When to go for Christmas Decorations

[Piglet]

Just got back a week ago and already thinking of our next trip. When would be the best time to go to WDW to enjoy the Christmas Decorations, but avoid crowds??

Melinda

 

[tc]

We went NYE last year and enjoyed the decorations, but still had low crowds. Actually, the low crowds started about the 3rd or 4th of January. I think the decorations are up from Thanksgiving on, so the first two weeks of December would be a good time too. You can catch Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) and avoid the big crowds the come around Christmas.

 

[UKAnnie]

Kelli's right - they start putting up the decorations right after Thanksgiving. We went the first two weeks in December and it was just the best. The crowds are low(ish), hardly any waiting but enough people in the parks to give it some atmosphere. I would certainly recommend going then. I believe it starts to fill up round about a week before Christmas Day. The only thing you miss if you go that early, though it isn't a Disney offering, is the Macy's Day Parade at Universal - still you can't have everything, but that two week slot will give you the best!

Ann.

 

[shellybaxter]

We just got back today and I was pleasently surprised that many of the resorts (POR, the Poly, and BWI that I remember) had already started putting up decorations. Many of the gift shops in the world showcase were already decorated as well.

Shelly

 

[UKAnnie]

Just found last night (on wdwinfo) the following schedule:

The following is the schedule for Walt Disney World Christmas decorating:

Oct. 28th - 10 pm
Pop Century

Nov. 3rd - 10 pm
- Magic Kingdom Merchandise
- Disney Animal Kingdom Merchandise shops
- Disney - MGM Studios Merchandise Shops


- Marketplace Interior
- Santa Clause Trees

Nov. 4th - 10 pm
- Epcot Merchandise Shops
- Epcot Towers
- Mousegears
- Port Orleans Riverside/ Riverside Resort

Nov. 5th - 10 pm
- Disney Vacation Club Resorts
- World of Disney Downtown Disney
- All Star Movie Resort
- Downtown Disney West Side


Nov. 6th - 10 pm
- All Star Sports & Music Resorts
- Boardwalk Interior
- Boardwalk Concierge
- Boardwalk exterior- AM

Nov. 7 - 10 pm
- Poly Resort
- Coronado Springs Resort
- Blizzard Beach

Nov. 9th - Upon docking
- Disney Cruise Line Wonder

Nov. 10th - 10 pm
- Caribbean Beach Resort
- Contemporary Resort

Nov. 11th - 10 pm
- Grand Floridian Tree set up
- Grand Floridian Resort

Nov. 12th - 10 pm
- Wilderness Lodge
- Wilderness Lodge Tree set up
- Wilderness Lodge Annex

Nov. 13th - 10 pm
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Interior and exterior
- Old Key West Resort
- Disney Cruise Line Wonder send Cast away Cay decorations

Nov. 14th - 10 pm
- Vero Beach Resort
- Fort Wilderness Exterior
- Wide World of Sports Tree

Nov. 16th - 10 pm
- Disney Cruise Line Magic 16-21

Nov. 17th - 10 pm
- Disney-MGM Studios 50's Prime Time Cafe
- Disney-MGM Studios Hollywood and Vine
- Disney-MGM Studios Brown Derby
- Epcot Exterior

Nov. 18th - 10 pm
- Epcot Exterior
- Disney-MGM Studios Tree installation
- Disney-MGM Studios New York Street


Nov. 19th - 10 pm
- Disney-MGM Studios New York Street Cable installation
- Disney-MGM Studios New York Street
- Epcot Interior
- Epcot Tree
- Epcot American Adventure tree

Nov. 20th - 10 pm
- Downtown Disney Marketplace exterior
- Disney's Animal Kingdom exterior
- Habro Tree
- Lily Pad Stage Tree.

Nov. 21st - 10 pm

- Disney's Animal Kingdom exterior
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Tree of Life
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Dinoland


Nov. 23rd - 10 pm
- Magic Kingdom Interior/Exterior
- Magic Kingdom Tree
- Magic Kingdom cables
- Hilton Head

Nov. 24th - 10 pm
- Fort Wilderness Exterior
- Fort Wilderness Interior
- Magic Kingdom Interior/Exterior
- Epcot Candlelight Trees

Nov. 25th - 10 pm
- Fort Wilderness Exterior
- Magic Kingdom Exterior


Hope it's helpful.

Wishing you Mickey Magic today.

Ann.

 

[LizardCop]

Originally posted by Piglet
Just got back a week ago and already thinking of our next trip. When would be the best time to go to WDW to enjoy the Christmas Decorations, but avoid crowds??

The past 2 years we have gone the week before Christmas, leaving WDW on Christmas Eve day to go home and be with family. The crowds were light and the decorations were wonderful.