Wife and I want to take the kids (2, 4, and 6) to Disney World the week between Christmas and New Year's.

I've been told that it's the busiest week of the year and a bad idea. Is this true, or is it not that bad?

We haven't been in over 10 yrs and obviously the kids have never been.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

That week is the most traveled week to almost anywhere. Disney will be insane. I know on-site hotels are extremely limited at this time. Some parks are sold out for the days as well. Below is a current screenshot. You now have to make park passes in advance, can't just show up when you want.

I personally wouldn't go that week but that is just me.

Yeah. We are planning to stay off-site since I have some hotel points to use. Also, we are probably doing the park Tuesday-Thursday, so I was planning to do Hollywood on Tuesday, followed by Animal and Magic.

Don't do it

It will suck


The lines will be so long you will give up and go back to the hotel

I'm just trying to determine if it's miserably crowded, or just crowded.

We did Disney Land between Christmas and New Year and it was pretty great. Considering going Best Coast.

Not sure of your situation, but we left the 2yo with the grandparents when we took our 4 and 6yo.

Weird finding myself somewhat on the other side considering I absolutely hate crowds. But there is a reason it's the busiest time. Christmas at a place like Disney has to be pretty bad ass.

My wife went the week after Christmas and was there for new years when she was a kid and loved it.

That being said, I'd personally probably rather go in early December when kids are still in school yet it's still decorated for Christmas. I absolutely don't think I'd go if I hadn't booked everything already.

My parents took us as kids during that week, too. It was freaking cold and wet and my dad caught the flu. He infected the rest of us on the drive home and we were all sick in bed for New Years.

With that said, the parks, especially Magic Kingdom, are magical during the holidays. I took my son to Universal and MK one year at Thanksgiving. We did the Christmas party and it was great for the crowd control.

No way I would try to book a week after Christmas trip this close to the holiday, though. Disney is not one of those places where you get last minute deals. Holidays in the parks cost a premium, and I think it would end up being an expensive disappointment/exercise in frustration.

We went last year during the week before Christmas. Several parks were at peak capacity. It wasn't bad until mid afternoon when everyone was there. It really helps to stay on property to get in early. You can get a lot done in the morning. Also you need to get the genie subscription and keep working the app to book lightening lanes all day. Pay extra for the star wars ride, it's worth it.

Also if you're using marriott points, stay at the swan or dolphin. You get all the same perks as a disney resort. I didn't have enough point but earned a lot.

The park is awesome at Christmas. It'll be fun.

Go the first week or two after Thanksgiving.

All the benefits of the holiday happenings but lower crowds.

If you go the week after Christmas and come back to complain, banish thyself forever from asking questions on the boards

Quote:

---

But there is a reason it's the busiest time. Christmas at a place like Disney has to be pretty bad ass.

---

It's busiest time because kids are out of school and it isn't 107 degrees.

This ain't rocket science.

I had family members who worked at the Magic Kingdom and they said there were times around Christmas when the park was so crowded it got a little scary on Main Street ... they were afraid of a crushing situation as people packed in close for parades and others tried to get by, etc.

I think it's possible to avoid all that if you plan but don't be surprised if it's a challenge to move around the MK, especially with little ones.

We went the week before Thanksgiving last year and it was best of both worlds -- Epcot Food and Wine was going on and so was Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Not too crowded, either.

We took ours last year the week after Thanksgiving. It was great. They were busy, but not crowded. The weather was cool in the mornings and evenings and beautiful in the afternoons. And the holiday decor and events were in full swing.

Our kids were 6 and 8, and that was a perfect age. They were big enough to walk 10 miles every day without complaining, and still little enough to be excited about the characters. We pulled them out of school for a week for it.

I would definitely not take a 2 year old. That would be miserable even if the park wasn't crowded. Wait until they're 4, 6, and 8 or 5, 7, and 9.

Beware if you haven't been in 10 years WDW changed a lot post COVID. WDW has moved to focusing on top 20% incomes(maybe top 10%) as they make more money operating few hours with less staffing.

First of all see if park reservations are available for that time. You now have to book which park you will be in for a given day. Between having to book your park and Disney utilizing Genie+ to spread crowds there really aren't as many crowd fluctuations days. You can kind of forget the crowd calendars now other than don't go to MK on a Sunday as everyone wants to go to MK their first day at WDW. Rope dropping MK on a party day is still a good strategy.

Then learn about demand pricing park tickets, lighting lane fast pass, and Genie Plus. The fast pass system that you used 10 years ago is no more. Booking 3 lighting lane 'fast passes' on your phone at 7am sharp means those that don't get there early can still get on a few rides 'fast pass' style. But the earlier you book those the earlier bonus passes open up to your party. Genie+ is the opportunity to pay more daily per person for the biggest attractions' lighting lane.

My wife and I did four days starting a couple of days after New Year's Day this past January. The weather was perfect , lows around 50 and highs in the low 70s. Crowds weren't bad but it was out first time so couldn't compare.

Send me a message a csmith@travelwithontheroad.com and I can help you out.

Like many have said, it is the busiest time of year. Expect to wait for quite a bit.

Best advice I can give is to take the kids out of school and go the week after Thanksgiving. The park will be a ghost town with zero wait (for anything), but they will also have al of their Xmas decorations, themes, shows up which kick off the day after Thanksgiving. Only way to go.

Extended Evenings for Deluxe resort guests are listed below.

Magic Kingdom - December 28th
Epcot - December 26th


https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/extended-evening/

New World Ag said:

---

My wife and I did four days starting a couple of days after New Year's Day this past January. The weather was perfect , lows around 50 and highs in the low 70s. Crowds weren't bad but it was out first time so couldn't compare.

---

Cold fronts make or break the weather at that time of year.

Garrelli 5000 said:

---

Go the first week or two after Thanksgiving.

All the benefits of the holiday happenings but lower crowds.

If you go the week after Christmas and come back to complain, banish thyself forever from asking questions on the boards

---

Listen to this man, for he is wise.

WDW that time of year will be the worst vacation you ever had.
My wife is a Disney fan and we have a timeshare at an Epcot hotel ( Beach Club) so go once a year

Try to go in January but not on a holiday weekend such as MLK day.

longeryak said:

---

New World Ag said:

---

My wife and I did four days starting a couple of days after New Year's Day this past January. The weather was perfect , lows around 50 and highs in the low 70s. Crowds weren't bad but it was out first time so couldn't compare.

---

Cold fronts make or break the weather at that time of year.

---

Actually it was pretty warm when we arrived....mid 80's and humid walking through Disney Springs. Cold front came through that night and made for perfect weather for me, though some would say it was too chilly in the morning or after sunset.

It's the worst time to go, it's the busiest, and everything will be packed. I wouldn't do it even it if was free.

Another vote for don't do it

We went that week in 2019. We had planned in advance so we had restaurant reservations, fast passes, etc. all lined up. The weather was great. I think that can be hit or miss depending on fronts. It was very crowded but we managed. And the Christmas decorations are magical.

Our daughter was 8.5 at the time. She does not look back on it with great fondness. I think it was a blur. Plus, both she and I got sick (fever/colds) towards the end of the trip.

If that's the only week that works for you, it's manageable if you stay on property and pack your patience.

If/when we go back, it will be in the spring or fall. Likely not for several more years.

OP here,

How is the week of Thanksgiving (next week) for traffic/crowds? Is it almost as packed as the week after Christmas?