How crowded is WDW, REALLY, in December?

[jcamacam]

Can anyone, based on personal experience, tell me how crowded WDW truly is in December, particularly the week BEFORE Christmas?

I am heading down there with my husband, two year old son and 15 of my in-laws 12/13 to 12/20 and, since this is the first time most of them have been there (and they're looking to my husband and I as WDW veterans), I'm scared to death they're going to hate it because of the terrible crowds I keep hearing about.

I've been to WDW about 17 times but NEVER at Christmas time.

It looks as though, based on the park hours Disney has posted on their site, that the crowds may not start picking up until the day we actually leave (12/20).

Can anyone provide any info on this?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyJill]

I was there the week before Christmas 4 years ago and crowds were heavy, but not like 4th of July heavy. Maybe comparable to the beginning of June, when it's busy but the summer crowds haven't hit yet.

 

[josh_e_washie]

That is usually my favorite time to go because the lines are so short. The week of christman is awful...but the weekend after thanksgiving to the week before christmas seems to be a great lul in the crowds.

 

[copper]

I've been going to WDW a week or 2 before Christmas for over18+ years and it's the best time to go! Up until 5 years ago I had never been to WDW at any other time of the year. One year,1989, we were there Dec 23 and it still wasn't crowded. The crowds start Dec 24/25 through New Years. The only problem with time of year is the weather. It can be a bit cold but coming from NY it's still warmer then home. One year we wore our down jackets and actually bought ski hats in the park. We,frankly, go to WDW for the rides/attractions not for the pools etc. I still find it hard to take it easy when I go to WDW. I still want to see everything even though I've been soooooo many times. I would love to go around Christmas time again. Have a good time.

 

[Disney Couple]

This is the best time of year to go. My family and I have been visiting Disney for many years. When we take our kids it si the only time fo the year that we will go. This is based solely on the crowd pattern. We often comment on how few people ar ein the park as compared to the times that my wife and I go alone. This in additon to the Christmas holiday decorations etc. make it a wonderful time to go. We will not take the kids any other time o fthe year.

 

[ead79]

I went December 16-20, 2000, and December 16-21, 2001. I went a little earlier in December in 2002. I never found crowds to be even the slightest bit bad. I think it's the perfect time of year to go. The weather is generally nice, there are fun special events (like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional), and all the parks and resorts are decorated. I never saw the crowds start to pick up until the day we left, so I think you should be fine.

 

[luvorlando]

You should be fine. It's the week OF Christmas that I'd avoid.