Silly Question!

[tnpoohbear]

I know this might be a silly question to ask as I am sure the parks are probably packed! This year we are going to WDW on Dec 27th for three nights at AOA. We have never been at Christmas time before but this has been a hard year and we have lost my sister-in-law six months ago and then her husband (my brother) one month ago. Just got to take my kids away and we could not go until 27th. Just what should we expect as far as wait times and crowds? Thanks for any info.

[CleveSJM]

It will be extremely crowded. Probably a few of the busiest days of the year. Expect really long wait times everywhere. Try to focus on your Fastpass times and relax with everything else. Try to enjoy the crowds. Example wait times: 60-90 minutes for about everything at MK, 60-80 at the big rides at HS, 60-90 at Soarin and Test Track... I think those are low to moderate estimates.

[tnpoohbear]

Thank you! My daughter is going to take my great niece who is 4 to MK and I think I will take my son (he has mild autism) to Epcot and Disney Springs. This will be my niece's first trip so she won't know what she is missing. We do have some fast passes already and a couple of dining reservations. Could not get BOG yet! My daughter wants to have time to take my niece to the pool since it is so nice there. We are staying in a Lion King suite so she will love to play and look around there. Our regular trip is scheduled for March - that is the time I prefer to go. thanks again.

[CleveSJM]

Good plan. Nice and slow for crowded visit. Enjoy fastpass and chill on most everything else. :-)

[#1donaldfan]

It's gonna be very crowded but if you rope drop the parks and do the FP's for the evening hours you should get to see and do pretty much everything you want. We will be there enjoying it with ya and also staying at the AoA !!

[Cass&KenziesMom]

I don't know. We arrived the 26th last year and stayed until New Year's Eve. I honestly didn't find it was as busy as everyone said it would be. Sure the wait times for some of the more popular rides was kind of ridiculous without a fast pass but we rode what we could and just kind of did the "go with the flow" thing. It's a fun time of the year to go.

[Isabella]

I'm so sorry for your loss. That is never easy, but to happen so close together is very difficult. I know for us, we can go to Disneyworld and not go on any ride to be refreshed. It's the atmosphere and the decorations, this time of year that are extra magical in my opinion. We may be silly, but riding the monorail is a highlight. Also exploring the other resorts is fun! waling around French Quarter, taking the boat to Disney Springs, eating at Olivia's at Old Key West.
Hoping you have a wonderful time and can focus on you and resting.
Patty

[Main Street Jim]

Never easy to lose loved ones. I just lost my Dad two weeks ago. Hasn't been easy, that's for sure.

On another note:

Parks will be closed early due to reaching capacity early in the day, especially Magic Kingdom. Since I worked in Tomorrowland, I can give you an idea of wait times: Speedway will be 120 minutes (if not more); Space Mountain, close to 3 hours in Stand-By. Buzz will for sure be 2 hours plus. The other two mountains will be two hours plus as well. If you plan on seeing any of the four parades (two day parades and two night parades), if you and the kids can hold out, go to the second run of both.

[deedee73]

Never easy to lose loved ones. I just lost my Dad two weeks ago. Hasn't been easy, that's for sure..

So sorry to hear about your loss. It is something that you learn to live/cope with rather than get over.

[Terra]

I am so sorry as well for your losses.
You have gotten great input. Just relax, hit a few "must dos" and enjoy the Christmas decorations and ambiance.

[joonyer]

Last year we saw wait times of 180 minutes (yes three hours!) at 7DMT, but that was on Christmas Day. it probably won't be quite as crowded on the 27th and after (except on New Years Eve). But you know what? It was still one of our best Disney trips and family vacations ever! Just go expecting the crowds, have a plan and you can have a great time.

[Terra]

Never easy to lose loved ones. I just lost my Dad two weeks ago. Hasn't been easy, that's for sure.

On another note:

Parks will be closed early due to reaching capacity early in the day, especially Magic Kingdom. Since I worked in Tomorrowland, I can give you an idea of wait times: Speedway will be 120 minutes (if not more); Space Mountain, close to 3 hours in Stand-By. Buzz will for sure be 2 hours plus. The other two mountains will be two hours plus as well. If you plan on seeing any of the four parades (two day parades and two night parades), if you and the kids can hold out, go to the second run of both.

Jim, I just read this. I am so very sorry :(