How Bad is the Christmas Crowd at WDW?

[stan2u]

we've been there twice during Christmas week and another in mid-December. At most it's been warm - never hot/humid like summer. (At worst it was in the 20s!) The BO/deodorant issue was never a problem then. Not like the time we went in June!

[D2000lands]

I normally go around the beginning of December and have found it quite well. I actually like the 2nd full week in December because the first full week of December also has the Pop Warner super bowl. The Pop Warner super bowl this year is November 30-December 8. I planned it pretty well, since while Pop Warner is going on, I'll be on the Disney Fantasy in the Eastern Caribbean, and then come to the parks on the 8th, just as Pop Warner is ending.

[Cheshire Figment]

There will generally be Stage Closings at the Parks daily between Christmas and New Years. I have seen times when three of the four Parks have been at some level of capacity close at the same time.

There are five stages to Park Closings, based on number of people in a Park. The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.

Stage Zero - Due to limited available parking, Guests may be directed to alternate parking areas where they will use Resort transportation to travel to the park of their choice.

Stage 1 - At this stage each Guest in a vehicle must have a valid multi-day ticket. Also Guests with a Park Hopper or re-entering the Park, by showing a currently dated Parking Receipt, will be allowed in. Also, any Guests using Disney transportation are allowed.

Stage 2 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets crossing over from another Park, Guests re-entering this Park today. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted. Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Stage 3 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group for Stages 2 and 3. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included.

[ssmerdel]

We went this past Christmas from Dec 21 through Dec 30. From the 21st until the 24th, it was manageable, but after that is was crazy busy. We knew it was going to be busy, so we were prepared, but is was still a little frustrating. I would have a difficult time choosing to go during this time again. However, the Candlelight Processional was awesome. If you go, I highly recommend it.

[dngnb8]

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

Christmas at the parks is a bucket list. Something about the environment and the holiday is amazing. However, and this sounds contradictory, its a 1 time deal.

If youre goal is the attractions, then prepare for long long long lines. The parade crowds are double then normal. If youre going for eye candy, sounds, etc, then its incredible.

[LPnerd]

xmas is a season, it's hard to answer a question about xmas crowds without knowing dates. I can tell you the decorations go up the day after thanksgiving.Of course, the closer you get to the actual day, the busier it gets. and the closer it gets the fl people leave if they can, statewide, rofl.

[scoobydooby]

It is busy the week before and crazy busy the week after.

[dban3]

I had a cast member explain Christmas week to me when I was planning a trip from right before Christmas till New Years Eve. "Imagine the most amount of people you have ever seen at WDW at any one time.... then double it."

[Drince88]

xmas is a season, it's hard to answer a question about xmas crowds without knowing dates. I can tell you the decorations go up the day after thanksgiving.Of course, the closer you get to the actual day, the busier it gets. and the closer it gets the fl people leave if they can, statewide, rofl.

Most of the decorations are up before the day after Thanksgiving. Some of the special events also start before then (Castle lighting, Christmas parties, Osborne lights, and I think the parade in AK) , but the final events start the day after Thanksgiving (Candlelight, Epcot Storytellers, special ending to Illuminations)

[Skippydoo]

Christmas at the parks is a bucket list. Something about the environment and the holiday is amazing. However, and this sounds contradictory, its a 1 time deal.

If youre goal is the attractions, then prepare for long long long lines. The parade crowds are double then normal. If youre going for eye candy, sounds, etc, then its incredible.

We're going for Christmas week this year for the experience, and have in mind to only do two possible three attractions for each park. I think though that I'll be planning another trip next year for a really slow time hopefully so I can remember it isn't always that crazy crowded...

[scoobydooby]

We're going for Christmas week this year for the experience, and have in mind to only do two possible three attractions for each park. I think though that I'll be planning another trip next year for a really slow time hopefully so I can remember it isn't always that crazy crowded...

You can do loads if you get up early! If you read my trip report for Christmas 2010 you will see how much me and my DD accomplished Dec 26th. You will also see how much we didn't do days we rolled into the parks late. We had a great time both ways, but don't just default to the idea you'll ride nothing. If you are first at the parks you can still do a lot of stuff in the first 3 hours of the day.

[CBFETT]

One word. PACKED!

[Skippydoo]

You can do loads if you get up early! If you read my trip report for Christmas 2010 you will see how much me and my DD accomplished Dec 26th. You will also see how much we didn't do days we rolled into the parks late. We had a great time both ways, but don't just default to the idea you'll ride nothing. If you are first at the parks you can still do a lot of stuff in the first 3 hours of the day.

Except for our first day when we'll go to Epcot we're planning to be at the parks for early EMH/ rope drop, but with 2 small kids adjusting to a 3 hour time change I'm afraid the plan may have to go out the window in favor of avoiding meltdowns.

I'm certain we'll have a great time... but we're used to park storming without kids so this trip we're going to have make lots of adjustments to our usual way of doing things... in years past we'd go at rope drop and stay to close. We'd ride everything, do every show and eat all 3 meals in park. So we're not just slowing down because of the Christmas crowds, but also the little ones.

So, we've picked two or three must do's for each park for each of us. Those will be our priorities. After that we'll see. We just got all our ADR's so those put us on a schedule, but we really want to give the kids plenty of time to relax and not feel too pressured to get to all the rides.

I did read your trip report. I think I read every Christmas related trip report out there as we were planning... they were soooooo helpful. Thanks for writing one!

[Drince88]

Except for our first day when we'll go to Epcot we're planning to be at the parks for early EMH/ rope drop, but with 2 small kids adjusting to a 3 hour time change I'm afraid the plan may have to go out the window in favor of avoiding meltdowns.

