How crowded is Disney on Xmas.....

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

We were at Disney two Christmas' ago. Now, we had Rachel in a wheelchair (hard for her to do a lot of walking so we always get one at Disney). But it was hard to move anywhere.

It was packed. So crowded that you could only take small steps to walk. Forget about the ride lines....just walking was torture!

Now, last Christmas we were at Disneyland in California. That was super. I guess people don't really see California as a Christmas destination as it is not very warm. It was perfect for us though...just sweatshirt weather, and the parks were manageable and not super crowed. You might want to consider that as an alternative!

Sharon

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Now, last Christmas we were at Disneyland in California. That was super. I guess people don't really see California as a Christmas destination as it is not very warm. It was perfect for us though...just sweatshirt weather, and the parks were manageable and not super crowed. You might want to consider that as an alternative!

Sharon

How does Disneyland compare to Disneyworld? I've never been there before?

We are now considering going for New Years, instead of Xmas. My mom really wants to see Disney dressed for the holidays, and I don't want to disappoint her.

I'm thinking that if we checked in on New Years Day, the crowds would be gone, or leaving that day. Of course, I don't know what's available, if anything, for a Thursday check-in.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

All wait - no fun. No differnece on or off site

[QUOTE=Beaglemom3;190726]Reading the posts, I can see why the DVC experience might be the least frustrating and maximiziming for some:

1. DVCers get to go to one park that opens one hour earlier each day (differs) and one

that stays open later by a couple hours.

The opening or closing hours aren't bad regardless - but they are still equal to most of the busiest days rather than an easy time to get on some rides. Staying on site does nothing to reduce the mass of humanity and the excruciating long waits for ANYTHING (even food - which we try to avoid anyway). At some point they start opening the otherwise closed off gates and asking people to leave! Not a good time no matter where you stay.

2. The Disney bus and boat system. No hassle with parking, driving or waiting to get into & out of the lots.

Your definition of hassle must differ from mine. Even these conveniences have lines (not as bad as the "regular" but still lines) and you are still tied to their schedules. No thanks It's no better than driving where you control the route and the times.

3. The concierge expedited my restaurant reservations as a DVC guest.

I would pay NOT to have to eat at Disney. No advantage.

4. My purchases were sent back directly to my room (no baggage to schlep around.).

They will send any purchases to the gates - thats all we need. No big advantage as we seldom buy any of the overpriced junk anyway.

5. Although not a DVC "perk", kids-free Disney is less frustrating (I've been there with kids before).

True. But not a big difference.

As it happens we have "enjoyed" Disney on Christmas back in the 90's when it actually wasn't that crowded. That changed somewhere along the way and now, on site or off, it is not something we'll ever do again as it simply isn't any fun. Isn't that what Disney was supposed to be about?

[dwmantz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dwmantz]

Visiting Orlando 12/30 to 1/7

Am finding this info valuable!

We arrive Orlando the evening of Sun 12/30. Sounds like we should stay away from Disney on Monday and perhaps do SeaWorld or drive to Tampa for Busch Gardens.

Am traveling with three kids - 9, 7, 6. Grandparents gave them a six day Disney Pass for Christmas.

Any and all suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

The opening or closing hours aren't bad regardless - but they are still equal to most of the busiest days rather than an easy time to get on some rides. Staying on site does nothing to reduce the mass of humanity and the excruciating long waits for ANYTHING (even food - which we try to avoid anyway). At some point they start opening the otherwise closed off gates and asking people to leave! Not a good time no matter where you stay.


True. But not a big difference.

As it happens we have "enjoyed" Disney on Christmas back in the 90's when it actually wasn't that crowded. That changed somewhere along the way and now, on site or off, it is not something we'll ever do again as it simply isn't any fun. Isn't that what Disney was supposed to be about?

Again, just reporting my take, not arguing whose time was better/worse. No debate; sharing is a way of informing others.
It's the perception of our experiences and what enriches the individual experience that is important to report. What works for one, will not work for all, but at least folks reading this can come away with the pros & cons.

