[emamasa]

how about the week just after new years?

we don't get to go in 2008 & I was thinking maybe we can do it after DH graduates in dec 2009 (wow, that's 2 years away tho )- before school starts again for DD's. we are off work that week between the holidays, so no missed work days (we don't get vacation pay) & I really, really want to be there for the decorations!

so....are those super crazy busy times? maybe i should just focus on later in january or feb and not worry about the decorations. or sept again. i gotta get some kind of tentative plan - i hate not having any thing to look forward to in my disney obsession!!

[cinderbella]

well..i know the week in between Christmas and New Years is probably one of the busiest times at WDW. I think maybe around the 2nd or 3rd dies down a lot. Dave and I's first trip together was around January 4th thru the 9th because we were still in college and went back to school much later and we had a great time, the rates dropped back down to value on like the 3rd or 4th I think and the crowds pretty much died out. Most of the decorations were still up when we got there but by the time we left they were completely gone.

[Daisee]

I would be very interested in opinions for that week since we will be there next year at that time.

[slist]

Originally Posted by Daisee

I would be very interested in opinions for that week since we will be there next year at that time.

I will be there and let you know. We plan on it being crazy busy and are just going to go with the flow. The only thing that will bother me is if they close the parks for reaching the capacity and we can't get in,

[Dana]

The week before and of christmas are THE busiest time of the year to go to WDW. They have speical pricing for the week of xmas to give you an idea. If you are only going to check out the decore and do some resort hopping, go for it. If you are going to hit the parks, I suggest you get a good plan into effect right away. Hit the parks as soon as they open and get out of them by lunch time...they actually fill to capacity this week and it's not unusual for the parks to close.

[vlogilvie]

Once the parks reach capacity or close they get so croweded it becomes almost miserable. Last year I went to AK during that week it was at capacity. The line for the safari was all the way back to Camp Minnie/Mickey. At that point I had to get out of there.

[LittleMissMagic]

Well, that's our Disney week. It is very busy. But, I recall spring break and Thanksgiving break being a lot worse (at least with Christmas, there's two weeks to spread the crowd out over).

It will be crowded, but it's always worth it. Just be sure to book far in advance. Christmas break fills up quickly. We booked three months in advance, last year, and we got stuck with choosing between the Swan and the Dolphin. I've been checking the net for some last minute deals for this year, and as of right now, all of Orlando is booked (okay, I have noticed some openings at Portofino Bay and Royal Pacifica through the Universal website, but expedia has completely booked Orlando).

We went for eight days, last year, and we got everything done. Our second day, we made the mistake of going to Epcot before MK, and by the time we wandered over for our 12:30 ressies at Crystal Palace, the park had reached maximum capacity and we were not allowed in (we then had to rearrange our other ADRs). Of course, they didn't tell us until after we had exited Epcot, so we had to wait in a 30-minute line to get back in. After conversing with some Disney CMs, we learned that they were short-staffed for the day (well, for the number of people in the parks).

The next day, we woke up early and went straight to MK. We got everything we wanted to get done by noon.

Especially over the Christmas holidays, I recommend skipping the late night EMHs and opting for the morning EMHs. I say this over and over again, but you can get so much more done in an hour before the park opens than you can in the three hours after the park has closed.

The decor is fabulous. There are so many extra shows and parades and things to see. I do recommend going for the holidays... I just wish it wasn't so crowded (and expensive). But, hey, you've got to try everything once, right?

[Caseys Corner]

I felt like the crowds were a little worse than in the summer. But the weather was cooler and the people seemed to be in a better mood. If you can go, it was the best time we had. It just felt special being there for christmas.

[chris5568]

Disney is VERY busy the week between Christmas and New Years. Last year I was there around the 9th of Jan and there were no crowds so if you can shoot for that time,I would.

[leslieh]

Yes, it is really busy. But you can still have a magical time. Wake up early and get going! That is the best advice I can give you .

[Tinkerbelle67]

Originally Posted by leslieh

Yes, it is really busy. But you can still have a magical time. Wake up early and get going! That is the best advice I can give you .

I couldn't have said it better. It was very busy but there were so many extra special holiday things to do and see it made us forget the crowds. You'll just need to do some planning.

[Cavey]

I've gone in January roughly 4 times. I've hit every week of that month. It's busiest the first few days after new years. It's busy MLK weekend. Otherwise, WDW is a no-lines paradise.

If DH is graduating December 2009, I'd schedule your trip for arrival anytime after January 4, 2010, and enjoy the trip.

[Soundgod]

Well, let's just say, they don't charge the highest hotel rates of the year, add meal surcharges, suspend all discounts, i.e. AP and DDE discounts, have MK open till midnight most nights and have extra EMH days and nights in the other parks for low crowd levels.

[emamasa]

hmmm...i think we'll skip it that week between and shoot for january. which means its jan 2010 & he said we can back in 2009, so i get to plan one for jan/feb of 2009 too! yay!!

thanks for the input guys!!

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by emamasa

hmmm...i think we'll skip it that week between and shoot for january. which means its jan 2010 & he said we can back in 2009, so i get to plan one for jan/feb of 2009 too! yay!!

thanks for the input guys!!

Oooh planning 2 trips is twice as much fun as planning one!