Questions re: celebrating Christmas at Disney [week before and after + crowd levels] About This Page:

[fairestofthemall]

We are thinking about celebrating Christmas at Disney this year. Dec 19-26, 2011.

Can anyone tell me what it is like, the week before and the week of Christmas? What are the crowd levels?

Thanks!
Danielle

[HiddenMickey]

You'll find that the crowds get bigger and bigger as you get closer to Christmas. From Christmas Eve on, you'll be in the masses. Make sure you get to the parks at opening and make good use of your Fastpasses while you can. It's still fun. We made sure we got all the 'main' things we wanted to do done the few days before Christmas eve and then we didn't have to worry about missing out because of crowds, and spent more time enjoying the holiday atmosphere and less popular attractions once the parks got busy.

I'm thinking about doing Christmas this year as well (DD has requested that time again).

[WishandDream]

We were there last Christmas. I would agree that the crowds get bigger the closer to Christmas you go, but they don't get to the park-closing level until after Christmas. We were there the 23-30 and found the first few days to be busy, but very manageable. Early morning and late at night are you best options. We were actually surprised at how good the crowds were on the 24th and the 25th. But I never want to experience the crowds of the 28th and 29th again.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions. It definitely is a magical time to travel there! And the feature of MVMCP are included in the regular MK schedule Christmas week!

Good luck planning!

[808boneplayer]

From what past members have written about crowd levels... it seems like the levels vary each year. My GF and I just got back from our trip and we went from the 17th-26th of DEC. The only time we noticed the crowd level was when we were standing in line for something or when a parade would be taking place. All sit down restaurants were booked, or just assume they will be so take advantage of the ADR.

Weather for us varied. Some days were nice and sunny, high 30's, and we had rain on two occasions.

Leading up to xmas the crowd or line levels increased but to my knowledge the parks did close. I've heard of crowd levels being so high that the park would close and not let anyone else in. Lucky for us, that didn't happen. Also, you might get tips on which parks to avoid on certain days leading to xmas. Honestly, it doesn't really matter. We thought we would have to avoid MK on xmas day because everyone would want to go there. Wrong, we did it anyway and found it was nice. Just make sure your in the parks as soon as it opens.

Finally, I'm in the process of making a montage of our stay. It will be on Youtube. I will post a blog when I'm done with it. Hope this helps. If you have anymore questions fill free to ask.

Aloha,
TRavis

[chezp]

The week after Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year. The week leading up to Christmas gradually gets busier day by day, but I'd much prefer to go before Christmas, rather than after. I think the dates you're looking at wouldn't be too bad at the start of your stay, but it would get busier as you head towards Christmas Day. I'd try and hit the big rides in the first few days of your visit.

[TraD4Disney]

We went the 19th through the 24th this past year. It was crowded but extremely doable. If you get there at park opening then you'll be able to knock out the big rides before the crowds really come in. By 11am you'll be done with the headliners and the lines will be at least an hour wait.

It's a beautiful time to visit. Christmas time at Disney is fun if you plan for the crowds (meaning-get up early).

[MelissaSue]

My husband and I were there from Dec. 16-23, 2010. The first couple of days were totally blissful--very low waits and very low crowds. It started to get crowded on the 19th (Sunday before Christmas) and got progressively worse. By the 22, Magic Kingdom was sort of insane. Lots of screaming kids and angry parents. I wouldn't want to do it again. We still had a blast, though!

[rnpremie]

Going to Disney World !2/16-12/23, 2011. If we don't attend the Very Merry Mickey Christmas Party on Dec 18, will we still see the Christmas shows, Wishes and parades? Trying to decide if I should purchase tickets. Read on one website that after the last "party", everyone will see the Christmas productions for the remainder of the season. Don't mind buying the tickets, but if we are going to see the same things the next week, not sure I should. Anyone know for sure? Don't want to miss my granddaughters seeing this. Thank you!!!!!

[thinktink79]

We went . Dec,2009 19th-26th> It was so AWSOME . I mean one surprise was that it was SOOOO cold. (did not see that one coming) but the magic and sights and food and EVERYTHING made up for it. lol The parks were full, more so then when we go during the summer, but it was not to the point that we could not move. It was cool.

[chillepepa]

We usually go in July, and are use to Summer crowds. We finally went to WDW this past Christmas - 2010. We were there Dec 19 - Jan 1. Really the crowds were not bad until about Dec 29th. After that forget it. That is not to say it was not busy Dec 19-28 but the lines really didn't seem any longer than they are in July, sometimes they were actually shorter. Oh, maybe that was due to the cold front that rolled down from New England. That did scare a lot of people away. But being from Colorado 46 degrees was not cold. Anyway, after the 29th the lines got increasingly longer. By Dec 31, the lines at Epcot were 3-4 hours long!

I would go to WDW again for Christmas but I am heading home the 28th-29th. Really you should be fine Dec 19-26.

[V'sMommy]

I'm so glad I saw this thread! I'm taking my 3yo (soon to be 4) DD to Disney 12/23rd-26th and I was getting concerned that it might be too crazy and crowded but this thread is making me feel better!

[shnewell]

We are going 12/19-12/26 as well, so thanks for posting this! I think our plan is to do as others have said and hit the "big" stuff when we first arrive. We may spend a little time in the parks on Christmas Day, but I've built in some time for resort hopping that day to look at the different Christmas decorations, as I fear the park crowds may just be too much for our group (there are 8 of us traveling together). Then we're hoping to get an ADR at Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner so we can avoid eating in the parks.

[taylan1]

We were there the 19th through the 27th of December 2008 and the crowds were heavy but manageable. They did increase closer to Christmas and we did not do MK on Christmas Day (we did AK and it was very nice, no crowds until later in the afternoon) and it worked out very well. After Christmas it was not bad at all but the day we were leaving we saw the increase it was VERY noticeable at our resorts food court. We were happy we were leaving. We stayed elsewhere that week and did not do the parks but we saw signs on many days that week of the parks being Closed due to capacity, so I would never go on that week at all. Your dates should be just fine, just avoid MK on Christmas day ( it did close due to capacity).

[PrincessSunshine]

We have been there for Christmas the last 2 years and will be there again this year and the crowds weren't bad until around 1pm, seems everybody slept in. We got to the MK at 6:45 and the crowds weren't bad at all. We had a nice breakfast at CP, and even some of the tables were empty. We left MK around 1pm and went back to Pop and took a nap, then headed to DHS, which wasn't crowded, that was around 4-5, we rode a couple of things, then headed to DTD and had dinner and shopped awhile.

We will be there Dec 19-26 this year and I can't imagine the crowds would be too bad until Dec 23-24, but not as bad as Dec 26 on.

We have been every Dec since 2006 and the first week was the worst with Pop Warner, then we were going the week prior to Christmas in 2007 and 2008 and that was also a good time, but we have enjoyed Christmas week as well.

rnpremie, you can see the parade, Holiday Wishes and the other shows after the last MVMCP for free. The parade moves to daytime though. If I could see it for free, I certainly wouldn't pay for party tickets, the only difference that I know of are the free refreshments and the little children's dance parties.

Suzanne

[rnpremie]

Thank you for your replies re: VMMCP! Now....I am taking my granddaughters during this time frame and am trying to decide between Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside and Pop Century. The last reviews I read in The COmplete WDW 2011 book were not very flattering to POFQ which I thought was my first choice. Help me out......any suggestions or comments on accommodations, buses, food, etc. Thank you!!!! Mary