Uh oh! We don't support IE due to its failure to integrate new web standards.
For the best browsing experience, please use

More Info →

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search
MENUMENU
  • Crowd Calendars
        • January Crowd Calendar
        • February Crowd Calendar
        • March Crowd Calendar
        • April Crowd Calendar
        • May Crowd Calendar
        • June Crowd Calendar
        • July Crowd Calendar
        • August Crowd Calendar
        • September Crowd Calendar
        • October Crowd Calendar
        • November Crowd Calendar
        • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
        • Magic Kingdom
        • Pink Castle
        • Epcot
        • Spaceship Earth with fountain
        • Hollywood Studios
        • Slinky Dog Dash
        • Animal Kingdom
        • Tree of Life
        • Typhoon Lagoon
        • Blizzard Beach
        • Disney Springs
        • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
  • Resorts
        • On-Site
        • Cozy Cone Resort Disney
        • Off-Site
        • Swan and Dolphin
        • Disney World Value Resorts
        • Disney World Moderate Resorts
        • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
        • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
        • Dining Basics
        • Chef Mickey
        • Disney Dining Plan
        • Mickey Waffles
        • Our top Table Service restaurants
        • Our top Quick Service restaurants
        • Guide to all Disney World character meals
        • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
        • 7 Step Planning Process
        • Walt and Mickey statue castle hub
        • Planning Basics
        • Big Thunder Mountain exterior
        • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
        • Remy's Ratatouille Adventure sign in Epcot
        • Trip Planning for Families
        • Money and Shopping
        • Downloadables
        • 2021 & 2022 Guide
  • News
    • Disneyland Reveals Details On Latest Haunted Mansion Updates
      haunted mansion april to december portrait

      Disneyland Reveals Details On Latest Haunted Mansion Updates

      Disneyland Confirms Rise of the Resistance Will Use Virtual Queue System
      Rise of the Resistance

      Disneyland Confirms Rise of the Resistance Will Use Virtual Queue System

      Creations Shop Replacing MouseGear & Club Cool Returning To Epcot
      creations shop replacing mousegear

      Creations Shop Replacing MouseGear & Club Cool Returning To Epcot

      Avengers Campus Opens June 4 At Disney California Adventure
      avengers campus

      Avengers Campus Opens June 4 At Disney California Adventure

      Disney World Announces Temporary Mask Removal When Taking Outdoor Photos
      mask at magic kingdom

      Disney World Announces Temporary Mask Removal When Taking Outdoor Photos

      Disneyland Shares Details For Park Reservation System & Ticket Sales
      disneyland park reservation system announcement

      Disneyland Shares Details For Park Reservation System & Ticket Sales

      runDisney Announces ‘Lion King’ Theme For 2021 Summer Virtual Series
      rundisney 2021 summer virtual series

      runDisney Announces ‘Lion King’ Theme For 2021 Summer Virtual Series

      2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Will Begin In July
      2021 epcot food and wine festival dates

      2021 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Will Begin In July

  • Other Destinations
        • Complete Guide to Disney Cruise Line
          captain minnie on the disney cruise line

          Complete Guide to Disney Cruise Line

          Complete guide to Disneyland (with comparisons to Disney World)
          Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland

          Complete guide to Disneyland (with comparisons to Disney World)

  • Mobile
      • Podcast
      • Become a WDW Prep Patron
      • About
      • Get a Quote
      • Things We Recommend
      • Contact
      • Search

How to handle the crowds at Disney World during Christmas

WDW Prep School → Other Disney World Info → Featured → Holiday Crowds
  • Heather Thomas
  • June 7, 2019
  • March 15, 2021
Main Street at Christmas

Although lots and lots of couples and single people travel to Disney World it is probably most well known as being a “family travel” destination.

And if you are traveling as a family that likely means you’ll have school-aged children. And if you do you’ll probably be looking to vacation on their breaks. Along with all the other millions of families around the world.

That means that anytime school isn’t in session you’re going to see the parks at Disney World more crowded. And not surprisingly, one of the most crowded times of the year is over the Christmas holiday.

Yes, it is gonna be crowded at Disney World during Christmas, but that doesn’t mean your trip will be miserable!

If you are planning on traveling over the holidays (or any time of the year when the crowds are predicted to be thicker) there are some things you can do to make your trip a lot more enjoyable:

In this article (click to expand)

  • Plan ahead.
  • Stay flexible.
  • Bottom line for Disney World during Christmas:
  • Related News

Plan ahead.

Now is not the time to wing it. Even if your plan is to “have a relaxed trip” you’re still going to need to have a plan in place.

The holidays are the perfect time to utilize our 6 Step Planning Process. If you read through that and follow all the steps, you’re going to cover all the important bases.

Keep in mind that you likely aren’t going to be able to get your ideal room in your ideal resort just a few days out from Christmas. If your goal is to visit Disney World over the holidays and you are wanting to stay onsite, you’d best be booking that trip earlier rather than later.

