Visiting Disney World around the Christmas holiday sounds like a dream, right? The decorations, the vibes, the treats…it’s pure magic! The downside, though? Crowds. So. Many. Crowds.

As a local Disney World Annual Passholder, I tend to avoid the two weeks of Christmas vacation, because…well…the parks are absolutely PACKED. But this year, I made an exception! With family in town, we headed to Walt Disney World in full out-of-town-tourist mode to experience the good, the bad, and the ugly of visiting during one of the busiest times of the year. And, let me tell you, there were crowds and there were lines…but we also managed to have a great time!

If you’re planning to visit Disney World during Christmas break, here’s exactly what to expect — and how to survive it.

What Makes Christmas the Busiest Time of Year at Disney World?

Christmas week consistently ranks as one of the busiest times of year at Disney World. And when you think about it, it’s easy to understand why. The same reasons you’re considering a holiday trip are the same reasons millions of others are planning one too!

Between school vacations, time off work, holiday gift trips, international travelers, and all the extra entertainment Disney offers during the holidays, there’s no shortage of reasons people flock to Walt Disney World during the holiday season.

Holiday Magic at Walt Disney World

Disney spends all year planning for the holidays. In fact, they have cast members who work on holiday preparations year-round!

Here are some of the things you can only experience at Disney World over the holidays:

• In-park holiday decorations
• Resort holiday decorations
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
• Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Holiday ride overlays
• Holiday stage shows
• Holiday-exclusive snacks and treats
• EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays
• Holiday-exclusive merchandise

Needless to say, there is no shortage of the Christmas spirit at Disney World.

The Biggest Challenges of Visiting During the Busiest Time of Year

As magical as the holidays at Disney World are, the crowds can quickly turn excitement into exhaustion if you’re not prepared. Even seasoned Disney veterans need to do a bit more planning for peak season! So, is a Disney World vacation during the busiest time of the year really right for you? Here are some of the biggest challenges to consider before you book your trip.

Crowds Are Everywhere

More people in the park means more crowded walkways, restaurants, and attractions. But when you visit during the Christmas break period, it’s more than just walking through crowds that you need to prepare for.

Navigating the parks with children adds another layer of difficulty. Pushing a stroller through tens of thousands of people? Challenging, to say the least. Be prepared for bottlenecks at popular photo spots, including Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, and the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom.

If viewing fireworks or stage shows is on your must-do list, plan to get to your viewing spot at least an hour early. And, expect longer wait times for Disney transportation.

Longer Wait Times and Holiday Overlays

Even during the slow seasons, the lines for Disney World’s most popular rides can stretch to well over an hour. And, during the busiest time of the year, those lines not only stretch longer, but even rides that normally have short wait times are long.

On average, plan to wait at least an hour per ride without Lightning Lanes, even for attractions that normally have short waits. If they’re shorter, that’s a win!

It’s also important to be prepared to wait longer for rides that feature a holiday overlay. This includes Jingle Cruise (a.k.a. Jungle Cruise) at Magic Kingdom and Living with the Land at EPCOT. I’ve spent hundreds of days at Disney World, and I can’t recall a time Living with the Land had more than a 30-minute wait, but during our Christmas break trip, the wait time hit 100 minutes at one point.

Securing Reservations Is Harder

Whether you’re planning on dining at table service restaurants, booking a specific hotel, or adding on one of Disney’s many special experiences (like Savi’s Workshop or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique), securing a reservation is much more difficult when you’re visiting during one of the busiest times of the year.

If you are considering heading to Disney World during Christmas time, you’ll need to plan well in advance so that you can take full advantage of your reservation window. Reservations for dining and special experiences can be booked 60 days in advance of your check-in date, and resort reservations can be booked nearly a year in advance.

During our trip, we had breakfast at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club, which is known for its walk-up availability and being a restaurant that flies under the radar. However, we waited 30 minutes to be seated, even with a reservation, and walk-ups were being turned away.

