Sherry E
Currently tag-less...
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
Thank you so much! We would love to go over Christmas break but some people have told me the crowds make is miserable. We could go anywhere from the 24th of Dec through the 2nd of Jan. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
THANK YOU
ty71803 -
You're welcome! Yes, it's true that it will be very, very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. DL closes a few hours early on Christmas Eve, and from what I've heard, the first part of Christmas Day is not too bad, but then the crowds start packing in after their holiday celebrations have finished.
I'm torn on what to tell you. Maybe some of my fellow DIS'ers here in this thread can weigh in with their thoughts. I can't say that the crowds are no big deal and that they won't bother you because I know I get very impatient and annoyed when it is extremely, abnormally crowded. When the crowds are to a point where I cannot get in shops, cannot take certain photos, have to wait in crazy long lines for ice cream, etc. - it does irritate me. When my enjoyment and the overall quality of the trip are compromised, then I get annoyed. I won't lie. This is what happened to me last year on December 19th. I couldn't even get into NOS because of the crowds. But I had fun anyway because I was with a fun group of friends.
I also feel that the holiday season at DLR is 'worth it' enough to make the effort. If you have been following along with this thread and all the fabulous information and photos provided by everyone, you will know that it is a magical time to visit the parks. Unless you are Scrooge himself, you can't help but be swept up in the beauty of the season at DLR, and in all the wonderful details and hidden gems.
So, that said, I have a hard time telling you to avoid DLR when it's going to be crazy busy because it's just too lovely to miss. I think you should go for it. I think you should do it, but go in with the knowledge that it will be crazy busy in that week between Christmas and New Year's. Just get your mind wrapped around that idea, make lists of priorities and back-up plans. Do all the things people tell you to do on the DIS - get Fast Passes, arrive super early, stay as late as you possibly can, don't eat meals at peak dining times, make reservations for sit-down meals if you can, take a break in Downtown Disney or in one of the hotels if the parks get too busy, etc.
It is definitely possible to go and have a good time even during crazy days if you know what you will be dealing with. Even doing something like taking the holiday tour would be worthwhile because that would get you priority seats on IASW Holiday, on Haunted Mansion Holiday, reserved seats for the holiday parade, a cookie, some hot cocoa, a souvenir pin, a collectible cup, etc., etc.