The Worst things...
1. Outrageous crowds
The closer you get to a major holiday, the bigger the crowds are. Everyone wants to take advantage of those five big perks mentioned above, so you’ll find packed streets and long lines nearly everywhere you go. If you don’t enjoy rubbing elbows, literally, with strangers, this is not the season for you.
You can enjoy some holiday flair without the crowds if you celebrate early. Come for Halloween in the middle of September and celebrate Christmas the first week of November for the fun of the festivities without the crowds.
2. High prices
Image: Disney
Walt Disney World vacations are expensive any time of the year, but this is even truer around the holidays. Resort prices rocket as the parks get busier toward these major events. Even park tickets can be more expensive. Florida residents enjoy a discounted ticket rate most of the year, but from December 18 through January 2, these tickets are invalid, meaning that residents need to splurge on non-resident tickets which are more expensive if you’re visiting for more than one day.
3. Shorter park hours
Image: Disney
You’d expect park hours to be longer during busy seasons, and for the most part they are. However, the holiday parties create a special consideration many guests don’t think about. If you’re visiting during a season when the Magic Kingdom is hosting the Halloween or Christmas party, the park will close early to regular guests on party nights. Visit over a holiday weekend and that’s almost every night. If you want to see Wishes and you’re not attending a party, you’ll have to make sure you’re at the Magic Kingdom on a day when there’s no party or you may end up missing this classic highlight.
Disney’s water parks close once a year for cleaning and annual refurbishment and it usually happens over the holiday season when the weather is a bit cooler. If you come around the holidays and want to swim, you should keep in mind that you may not get a choice of water park. While one is always open, it might not be the one you were hoping for.
4. Limited availability
There’s a limit on just about everything at Walt Disney World. FastPass+ reservations, dining reservations, party tickets, and hotel reservation can all go fast around the holidays. Don’t be surprised if you can’t find a table at your favorite restaurant or even get a FastPass for your favorite ride.
Even the theme parks themselves have a limit. The parks can and do reach capacity around the holidays. This means that you could be turned away at the parking plaza. This is something no guest holding a paid ticket expects to run into but it does happen, particularly on days like Christmas at the Magic Kingdom, so be prepared and arrive early if you want to get in.
5. Unseasonal weather
If you’re headed down to Florida from a cooler climate, you may thrill to the idea of a warm tropical Christmas. Much of the time it really is nice, but there are some important things to consider. If you’re wearing a Halloween costume appropriate to the Midwest for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party you will probably be sweltering. Don anything heavy, or add details like boots or a wig to your attire and you’ll quickly discover the downside to Florida’s hot humid weather around Halloween.
While Floridian Christmases are without snow, they’re not completely dry. Unlike the short summer showers that usually pass in an hour, winter rains can last much longer. Though it’s not always wet, when it is it’s often a slow, chilly drizzle that can dampen your whole day.
There are both ups and downs to a holiday visit so consider all sides carefully before you book your visit. Keep in mind, too, that there’s a sweet spot for holiday visitors willing to celebrate early if you’re smart and know how to book within that magic window.
Comments
I do want to add something to this post, at least to the cons. My family and I have been coming down to Florida for the Very Merry Christmas Parade since 2006--originally every other year, but it has since turned into an annual trip for us--and I've learned a few things. Now, I've never been here for the Halloween party, but if anyone plans to come down for the Christmas party, be prepared to pack some pants, sweatshirts, and even winter jackets in some cases. My family and I are currently on our annual vacation to WDW right now, and this past week has been 60's as the high. Not bad, right? However, two or three days ago it didn't even reach 50 degrees, and for people who plan to be outside all day at a park--be it WDW or Universal (it was Universal for us that day)--it'll come as a real shock when one goes to Florida to escape the cold weather. Also, at the mention of Thanksgiving, I would suggest those going for the Christmas parade to go down to WDW right after that holiday. This year is different of course, but my family normally goes down right after Thanksgiving, leaving the crowds at a bare minimum, and the wait times for the rides and character meet-and-greets to be very small. Right before it, however, it's longer than we are used to (though compared to Christmas? Piece of cake.) and we missed out on many things we usually do because of them. Last year we went with my high school marching band on December 26, and it was a definition of hell. If you can avoid going within a week of the holiday you want to be there for, please do. You won't regret it. If you can't...either wait until the crowds dim, or don't plan on getting many things at all.
Those are what I've observed over the years, and I hope that these few points will help people planning a WDW trip in the future, but I just wanted to make a special note of these.