions are only open seasonally, like Carousel of Progress, so that's good to go to during the holidays. Plus there are the holiday shows, like Candlelight Processional. Can't miss that one.