Christmas in Disney - Crowds

Kate Alan

Kate Alan

Well-Known Member
Officially booked for the post-holiday season! Trip is split between visiting family for the actual holidays and then segueing over to Pop Century for the remainder of the trip. We check in the night of 12/26 and head out late on 12/30.

This makes my third trip to a Disney park this year (went to WDW in February for nine days, in Disneyland next month for a single day trip, and now this!) Super excited. :)

I've heard a lot of horror reports about the crowds at this time of year. I've gone on numerous trips in the summer (running the gamut from June-August), and am not crowd averse, nor is anyone in my party. Having never gone during the Christmas - New Years season though, I have no idea what to expect. Are we talking the same level as summer? Even higher than that? Obviously I will be doing my FP+ choices and ADRs ASAP, but I want to prepare myself (and my family) for whatever potential onslaught there will be. :)

Anyone with experience who can speak to how bad it can be, both for general park crowds and lines for rides?
 
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Minnie1976

Minnie1976

Well-Known Member
My husband and I went 3 years for Christmas. It was wonderful, but crowded. You have to use the early and late hours. Christmas day be at the Magic Kingdom when it opens. The 3 years we were there and staying on Disney property it opened at 7 a.m. One year it rained and that Christmas morning the MK was empty. It was great. Plan to leave around 11 a.m. or right after. We had reservations in the MK Christmas night our 1st year in 2008. We had no trouble getting back into the MK. During the day we either rested or checked out the hotels. One year we left December 29th to come home. I was shocked because there were lines and lines to get on the monorail to go to the MK. I had never in all my years of going to Disney seen anything like that before.

All I can say is Christmas morning at the MK is magical. I loved it.
 
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Lisalyn

Lisalyn

Well-Known Member
I am actually going with my daughter for the first time at Christmas this year. 12/20 - 12/25. Planning on doing DTD arrival day, MK 12/21 and Epcot 12/23 (12/22 and 12/24 are at the "other place" lol) I know it will be busy but will work our fastpasses and adr's the best we can...at that time of the year to me anyways it is about the atmosphere or special event shows, not just the rides. We go every year so if we missed a few rides it isn't like we haven't done them before. I've been terrified to try Christmas week due to the horror stories (we normally go over Thanksgiving) but if it only gets as bad as it does around Thanksgiving - I can do that! And if it's worse...I won't have a choice. I'll do that! LOL
 
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Jae99

Jae99

Well-Known Member
Lisalyn said:
I am actually going with my daughter for the first time at Christmas this year. 12/20 - 12/25. Planning on doing DTD arrival day, MK 12/21 and Epcot 12/23 (12/22 and 12/24 are at the "other place" lol) I know it will be busy but will work our fastpasses and adr's the best we can...at that time of the year to me anyways it is about the atmosphere or special event shows, not just the rides. We go every year so if we missed a few rides it isn't like we haven't done them before. I've been terrified to try Christmas week due to the horror stories (we normally go over Thanksgiving) but if it only gets as bad as it does around Thanksgiving - I can do that! And if it's worse...I won't have a choice. I'll do that! LOL
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We are checking in a day after you check out! We are hoping to hit the other park for a day after we check out on the 2nd of January.

Have a great trip!
 
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