Paying the $90 is, to me, money well spent. To others, it's not and sometimes not affordable or unacceptable.
Staying at DVC helped to mitigate some of the less pleasant efforts for us.
With only 60% of DVCs occupied, the one hour pre-opening and 2-3 hours was even better than other times I've been there.

It's also a matter of what you will/will not tolerate in a vacation. I like some of the restaurants; Ragland Road, Riverwalk Brewery, Crews Cup, etc., but do not like the fast foods at the parks or Bongo's (too noisy).

There's something at Disney for everyone. Some more than others and what you make of it.
Like Europe, I won't go in July or August if I can help it. Too crowded, long museum/gallery lines, etc. I know this and go in shoulder season. Best time I ever had at Disney was the last week of September this year. Great weather, but not waterparks weather, no lines, etc.
B.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Like Europe, I won't go in July or August if I can help it. Too crowded, long museum/gallery lines, etc. I know this and go in shoulder season. Best time I ever had at Disney was the last week of September this year. Great weather, but not waterparks weather, no lines, etc.
B.

You are right on with that. Provided the weather is OK (no hurricanes or tropical storms) that offers the least crowds, warm weather and can really be enjoyable. Also all of January is slow but there's a good chanve it will be cool or even cold and the parks have short hours. Early May is also great so there are times when you can be fairly certain of light attendance. It basically coincides with the school calendar. If the majority of kids are in school the parks are easy to navigate.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

You are right on with that. Provided the weather is OK (no hurricanes or tropical storms) that offers the least crowds, warm weather and can really be enjoyable. Also all of January is slow but there's a good chanve it will be cool or even cold and the parks have short hours. Early May is also great so there are times when you can be fairly certain of light attendance. It basically coincides with the school calendar. If the majority of kids are in school the parks are easy to navigate.

Agreed !
Also, my experience again, but with the strength of the pound, euro and Australian dollar, I wonder if the parks a bit more crowded with visitors (most likely? ) from these areas.
That could account for some of the driving I've seen in and around Orlando - could be Boston drivers, though

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

Based on mousesavers, new year day seems O.K.
MouseSavers.com - Disney World Resort Hotel Discount Codes & Deals

The periods to avoid in 2008 are listed below, roughly in order from outrageously expensive to very expensive:

Holiday Season (especially weekends) - December 19-31
Presidents Day - February 15-17
Easter Week - March 16-27
Peak Season (especially weekends) - February 14 - March 29
Independence Day Weekend - July 4-5
Summer Season at the Value and Moderate resorts (especially weekends) - May 22 - August 2
Thanksgiving Weekend - November 26-29

I was there last year during Thanksgiving. The exact day was crowded but the parking lot is only 1/2 full, still it took us 1 1/2 hr to 2 hr in the waiting line for "it is a small world", could not image the line in the most populate attraction. But really not that bad.

Jya-Ning

[davhu1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davhu1]

We were there last Xmas with my kids. My 82 year-old mom also came along. We had a wheel chair for her. It was crowded but manageable. Most of the rides were about 60 min to 90 min wait. One ride had a 3 hr wait by the end of the night. Use the fastpass and go early for more popular rides. The ride with the 3 hr wait, we picked up the fastpass around 10:00 am, by noon, all the fastpass were issued.

The day after Xmas, Magic Kingdom was closed by 9:00 am due to capacity. There was one little sign off Rt 192 saying MK was closed that we missed and waited for more than an hour just to be turn away at the entrance to the parking lot. They told us all other parks were open. By the time we got to Epcot at ~10:15, it was also closed.

In the evening, many had to wait at the gate to get re-admitted. They only let people back as others are leaving the park. I would not suggest leaving the park for dinner and return for the evening parade/firework. You may not get back in.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

My mom really wants to see Disney dressed for the holidays, and I don't want to disappoint her.

If she wants to see Disney this way, then I'd recommend getting there earlier in December, as far from Christmas Day as possible.

[WazzuCougFan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WazzuCougFan]

We just returned from our very first trip to Orlando. We left home on Dec. 15 and returned on Dec. 24. I would highly recommend the 16th and shortly thereafter among the dates to visit Disney World. We visted Animal Kingdom on the 17th, Magic Kingdom on the 18th, Disney MGM Studios on the 19th, and Epcot on the 22nd. Sea World was very crowded on the 23rd, and I would not have gone to another park until after the New Year.

