Since it is that time of the year, I would like to hear your opinion of doing WDW during Christmastime (either after the decorations go up or actually being there for Christmas itself).
I had been to WDW several times from December 23rd - December 29th when I was younger. I was a lot of fun back then but now as an adult, that is WAY TOO crowded for me. I told Neda that if she ever wanted to be at WDW during that week I would do it (for her) but otherwise never again. Last year we went down for her 40th birthday for the second week of December. Originally, she wasn't sure if she wanted to go for the F&W or Christmastime. So, I surprised her for a long weekend for birthday a couple years prior during MNSSHP and F&W. When it actually came time for her 40th, she picked Christmastime and we greatly enjoyed all the decorations, MVMCP, tours, and fun atmosphere.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
Even December 1-4 was busy. I couldn't imagine Christmas week. Too busy for me to go.
Well when my kids were young....about 25 years ago, we went because they would be out of school. We stayed at the Carribean Beach resort, just me with the 3 of them.....it was super super crowded even back then and we ended up not using one of our passes but saved it for another trip cuz they just wanted to stay at the resort for a day in the middle....it was the best thing we ever did.....the kids recovered from the crowds and were able to do another day of park before we left.....I'd rather shoot myself in the foot than to go to Disney at all during that week.....sorry.
second star to the right and straight on till morning
I would love to go at some point to enjoy the atmosphere and decorations. But I would want to be home on Christmas. I don't mind crowds but not to the point where you have someone breathing down your neck.
WDW Sept 1995 Contemporary - WDW July 1997 Polynesian - WDW July 1998 Polynesian - WDW July 2000 Grand Floridian - WDW July 2003 Grand Floridian
I would love to go at some point to enjoy the atmosphere and decorations. But I would want to be home on Christmas. I don't mind crowds but not to the point where you have someone breathing down your neck.
We agree with you which is why we went the second week in December. The first and second weeks are slightly crowded as Dean had said but nowhere close to the crowds that you see at Christmas. Make sure you check out the gingerbread house around the resorts.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
Busy vs packed are two different things. I know DLR has stop letting people in before noon the week of Christmas because Park is at capacity. At DLR the week after Tgiving is the best time to go for XZmas eye candy.
Busy vs packed are two different things. I know DLR has stop letting people in before noon the week of Christmas because Park is at capacity. At DLR the week after Tgiving is the best time to go for XZmas eye candy.
The same occurs at WDW almost everyday the week of Christmas. I heard when we were there last December that the week between Christmas and New Year of 2014, all the parks "closed" the entrances except Animal Kingdom.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
I would love to go at some point to enjoy the atmosphere and decorations. But I would want to be home on Christmas. I don't mind crowds but not to the point where you have someone breathing down your neck.
We agree with you which is why we went the second week in December. The first and second weeks are slightly crowded as Dean had said but nowhere close to the crowds that you see at Christmas. Make sure you check out the gingerbread house around the resorts.
I've only seen pictures of the gingerbread houses. They are gorgeous, especially the one at the Grand Floridian. My one downfall during the holidays...gingerbread. Love it as a cookie or a cake.
WDW Sept 1995 Contemporary - WDW July 1997 Polynesian - WDW July 1998 Polynesian - WDW July 2000 Grand Floridian - WDW July 2003 Grand Floridian
I'm a little late with this topic but thought I would just add my 2 cents worth. This year was the first time we visited WDW in December, did it mostly for our daughter. The decorations were fantastic, Jingle bell jingle bam was very enjoyable. This was December 3-10 and it was crowded I cannot or want to imagine Christmas week and the price increases for that time. Met with Cathie during this vacation and it was so nice to meet her. Overall we had a very nice vacation, will we do it again? Only if we are living in Florida and use our car no buses.
I go every other year the week after Thanksgiving, usually starting on the Friday after. Friday and Saturday are usually still busy, so we hit any park except for Magic Kingdom those days, then on Sunday we do MK and it is usually very low crowds. Then the whole week following is minimal crowds. I think I have mentioned this before, but what usually dictates the crowds is if they offer free dinning with a resort stay. If they do, crowds can be a pain, but still not summertime crowds.