Grand Floridian Lobby Gingerbread House

When it comes to the trip itself, you’ll definitely want to be thinking ahead. Where are you going to spend each day? What things are your “must do” items? Get those down on paper so you know what your goals are.

Early mornings and late nights will be your friend. Oftentimes there will be Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom that begin at 7 am. If you can get your family up and around and to the park by  6:30 am at the latest, you’ll have a couple of hours there before things get super crowded.

Disney World during Christmas

The same thing with the late nights – if you can stay for the last hour or two when the parks are open late, you’ll also find that the parks thin out. The busiest times (unsurprisingly) will be the middle of the day.

Planning on dining at Table Service restaurants? You’ll want to book those as soon as your booking window opens. Table Service dining can be especially welcoming during the busy travel season because it gives you a spot to relax and sit out of the heavy crowds, without having to walk around looking for a table. If it fits in your budget, we highly recommend you consider eating at least 1 Table Service meal per day during the holidays.

Stay flexible.

YES we want you to have a plan. But we also want you to have a backup plan. And maybe a backup to the backup plan.

Doing your research and having lots of knowledge about the entire Walt Disney World Resort area makes it so much easier for you to be flexible. Flexibility is the key to keeping your trip magical.

Hollywood Studios at Christmas

It is a guarantee that things outside of your control will happen during your Disney World trip. Attractions will break down. Somebody is going to decide they don’t want to ride something you’d originally planned on. You’re going to miss a bus at your resort and be late.

The list of things that could quickly turn a trip sour is long – but the list of things that can make the trip amazing is a million times longer. The key is, however, that you have to be intentional about planning for the bad stuff so you’re ready to counter with something else.

Hollywood Studios Echo Lake Christmas

Crowds more than you can handle? Take a break and head to a resort to check out their holiday decorations.
Lines crazy long on all the attractions you want to see? Jump onto My Disney Experience and see if anything nearby has lines that are more manageable.
Weather not behaving? Use it to your advantage.

Bottom line for Disney World during Christmas:

YES, Disney World is really crowded over the holidays. It isn’t unusual for the parks to close to capacity and for the crowds to be thick. But, it is also a magical time to visit.

Go into your vacation with a good plan. Use the early mornings to your advantage and do your research so you can stay flexible. If you do all of that you’ll have an amazing trip and make tons of magical memories.

************

Thinking about traveling to Disney World during Christmas? You’ll want to read these:

All about the holiday season at Disney World

Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

How to handle the weather at Disney World

Disney World closure phases – when they occur and what they mean

Related News

  • Walt Disney World Extends Park Hours For The Holidays
  • Disney Springs’ 2020 Holiday Offerings Include Santa On A Pontoon Boat
  • Disney Park Pass System Extended Through Early January 2023
  • Walt Disney World Park Hours Extended For The Week Of Christmas
  • Passholders Receive Discount At Select Festival Of The Holidays Kitchens

Read this next

Popular Related Articles

Related Posts:

  • Disney World 2021 & 2022 Crowd Calendar (best times to go)
  • 100+ tips for your Disney World trip
  • Disneyland Park Attractions
  • 100+ of the best tips for your Disney World trip
  • Complete guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in 2021
  • Disney World Vacation Planner
  • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
  • Disneyland is reopening, here's what you need to know

In this category

More Tips and Tricks

  • Other Disney World Info

Ready to book a trip for 2021?

The team at Small World Vacations is ready to help get you started.

Get a quote now

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Start here

  • Crowd Calendars
    • January Crowd Calendar
    • February Crowd Calendar
    • March Crowd Calendar
    • April Crowd Calendar
    • May Crowd Calendar
    • June Crowd Calendar
    • July Crowd Calendar
    • August Crowd Calendar
    • September Crowd Calendar
    • October Crowd Calendar
    • November Crowd Calendar
    • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Typhoon Lagoon
    • Blizzard Beach
    • Disney Springs
    • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
  • Resorts
    • On-Site
    • Off-Site
    • Disney World Value Resorts
    • Disney World Moderate Resorts
    • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
    • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
    • Dining Basics
    • Disney Dining Plan
    • Our top Table Service restaurants
    • Our top Quick Service restaurants
    • Guide to all Disney World character meals
    • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
    • 7 Step Planning Process
    • Planning Basics
    • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
    • Trip Planning for Families
    • Money and Shopping
    • Downloadables
    • 2021 & 2022 Guide
  • News
  • Other Destinations
  • Mobile

More Goodies

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search

I just got back from a five night stay at Coronado Springs and had the best time! Even though I went during the busy season I barely waited in any lines and was able to do everything I wanted!

Jonathan C.

Meet us there


IG

FB

PI

TW

YT

EM

WDWprepschool.com is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, the Walt Disney Company.

PRIVACY POLICY

© 2021 PREP SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

[instagram-feed]