12/25/18+ here now!

TISHLOVESDISNEY · Dec 30, 2018

Disneylover99 said:
People love to post crowd photos like that. The reality is, it’s probably a bottleneck of some sort that resolved itself quickly. Yes, it’s crowded this week, but it’s not like that all over the parks.

We were in Toystoryland early Friday evening and it was surprisingly, not crowded at all.

Oh, I am sure that was taken at mid day, when we are usually on our afternoon breaks regardless of time of year.

But, still, :scared1:

!

I imagine a lot of those people went into their trips expecting Christmas Magic at Disney. I am sure if planned correctly, you could still have it, but not like that. :bitelip:

anomamatt · Dec 30, 2018

TISHLOVESDISNEY said:
Oh, I am sure that was taken at mid day, when we are usually on our afternoon breaks regardless of time of year. But, still, !

I imagine a lot of those people went into their trips expecting Christmas Magic at Disney. I am sure if planned correctly, you could still have it, but not like that.

We are headed home today after 8 days in the parks. I have never seen more families exasperated and asking CMs what fastpasses were, how to get FPs, and how to get the app. I overheard at least 10 such conversations. There is no way those people had a magical trip, unless they think super long lines are magical.

bkfamilyof5 · Dec 30, 2018

anomamatt said:
We are headed home today after 8 days in the parks. I have never seen more families exasperated and asking CMs what fastpasses were, how to get FPs, and how to get the app. I overheard at least 10 such conversations. There is no way those people had a magical trip, unless they think super long lines are magical.

We got home last night after our 8 day trip. I planned like crazy, had FP booked, adrs booked, etc. We were able to do what we planned but nothing else except when we arrived at rope drop or emh. Getting additional fast passes or changing existing ones almost never worked, and the app didn’t work half the time. It was CROWDED! Two of my kids and I got sick and that was miserable as well.

This was a once in a lifetime Christmas trip as far as I’m concerned. After doing it, I have no desire to return at this time of year again.

anomamatt · Dec 30, 2018

bkfamilyof5 said:
We got home last night after our 8 day trip. I planned like crazy, had FP booked, adrs booked, etc. We were able to do what we planned but nothing else except when we arrived at rope drop or emh. Getting additional fast passes or changing existing ones almost never worked, and the app didn’t work half the time. It was CROWDED! Two of my kids and I got sick and that was miserable as well.

This was a once in a lifetime Christmas trip as far as I’m concerned. After doing it, I have no desire to return at this time of year again.

I hear you. This was our third Christmas in a row and we decided it’s time for a break from this time of year. The app not working at least 50% of the time was a huge issue with trying to get additional FPs (obviously).

Disneylover99 · Dec 30, 2018

TISHLOVESDISNEY said:
Oh, I am sure that was taken at mid day, when we are usually on our afternoon breaks regardless of time of year. But, still, !

I imagine a lot of those people went into their trips expecting Christmas Magic at Disney. I am sure if planned correctly, you could still have it, but not like that.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend Christmas week for first timers or people who only come every few years, but I have to say, I’ve spoken to first time families who are having a blast. Everyone we’ve encountered has been in a happy, jovial mood despite the lines. I think great weather has factored into this and I always find buses are quick and plentiful this week as well. I know many have struggled with MDE this week and have had difficulty making fp’s, but for whatever reason, we’ve had an easy time of it.

tinkerhon · Dec 30, 2018

Just back yesterday from our first Christmas trip -20-29th - the parks were ok before the 24th - crowded, but bearable - went to MK on the 27th and it was unbearable ! Purposely waited till after Christmas to do MK but it didn't help - the wait times were insane and you couldn't even walk around - left at 3:15 and went back to pool !

Brett Wyman · Dec 30, 2018

Elle23 said:
That looks miserable!

Never in a million years.

js · Dec 30, 2018

Wow!

My family of four with older children went two years ago arrived on December 26 and left January 1. If you look under my name, I did a small trip report and said we honestly never waited on a line.

We stayed at THVs and walked to the first bus stop at SSR. We were at RD, no later than 45 minutes before opening. We rode everything we wanted once, twice with FP, and always left at about lunch finishing what we wanted.

We ate most meals at DTD so we wouldnt need to rely on busses and really had a great stay. We went back to MK and Epcot two of our evenings for dinner and used FPs.

There is no way I would stay in a park during this time after 12-1 pm but we also tour very effectively. I planned everything and it worked very well for us.

jdisnut · Dec 30, 2018

We’ve been in the parks the last four days. They are crowded. The lines are long. We’ve also had a spectacular time.

I would never recommend that a first-timer visit this time of year. Navigating the mass of humanity requires a bit of experience and, most important, a willingness to skip experiences and leave them for the next trip.

Arriving early certainly helps. Even the busiest attractions are manageable first thing in the morning. Fastpass is a must. Booking at the 60-day mark enables me to secure rides on every attraction I wanted, other than Slinky Dog Dash.

