Week Before/Of Christmas vs. Week between Christmas/NY Day

[clemsontyger]

We are planning our first family trip and planning for a December arrival. We have a 4 and 6 year old. We had originally planned to be there the week between CHristmas and New Years, but have read on many blogs this is one of the worst, if not the single worst week to go due to crowd.

Has anyone had experience with that week vs. say the week just before and into the week OF Christmas? We had originally planned 12/25-1/1, but now thinking 12/18-12/24. Does anyone think we will see a noticeable difference in the crowd between those two options? Obviously it's going to be busy either way, but we're hoping maybe a bit less busy the week before.

 

[sxeensweet]

Yes there will be a major difference in the crowds!! I would go before Christmas 12/18-12/24! The week of Christmas - New Years is the busiest week of the whole entire year!! Avoid at all costs if you have a choice!!
You will get to experience all the same events etc and the crowds
Will be a lot better than starting on Christmas day!!

 

[clemsontyger]

Good deal, thanks for that quick response. That's what we were thinking, but I wasn't positive. We had leaned the week between just because it gave us more days of travel, but with the week before, we found a way to make it work so that we get pretty much the same amount of time there (6 days). Thinking that's the way we'll end up going for sure (12/18).

 

[sxeensweet]

Good deal, thanks for that quick response. That's what we were thinking, but I wasn't positive. We had leaned the week between just because it gave us more days of travel, but with the week before, we found a way to make it work so that we get pretty much the same amount of time there (6 days). Thinking that's the way we'll end up going for sure (12/18).

Your welcome! Now it will get busier towards the end of your trip but you will not be dealing with the extremely heavy crowds the whole time this way. Inbetween thanksgiving and Christmas is me and DH favorite time to go!

 

[LAKid53]

And Disney charges a premium for rooms that week. The photos of wall to wall people in front of the Castle discouraged me.

 

[Disney4family]

We went the week before and left on 12/23. It was manageable until 12/23. That day was impossible. It was challenging to enjoy the magic.

 

[Sage of Time]

I usually go the week before Christmas and it can be crowded, but it isn't terrible. Kinda like summer.

 

[rt06]

That week's crowds and wait times made the local news, and I live in NY.

 

[clemsontyger]

Well this sounds like it will be a lovely experience.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I have a number of friends who have done both. The ones who go the week before are ALWAYS much happier with the crowds during their trips. The ones who have gone week of often come back saying - never again.

 

[clemsontyger]

I guess I should clarify "week before", because it will be the tail end of the week before (12/18 arrival). So we will straddle the week before and week of. But surely, even though crowded, it is better than the week between Christmas Day and New Years right? Or between those weeks is it pretty much even as far as being terrible.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I guess I should clarify "week before", because it will be the tail end of the week before (12/18 arrival). So we will straddle the week before and week of. But surely, even though crowded, it is better than the week between Christmas Day and New Years right? Or between those weeks is it pretty much even as far as being terrible.

By week before...I'm thinking days prior to 12/24.

 

[ParentsOf4]

I guess I should clarify "week before", because it will be the tail end of the week before (12/18 arrival). So we will straddle the week before and week of. But surely, even though crowded, it is better than the week between Christmas Day and New Years right? Or between those weeks is it pretty much even as far as being terrible.

Crowds start to climb the Saturday before Christmas. This year, Christmas is on a Friday, which means WDW will start to get crowded on December 19 as people arrive throughout that weekend. By Monday, December 21, WDW should be very crowded.

Will it be better than the days between Christmas and New Year? Yes.

But it's still going to be packed.

 

[Disnee4Me]

We are booked 12/17 - 12/26 this December. We've done week before through NYE and definitely notice the difference going earlier vs during the holiday week. We'd book earlier than 12/17, but one DS is in college and may not be done with finals before that.

 

[SMS55]

Go the week before if you have the option. December is generally not bad as long as the kids are in school. Once the kids let out of school, the crowds start growing daily and will go peak right before Christmas and on through New Years. I haven't been to Disney for Christmas or new Year's in years and will not. I go in early December and the parks are totally decked out for the holidays. You won't miss much. This is the photo my son sent me on New Year's Eve at about 10:00am. I can't remember if it was this past year or the year before. Parks will experience closures due to crowds, so plan to get there early if you go from Christmas to New Year's.

 

[Kate Alan]

If you have the option, go the week before. We went this past Christmas from the 26th-30th, and while we had an excellent time, any alleviation from those crowds, however slight, will only benefit you. We were able to hit up every ride and then some but it required major strategic planning on my part and some very early mornings, lol. I'm not sure going that week is something I'd want to do again (I'm used to my Jan./Feb. light crowds!), but it was certainly a fun experience!

 

[Figgy1]

Yes!!!!!!!! I agree!!!!!! Go as early as you can to make the most of your trip! Make sure to be at rope drop at least 30 minutes prior to park opening, even with the crowds if you do that you'll get more done. BTW make sure to get your ADRs on exactly the 180 day mark, so you can eat where you want, otherwise all the good places will be booked up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For a first trip with children I'd say try and get Chef Mickey's, CRT if you have a girl, BOG for the whole family, and Crystal Palace. Have a magical time!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

If you're not planning to stay for the New Years Eve celebrations go the week before Christmas - you can experience everything that Disney has to offer with slightly smaller crowds