GameCocks11
Member
I am planning a trip around Christmas time and was wondering when it starts to get crowded Before Christmas and then when do the crowds start to die down afterwards? Thanks for the help it is greatly appreciated!!
-
The new WDWMAGIC iOS app is here!
Stay up to date with the latest Disney news, photos, and discussions right from your iPhone. The app is free to download and gives you quick access to news articles, forums, photo galleries, park hours, weather and Lightning Lane pricing. Learn More -
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Should I go Before or After Christmas?
- Thread starter GameCocks11
- Start date
mrerk
Well-Known Member
The crowds start to build about a week before Christmas. It really depends on what day of the week Christmas falls on, when the schools let out, etc. The crowds pretty much disappear after New Years Day. New Years Day will be busy (as is any holiday) but the 2nd will drastically slower.
Upvote
0
MomofKatie
Member
The big crowds won't show up until the weekend before Dhristmas (Fri 12/21 this year). The whole week between Christmas and New Year's is insanely packed. Usually, crowds really drop off starting 1/2, BUT because of Christmas being on Tuesday this year, many schools won't get back in session until the Monday after New Year's- 1/7. I'd say that crowds won't be as big after New Year's this season, but the parks will still be pretty full until the 7th.
Upvote
0
YankeeMouse
Well-Known Member
We just returned last night from our trip for MVMCP and the taping of the Christmas Day parade for ABC. Were there Wednesday 11/28 through Sunday 12/2, and did not even need a fast pass for any park for 3 out of the 4 days. BUT on Saturday 12/1, the place was as packed as a summer weekend. For example, there was a 20 minute wait for Star Tours at the Studios, 60 minutes for Peter Pan, that type of crowd. The difference between Friday and Saturday was night and day. Friday, no fastpass needed, no crowds. Saturday, could not even walk comfortably without meandering through the strollers, ECVs, and people walking. Asked some cast members and they said the weekends during the Christmas season are packed with local people and Florida passholders. If you can, stay away from the weekend and be there during the week. By the way, the newly lighted Cinderalla Castle is worth the trip alone! It is magnificent, looks like sparkling diamonds.
Upvote
0
Looks like we made the right decision on Saturday. The family and I came down for a day trip on Saturday. We had a first timer with us so naturally we wanted to take him to MK. I remembered as we pulled into the monorail station at MK that the parade taping was going on. We stayed on the monorail and went to Epcot instead where the crowds were pretty mild.
Upvote
0
primetime52
Member
As an earlier poster said.. avoid the week between Christmas and New Years like the plague! That's one of the most crowded times of the year.
My family often goes about 2 weeks before Christmas. Crowds are very reasonable during this time, and all of the holiday decorations are up. Seeing the lights and decorations will surely get you into the holiday spirit!
My family often goes about 2 weeks before Christmas. Crowds are very reasonable during this time, and all of the holiday decorations are up. Seeing the lights and decorations will surely get you into the holiday spirit!
Upvote
0
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
I hope you've got accomodation sorted if you're thinking of this Christmas. Remember, the decorations go up well before Christmas but disappear by the first week of January so there is a greater time period to see everything before Christmas
Upvote
0
I was just going to say something similar, you may have a difficult time finding a room if you want to do a last minute trip - good luck.
Upvote
0
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
Definitely before. The week between Christmas and New Years is insane.
Upvote
0
nolatron
Well-Known Member
We're heading to Disney on December 26-30, so we're expecting a hugely, massive crowd.
Unfortunantly it was the only available time both my wife and I's work scheduled allowed for a week off work.
Since the wife will be 32 weeks along, we're not really planning on doing a lot of rides, more just enjoying the Disney atmosphere, the Disney Dining, checking out other Resort lobbies for a break (maybe a nap for the wife, heh), relaxing at our hotel, etc...
Unfortunantly it was the only available time both my wife and I's work scheduled allowed for a week off work.
Since the wife will be 32 weeks along, we're not really planning on doing a lot of rides, more just enjoying the Disney atmosphere, the Disney Dining, checking out other Resort lobbies for a break (maybe a nap for the wife, heh), relaxing at our hotel, etc...
Upvote
0
nolatron
Well-Known Member
I third this. We decided to book our trip in mid-November. it changed daily, but I could either find ZERO rooms at Disney or rooms that were $1000+, even $2500+. You might get lucky and catch a cancellation or something, but the closer you get I'm betting the harder it's gonna be near impossible to get a room on-grounds.
To the OP, if you're still looking to book, I ended up getting a Premier Tower Room complete with whirlpool tub (woot) for less $800 for 4 nights at the Royal Plaza hotel, right by Downtown Disney.
Upvote
0
Thanks for all the advice! Don't worry I reserved a campsite at FW last December. I have the reservation for almost 3 weeks. A week before Christmas, the week of and the week after. So now I just have to decide when to go.
I really appreciate all the help and it seems that going a little more than a week before is the best bet. Because then I still can see all the decorations!
Again, thanks for the help!
I really appreciate all the help and it seems that going a little more than a week before is the best bet. Because then I still can see all the decorations!
Again, thanks for the help!
Upvote
0
MomofKatie
Member
Yes- last year, MK closed due to capacity 3 days that week. MGM and AK also closed at least one day, due to heavy crowds. It is insanely, ridiculously packed.
Upvote
0
Disneyfanman
Well-Known Member
Check out the crowd calendar at www.touringplans.com for a good indication of the crowds. It's pretty clear what days to avoid and what parks are best. I use it all the time and it's a good guide.
Upvote
0
IWorkWTeeth
New Member
Unless you really want to see the decorations, I'd shoot for the week after January 1st. The crowds will be considerably lower then........
Upvote
0
dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
Don't worry about the crowds. We now go every year from about Dec. 26th until Jan 6th, and have no problem. It is very crowded, but getting to the parks by opening everyday allows us to get a lot done by early afternoon. I'll illustrate by way of an example from our last trip. We arrived at MK at 8:50am, and walked to Space Mountain to get fastpasses. After that, we went to Fantasyland and did Peter Pan's Flight, Philharmagic, Small World, then moved on to The Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, Splash and Pirates. It was near the end of our SM fastpass return time, so we went to ride and still made our 11:30am breakfast ADR.
We typically go to our resort in the afternoon and return to the parks in the evening. It is crowded, but the atmosphere is wonderful, there is tons of energy in every park, and you can get stuff done if you go early.
Enjoy! We'll be there then as well.
Upvote
0