You can still see fireworks, even in a crowd! I recently heard someone say that the week between Christmas and New Year’s is the “worst” time of year to visit Walt Disney World. That started me thinking (always dangerous). Is it really the worst time to visit, or is it just the busiest?
I personally vote for the busiest. It’s true that the theme parks will be packed, which does make it harder to have a good time. Rides that usually have a short wait will suddenly have a long line. Many things will cost more because of the time of the year. Keep that in mind when making your plans.
If you don’t like wall to wall people and are on a tight budget, you may want to visit at a different time. That said, if you realize that it’s the busiest week of the year, you might have the best vacation ever! Even if it’s cold in Florida, most likely it’s warmer than where you call home. Plus that cold snap will usually be over in just a couple of days, not in months like most parts of the country.
There is also the fact that no one does the holidays like Disney. Each theme park has a different feel, it’s the most beautiful time of the year. While I usually recommend visiting a little bit earlier in the holiday season, for many Christmas Week is the only one that works for everyone’s schedule.
When the theme parks are busy it’s a good time to look for something else to do outside of the big rides. It could be the perfect time to find a new favorite. Enjoy the extra entertainment in the theme parks. If the crowds get to be too much, head to the closest resort for a break.
If you can afford it, consider purchasing Individual Lightning Lane and possibly Disney Genie+. The cost goes up on peak days, but you’ll be able to ride a few more of your favorites. Make those purchases early, and don’t be disappointed if you only get a few Disney Genie+ rides in. Plenty of others are buying it as well.
A big part of hitting Walt Disney World between Christmas and New Year’s is preparing yourself mentally for it. It’s going to be crowded. It’s going to be expensive. There will be rude guests. You will probably encounter a Cast Member or two having a bad day. (I remember my first holiday away from my family. I cried for hours.) If you have the right mindset going into it, you’ll still have a magical time, even during the busiest week of the year!