Just how crazy is christmas time at the parks? Is it worth it?

[Jen1984]

So we're considering spending our two weeks next year at Disney at Christmas rather than the summer. I know the parks are going to be EXTREMELY busy, but my question is, is it worth it? We've never been at Christmas time before and I'd love to see all the other decorations, parades etc. We've also been offered free dining if we go during August (for UK customers) so I'm not sure if we should just go then!

We'll either spend one week at Disney and one week Universal/International Drive, or do a Disney cruise over Christmas, and then spend the remainder of the fortnight at a Disney hotel.

Thanks in advance!

[disneymom15]

What dates are you thinking about for Christmas!

[NickD100]

Don't forget that summer is a busy busy season as well!!! And humid hot hot!!!! Personally, as a local, it's miserable in the summer at the parks. Water parks and beaches are the way to go. I'd pick Christmas time over summer any day!!! The weather itself is more manageable. And I'd say that the crowd level, for the most part, is about the same as prime summer. And even if it is a bit busier during Christmas time, there are tools like EMH, FP+ and ADR's that help with ride times and sorts. Plus, no one does Christmas like Disney does!!! It's really a must see and do!!! There is something really special about experiencing Christmas at Disney. My vote is yes, it's completely worth it!!!

And don't forget that it *can* get cold in December. Especially when the sun goes down. I have froze my butt off at night watching the fireworks and parades. It can be warm in the day but it can get cold fast at night. So make sure you bring heavy jackets to stay comfortable at night. And nothing says Christmas like hot popcorn and hot cocoa while watching the "snow" and lights on a cool night.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

My answer would be yes and no...if you've never been during the Christmas season it is worth it. Do know that crowds are very heavy especially in the afternoons. We took advantage of Extra Magic Hours in the mornings and got in the parks when they opened and rode the most popular rides first thing and grabbed fast passes for other rides. Then we spent the afternoons visiting the less popular attractions. The decorations and the atmosphere, Christmas around the world at Epcot are all wonderful as well as the parades. I think everyone should see them at least once. Now that we've done it a few times, we've decided we won't go back during Christmas anymore because of the crowds. Hope this helps some.

[TheHD]

We were there just after Christmas in 2009 through the New Year 2010. It was one of the coldest winters ever in Orlando. But, with that being said, I really enjoyed being there during that time. As the PP's have said, nobody does Christmas decorations and theming like Disney. There is something amazing and spiritual about the Osborne Lights to me and I think you would be upset if you didn't get to see them before they might possibly go away.

Even though the crowds were very busy, capacity on New Year's Eve, we were able to do everything we wanted and more. It was very manageable.

The biggest difference that I found in going during Christmas versus summer, is that we found ourselves much less exhausted. I think this had everything to do with not having to fight the heat and humidity, which completely drains you.

I would prefer to go around Christmas time every year if I could.

[Jen1984]

Hmmm decisions decisions. If we go at Christmas, we won't be going until about the 23rd of December. If we go in August, we go the last two weeks, and for the last week at least we find it a bit quieter (as I believe most US children are back in school?)

We do find the summer very warm, but because we go for 2 weeks we can spend a lot of time by the pool. It sounds like it will be too cold to have any pool time in December? I think I'll have a very unhappy child with us if that's the case- I'm sure that the Christmas decorations will make up for it though!

Thanks for your responses- back to the drawing board!

[minnie04]

I would say Christmas 100% rather than summer. Christmas is so nice in the parks with all the decorations. I also find the people there in a much better mood than summer time (I’m sure because of the heat), but it by far the best time to go. Of course the closer to Xmas & New Years you get the more crowded it becomes. You can still manage the parks if you take your time and select the rides and shows ahead of time. I love the feeling of Christmas in the Magic Kingdom

[minnie04]

It sounds like it will be too cold to have any pool time in December? I think I'll have a very unhappy child with us if that's the case- I'm sure that the Christmas decorations will make up for it though!

Thanks for your responses- back to the drawing board!

LOL I have seen alot of people in the pools in December. They never seem to mind the cooler water.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Hmmm decisions decisions. If we go at Christmas, we won't be going until about the 23rd of December. If we go in August, we go the last two weeks, and for the last week at least we find it a bit quieter (as I believe most US children are back in school?)

We do find the summer very warm, but because we go for 2 weeks we can spend a lot of time by the pool. It sounds like it will be too cold to have any pool time in December? I think I'll have a very unhappy child with us if that's the case- I'm sure that the Christmas decorations will make up for it though!

Thanks for your responses- back to the drawing board!

Keep in mind the pools are heated. My son always swam on our December trips and the pools are usually crowded. We've been several times in December and although we've had cold weather, we've had just as much warm weather. On our last trip, it was in the low 80's during the day. I only remember one somewhat cool day on that trip.