You're not in NM any more? Only 2 hour time change from NM, 3 from the Pacific time zone.

Scoobydooby's idea of doing 2 early mornings, then a sleep in, I think is GREAT for most families. Also, if you're taking breaks in the afternoon AND not going until park close, the kids may surprise you. Just don't forget to leave the parks early enough for your break to get a FULL break in (whatever that means for your family) before you have to get moving towards making any dinner ADRs. That was a big unknown when I traveled with one sister and her family (youngest was 3 at the time) - not knowing how long the breaks needed to be. They had a very short visit, plus we didn't want to be too scheduled - so our ADRs were for breakfast and lunch - and we did Counter Service for dinner so we could play that more by ear.

[3Princesses1Prince]

I thought the same thing too when we scheduled a 8 am Cinderella Royal Table breakfast our first day. The kids were fine and we were on the bus at 7am. The time change caught up with us on day 2.

[scoobydooby]

For the first two trips when mine were younger I scheduled mornings, lunch ADRs, took the break and often played the evening by ear. I found dinner ADRs hard when DD was 5 and 6.

[Skippydoo]

You're not in NM any more? Only 2 hour time change from NM, 3 from the Pacific time zone.

I'm in NM, but the kids and parental units are in Seattle... so they have the 3 hour change. I'm the Auntie joining them on the trip.

I thought the same thing too when we scheduled a 8 am Cinderella Royal Table breakfast our first day. The kids were fine and we were on the bus at 7am. The time change caught up with us on day 2.

If it hits the kids on Day 2 we're in trouble. That's our DHS day and Kid 1 wants to do Jedi training so bad... if he was grumpy and tired and they don't let him sign up his little heart will break...

For the first two trips when mine were younger I scheduled mornings, lunch ADRs, took the break and often played the evening by ear. I found dinner ADRs hard when DD was 5 and 6.

And we'll have a 2 and 5 year old... we're planning earlyish dinners and back to the resort for good solid night's sleep each night.

But the crowds concern me for a couple of reasons that really don't have to do with long lines. Noise. Kid 1 has sensory issues with noise. We won't be doing fireworks in park for either Illuminations or Wishes partly because we'll need to have them in the room trying to get rest, but also because he can't really stand the noise. The other concern I have for crowds is Mom. We did a experimental trip in Seattle to a music festival and in the afternoon there were some major crowds... Mom was pretty panicky and agitated. So I'm sure we'll have to adjust our plan to help them cope

[Drince88]

I'm in NM, but the kids and parental units are in Seattle... so they have the 3 hour change. I'm the Auntie joining them on the trip.

That's my job, too!!! I love being Tour Guide Aunt Cathy!!

But the crowds concern me for a couple of reasons that really don't have to do with long lines. Noise. Kid 1 has sensory issues with noise. We won't be doing fireworks in park for either Illuminations or Wishes partly because we'll need to have them in the room trying to get rest, but also because he can't really stand the noise. The other concern I have for crowds is Mom. We did a experimental trip in Seattle to a music festival and in the afternoon there were some major crowds... Mom was pretty panicky and agitated. So I'm sure we'll have to adjust our plan to help them cope

For the child - I would recommend either ear plugs or ear muffs. Have them try them at home to see if they can handle them (some kids wiht noise issues also have tactile issues) Lots of people really really like them for their noise sensitive children.

My worst case of 'crowd anxiety' happened in Pike Place Market on a goregeous May Saturday. What helped me out then was getting out of the immediate crowds. The guy I was there with asked if I wanted to go downstairs where it wasn't so crowded - and it REALLY helped. Ideas: Make note of shows and such that have seats and that may not be as popular. This will give her some down time from the people. Even just having my own space, even if the theater is full, is a help for me. If you have to go somewhere in the parks decide when you just want to say "we will meet back up at X" And be specific with the X. I have an easier time manuevering through crowds if I don't have to keep track of where the other people are. This is where it may be hard for her, becuase she's going to have some anxiety regarding the kids with the crowds. I'm presuming you'll have a stroller for at least the 2 year old. It's harder to manuever a stroller in crowds, but at least you know the child is safely contained. Also, make sure 'Mom' stays hydrated (and everyone) -- my tollerance for crowds decreases if I'm tired, hungry, or dehydrated -- and I don't always notice the dehydration one right away. You should be using the facilities regularly!

When I did the trip I mentioned earlier, it was right before Easter, so one of the busier times of the year. I said to them going in that we were going to be at the parks at rope drop, I was going to be a 'tyrant' for the first few hours, but then after that we'd chill and go with the flow more. And it worked pretty well, because of those golden few hours before everyone else was up. They were coming from SW Washington, and arrived around 4 in the afternoon, I think. On arrival day, we did a little pool time, went to DTD for an early dinner, and then chilled back in the rooms. They didn't have a huge negative from the time difference because they were still tired that first day and so went to bed at a good hour for East Coast time. Make sure you do something after traveling all day to let the kids (and adults) burn off some of the physical energy they had to keep pent up during that long flight.

[scoobydooby]

I am badly claustrophobic. It's the main reason I am also a morning tyrant about following touring plans and hitting rope drop. I cannot cope with the crowds if I'm not in control of my next move. Knowing my movements helps me to
cope. The only time I have come close to a panic attack was in Epcot at Christmas and I had to remove myself then. It was after the Candlelight Processional.

[3Princesses1Prince]

If it hits the kids on Day 2 we're in trouble. That's our DHS day and Kid 1 wants to do Jedi training so bad... if he was grumpy and tired and they don't let him sign up his little heart will break...

We did late EMHs the first night too (after a long afternoon break), so I'm sure that contributed.....A LOT! :P Just get to bed a a decent time and you should be fine.