Orlando theme parks over Christmas/New Year

[Hulababy]

Just wondered if anyone has been over the Christmas break, and how you found it, and any tips/suggestions.

Its something we are considering for next year. We were going to go for a week in October but plans have had to change so no longer possible. Hence considering Christmas.

We know it will be VERY busy. Wed be prepared for that. Its more for the atmosphere on Christmas Day itself especially.

And it isn't our first visit, so even if busy we know how to prepare and plan ahead, etc. - will be visit #9 I think as Dd is still a big fan of the theme parks there. She will actually be 16y by then and in Lower Sixth - scary thought! Luckily no exams straight after Christmas by the books off it though.

As we'd have longer than just half term we may do between 7-10 days perhaps, taking in both Christmas day and New Year.

We would probably stay on site, but may consider doing some days in a Disney hotel and some at Hard Rock next to Universal perhaps. Even if we don't stay at Universal we would get the Express tickets for that park for at least 1 day, if not 2.

We went Christmas 2012. We didn't do any parks on Christmas Day itself but on the 27th it was extremely busy. Magical kingdom was full and closed doors by 10.30/11ish so you have to get there early.

Traffic was really busy too but if you're on site should be ok.

I was also really surprise by how cold it was, particularly at night.

we found it to be a good temperature during the day but definitely a bit chilly at night. it was unbelievably busy and even the things outside of the parks like restaurants and attractions needed a lot more planning.

I would though definitely check about exams before you book especially with the new syllabus etc

We are used to going in February, as well as in the summer, so know the weather can be a bit hit and miss. Still warmer than here though :)

Even though we stay on site we tend to use out own car. Though may try and choose a hotel which is walking or boat to one or two parks, as not keen on using the buses - tend to be big queues even out of season in our experience.

We'd stay on site as doors don't often close (for long anyway) to on site guests, more so for those not staying on site. And DD is thinking Harry Potter for Christmas Day, as it tends to be less busy than any of the Disney parks based on past door numbers and blogs we've read. And she is a big potter fan.

The schools she's considering don't tend to do exams for lower sixth after Christmas - tends to be just for Y11/13 instead, and Y12 either before or a bit later on. Obviously we will check more carefully before booking though.

We've been between Christmas and New Year it was lots of fun but super busy. However, with careful (obsessive?) planning, we rarely queued for rides. We were always at parks ahead of rope drop (7am all week for Magic Kingdom); made use of morning extra magic hours; sorted Fastpasses; made touring plans. Use the Touring Plans website (small subscription fee) - they really work. You should definitely stay in a Disney hotel as you get the extra hours plus priority booking for Fast passes and restaurants. At that time of year popular restaurants do get booked up months ahead.

Oh and worth transferring to a Universal hotel for those parks as you'll also get early opening there and 'free' front of line passes. Friends went there after Christmas recently and Harry Potter was super busy: they were turning people way from that area of the park. Think they were given timed tickets for return. I would skip the parks on Christmas Day: swim, go to the Boardwalk etc.

Thanks all

Whole point of being over there would be to be there on Christmas Day and New Years Eve specifically. In an actual park. Not really for the rides, just to be there. Its one of DD's 'would love to do' things.

Harry Potter is now included in the express passes too, which would help.

We are used to the whole planning of an Orlando holiday so that side of it wouldn't bother me. We always plan which park for which day based on the previous door numbers, always book ADRs 180 days before and sort FPs at 60 days before (when staying on site.)