Florida Weather Can Be Unpredictable

I’m a born-and-raised Floridian. Over thirty years later, I still don’t know how to handle the Central Florida weather in the “winter.”

You could be cold in the morning and sweating by noon. Or it could be unseasonably cold all day. Or it could be unseasonably hot, and you’re spending your Christmas by the resort pool. You just never know! On our trip, it was in the 40s/50s in the morning when we left our resort, but by noon, we wished we hadn’t worn long sleeves as we made our way through the parks in the Florida sun.

So, before you pull out the suitcase, keep an eye on the weather forecast, pack layers, and don’t assume you won’t need a bathing suit just because it’s December!

How to Survive Disney World During Peak Crowds

We’ve talked about the challenges, but don’t worry — it’s not all bad! With proper planning, surviving Disney World during the busiest time of year is totally doable. Here are six tips that will make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your Disney World vacation during the busiest times of the year.

Stay on Disney Property

With heavy crowds, maximizing your time is essential, and staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel helps you do that! All Disney hotels offer free transportation to get you to and from the theme parks. The exact type of transportation you’ll have access to will depend on what hotel you choose, but letting Disney do the driving can be a major stress-reliever when you’re visiting during peak crowds. The last thing you want to do is drive in traffic, deal with parking lots, or rely on pricey rideshares!

At the end of the night, you’ll thank yourself for an easy trip back to your bed – believe me!

Research and Make a Must-Do List Before You Go

Have a family meeting and discuss what’s important to your group. You likely won’t be able to do everything at Disney World during Christmas break because of the crowds, but if you focus on your priorities and get those done first, anything additional you get to is extra fun!

Are certain rides a priority? Certain dining reservations? Staying at a specific resort? Are the holiday-exclusive experiences important to you? You can research all of the rides, attractions, shows, character meet-and-greets, and restaurants in each theme park through the My Disney Experience app or on Disney’s website to get an idea of what there is to do and then pick your top 5-10.

When you draft a rough plan, things go much more smoothly. Surviving a busy week at Disney World simply isn’t possible without a bit of planning anymore!

Manage Your Expectations

Disappointment can be avoided with the proper preparation! Having a clear vision of what to expect during your vacation is the difference between magic and mayhem. And, reading this article is the start! A Disney World trip in December isn’t the same as a trip in February. Know what to expect when it comes to crowds and wait times, and you’ll still manage to have a great time!

I like to treat trips during the busiest times of the year as “experiences” rather than vacations and focus on experiencing the parks rather than doing it all. You might be surprised how much fun you can have sitting on Main Street, U.S.A., with a Mickey Bar, people watching instead of running from ride to ride!

Rope Drop Is Non-Negotiable

If attractions are your priority, a rope drop strategy is an absolute must. Rope drop means arriving at the parks before or at park opening, and is usually when rides have the lowest wait times.

Even if you aren’t typically an early morning family, make an exception here. The difference in wait times between 8AM and 10AM can be significant.

Lightning Lane Passes and Mobile Ordering Are Lifesavers

Familiarizing yourself with the My Disney Experience app beforehand will be a game-changer!

In addition to rope dropping, purchasing Lightning Lanes (whether it’s Multi Pass, Single Passes, or even Premier Pass) can guarantee you actually get to ride your must-do attractions. These skip-the-line passes aren’t cheap (especially during the holidays), but with proper planning and budgeting, avoiding the stress of long waits can be worth every penny.

And, don’t forget that there’s a FREE way to skip the line at Disney’s quick service restaurants! With the Mobile Order feature in the My Disney Experience app, you can place your order before you get to the restaurant, and then simply grab a table and pick up your food from the mobile order window when it’s ready. No waiting in line twice! Just be sure to order your food through the app early, as mobile order pick-up windows tend to book up around popular meal times during peak crowds.

Take Midday Breaks To See Holiday Decorations at Disney World Resort Hotels

Especially if rope dropping is part of your plan, taking a midday break is crucial. This gives you a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks, and the resorts offer a much more laid-back vibe.

