What's it like to visit Angkor Wat prior to Christmas/New Year 2012? Is bus easily available from PP - SR?

I agree...I'm trying to decide how long to stay in Siem Reap myself. I'm thinking 2-3 days...there's a lot to see, but I just remember having gone to Thailand and being a bit...temple'd out after 2 days. I know it's terrible to say, but I had the "ok, i've seen 10 of them, now they all just kind of blend together" feeling.

So yes, as others have said, know yourself (how big is your attention span/how much interest do you really have in everything at Angkor), and also what there is to see...

We were there from December 23-26 several years ago. Ideal time weatherwise. Warm, but not hot. Very few Americans...many Asian tourists (Chinese and Korean). The only crowds we encountered were at the Phnom Bakheng sunset, which I believe is always touristy. (Great people watching, but a zoo - I would probably skip it.) Our hotel, the Victoria, which was fabulous and very authentic otherwise, had a mandatory Christmas buffet with both western and Asian food. Way too much food for us, but included excellent entertainment.

You dont say where you are flying from, but,you are definitely not allowing yourself anough time. I went there a few years ago for 3 days and didnt see enough.

Since then,I have been to Siem Reap a number of times,and you really need 5 days to do it properly. The heat and humidity takes it out of you, so, hasten slowly.