Christmas 2021 - Am I mad?

[Marchtime]

I've been an avid reader of this board since planning our Disney honeymoon in 2017, which was spectacular. We were due to return in May of this year, but along with everyone else our hopes were dashed. We were very lucky to have a full and quick refund as we booked through an amazing independent travel agent who price matched my own research.
Anyway, of course I'm now looking at when we can re-book. It's only myself and husband (mid-thirties) and we love the theme parks but also Disney Springs and general US culture and sport.
We've been talking about heading to Vegas on the 23rd December 2021 and then swapping to Orlando around 27th December for a week or 10 days. Are we mad to think we would manage to get on any rides at the parks? Will the crowds destroy us? We don't mind early starts, mid day breaks and late nights and we would stay on site. I know it will be busy but I'd appreciate any feedback from those who have braved this time of year before.

[Guest]

Do you definitely need to take your leave at that time? We have booked early December as we want to see the decorations, but without the crowds.

I think it is hard to predict what things will be like in a years time, but I would work on the worst case scenario that it will be as busy as a usual Christmas / NY, that is, as busy as it gets. I once went at a moderately busy time and we found we could do no more than the first three fast passes each day, no more to be had and we didn’t fancy queuing for hours on end.

[YorkshireT]

It’s good at Christmas. We were there last year- really only noticed it mega busy New Year’s Eve. It got busier after Christmas Day.
We go in the parks early and head back at lunchtime usually.

[123]

We tend to go every other Christmas.

Whilst it is busy, there are quiet times (for instance Universal is usually deathly quiet after 6pm most nights). Also it's cooler than the summer, so the queues are more bearable.

There is more theming, more Christmas Cheer and all-round I'd choose to go for Christmas over any other time of the year regardless of crowds

[cismwynn]

Another thing to consider... it can get cold at that time of year. I have been there at Christmas when it was so cold that we ended up buying socks to wear as gloves while we were in the park (there were no gloves left!).

[123]

Originally Posted by cismwynn

Another thing to consider... it can get cold at that time of year. I have been there at Christmas when it was so cold that we ended up buying socks to wear as gloves while we were in the park (there were no gloves left!).

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I've been at Christmas when there has been ice on the ground, I've also been at Christmas and it's been sunburn weather all week

[YorkshireT]

Last Christmas was unseasonably wet, but it was warm- in the 80s every day. Even though it rained quite a bit, it was a damn site better than being stuck here. We cannot wait to go Xmas 2021 and I’m hoping to book Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk again in a split stay.

Ice is unusual at Christmas but they can get cold fronts throughout winter.

I was once there (not Xmas) and it snowed overnight. The next morning I had hoodie and shorts on and by afternoon I was sunbathing at the pool!

Xmas 2018-19 was a cracker- sunny and mid 80s every day nearly.

Most USA residents love the weather around Xmas.

[Marchtime]

Thank you everyone. We know to expect crowds and are happy to queue, park hop and use fast passes wisely. We are still weighing up staying at AKL or on site at Universal. I'd prefer AKL but we'll have to look at costs. We might even do 5 nights AKL and 3 nights Universal.
Weather wise all we're hoping for is better than the UK. We did Christmas in New York a few years ago and that was freezing! We have complete freedom with annual leave but I like the idea of being away for Christmas and NYE. It makes me happy just thinking that I can start planning.

[Donaldfan]

What if there are still no fast passes? Nobody knows when or even if they'll be back.

[TinselAngel]

Originally Posted by Donaldfan

What if there are still no fast passes? Nobody knows when or even if they'll be back.

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Looking at current crowd levels on the likes of Tim Tracker and All Ears, they won’t be necessary if crowds remain that low. I believe FPs will return when the crowds do.