Christmas at WDW Florida...am I totally mad?

[Spockster]

we are thinking of a holiday in Florida over Christmas, a couple of days at the theme parks to keep the kids quiet and beach and "culture" for the rest of the time. The way things are looking we would be at WDW /Universal over Christmas itself. The web comments boards all say Christmas at WDW etc is crazy and to avoid like the plague. We were in Anaheim last year in the summer hols and thought it was busy but fine; are we totally crazy, should we rethink???

Have you booked it yet?.

Do not visit WDW (and particularly the Magic Kingdom) on Christmas Day; its absolutely packed out with people so not much fun at all. Universal will also have crowds as well; you are better off visiting these parks just before or just after the 25th.

If you do decide to attend given the above caveat, arrive there early for actual opening time.

Are you talking this Christmas? If so, and you haven't booked flights, you might be in for a shock. We were going to go but the prices we were looking at were silly prices, around 1k each

I think it will be VERY busy at all of the parks on Christmas day

Ouch! No, flights to Tampa with BA look quite reasonable (considering), we got a quote with Trailfinders but haven't booked yet. Will def avoid Christmas day, do you think it will be bearable arête Boxing Day? The thought of it alone is making me grumpy...

Flights to FL over Christmas do get booked up fast so you will need to make a decision soon. Would actually now look at BAs website www.ba.com and have a look at their costings with comparison to the price Trailfinders have quoted.

Tampa as well is also some considerable distance from the WDW area in Orlando. 90-120 minutes each way is about the time taken to arrive in Orlando from Tampa.

If you do decide to go early December is far better as it is less crowded. The 26th December is not a public holiday in the US so most people head back to work then.

Thank you. Decided to wait til Feb half term when the crowds might be better, and arrange own accommodation, as the big resort hotels Trailfinders advised don't appeal. Will have to get a Christmas tree aftervall!

for lovely villas have a look at Loyalty Homes www.loyaltyusa.com they are owned by an english lady called Yvonne who only deals with luxury private villas most of which have private pools (and many have gamesrooms) all within 4 miles of Disney. Many are from around $100 per night which can work out cheaper than some hotel rooms