Going The Week Before Christmas 12/15-12/23

[SPOERLX3]

We have chosen the week before Christmas (Dec 15-23) to go to DisneyWorld this year. I have found information that says that week is one of the slowest and some say it has horrible crowds. I am soooooo confused. :veryconfu Can anyone help me, from experience, to know what to expect that week as far as crowd level. I am also driving myself crazy as to which days of the week that we should go to each park to experience the lowest crowds. And just think... I have 9 months before we go. I should be really crazy :hammer: by then. Here are my 2 questions:

1. Can anyone help with info on the normal crowd level during this week of the year.
2. Any input on which days of the week seem to be the best/least crowded at each park?

I have googled alot but everyone seems to have different opinions. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kman101]

I've personally never been around this time so I couldn't help. I'd probably venture a guess that it's moderate crowds. Not insane but not dead either, although the closer to Christmas, I'm sure the busier it gets.

 

[KeithVH]

Well, as has been stated before, there really is no slow time like there used to be. And that's where a lot of the old statements on the 'net about slow times are from. We've been going in December at various times for years. Gave up on the first week because of Pop Warner. But then other groups started coming in after that. We've moved our plans for this year to the week after Thanksgiving to give that a try. It's a crap shoot, methinks.

All said, it probably won't be that bad for the first part of your trip. But by Friday the 21st, you can bet that things are gonna start picking up consistently until the 25th peak.

As far as daily attendance figures. I think the Unofficial Guide probably has as good a set of numbers as anyone. I think reliable/current attendance figures are not easy to come by though.

 

[MPitzen]

I would check touringplans.com They'll have info on which days will be the best and worst for which parks.

I was in Disney the week you're talking about in '05. From what I had heard I was expecting moderate crowds. However, I found the crowds to be absolutely terrible. They were actually worse that week than the summer and then the week of christmas to new years from 2003. Although, as others have said... you never really know anymore. Somehow tourinplans seems to be very accurate though.

Have fun and good luck!

 

[tmjfarrell]

just before Christmas

We have been there at that time and I'd say moderate at 1st and slowly getting busier as you get closer to Christmas Day. Christmas Day is nuts, fun, but still very busy. We will be there this year right in the middle of it, 25th thru the 1st. You know though, there is no better place to be. Mind set is the most important. It will be busy, go early as possible, take a break mid day and go back for the late fun. This will be our 27th trip to WDW and I wish it was our 50th. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:xmas:

TF

We have chosen the week before Christmas (Dec 15-23) to go to DisneyWorld this year. I have found information that says that week is one of the slowest and some say it has horrible crowds. I am soooooo confused. :veryconfu Can anyone help me, from experience, to know what to expect that week as far as crowd level. I am also driving myself crazy as to which days of the week that we should go to each park to experience the lowest crowds. And just think... I have 9 months before we go. I should be really crazy :hammer: by then. Here are my 2 questions:

1. Can anyone help with info on the normal crowd level during this week of the year.
2. Any input on which days of the week seem to be the best/least crowded at each park?

I have googled alot but everyone seems to have different opinions. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

We will be there this year right in the middle of it, 25th thru the 1st. You know though, there is no better place to be. Mind set is the most important. It will be busy, go early as possible, take a break mid day and go back for the late fun.

Welcome aboard :wave:

I'm going that same week NEXT year - be sure to update us as to crowd levels etc

 

[wil303]

My family goes every year the week after Christmas (few days before New Year's thru the first week of January) and it is usually packed. I think that New Year's Eve is usually the most crowed day of the year. As long as your mindset is to expect big crowds, then you shouldn't have a problem. We know it's going to be crowded every time we go, so it's really not a big deal to us. As long as i am not at work, it can be as crowded as it wants to be and i could care less!

 

[jesserin]

My family goes every year the week after Christmas (few days before New Year's thru the first week of January) and it is usually packed. I think that New Year's Eve is usually the most crowed day of the year. As long as your mindset is to expect big crowds, then you shouldn't have a problem. We know it's going to be crowded every time we go, so it's really not a big deal to us. As long as i am not at work, it can be as crowded as it wants to be and i could care less!

Bingo. The week before Christmas and the week after are always insane. Long lines and mega crowds, but lots of festivities and fun stuff as well. Prepare to wait... and be jolly about it! :xmas:

 

[Alexx]

I went for Christmas 2005, the queues are VERY short except on Christmas day when everybody just piles into the parks, when you're going it should be fine. The queues are short.
The parks aren't dead, but they aren't packed in with people, its just nice.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We go every year for the week before and a couple of days after Christmas. Up until Christmas Day, the crowds are pretty light. Christmas afternoon MK gets crowded, but the evening is NOT. The day after Christmas the nightmare crowds set in. Still, it's wonderfully festive.

