[klms1423]

We are planning to go to Disney Dec. 23-30 2005. We went Easter week this year and it wasn't terribly crowded. We had a fabulous time. I may be staying off site this time because we want to hit some other attractions in Orlando. Is this time going to be incredibly crowded or should we take a chance? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jodilt]

I haven't been there during that time frame but have heard about the crowds! Beware that if you stay off property and the parks reach capacity you could be denied entry into the park for that day.

[Disneywife]

We were there the week between Christmas and New Years. INCREDIBLY crowded, and every single park did reach capacity each day - even Animal Kingdom closed for about 3 hours on the day that we were there.

But, if you are prepared for things that you might have to skip, and know some other tricks to avoid lines, (Fastpass, for instance), it won't be so bad. But be sure to read about my urge to moo in my trip report while in the Country Bear Jamboree's lobby.

[disneyguy]

NOT!!!!!!!! DO NOT GO CHRISTMAS WEEK!!! MerlinMatt just got back from a trip where he was there until the 23rd I believe.

Disney is crowded, and overpriced(resorts) at this time.

[Dana]

As the others said, this is the busiest week at WDW. There are chances of the parks filling to capacity and you not getting in because you aren't staying on site. I would go the first week of December where you will get all the benefits of the holiday decore and no crowds. If this doens't bother you and you don't mind the gamble, then go for it. You couldn't pay me to go that week. I couldn't take Easter week. I almost never went to WDW again after that vacation.

[jk8]

Gosh, if you really want to spend Christmas at Disney then do it. I would. I went in the middle of July when it was very crowded. You just have to prepare yourself and keep in mind the park capacity thing. Christmas in the World still sounds magical to me.

[lopo]

If the crowds (the largest of the year) don't bother you, you may enjoy being there. However, if you are planning to stay off site, you may find that you are stuck in traffic jams, long lines, etc. just trying to get to a park at WDW or, worse, you could find that the park is closed (capacity is full) when you do get there. That would make me nuts.

I went during Christmas week 2003. I actuallly didn't spend much time in the parks (I know they were closed to visitors after they reached capacity several times), but I enjoyed the resort (BCV) and sightseeing at the other resorts, etc.

I know that I shall not attempt another Christmas trip anytime soon.

[cinderbella]

i was just there the 17th-23rd...while it is beautiful to be there during christmas i highly doubt ill do it any time when i still have my sanity...
espically by the 22nd the park was ridicuously crowded

[lovemysons]

We were really happy with our timing. It seems like it was very crowded during Christmas week. That said, if that is the only time you can visit, then do it. It really is beautiful. Just make sure you obsessively plan for everything and be prepared to deal with the crowd hassle. I am so surprized to hear that it was not crowded at Easter while you were there. We are trying to plan another trip and I was hoping to try Easter time until I read other posts. Now I have new found hope.

[dznygrl]

I have never been during Christmas week, and I never will. I think I have been too spoiled by going during off-peak times (during September or May), because if crowds seem even a little bigger than normal, I get really cranky. It doesn't help that I worked at DLR last summer and spent all my free time in the parks...I told DH that if I had been on vacation during crowds like that, I would have been TICKED! As it was, I was happy if I got to go sit in the Tiki Room for several shows. But if I had been visiting from another state and trying to power-tour, I think it would have been a very stressful, frustrating trip. Christmas is even worse than summer--therefore, I will NEVER go at that time!

Sorry to be so discouraging...but I agree with Dana, that you should go in early December if at all possible. That is one of the BEST times to go!

[phayes93]

We stayed at WDW Dec. 25-Jan. 1 a couple years ago and it was FINE. You just have to be prepared to wait in line a little longer. Only once while we were there did a park fill and close (Magic Kingdom). The trade-off for the somewhat larger crowds is that WDW is even more gorgeous than ever during that time! The Osborne family light display at MGM was gr8. And New Year's Eve at Epcot is something you have the experience. You want it - do it. Take it from someone who's been there.

[disneyboy]

Alright my two cents! If you really want to come to WDW then you should come don't just say "ahhhh everyone doesn't like it I won't come". Some guests return yearly to spend Christmas Day at WDW. Be aware though that this was one of if not the busiest holiday season at Disney. The Magic Kingdom filled to a complete capacity 4 or 5 days the week between Xmas and New Years. And by capacity I mean the point where no one, not even Resort Guests and Premium Annual Passholders could get in. I go to EPCOT every year for Xmas day and New Years Eve. Both events are truly wonderful and there is nothing better than watching the Candlelight Processional on the actual holiday. This year though on New Years Eve the fireworks were as amazing as usual but it took us 2 hours to get out of the parking lot following the evenings festivities, the longest I've ever experienced. If crowds don't bother you come on down but if you tend not to like 50K+ people in a park with you, I would skip out.

[klms1423]

Thanks so much. It is going to be a hard decision to make. We did go during Easter 2004 and it was a little crowded but we had a blast. I am beginning to reconsider since we are planning to stay off site. 4th of july and Christmas are the only vacation weeks that I am off work. We were thinking that it wouldn't be as bad at Christmas. Are the temps and crowds just awful at the 4th?

[jk8]

The temps in July are hot, but we drank lots of free icewater from the restaraunts. We just rested when we needed to and did fine. We were there July 7 - 14 so we missed the 4th. One thing I really liked about visiting in the summer vs the fall was the long nights. The parks were open later and we enjoyed that.

[Pooh Fan]

Originally Posted by jk8

Gosh, if you really want to spend Christmas at Disney then do it. I would. I went in the middle of July when it was very crowded. You just have to prepare yourself and keep in mind the park capacity thing. Christmas in the World still sounds magical to me.

I totally agree with you. Even though I have been to Disney in June when it was unbearably hot and crowded. Not fun in my book and in Feb. where the weather was perfect and the parks were not crowded. However, I think it will be a magical Christmas to spend Christmas Eve and Day in the parks. Since we knew the crowds would be heavy, we decided to stay onsite for a little over 2 weeks. We will get there on the 11th and stay until the 26th. If you want to experience Disney at Christmas, then prepare yourself for the crowds and have fun.