Christmas 2020 - are we mad?

[pamatt]

Hi, we're looking to visit Orlando again over Xmas 2020. We really want to get some Disney Christmas magic on Xmas day but I know it gets pretty busy - are we crazy to be thinking Magic Kingdom? We'll be staying on site - am I right in thinking we are guaranteed entry even if park is full? As our son is older - he'll be 17 - we were thinking of going for the afternoon and evening if we are guaranteed entry, and hoping a lot of the crowds will be leaving after an early start. We've been a few times, mainly Feb (so quiet!) & Easter but with exams etc it's either Xmas or summer - which we've always discounted as queueing in the heat, and the storms don't appeal.
Looking for any words of wisdom! 😂

[Herbiefish]

We went last Christmas and it was really busy in the days leading up to Christmas. Magic Kingdom in particular was absolutely packed. By Peter Pan it was single file pigeon steps to walk through. We didn’t go there on Christmas Day as through it would have been even worse. I don’t think you are guaranteed entry but onsite are the last group for the park to be closed to.

Enjoy, Christmas is really magical there and if you are there for the week before Christmas that is absolutely perfect crowd wise and heat wise.

[Rescuer]

Not mad. Staying onsite is a good way to go. We went to MK at 6am on Christmas morning then went on to visit HS and Epcot. We had a great time.
Here’s our Christmas trip report which might give you an idea of crowds, weather etc.
https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...3#post13656573

[pepsicube]

We’ve booked for Christmas 2020 too.
Never been at Christmas before, but expecting it to be ridiculously busy.
Having read around a bit I understand MK will possibly close it’s gates to the general public late morning and to guests early afternoon.
We’re staying offsite in a villa and intend to arrive well before official opening, hopefully get an early breakfast ADR and fastpass what we can, soak up the atmosphere and leave when we’ve had enough.
We’ve been at Easter before, so are aware of how busy it can get, although expect it to be even busier.

[themeparksandy]

It depends on if you just want to enjoy the atmosphere of everyone else enjoying Christmas Day. I think looking at pics it doesn’t matter what day you go as the decorations go up the 1st week in November and last to 12th night.

[asdash]

We went last Christmas and had a great time
Magic Kingdom was at capacity by 10am so we just chilled in the villa and went there about 6pm - was busy but got in OK, watched the fireworks and enjoyed the atmosphere

[pamatt]

Originally Posted by Rescuer

Not mad. Staying onsite is a good way to go. We went to MK at 6am on Christmas morning then went on to visit HS and Epcot. We had a great time.
Here’s our Christmas trip report which might give you an idea of crowds, weather etc.
https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...3#post13656573

See more...

Thankyou - funnily enough I'd just found your trip report and read your Xmas day blog - 3 parks is very impressive!

[pamatt]

Originally Posted by themeparksandy

It depends on if you just want to enjoy the atmosphere of everyone else enjoying Christmas Day. I think looking at pics it doesn’t matter what day you go as the decorations go up the 1st week in November and last to 12th night.

See more...

Thanks, that was my next thing to check - if the decs come straight down!

[spestell]

My brother and his family were there last christmas and they said never again! Also when we were there in March this year the assistant at Disney Adventure golf, said if you offered him a $1million he would not go on Christmas lol I guess it depends on how much crowds and long queues bother you. We went for the 4th July one year and it was ridiculously busy but the atmosphere was fantastic and we would do it again. Many people told us we were mad

[tangledinmagic]

we went christmas in 2011 i would never attempt too go at christmas again! it was crazy busy and was not enjoyable at all! fortunately we were there for 3 weeks so got 2 weeks after christmas to enjoy our holiday but the first week was a complete waste of money and ticket days! i'd go after christmas if you're after some disney christmas magic you will still get it just without all the hustle and bustle and long wait times etc plus you also get the sales we're heading back February 2021 and it'll be our wedding this trip too!