I had been haunting the Orlando forum on TripAdvisor, and learned a lot of hints and tips leading up to our trip. I learned that there are a lot of Europeans who visit Disney because they love it and the exchange rate is very favorable.

I also visited this site TouringPlans.com - The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
and subscribed. The crowd calendar was the most useful to me (it's free of charge within a short timeframe). It lists crowd levels based on its research and shows which parks are best and which are worst on any given day. I highly recommend the site. Here's a link to the crowd calendar: TouringPlans.com - The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

If you are set on a Disney holiday at Christmastime, I don't see why you couldn't visit the parks in the week or less prior to Christmas, but do not spend Christmas or the couple days prior in any of the theme parks if you want to see everything AND keep your sanity. Also, making use of the free FastPass feature is a must, regardless of the day.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

If she wants to see Disney this way, then I'd recommend getting there earlier in December, as far from Christmas Day as possible.

If you are set on a Disney holiday at Christmastime, I don't see why you couldn't visit the parks in the week or less prior to Christmas, but do not spend Christmas or the couple days prior in any of the theme parks if you want to see everything AND keep your sanity. Also, making use of the free FastPass feature is a must, regardless of the day.

The problem with that is my DD would still be in school, and DH can't get off work until the 23rd. That would put us in Disney at the worst possible time. We thought about going for New Year, but then we'd be home for Christmas, and the idea was to get away for Christmas, not New Year.

Looks like we need to find another location to spend Christmas, next year.

[senorak Member Find all posts View Profile Close senorak]

Well, I heard from my sister in law, (currently in Orlando via "Make a Wish" foundation). And, I am pleased to report that although the parks are as crowded as the previous posters mentioned, (my SiL said she has never seen the parks so full), the family has been given special "passes"; which allow them to bypass the long lines (said the average wait otherwise would be at least 1.5 hours). She doesn't think they would have been able to deal w/ the long lines/waits without this pass (it's even better than the "fastpass"; which she said is completely sold out by noon). She raves about the "Yacht Club"----said the room is unbelievable. The temps have been in the low 80's; and the pools are heated to about 85 degrees. They've done Epcot and the Magic Kingdom....and are heading to Animal Kingdom tomorrow.
My niece (she received the trip from MAW due to her battle w/ cancer) is loving every minute of the trip! However, she is a bit upset that WDW has gone to "healthy kid meals"...no french fries/fried food on their menus anymore (and she pretty much lives on chicken nuggets, fries and mac-n-cheese).

Deb

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Well, I heard from my sister in law, (currently in Orlando via "Make a Wish" foundation). And, I am pleased to report that although the parks are as crowded as the previous posters mentioned, (my SiL said she has never seen the parks so full), the family has been given special "passes"; which allow them to bypass the long lines (said the average wait otherwise would be at least 1.5 hours). She doesn't think they would have been able to deal w/ the long lines/waits without this pass (it's even better than the "fastpass"; which she said is completely sold out by noon). She raves about the "Yacht Club"----said the room is unbelievable. The temps have been in the low 80's; and the pools are heated to about 85 degrees. They've done Epcot and the Magic Kingdom....and are heading to Animal Kingdom tomorrow.
My niece (she received the trip from MAW due to her battle w/ cancer) is loving every minute of the trip! However, she is a bit upset that WDW has gone to "healthy kid meals"...no french fries/fried food on their menus anymore (and she pretty much lives on chicken nuggets, fries and mac-n-cheese).

Deb

I stayed right next to the Yacht Club and it is nice. Good location as you can walk the boardwalk, Epcot (or take the launch). Lots of restaurants, shops near by.

I think that "healthy meals" should be an option, but not the only choice.

B

[Lisa P Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa P]

From what I've read on the DIS forums, the kids' "healthy meals" are the only ones listed but not the only ones available. Chicken nuggets, french fries, etc. are still available for kids' meals at most Disney food places, if parents request them. Haven't tried it (no younger kids in our family right now) so I can't verify firsthand.