My boyfriend is thinking about going this Christmas but i'm weary of how bad it'll be. i have no idea. I've been to Disneyland around x-mas and it's kinda unbearable to how crowded it is, but it's also a much smaller park. So would WDW be just as bad? or would it seem better since the parks have more space?
thanks!
-x
It depends on when you want to go. The first couple of weeks in December aren't too bad crowd wise. The closer you get to Christmas and New Year the busier it gets, exponentially.
For WDW about a week or so before Christmas it starts getting busy. Go in the beginning to middle of Dec.
My boyfriend and I have been there several times during the first and second weeks of December. It was FABULOUS! I was there for New Year's Eve once and said NEVER AGAIN!
First 2 weeks in December are very nice.. but week of and week after Christmas are unbearable..
They are indeed mobbed. However, get up early ( parks open at 7 and 8 week after Xmas some days) and it can be very enjoyable. I would say if you can't get up very early don't bother.Originally Posted by mco65
If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)
I'm not so sure I'd agree with that. I think you can do fairly well if you stay late and close up the parks. The best alternative is to get up early, do the opening hours, go back to your room for a mid-day nap, then come back in the evening and close them up. But that pattern doesn't work for everybody (ie, every BODY).
Stan
I'm not so sure I'd agree with that. I think you can do fairly well if you stay late and close up the parks. The best alternative is to get up early, do the opening hours, go back to your room for a mid-day nap, then come back in the evening and close them up. But that pattern doesn't work for everybody (ie, every BODY).
Stan
Thanks for the input all! it's hard to get up early since we are coming from L.A. and also late night owls. last time we were at WDW, we'd get up around 11-noon on average.
Then don't do it if you are going to be here when the kids are out of school. If your lucky you will be dealing with crowds. You also might not get in a park at all if you show up later in the day. They often have to stop letting people in then if they get too crowded.
Well we come from the UK and do itbut really, there is no right or wrong time to get up, unless you are visiting Disney peak period. I'd choose another time if I was you.
If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)
The 1st 2 weeks in December have always been my favorite time to go to WDW, because of the decorations, of course, but also because of the lack of crowds & the (usually) pleasant weather.
Everybody has their own clocks to work with, so if that's the best you can do (or if that's just the way you want to do it while on vacation) then more power to you. But for the serious Disney park stormer, that first 2 or 3 hours of the park day are more valuable than just about any other time of day. You can get so much done and beat the crowds, and then go back to your hotel for a nice afternoon nap. As a good friend of mine used to say "Wah wah wah - you can sleep when you're dead - bring me another beer!"
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
WDW does not feel as crowded as DLR during the holidays. We were there on New Years Eve and I never felt like a sardine. I find Main Street and Adventureland at DLR claustrophobic on busy days nevermind the holidays.
THIS i can relate to! haha
If you'd like to see some pictures during the Christmas holiday, you can check out this very good article.
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jacksp...tmas_week.html
I live right here in Orlando and I strongly agree that the first 2 weeks of Dec are the best time to go. The closer to the holiday the crazier it gets. But if it's the only time that you can go, just be prepared and try to get away and look at the resort decorations and especially the lawn decorations at the campground.
GnP
Oh that link was super helpful! thank you! also, do all the xmas decorations and things go up right after thanksgiving? is that a horrible week to go too?
Most of the Christmas DECOR is up before Thanksgiving (they have to have at least the Castle lights for the first Christmas party, and the Osborne lights start right about then, too). However Candlelight and the Epcot Storytellers don't start until Thanksgiving.
The week OF Thanksgiving is busier than the week after, but it's not as bad as Christmas. You just want to make sure you time so you can see some of the special things that start later.
If you're two adults, unless you're in the teaching profession, I HIGHLY recommend the week AFTER Thanksgiving (aka first week of December!)
Cathy
I have to agree. we've been to DL many times and DL crowded is not the same as WDW crowded. in the past year we've spent 4th of July, Christmas and Spring break at WDW. I know people say those are crazy busy times but we did not find it to be too bad compared to what we are used to at DL. we do make sure to take advantage of EMH in the morning and evening. And we utilize the FP's, it's a little more tricky now that they are enforcing the times but still doable!
I was there for a couple of days during Christmas week a few years ago. By 10:00am the Magic Kingdom was closed because it was at capacity. The overflow was all going to Epcot, so it was very crowded there as well. We ended up at Epcot for the day. Lines were long for most attractions. If I was to go again during Christmas week I would do it to enjoy all the holiday decorations, parades, and other events and would not plan on doing too many attractions. Also, I would get fast passes early because most were sold out for the day by 10:00am.
Just agreeing with prior posts; based on experience, I would HIGHLY recommend the first two weeks of December. However, if the choice is to go then or not at all, I would do the Christmas week again.
Stan
Throwing in my "2 cents", I would agree with a lot that was said. I've only been to WDW twice but both were during what is considered peak season. WDW makes me a "morning person" and I am also from the west coast. I don't always like getting up and arriving to the entrance in the dark but it is HIGHLY recommended to beat the crowds. We would recommend that to anyone. Plus, like it was said above, the crowds at WDW are VERY different from DL. We were just at DL yesterday and it felt like a "Christmas crowd" in areas. It was just THAT busy!
We were at WDW in 2011 for Christmas (the 17th thru the 26th) and I didn't notice the crowds getting real heavy until about the 23rd.
Very crowded the last two weeks of December. Went one time and won't go again during that time. Way too many folks!
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Chris - DL in 2014!
and heres another thing to think about... it can still be quit warm in Fl in Dec, and you are stuck in lines, with people from all over the world, coughing, sweating, poor hygine and no deoderant... I have literally gagged before, stading behind a guy from germany that apparently had never heard of body order as a form of rudness. I mean OMG! I love europe and the people, the food, the whole history everything but in crowds, no thanks. sorry. Body order is so offensive and summer months and xmas holiday in the lines at WDW will make you think about joining the peace corp and teaching hygine.
I know, it's kinda funny, and kinda rude to say, but I hope in talking about it, we may help educate and get rid of the problem
LPnerd
I realize from my experience in Italy that the concept of a daily shower/bath is unfathomable to many people; not all of them to be fair, but I never understood why deodorant/anti-perspirant never caught on......
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