Regarding Park Attendence In Mid December

[Jasper Dale]

we are going to be at WDW December 13th to the 17th. i have picked up a few "tourist" books on the parks and i was wondering if the crowds are large enough to try and come up with a "plan" for avoiding large lines.

the last time we went to WDW it was in late April and there were hardly any lines at all.

also, during the "Christmas Party", is it worth it to try and ride the rides during the party, or are they longer than the regular hours of the park?

looking forward to hearing any help you can give me!

 

[ChubbyK]

I go to WDW every December for several reasons. The crowds are very small and can do just about every ride without a wait and because of the wonderful Christmas decorations. To me this is the most magical time of the year to be in Disney World.And as far as Christmas Party it is great. I have rode Big Thunder Mountain three times in a row without ever getting out of the car. The meet & greets are great as well. Such a wonderful time of the year and can not think of a better time to go

 

[Lance]

as long as you're not in WDW the 22nd/23rd or after, you should be set.... lines won't be attrocious... but even with short lines, FASTPASS is always my first option.... if its a 20 minute wait or a fastpass for an hour later... I do FASTPASS... maybe thats just me though...

 

[RiversideBunny]

During the MVMCP your best bet for short lines at the rides is to do the rides while everyone else is standing in front of the castle watching the Christmas stage show.

(Standing and standing and standing and..... My wife insists that we watch it. One December we stood there when it was 30 degrees. Standing and standing .....and freezing. )

But I digress.
Do the rides while while people are watching the show.

Good luck.
:xmas::xmas:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If your April trip avoided Easter and Spring Break then the crowds would be significantly less than December - even so, it'll be quieter than when we go

 

[Jasper Dale]

so how cold does it get at night? we are preparing for the worst, but i was wondering if the temp. fluctuates quite a bit in december?

 

[EPCOT.nut]

so how cold does it get at night? we are preparing for the worst, but i was wondering if the temp. fluctuates quite a bit in december?

Yeah - it is impossible to say but the nights can fluctuate from cold to very cold. It's usually pretty wet feeling so it feels even colder than it is. Last year I will ill-prepared because it was about 75 degrees in the morning and then it dipped into the low 50's to high 40's with a breeze at night and we shivered all night. :lol: And I live here....

 

[marcriss]

We went last year and it was in the upper 70s to low 80s during the day and mid-upper 60s at night. But there was a 2 day cold snap at the end where it was 30º during Illuminations. The previous year was much colder with highs in the low 60s during the day and 40s and fifties at night.

Check yahoo weather or the weatherchannel.com before you go. They can give you an estimate for 10 days out, but pack for both ways. Bring gloves for the VMCP and pack a blanket if you have kids in strollers. The parade is worth it, but waiting for it can be really cold.

Also, maximize the rides while the first parade is going on, the park thins out after the fireworks and you get better viewing for the second parade.

 

[disney4life2008]

Was there last year from the 16th till the 23rd... crowds were very minimal. Epcot was by far the worst park I visited during that time.. the line for Soarin was over 2 hours and once inside the building.. you think your going somewhere and your stuck playing wall games for another hour.

 

[Jasper Dale]

thanks so much for the info.

 

[EPCOT.nut]

thanks so much for the info.

I just noticed you are a new member! Welcome to the boards! :wave:

 

[dove_]

Was there last year from the 16th till the 23rd... crowds were very minimal. Epcot was by far the worst park I visited during that time.. the line for Soarin was over 2 hours and once inside the building.. you think your going somewhere and your stuck playing wall games for another hour.

Oh but I LOVE those games! :lol: They're fun!

Yeah - it is impossible to say but the nights can fluctuate from cold to very cold. It's usually pretty wet feeling so it feels even colder than it is. Last year I will ill-prepared because it was about 75 degrees in the morning and then it dipped into the low 50's to high 40's with a breeze at night and we shivered all night. :lol: And I live here....

I'm going around the same time.. 50's will be quite balmy to me, coming from Michigan, where I'll have been used to around the 30's for about a month!

 

[MrsGhost]

Crowds this year??

Does anyone have an opinion on how the crowds might be this year the week of Christmas? We have noticed that NASCAR races are half empty, restaurants not crowded, movie theaters very slow, etc. People are just not spending as much money right now. Wondering if this year the Christmas crowds at the parks might be smaller also. What do you all think?:xmas: