Considering a family holiday with 2 children (9 & 12) to the theme parks at christmas. Is WDW overcrowded at this time of year and how warm is the weather? Have been in October and really enjoyed the weather with the theme parks not too busy. Also would it be too cold to enjoy the water parks?

I live in Florida and we spent a week in December (not Christmas) last year. It is impossible to predict Florida's winter weather. It can be anywhere from 50 to 85 degrees and the nights can occasionally get to the freezing level, especially in Orlando as it is inland. I think the water parks are not too popular this time of year. I do know one was closed while we were there.

Christmas week is one of the peak weeks at Disney but traffic has been down for the past two years so it may not be as bad as summer. The fast pass and priority seating reservations make it seeing your top things easy.

If Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is happening, I would make sure to make reservations as soon as possible for this. I'm not sure if it goes on until Christmas.

There are infinite sites to answer your questions in detail (way too much detail for my taste). There is even a program you can download for cut off dates for calling for priority seating, etc.

Christmas time is a lot of fun at WDW and Epcot. It is also great to see the resort Christmas trees. If you have girls, tea at the Grand Floridian might be fun. Boys would be bored for the most part.

Start here:
http://wdwig.com/

http://www.passporterboards.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=11

You'll find all you need and more. LMF

Walt Disney World can be very crowded during Christmas Holidays. True, the patronage is down, but it is still very crowded that time of year.
We, too have enjoyed the off season. October is great, also November before Thanksgiving week.

Christmas is a very busy time of year there. I believe they even close the gates at MK due to capacity on c-mas eve & c-mas day. They do close one of the two water parks for rehab during the winter, but the other is open.

Also, if you stay on property, 11/02-12/19 is considered Value season, and 12/20-12/31 is Holiday season. If you make your reservation beginning 12/19 you will get the Value rate for your entire stay.

Definately make PS for any restaurants you want to eat at, www.wdwig.com has menus with prices of all WDW restaurants.

www.disboards.com is a message board devoted to WDW, someone there will answer any possible question you might have

Happy planning & Have a wonderful vacation!

Also, regarding the weather, we were there this January and it was very cold. Apparently unseasonably cold, but it was 30's in the morning while waiting for the buses, and in the evening while watching the parade. We were glad we brought our gloves! It only made it into the 50's and cloudy during the day. We had a great time though, no crowds to speak of.