Christmas Day at the Magic Kingdom. What could be more perfect. Every perfect vacation to Walt Disney World should end with a beautiful visit to the most magical park in the most magical place on earth on the most special day of the year. Sounds magical doesn’t it?
What could be better? The Magic Kingdom. Christmas Day. Dreamy, right?
Christmas Day in the Magic Kingdom?
Crowds like this aren’t a reality on Christmas Day… Photo by Judd Helms.
REALITY CHECK …
I saw an article today (December 8) with the title “Disney World at Christmas: Expect crowds, BIG crowds” like this is big news. (In fact the name of the site is worldnewsmania or something.) News Flash … Disney World ath the Magic Kingdom crowds will be BIG Christmas Day. Mmmmm. Wonder where I’ve heard that before?
Dad’s December Disney World Crowds page
Yes, on a typical Christmas Day at the Magic Kingdom will reach capacity before noon.
I know, you’re thinking “Dad you are crazy I see the Christmas parade on ABC (Disney propaganda network) every year and there are really small crowds around the park.“
That would be correct. The only problem is the Christmas parade is taped the first weekend in December. Oops. Christmas Day at the Magic Kingdom is the busiest day at any park anywhere. Over 120,000 people will try to jam into the park. (Disney never publishes crowd sizes, but outside estimates reach 150,000. If this was DC, it would probably be estimated at 2 million.)
This is more like it
This is more like it… Photo by Cliff Wang.
But Dad …
OK, I understand the need to have a really special experience on Christmas Day. (I would counter that it’s not going to be so magical but …) So if you just have go anyway, here’s what Dad would suggest.
- Don’t expect to ride a lot of rides – pick the rides you absolutely have to ride and do them as soon as possible.
- Get to the Magic Kingdom 1 hour before the advertized opening time. That’s not leave your hotel 1 hour early, that’s be at the gate 1 hour early.
- Enjoy the shows. They will be packed, but that’s part of the fun.
- Sing Christmas Carols while in line – hey, you don’t have anything else to do, might as well enjoy the season. Try to see how many others you can get to join you.
- Have a reservation for meals or bring your own. There were reports, in years past, of 2 hour lines at the quick service restaurants.
- Don’t expect to leave the park and get back in.
- Go slow, relax, people watch, enjoy the moment.
Get some help
Would you like some help planning your next trip? Good. Check with my partners over at Destinations to Travel. They will be happy to help you with anything yo u need to plan a Perfect Vacation.
Give Destinations to Travel a shout
Dad’s Bottom Line
Yes, Dad has ranted about Christmas Day at the Magic Kingdom before, and probably will again. It’s a big deal to me. Thousands of people every year show up at the Magic Kingdom and are turned away or go away with a bad taste in their mouths because of the crowds. It’s a shame. It’s easy to find out what Christmas Day is like, but alas, some people don’t read Dad’s great site (yet).