Disneylover99 · Dec 31, 2018

Dance party outside Country Bear Jamboree last night at about 8pm. It looks really crowded and it was, But it was really fun! CM’s were directing traffic around this crowd so people could still get by.

Hootiss · Dec 31, 2018

Disneylover99 said:
Dance party outside Country Bear Jamboree last night at about 8pm. It looks really crowded and it was, But it was really fun! CM’s were directing traffic around this crowd so people could still get by.

View attachment 372493

I didn’t arrive to MK till 9:30pm last night, parked front row in Zurg, walked straight through security (no lines) and was first on new monorail. Got fast passes while riding the monorail.Arrived at entrance and walked staight through tap style. I couldn’t believe how awesome it was. POC line was 20 min. Mobile ordered a Dole whip and picked it up with no wait at 10:35, walked to the Hub and sat right in front near Walt statue to watch the show. About 11:30 they started to have everyone stand and fill in all areas. The fireworks were awesome and I’m so glad I decided to pop over and see them. Tonight is Epcot!!

This photo is a bit deceiving, it’s positioned right in front of the DJ dance party, but you can’t see the front or back.

Disneylover99 · Dec 31, 2018

Hootiss said:
This photo is a bit deceiving, it’s positioned right in front of the DJ dance party, but you can’t see the front or back.

How is it deceiving? It’s just a picture of a crowd of people having fun and dancing. Although they actually don’t look like they’re having fun. Lol. Maybe I’ll see if I have another picture to post. Like I said, it was easy to navigate around the group.

Hootiss · Dec 31, 2018

Disneylover99 said:
How is it deceiving? It’s just a picture of a crowd of people having fun and dancing. Although they actually don’t look like they’re having fun. Lol. Maybe I’ll see if I have another picture to post. Like I said, it was easy to navigate around the group.

You are right it was extremely manageable to navigate last night, I could not believe it if I didn’t experience it myself. I was there a couple weeks ago on a Saturday and it ways unbelievable how crowded it was. I was just letting people know that last night was impressive. I certainly believe next year will be a nightmare crowd wise. We really lucked out weather wise this year!

Disneylover99 · Dec 31, 2018

Okay, at least this picture makes people look like they were dancing. Lol. I can’t believe how much fun people were having here. We could have stayed here all night. High energy and fun from the crowds!

Disneylover99 · Dec 31, 2018

Hootiss said:
You are right it was extremely manageable to navigate last night, I could not believe it if I didn’t experience it myself. I was there a couple weeks ago on a Saturday and it ways unbelievable how crowded it was. I was just letting people know that last night was impressive. I certainly believe next year will be a nightmare crowd wise. We really lucked out weather wise this year!

Weather has been awesome. It’s going to be beautiful at Epcot tonight.

pskorf · Dec 31, 2018

Texans_loyal said:
This thread gives me a bit of hope. We will be there one week from today, fingers crossed!

We arrive on January 5th so will be there same time as you and hope for smaller crowds and shorter lines too....especially as we are bringing a friend who has never been to WDW before!

kalista · Dec 31, 2018

Hootiss said:
I didn’t arrive to MK till 9:30pm last night, parked front row in Zurg, walked straight through security (no lines) and was first on new monorail. Got fast passes while riding the monorail.Arrived at entrance and walked staight through...

Just curious...how many in your party and which fp’s did you get that late at night?

Texans_loyal · Dec 31, 2018

pskorf said:
We arrive on January 5th so will be there same time as you and hope for smaller crowds and shorter lines too....especially as we are bringing a friend who has never been to WDW before!

Hope you have a great time!! Looks like the weather will be nice!

TwinkleKS · Dec 31, 2018

We just got home last night from our annual Christmas trip. DH and I agree that it was the best one yet. We had an awesome time, rode everything we wanted to ride (okay, I admit DD2 asked why we forgot to do It's a Bugs Life lol) and saw everything we wanted to see. Christmas is an awesome time to be in the parks, if you know what you are doing / plan ahead. We had all of our ADRs lined up, all of our FP+, etc.

cinderlexa's mom · Dec 31, 2018

cinderlexa's momHappily addicted to WDW
Checked into Poly @ 6AM. Received bad CM info that boats were running to MK. They weren't...Got on monorail & @ MK @ 6:45AM.

EMH crowds were no worse than late October. Off Snow White ride @ 7:12.
Rode following rides by 11AM:
Snow White
Pooh
Little Mermaid
Buzz
Jingle cruise
Pirates
Big thunder x's 2 (fp+)
Space mountain (fp+)

When we return to the park later this afternoon , we have reserved parade, Peter Pan & Haunted Mansion FP+. Probably shop a bit, tiki room, refresh to see if we can pick up anything else on FP+.

As we ate lunch at Tony's (super surprisingly excellent), we watched what appeared to be thousands of guests arrive between 11:15-Noon. Prior to 11, crowds were low.

12/25/18+ here now!

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