Xmas Week ?????

[jazum17]

We had our trip all planned for the beginning of August, but delays on work we are having done on our house is causeing us to change the dates. Our daughter is starting college, and she's the 2nd biggest disney fan after me. So we haver to wait for her winter break. Our son is a senior and very involved in school. So unless we want to wait till next summer, It looks like christmas week is our only choice. I know it will be very, very crowded, but is it still enjoyable. We've always gone in either May, Nov or once in August.
Are there special shows, etc. going on that week or is that mostly before xmas. Thanks for any info you can give me to help plan this. I'm a little nervous to make a reservation for that week. All tips will be greatly appreicated.

 

[jennymouse]

I've never been that time of year but it is the busiest time of year for WDW. The parks often close during the day due to capacity. There are special shows and the parks and hotels are beautiful with all the decorations. If I were to go that time of year, and I want to someday, I would just plan to spend lots of time touring the hotels etc. and very little time in the parks.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I was a CM in Disney during Fall/Winter 99-2000 and on days off I still went to the parks. It was more crowded than Sept, Oct, Nov, but in all honesty it was more crowded on 2 other trips I've taken- Easter of 1995 and the week after July 4th 2001. Those were very overpopulated. It "felt" very crowded esp in MK, for some reason Studios and Epcot seemed a little more spread out.

I am doing a Land and Sea Cruise Dec 26-Jan 2 and an extra 2 days at WDW after (so Dec 26-Jan 4) I know the wait times will be longer, but I'm not scared. I think you'll do just fine in December. There's really no "bad" time to visit Disney! I'd go any day I could!

 

[domestic goddess]

Christmas week is crazy with the crowds! We have been a couple times during that time and we have found that if you make a plan and make sure to get your dining all situated at 90 days out, it is just fine. We have tried to get our park stuff done before Dec. 25th and then doing other stuff after that. If you go with the expectation that it will be busy and figure out your "must do" things and do those first. Then, anything else that you get to do is extra. Also, take time to just enjoy the atmosphere, it is wonderful at WDW at that time of year. Your children are older so it will be easier for you. We have 3 children under 12 so it is a little harder for us, but we manage.

 

[Connears]

We have been xmas week for the past 3 years and are returning this year. We are DVC members and WDW veterans. we love that time of year for all the holiday decorations and exceptional shows. We do not kamake tour, but use FP and go with the flow, often opting to visit an attraction the next time if it is unmanageable. If you plan on being ther on xmas, NYE, make reservations for dinner at the 90 days and plan on going to a park and staying there(except we have been successful park hopping between mgm and epcot NYE, but MK has closed by 10am for all guests the last 3 years(including resort guests). Stop and smell the snow, ha ha..its a great time to go as long as you know you will not see everyithing and that you will be in alot of company.
Connears

 

[AUTUMN SUN]

Say I Have A Reservation For Dinner At Crt And The Park Has Reached Capacity Before We Are There. Can We Still Go In To Eat?

 

[PNO4TE]

Say I Have A Reservation For Dinner At Crt And The Park Has Reached Capacity Before We Are There. Can We Still Go In To Eat?

In a word... no. If the MK is closed to ALL guests you will not be able to get in, even with an ADR.

 

[momsgoofy]

I was just reading this thread which has some great info about Christmas "To Do's"

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=832825

We are heading down for our first Christmas at WDW 12/18 - 12/25 and doing MVMCP on 12/20. I know the crowds are going to be horrendous, but like you we must work around a college teaching schedule and a very active 8th grader, so we either go during the holidays or in the summer, which is getting shorter for us with the summer camps DS must do for his extra-curricular activities. I think, based upon what I've read hear and other boards, that Christmas will be absolutely beautiful! Like one of the posters said in this thread, just go and do what we can and move on to something else when we can't.

I am glad someone answered the question about if we have ADR can we still get in the park if it's closed to capacity. DH thought that would be our sure way inside. So, now I know to schedule the ADR for the parks at breakfast/lunch and at the resorts for dinner. Thanks for the heads up there!

Hope you find some helpful info on the other thread.

 

[AUTUMN SUN]

In a word... no. If the MK is closed to ALL guests you will not be able to get in, even with an ADR.

THANKS. WE PROBABLY WONT GET IN UNTIL NOON. I HAD PLANNED DINNER AT CRT FOR MY CHILDS BD. I THOUGHT WHAT A WAY TO START A TRIP TO DISNEY. I GUESS ILL MAKE A PS AT A RESORT RESTAURANT.