Thank you! We went to Universal a few weeks before Christmas last year and absolutely loved the holiday magic. This year we can’t get away anytime except for Christmas week.
I agree with Damavs. Disney can still be fun as long as you understand what you are getting into. Temper expectations and be flexible and patient.
1 Like
We will be at Disney over Christmas, and we have been before, yes it will be busy, but with a good plan, flexibility and an open mind about expectations, it is a wonderful time to visit. We even managed Epcot on NYE! Fab!
2 Likes
Thank you, AllmadhereUK!
1 Like
Yes you are crazy, if you only spend 2 days at Disney. I love Sea World but I would not do 4 days, 2 days if you want to do everything. I would go to Sea World on the 24th and 25th because everyone else will be at Disney and Universal.
1 Like
You’re welcome. And I meant it. Not tongue-in-cheek. Just…yes.
We were at Disney for one day once during the Christmas/New Year madness and HATED IT. We even got in for free, and HATED IT. We had a miserable time. We did some stuff, but HATED IT. As I mentioned in another thread, you couldn’t pay me to go during that time period again. Seriously. You couldn’t.
ryan1 is Mr. Positive Happy Guy 
Just being honest. We love Disney. Been numerous times and continue to plan to go.
Just not during Christmas/New Years. Ever! 
Trying to save others from similar misery.
1 Like
And I respect and totally understand that. And I think that would be helpful for people who are making the decision whether to go or not.
But telling people how bad their vacation is going to be after they have already decided to go, isn’t helpful in my opinion.
And I say this with no dis-respect.
Not if there is any chance of changing it. Plans aren’t written in stone until you can’t get your money back!
I’m not trying to be negative. I want people to SERIOUSLY consider choosing another time to go.
It’s a shame you hated it, but i had a completely different experience, hence why I’m going again!
I appreciate hearing these different opinions. We could potentially go at the beginning of August instead of over Christmas, but I know that is a “bad” time too.
AllmadhereUK, do you park hop when going over the holidays? I was thinking of starting the days with EMH, taking a mid-day break, and then using fast passes in the evening. Do you have a better system?
1 Like
See, now I really dislike going in August because it’s so hot!! 
We are an older family, boys are 14 & 23 so we tend to tour late, the later the better, So our FPs are usually afternoon and stay late. The mornings we will play it by ear, book in some restaurants, pool time, mini golf etc. This how we usually tour. I’m not sure if we will park hop, again I will gauge things when I’m there, the trick is to be flexible and not have plans set in stone! So I would go with what you are planning and just change up the morning as and when you feel you need to.
This is true. The heat is ultimately the worst part in August. Even though lines/crowds aren’t as bad as the holiday week, the outside lines can be sweltering.
We’ve done the first week in September. Crowds are virtually non-existent. Probably the best time we’ve had, BUT the heat is still there. First half of October was a great balance, though. Crowds super light, and the heat not quite as bad.
1 Like
I agree October has been our best time, we were there last October and it was perfect. We can’t do September as it’s back to school for our youngest then.
I would rather deal with crowds than heat!
That’s precisely why we went! Since we homeschool, we can go when we want. We figured most people aren’t willing to take their kid out of their first or second week of school for a Disney trip.
If you love Disney enough, it might be a reason to start homeschooling! 
Oh goodness no, I couldn’t Home school! I wouldn’t know where to start it not that big over here in the U.K., in fact I know nobody that does it, it’s more popular across the pond. We are lucky in the fact that DS goes to an independent school and they have more holidays than state schools so we can miss the U.K. hoards if we plan it well!
Unfortunately home school is not an option So, I’m looking at August, December, or wait until the beginning of June. We live in the midwest so it is nice to go south in the winter.
Makes sense.