manu

We have just thought about taking advantage of cheap flights to Orlando over Christmas break with our 2 kids, ages 6 and 8. How crowded can we expect it to be (Dec 24-29)? Is this a crazy time to go? Are there some sites that will be less crowded, like Kennedy Center, Animal Kingdom?? Is it imperative to rent a car? any hints or recommendations on moderately priced hotels (Disney resorts are all booked). Thanks!

MikeT

"Is this a crazy time to go?"

followed by

"(Disney resorts are all booked)"

means you just answered your own question.

Gekko

I was in Disney for New Year's Eve a few years ago and the parks SOLD OUT and had to close their doors ... at max capacity.

Was it a crowded nightmare from hell?

Yes.

placeu2

Yes you are crazy.

There are no moderate prices at that time.

Dukey

The decorations are the usual over-the-top Disney extravaganza and there's a reason all the resort hotels are booked: because a lot of people love being there at that time.

We did this a couple of years ago and didn;t find it any more crowded than at some of the other "high attendance" periods we've seen.

Sorry you aren't able to stay on the property.

travelinwifey

We were in Disney last year at this time, the supposed "slow season" and it was person to person. The fact that all the hotels are booked tells you just how busy it will be. If you don't mind fighting the crowds the decorations are very pretty. I think it will be over crowded everywhere at Orlando's attractions.

tengohambre

We were also in Disney World a couple of years ago over Xmas break. Our kids were just a bit older than yours.

The Parks were crowded but, I don't think much more than most other times and, from what I was told, every "vacation week" they are packed. One issue is the weather, as long as you don't want the water rides I understand December is much better than the spring/summer simply because it is so much cooler. Bring a jacket for the evening. Now, whether we would ever return to Disney World is a whole other question; I guess the Parks are fantastic for some, and not for others. Also, one more point, we also had cheap air fares going down but, that was the only thing cheap about Disney World. Admission tkts, food and everything else more than make up for the money you save on airfare. The Parks are expensive when all is said and done.

wow

There will be lots of people there but so what? You can still have a blast! Sometimes these last minute thngs are the best. Go to www.tug2.net in TUG Classifieds( Florida Orlando) & I am sure you will find something. If you can't find Disney or close by then go to Ft. Lauderdale or West Palm. Wouldn't it be fun to go to the beach on Christmas Day??

wow

Also check BBS Login @ TUG for "last minute rentals". I saw one for your week...Sheraton Vistana...2BR

marigross

Been there....twice (at my mother's insistence). Most parks close around 10AM on Xmas and New Years Eve due to full capacity. It is much nicer than being in the same mess in the summer when its suffocating hot.

The first week of January is the absolute best. The decorations are still up and most of the crowds have left.

Be prepared for the odd cold front. One NYE we were waiting for the midnight fireworks sitting outside at temperatures in the lower forties. A lot of people were miserable.

LarryBee

The remarks about how crowded it gets on NYE are not relevant. The OP will be gone on December 29th.

manu

thanks for all of the responses and tips. 2 more questions, if we do decide to go (and at this point I'm pretty wary!)Any warnings about staying at the Dolphin? And is it possible to get around without a car from there using only shuttle service or taxis?

lcuy

The problem with going at the high times at Didney is not that you will be bumping shoulders with so many people, but that you can only get on a few of the rides due to the long lines.

The last time we went to Disneyland at Christmastime, we were able to go on exactly FIVE rides the entire day. The rest of the time was spent in lines of about 1.5 hours each. I recall one of the gate guys told us that the day's people count was something like 65,000 vs 15,000 on a regular day.

Needless to say, we have never gone back over the holidays.

LLindaC

You are so right. Took my kids once at XMas and it was ridiculous waiting in lines. They were so frustrated, they begged to go back to the Hyatt Grand Cypress hotel and play in the lobby and in the pool!

Avalon4

Hi- Been there during peek holiday times and it is beautiful and crowded. My recommendation that you should go only if you are willing to get up early to go to the parks when they open. Also, familiarize yourself with fast pass. It requires extra walking in the parks, back and forth between attractions rather than clockwise, but it really saves you time. We walked alot, but the longest wait was 20 minutes during peak holiday time. I highly recommend The Unofficial Guide to WDW. That's how I knew to take advantage of Fast Pass. Have fun and good luck!

ajcolorado

There are ways to minimize the impacts of the crowds - you'll need a good touring plan. For the holidays, I recommend www.tourguidemike.com or www.buildabettermousetrip.com because they have holiday specific information. This late in the game, I recommend Build A Better Mouse Trip because they'll do the plans for you - you don't really have time to read everything on Tour Guide Mike. The next best option will be the book "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World". The Birnbaum guide is not nearly specific enough for your needs.

A great thing at WDW for kids happens to be free and probably won't be as crowded as the parks - it is the Campfire Sing-Along w/ Chip & Dale over at the Disney Fort Wilderness Campground. They show a Disney movie on an outdoor screen afterwards - which is fun. You can read more about it at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com...-campfire.html

jedijill

You won't have problems with transportation from the Dolphin. You will have access to Disney Transport (buses) to all the parks and Downtown Disney. You can also take the boat to either Epcot or MGM Studios.

Be prepared for crowds and use Fastpass.

Have fun!

Jill in KC

AmySabato

We went this year again, from Dec. 14 thru 19th. There was no one there. No lines at Disney, no lines at Sizzler, nothing. I was also very disappointed by the fact that, other than a wreath here and there, Disney hotels and the area surrounding Disney was not as festive and lit up as years past. Seems like they are keeping it ONLY to the actual parks. I was saddened by this. There is probably a method to their madness, though.

duke158

Going over Christmas is always crazy. If you want to see Disney decorated for the holidays I would suggest going in early December. I had planned on going over Chistmas last year but after hearing how crazy it is I am glad I bumped my trip up a few weeks. I went o Kennedy during the week while I was there and it wasn't crowded. Good luck!

dan_woodlief

I have stayed at the Dolphin on a business trip right before the Christmas holiday period. The hotel is pretty good. There are several places to eat. It is right at the Boardwalk, and there are several restaurants there and at the Dolphin and Swan hotels. It is also within walking distance of Epcot and nearly very walkable to MGM.

Christmas is great at Disney, but we went about 2 weeks before Christmas last year to avoid the crowds. It was fantastic most of our stay. I imagine the actual week of Christmas is a lot like the last day we were at Disney, verrrrry crowded. Like someone else said, at least it won't be hot like the summer.