All four parks have resorts nearby that decorate for the holidays. Some of our favorites to visit around the holidays are:

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Peak Season Mistakes to Avoid

Even as a self-proclaimed Disney expert, I made some rookie mistakes this holiday break trip! These are common pitfalls that can make or break a peak season visit, so learn from my experience.

Mistake #1: Choosing a Resort With Limited Transportation Options

During our trip, we stayed at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. And, don’t get me wrong — I love the All-Star Resorts! They’re a great budget-friendly option, and the immersion into the “Disney Bubble” is unmatched. However, buses are the only Disney transportation option offered at this hotel (and all of the All-Star Resorts), and that caused us to waste some time during our trip. I simply wasn’t prepared for the long lines and wait times, heading to and from the parks.

If you’re visiting during the busiest time of year, consider a resort with multiple transportation options, like the resorts connected by the Disney Skyliner (including Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort) or the monorail resorts (including Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa).

Mistake #2: Not Building in a Low-Key Park Day

Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are best known for their holiday experiences, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios following closely behind. So, those are the parks that we prioritized during our trip. However, with a baby in tow, I realized later that I should have planned at least one day at a more leisurely park like Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

If you’re traveling with young kids or anyone who needs a slower pace, don’t pack every day with the busiest parks. Animal Kingdom tends to have lower(ish) crowds and offers a nice change of pace during an otherwise hectic trip.

Mistake #3: Winging It on Dining

When planning our holiday trip, we decided to make a breakfast dining reservation for one day and then wing it for the rest of our meals. BIG mistake! Lines at quick service restaurants were long no matter what time of day we ate, and waiting for food with hungry, overstimulated kids was not fun for anyone.

During peak season, either book table service reservations in advance or have a solid mobile ordering strategy. Know which quick service locations you want to hit and place your orders early (like, hours early!). Your future self (and your hungry kids) will thank you.

Is Visiting During the Busiest Time of Year Worth It?

So, should you plan a trip to Disney World during the busiest time of the year? Despite the crowds, Christmas at Disney World delivers a kind of magic you won’t find any other time of year. I’m a big believer that the trip is what you make of it, and when heading into the vacation with the proper mindset, it can be worth every penny!

That being said, a trip during peak crowds definitely isn’t for everyone. Here are some things to consider to help make your decision:

Pros:

• Only time of year you can find holiday-exclusive experiences
• Florida weather is much milder compared to summer months
• Kids are off school for two weeks making an extended vacation possible

Cons:

• Navigating crowds can be frustrating
• Hotels, tickets, and add-on experiences are at their most expensive
• You likely won’t be able to do everything in one day at any of the parks

Disney World Christmas Break FAQs

Is Christmas Day the busiest day at Disney World?

Yes, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day are among the busiest days at Walt Disney World.

Which Disney park is best at Christmas?

For Christmas decorations and experiences, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are the stars of the show. Hollywood Studios comes in third, while Animal Kingdom is an underrated fourth.

Can you enjoy Disney World at Christmas without purchasing Lightning Lane Passes?

Yes, Disney World at Christmas is manageable without Lightning Lane passes. While they can certainly cut down on wait times and enable you to do more in one day, standby lines are still open and free during the holidays. Just manage your expectations accordingly, and you’ll be fine!

Do ticket prices increase at Christmas?

Yes. Disney operates on a date-based pricing system, meaning that park tickets, resort rates, and Lightning Lane passes are usually more expensive when demand is higher.

What is the weather like at Disney in December?

The weather in December is usually nice, with temperatures hovering around the 70s. However, it can be unpredictable. Pack layers, and don’t forget a bathing suit!

Final Thoughts

Visiting Disney World at Christmas is not necessarily an “easy” trip — but it sure is an unforgettable one! If you go in knowing what to expect and plan strategically, the holiday magic can easily outweigh the crowds.

Would I recommend it? Yes! With preparation, patience, and a lot of holiday spirit, heading to Walt Disney World during the holiday break could just be your best trip yet!

Comments

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