December visit

[GoofyforWDW]

Hi there,

Trying to arrange a trip for this christmas, was planning on 25th Dec to either 2nd or 9th January but I have been a little put off my the threads I have read about how bad the crowds are. Also how cold the weather was!

What I am curious of is if the week before the actual christmas week, so for this year 14th to 21st December is normally busy?

My thoughts are if that is not so busy we can do the parks then and then on the actual christmas week just relax and stay away from the parks.

Is it just xmas eve, xmas day, boxing day and new years eve that are really busy of the whole week?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[mousefan1972]

I can help a little with your question. We were at WDW this past Christmas, staying Dec. 19-27. From Dec. 19 to 21 (Wed-Fri), the crowds were light. Waits were between 15-30 minutes. On Dec. 22 and 23 (Sat. and Sun), it was noticeably busier, but still not "nuts", by any means. We got to the parks early, used fastpasses, took a midday break, and went back in the late afternoon/evening, and we were fine. On Christmas Eve, MK was absolutely packed by 1 p.m. Lines out the women's restroom doors, 20 minute waits to buy popcorn, etc. Christmas Day at Epcot was slightly better, but still very, very crowded. Dec. 26 was our last day at the parks (MK), and it was more crowded than the weekend, but not as crowded as Christmas Eve.

One other important thing we noticed was the huge amount of guests arriving Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Dec. 26. We stayed at the Polynesian, and there was a constant line at the check in counter everytime we walked by there. So I can only imagine how busy it got after we left. Next year we are going to go Dec. 16-26, so we can take better advantage of the lighter crowds before the holiday, be there for Christmas, then get the heck out. :lol: Good luck with your planning!

 

[Monty]

I think a lot of folks give Christmas gifts of "We're going to WDW and we're leaving NOW!", so the whole place becomes zoo immediately after Christmas day.

 

[GoofyforWDW]

I can help a little with your question. We were at WDW this past Christmas, staying Dec. 19-27. From Dec. 19 to 21 (Wed-Fri), the crowds were light. Waits were between 15-30 minutes. On Dec. 22 and 23 (Sat. and Sun), it was noticeably busier, but still not "nuts", by any means. We got to the parks early, used fastpasses, took a midday break, and went back in the late afternoon/evening, and we were fine. On Christmas Eve, MK was absolutely packed by 1 p.m. Lines out the women's restroom doors, 20 minute waits to buy popcorn, etc. Christmas Day at Epcot was slightly better, but still very, very crowded. Dec. 26 was our last day at the parks (MK), and it was more crowded than the weekend, but not as crowded as Christmas Eve.

One other important thing we noticed was the huge amount of guests arriving Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Dec. 26. We stayed at the Polynesian, and there was a constant line at the check in counter everytime we walked by there. So I can only imagine how busy it got after we left. Next year we are going to go Dec. 16-26, so we can take better advantage of the lighter crowds before the holiday, be there for Christmas, then get the heck out. :lol: Good luck with your planning!

Thanks for your help, sounds like the week before is a better option!

I know the weather obviously changes each year but how was weather when you was there? Was you able to sit by the pool or too cold for that?

 

[kstella]

Any time starting the week after Thanksgiving through the week before Christmas is much better than Christmas time. Same decorations, same shows, light crowds!:xmas:

 

[mousefan1972]

Thanks for your help, sounds like the week before is a better option!

I know the weather obviously changes each year but how was weather when you was there? Was you able to sit by the pool or too cold for that?

Actually, we were surprised at how nice the weather was. No rain, and temps in the 70's during the day and low 60's at night. We went to the pool one afternoon, but I found it a bit chilly to actually swim. It didn't bother my kids, though. :lol: Although Disney heats their pools, we didn't think the water was that warm. :shrug:

We were advised to bring jackets, gloves, etc, since it can get quite cold. But, we never needed them. Just a sweatshirt at night, and maybe 2 or 3 out of the 8 nights we were there we changed into jeans before going back out. (Shorts during the day)
Maybe we'll cross paths this December! :wave:

 

[Rob562]

I know the weather obviously changes each year but how was weather when you was there? Was you able to sit by the pool or too cold for that?