 

[ThinkTink721]

We have chosen the week before Christmas (Dec 15-23) to go to DisneyWorld this year. I have found information that says that week is one of the slowest and some say it has horrible crowds. I am soooooo confused. :veryconfu Can anyone help me, from experience, to know what to expect that week as far as crowd level. I am also driving myself crazy as to which days of the week that we should go to each park to experience the lowest crowds. And just think... I have 9 months before we go. I should be really crazy :hammer: by then. Here are my 2 questions:

1. Can anyone help with info on the normal crowd level during this week of the year.
2. Any input on which days of the week seem to be the best/least crowded at each park?

I have googled alot but everyone seems to have different opinions. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

I have never been to WDW during this time, but according to what I have read & heard, it is a busy time.
Holidays always seem to be busy at WDW.
But, I hear that the decorations & fanfare are worth it!
I hear that Mondays & Saturdays are busy days for the MK.
Hope this helps!
:wave:

 

[Kman101]

From what I've heard, it shouldn't be THAT packed. Not summertime packed but I'd probably expect moderate crowds that grow bigger as it gets closer to Christmas.

 

[drp4video]

We have been going for Christmas and NEw years fro quite some time now. Last year, 2006, was the first year we skipped due to the crowds we endured in 2005. We used to get there around the 19-20th of December and stay until after New Years. It starts getting really bad around the friday before Christmas when the schools let out. CHristmas day is always the MK for us, and it is not that bad. THe day after and until new years, it is insane. But, parks are open later, so we always got to do most of what we wanted, just long lines. Go with the idea that you will enjoy the holiday, and most likely won't get to see and do everything you want. THe decorations are great, and it is a festive time of year. Love the Osbourne lights...But, due to the crowds, after CHristmas 2005 we swore we would not go back at Christmas, which is why we didn't go last year.

oh, and by the way, gulp, we will be arriving at the World on 12/24/07 :lol:

 

[cemcgee]

Every year we visit Disney the week before Christmas, leaving Christmas Eve and the week of July 4th. Christmas time at Disney is my favorite time of the year!! The crowds aren't too bad at the beginning of the week and by the time we leave, we miss all the big crowds. Mickey's Merry Christmas party is really neat.. The parade is awesome!! The weather is always pleasant and the decorations are beautiful!! You will love to visit the Kingdom at this time of the year, it is very magical!!!:xmas:

 

[WDWPrnces02]

Good Luck and Have Fun!!!!!

I went december 2002 (for my 21st B-day)...and had a blast. Im hoping to go again this dec for my 26th b-day (dec 18th).

Well, around the 21st you'll notice alot more people checking in/ crowding the parks. After that,its a ZOO!!!


Just a few tips to help you out

Before December 21:

1. check out all the major rides/attractions at all theme parks.

2. If you haven't seen the Osborne Lights/ Mickey's very Merry X-Mas Parade do it early in your trip.


After the 21st:

1. hit last minute shopping and favorite attractions (dont forget the Fastpass!!!!)

 

[SPOERLX3]

Thank You All

This Is All Great Info, Thank You All! I Looked At The Crowd Calendar At Touring Plans And It Actually Is Showing That Monday-friday Are Just 4's(with Tuesday Being A 3) On A Scale Of 1-10, Saturday Is A 6 And The Sunday Before Christmas An 8(that Is Our Last Day And Probably Won't Spend Much Time At The Parks Anyway. So................................i Think We Will Be Fine And Yes I Have The Mvmcp And Cp All Scheduled! I Will Definitely Absorb All The Splendor! I Can't Wait!

 

[Krimedog]

My mom and i always go in December, but we go probably from the 5 to 10 or so. this year since i start college, i have exams from the 7-14 so i cant go until after exams. So we are going from the 15-21. When we used to go from teh 5th on, it was nothing. Last year in MK we stayed on splash 3 consecutive times, and could have stayed longer but we wanted to check the parade. Once you hit around X mas into new years, vcowds become very horrendous though. When you go it should be a very light crowd with some short wait times.

 

[santa's surpriz]

We have chosen the week before Christmas (Dec 15-23) to go to DisneyWorld this year. I have found information that says that week is one of the slowest and some say it has horrible crowds. I am soooooo confused. :veryconfu Can anyone help me, from experience, to know what to expect that week as far as crowd level. I am also driving myself crazy as to which days of the week that we should go to each park to experience the lowest crowds. And just think... I have 9 months before we go. I should be really crazy :hammer: by then. Here are my 2 questions:

1. Can anyone help with info on the normal crowd level during this week of the year.
2. Any input on which days of the week seem to be the best/least crowded at each park?

I have googled alot but everyone seems to have different opinions. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Those are the exact dates I will be there with my daughter..she will 5 and it will be her first trip to WDW. We are excited! As should you! I did my research and am fairly confident that will not be too crazy. Most of my park visits are when the beginning of the week, my last park visit is scheduled on Thursday at DIS/MGM. See you there!