[DisneyFan1979]

Weather is very variable at that time of year: I've been there when I've sat at the pool in gorgeous 75 degree weather on Christmas Eve and I've been out until 1am on New Year's Eve in just a long-sleeve top. Another year, New Year's Day was cold and rainy with a frost warning.

I love Disney at the holidays and if you can manage to time a trip so that you either arrive a bit before the crowds or stay a bit past the crowds, you'll enjoy the best of both worlds. This year we're going 12/19 to 12/26. We've done that once before and the crowds really pore in on the 24th.

[MyDisneyworld]

We have always avoided going during the holiday season but you are making me think about going now. Enjoy your trip.

[Martino]

Hi, there

We had a great time in 2006! Dec 14 - 28.

Temps were extremely pleasant and comfortable and the Christmas shows and parades are fab.

The Osborne spectacle of lights is a real treat at the Studio's.

We spent Christmas day at Epcot and it was relatively quiet, but from 26th it is fair to say that the parks were crammed, and it was difficult to get anything to eat, and the wait for the likes of my favorite - "The Haunted Mansion" was like 220 minutes.

I would love to go at Christmas again some time, but would defo go early to mid December to see all the Christmas festivities, and avoid between Christmas and New Year as it is known to be one of the most busiest periods.

Good luck with your planning. We have booked Sept 2015 and I cant wait already.

[Mickey'sGirl]

We were down this past Christmas from Dec 17 to the 23rd, and the parks were very doable. We took advantage of the late nights and really enjoyed our time. We will also be down this year for a few days before boarding the Fantasy for the 7 day Christmas cruise. We plan on using our late night strategy to manage the parks.

As beautiful as Christmastime is, I much prefer our two weeks in August. The parks are open later, the crowds are lighter and it is always swimming weather!

[#1donaldfan]

We did the week after Christmas through NYE and it was CRAZY !! We had a great time and did what we wanted, but on several nights we literally moved as a mass through the MK not as individuals. It was so darn busy !!! August is great but hot. We've been in August several times and loved it. We go knowing it's gonna be hot, that's part of the fun !!

[Jen1984]

Thanks for all the advice! We're drawing up a pro and con list at the moment, but I think we may be slightly leaning towards Christmas for this trip, and then back our summer trips after that! I'll let you all know what we decide!

[mouseketeer mom]

We did the week after Christmas through NYE and it was CRAZY !! We had a great time and did what we wanted, but on several nights we literally moved as a mass through the MK not as individuals. It was so darn busy !!! August is great but hot. We've been in August several times and loved it. We go knowing it's gonna be hot, that's part of the fun !!

Yep, us too , and I would never do it again. That feeling of moving as a mass. Suffocating. It didn't feel magical it felt insane. I've been to Disney in all 12 months of the year, and that week was the most unfavorite for all of us. Decorations are nice, but the spirit was lost as far as I felt it. We have been back to Vermont for Christmas instead. No interest in ever going back at Christmastime. So much hoopla,not a lot of true joy. Packed people, and it was COLD!

[Martino]

Thanks for all the advice! We're drawing up a pro and con list at the moment, but I think we may be slightly leaning towards Christmas for this trip, and then back our summer trips after that! I'll let you all know what we decide!

Good for you! That is exactly what we did. I would always recommend at least 1 trip to experience Christmas there. Just be warned for shoulder to shoulder walking from Dec 26th onwards.

If you could get there before Christmas day for atleast part of the trip, I would say that you will have a wonderful experience. As others have said, you may decide not to do it again and that you prefer August time, but once is a must, and we are so glad that we did it.

Look forward to hearing your decision.

Happy deciding.

[Imalismom]

When Ali was young, and I was a single mom, I would spend the two week Christmas break at Disney at times. Yes, the parks are crowded, but for the most part, the temp is high enough that you can go swimming in the resort pool, so you can take the afternoons off, take a nap, take some time at the pool, and then go back refreshed for the evening when the crowd is a little less. However, other times it is so cold that we have done mittens/gloves!!!

We always took a small tree and put up in the room, and decorated the room up for Christmas.

If you go knowing that there are going to be crowds, and schedule your time opposite extra magic hours (i.e. EMH are at MK, we would go to Epcot instead), to avoid crowds in the morning, you should do just fine.

Take the time to really enjoy WDW outside of just the parks - go to each resort, look at all the Christmas Decorations, maybe do some tours to see beyond just the park itself.

I really miss those times now that Ali is 21, and I no longer have the ability to do 2 weeks at WDW during Christmas.

[Jen1984]

Decision made! And hopefully it's one that will please all of the family! We're going to arrive on the 19th of December, spend a week in a moderate hotel, leaving Disney on the 26th so hopefully avoiding most of the really bad crowds, 1 week in the Florida Keys for a week in the sun (fingers crossed at least), then back up to stay in Universal Orlando for 2 nights to see the new Harry Potter land. Phew! Definitely something to look forward to, and it does give us a little longer to save up too

Thanks again for all your help!