The weather in Central Florida in December can be VERY variable... I like to equate it with autumn here in New England. Some days it can be very warm in the upper 70's, shorts and t-shirts weather. Other days it struggles to get out of the 50's, and you're walking around in long pants, sweatshirt, maybe a jacket, sometimes even a hat and gloves. The trick is to pack for all possibilities.

I was just in WDW from Dec 6th to the 12th. It was the best weather I've ever had in the 10 years I've been visiting in December. I could have easily worn shorts every day if I'd packed enough warm-weather stuff. On that Saturday, I was in the Magic Kingdom at midnight in jeans and a t-shirt and very comfortable. (In fact, I had brought a sweatshirt with me, thinking it would get cool after sunset. It didn't, and I eventually put the sweatshirt on simply because I was tired of carrying it.)

But compare that to a couple years ago, and the temp on one trip barely made it into the mid-60's in the afternoons. Evenings definitely required a sweatshirt as soon as the sun went down.

So, pack for variable weather, and be prepared to do a load of laundry mid-week if the weather stays at either of the extremes and you run out of clothes.

-Rob

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Until about Dec 27 the crowds are tolerable...after that the place is packed.

 

[santa's surpriz]

Trip Dec 15-23rd 2007, light in the beginning of the week and busier closer it got to Christmas, but not crazy. Weather was a little cooler, but honestly I liked it better that way. We had 60 degree days and 75 degree days very little humidity.

I will say if you are going at Christmas, go to MVMCP. Even though our night was a sell out, once you get in the park and past the in/out crowds on Main Street-an extremely managable crowd. We spent most of the evening in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland...almost no lines at at all. I was quite surprised!

 

[swimmom]

A few years ago we were there from the 16th to the 23rd and the crowds were not bad at all. It got a little busier toward the end of the trip.

The weather was a bit cool on some evenings. A couple of days I took jackets and stored them in a locker until we needed them in the evenings. One night was so cool that you could see your breath. I was glad to have some mittens in the jacket pocket that night!!!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

• 
  We will be at WDW December 25th - Jan 4th this year

• 
  We booked in April last year - Virgins departures from Dec 25th are over £300 per adult cheaper than departures before this date

• 
  A combined saving of over £1200 and I don't care about WDW crowds

Seriously though, we're expecting busy. We have made our plans and will be doing a few of the "must do" rides and attractions each day - anything else is a bonus. We're primarily there to see the parks and resorts with Christmas decorations, the Christmas lights and of course, the New Years Celebrations.
Apparently the weather this year was a lot more variable than last years - we will be packing everything

 

[mousefan1972]

• We will be at WDW December 25th - Jan 4th this year

• We booked in April last year - Virgins departures from Dec 25th are over £300 per adult cheaper than departures before this date

• A combined saving of over £1200 and I don't care about WDW crowds

Seriously though, we're expecting busy. We have made our plans and will be doing a few of the "must do" rides and attractions each day - anything else is a bonus. We're primarily there to see the parks and resorts with Christmas decorations, the Christmas lights and of course, the New Years Celebrations.
Apparently the weather this year was a lot more variable than last years - we will be packing everything

And you will be fine, b/c you're expecting the crowds and you know how to deal with it. It's the guests that have no idea how crowded it will be, and don't plan accordingly, who will have a miserable time.

I'll be leaving as you're arriving! (I'll wave to you at the airport!) :lol:

 

[Disney Stacey]

:xmas: Hi we to are going to WDW at Christmas 08 :sohappy:
we actually get there on the 11th Dec 08 so thought we would go MK twice.
once b4 Christmas day to do the MVMCP, rides and so on and the second just to soak up the atmosphere and be at the most Magical place i can think of, with the most special people in my life.
my DH Lee-34
my DS Rhys-16
my DD Demi-14
and finally my youngest DD Tia-4

Hope All Your Disney Dreams Come True

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I'll be leaving as you're arriving! (I'll wave to you at the airport!) :lol:

:wave: Just in case I miss you !!!