Christmas at Disney doable in a week?

cuttycrew · 17 Dec 17, 08:43 PM

Hi am contemplating going to Disney early next December to experience the way Disney do Christmas but only have a week left available to book from annual entitlement just wondering if you can really enjoy it on a whistlestop vacation?

Willeve · 17 Dec 17, 08:59 PM

We did a week 3 years ago, 22-29th Dec. All our previous visits had been in the summer and for 2 weeks. With good planning, we got to do all the Christmas stuff and more, including a day at Discovery Cove! We only did one visit to each park(except MK), so planning was essential. It is doable, but for me it was particularly rushed as on our usual trips we visited each park a minimum of 2 times, but we did cover everything on my list! If that is all the time you have available and you are ONLY doing Disney, do it!

loldis · 17 Dec 17, 09:53 PM

If you're mainly focusing on the Disney Christmas stuff and not trying to see and do everything, you should be fine. Especially in early December, as the crowds shouldn't be too bad at that time.

Personally, I think a week is long enough anyway. The average trip length is apparently only 4-5 nights, as most Americans probably visit for a long weekend rather than a full blown 14+ night stay like us Brits.

coggie · 17 Dec 17, 09:57 PM

Yes it is...we've done a week at Christmas on a couple of occasions and had a great time

**caj** · 17 Dec 17, 10:30 PM

Yes ... but expect to go back!

As others have said, focus on Christmas bits only, and expect big crowds.

coggie · 17 Dec 17, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by caj

Yes ... but expect to go back!

As others have said, focus on Christmas bits only, and expect big crowds.

Are the crowds big in early December?

Andybear · 17 Dec 17, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by loldis

If you're mainly focusing on the Disney Christmas stuff and not trying to see and do everything, you should be fine. Especially in early December, as the crowds shouldn't be too bad at that time.

Personally, I think a week is long enough anyway. The average trip length is apparently only 4-5 nights, as most Americans probably visit for a long weekend rather than a full blown 14+ night stay like us Brits.

Most Americans don't have 9 hour flights and jet lag to contend with though. And they go more often so don't need to stay as long. For many overseas visitors a trip to WDW really is once in a lifetime. My trip next year will be my third one - my other 2 were in 1995 and 1997. For health reasons it will very likely be my last one so 14 nights is pretty essential for me since so much has changed since I last went. Plus I want to go to Universal and IOA.

loldis · 18 Dec 17, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Andybear

Most Americans don't have 9 hour flights and jet lag to contend with though. And they go more often so don't need to stay as long. For many overseas visitors a trip to WDW really is once in a lifetime. My trip next year will be my third one - my other 2 were in 1995 and 1997. For health reasons it will very likely be my last one so 14 nights is pretty essential for me since so much has changed since I last went. Plus I want to go to Universal and IOA.

It's a big country with four time zones, so I suspect West Coasters do get jet lag as much as we do heading east. I was pricing up MCO>LAX/SNA flights yesterday and many of those were 7+ hours. Personally, I have no issue flying 8-12 hours for only a long weekend - have done it many times. But I know I'm unusual in really hating long holidays.

My whole point with the average trip length though was that it's easy to get a decent trip in a short period of time. Especially if it's not the only visit, which it isn't for the OP.

Ridersmom · 18 Dec 17, 08:17 PM

When I was a single parent with two children in university, my DD and I ended up doing an annual cheapie quickie trip-she was in Florida for a preseason training so it was only one extra ticket.

We usually went in January and even over MLK weeknd we got an awful lot done in 4 days.

You should go as early in December as posssible-you will still haveChristmas stuff but American kids are generally in school until a few days before the holiday (this year local kids are gettingout the 22nd.)

Get hoppers and use them. If a park seems really crowded, leave and go to another. Do not bother with the plus features, you won't have time and it could be cold. Go to early entry and leave that park as more people come in. Think about when and what time you are hopping. It's easiest at the end of EMH. Mid-day is harder (fewer busses)

You must stay on site. I'd rather do 4 nights on site than 8 off site. You will save time on transportation.

Limit sit down meals. They are great when you are going at a leisurely pace but take time. If you need to eat table service do it after you're done in the park. It gets dark earlier and parks close earlier. And we found if you eat later, getting and ADR as you exit is pretty easy. Be open to what's available.

Because money was tight, we understood "shopping" at Disney was not in the cards. Wandering through all the shops after a ride ends up taking quite a bit of time. so we headed striaght to the exit.

We did a trip all through my DD's undergraduate years (and 2 longer ones since she started med school). The shorter undergrad ones were great. Just enough to give you a Disney fix and you don't return home completely exhausted.

Go and have fun!

17 Dec 17, 09:53 PM	#3
	17 Dec 17, 09:53 PM loldis Imagineer
loldis Imagineer Join Date: May 17 Location: Sussex	If you're mainly focusing on the Disney Christmas stuff and not trying to see and do everything, you should be fine. Especially in early December, as the crowds shouldn't be too bad at that time. Personally, I think a week is long enough anyway. The average trip length is apparently only 4-5 nights, as most Americans probably visit for a long weekend rather than a full blown 14+ night stay like us Brits.

17 Dec 17, 09:57 PM	#4
	17 Dec 17, 09:57 PM coggie Imagineer
coggie Imagineer Join Date: Aug 07	Yes it is...we've done a week at Christmas on a couple of occasions and had a great time

18 Dec 17, 08:17 PM	#9
	18 Dec 17, 08:17 PM Ridersmom Imagineer
Ridersmom Imagineer Join Date: Apr 06	When I was a single parent with two children in university, my DD and I ended up doing an annual cheapie quickie trip-she was in Florida for a preseason training so it was only one extra ticket. We usually went in January and even over MLK weeknd we got an awful lot done in 4 days. You should go as early in December as posssible-you will still haveChristmas stuff but American kids are generally in school until a few days before the holiday (this year local kids are gettingout the 22nd.) Get hoppers and use them. If a park seems really crowded, leave and go to another. Do not bother with the plus features, you won't have time and it could be cold. Go to early entry and leave that park as more people come in. Think about when and what time you are hopping. It's easiest at the end of EMH. Mid-day is harder (fewer busses) You must stay on site. I'd rather do 4 nights on site than 8 off site. You will save time on transportation. Limit sit down meals. They are great when you are going at a leisurely pace but take time. If you need to eat table service do it after you're done in the park. It gets dark earlier and parks close earlier. And we found if you eat later, getting and ADR as you exit is pretty easy. Be open to what's available. Because money was tight, we understood "shopping" at Disney was not in the cards. Wandering through all the shops after a ride ends up taking quite a bit of time. so we headed striaght to the exit. We did a trip all through my DD's undergraduate years (and 2 longer ones since she started med school). The shorter undergrad ones were great. Just enough to give you a Disney fix and you don't return home completely exhausted. Go and have fun!