Pleasantly surprised at Christmas Day crowds....and some good observations

[Erin_Akey]

We spent yesterday at MK and my husband and I were really dreading the crowds and had told the kids not to expect to ride much on our first full day here. It really seemed less crowded to me than the past two Christmas's.

The longest stand-by time we encountered was for Space Mountain and it was only 90 minutes. After Haunted Mansion saying the wait time was 30 minutes, we breezed through in about 15.

The longest we stood anywhere waiting was too get into the luau last night, which was awesome.

I had been hearing so much negativity on here that I was fully prepared to be annoyed, however yesterday was the best Christmas my family has ever had. Food at Liberty Tree was awesome and service was too. Same with the Spirit of Aloha show.

I had also been hearing so many bad things about the bus service. We walked out of Pop Century at 9:30 to get on a bus and the MK one was just loading. Within five minutes another one was there and we were on our way. Same thing last night. We waited much less time than in past years.

We really tried to let CM's know how much we appreciated them being there and not with their families on Christmas Day so that we could have a nice vacation. I think a lot of people take that for granted. Every single CM we encountered was so friendly and helpful.

My favorite part so far- THE CRAZY SALES!!!!!! My son got three baseball hats for less than six bucks each!!! That never happens. I am wondering how many more days these sales will continue?

Things really are still quite magical around here.....

Hope all had a Merry Christmas!!! :wave:

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

Awesome! Sounds like you and your family are having a great time! I'm super jealous! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[krankenstein]

I had a similar experience this past 4th of July. I had heard so much about the crowd level and not being able to move etc. However, it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It wasn't the most enjoyable experience but no where near what I was expecting.

I think if you go into holidays expecting the worse, you get surprised. If you expect a typical day at the parks, you will be disappointed.

 

[goodtimes5286]

I'm had the same thing happen to me (in regard with the mad sales). My only thinking is thinking I've had for years, the lower the prices, the more products more, and thus the more you make in the long run. But more then likely its supply and demand, supply was too much and lowering the prices pushes more units because it increases demand. That and they probably don't want to be stuck with warehouses full of Christmas 08 stuff, when Christmas 08 is the last time you can push these items.

PLUS do you know how cheep these items are anyways? Disney should have been doing this all along with EVERYTHING they own, keeping the park tickets low, the food prices lower, deluxe hotels lower, etc. The only employees pay that comes out of park ticket sales are those working in rides (because those working in stores and restaurant's pay comes out of the items they sell), they get food wicked cheep because they buy so much in bulk (plus food is cheep anyways that's why restaurant chains aren't hurting during this economy), and less empty rooms.

....just my two pennies....

 

[LoriMistress]

Wow! That's great that Christmas at MK wasn't as bad. I'm sure there will be other people who will complain about how bad the parks were on Christmas Day. That's cool that you found some great deals in the parks too!