1. We got there early! Everyone made a rush to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but we headed for Marvel Super Hero Island. All of the rides had no waits and we walked right on. Same with the Toon Lagoon rides and Jurassic Park River Adventure. We had done half of the park by noon. Then the crowds came in.
2. Find quiet spots. We took our time due to the amount of people that suddenly swarmed the park. We found refuge at some non-crowded places that were great to escape the crowds. This included the walkway that goes all around Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges and Me Ship, The Olive, in front of Jurassic Park Discovery Center by the lagoon, in front of the Toon Lagoon amphitheater, along Sneetch Beach in Seuss Landing and behind the Mythos restaurant.
3. We ate outside of the park in CityWalk. This let us escape the crowds momentarily for a relaxing lunch as we watched the crowds come in. Re-entering the park was not bad at all.
4. We realized that since it was officially crowded, and we had already done a lot of the major attractions, it was time to suck it up and wait. It was hard, but we attempted to brave the 140 minute wait for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and the 45 minute wait for Dragon Challenge. We sadly never rode Forbidden Journey due to it being really just too long and the ride broke down.
Security should have told the guy with the camera to get off the street or they will pepper spray him.
The Disney staff usually has to break out the mace when guests get crowded and unruly.
If you want to feel magical at Disney World on Christmas your best bet is to head to a bar at the world showcase.
Regardless of the time of year, we always go with the expectations that these parks are going to be packed, however I have heard the first couple weeks of January is actually a good time to go.
What are you referring to? I didn't see any incident like that mentioned in this thread. I've been known to miss stuff, but I don't think I did here.
But if you MUST go the items mentioned can help make this a better time for all.. actually if you wait till week after new year day the place is deserted..
happy christmas and merry new year to all my fellow TPI'ers..
I love visiting both Disney and Universal during the Holidays. But we specifically visit during the week BEFORE Christmas. It isn't too crowded, you don't have to wait too long to ride anything, and you still get the complete Christmas experience without the overcrowding. I honestly don't see anything fun or magical about being at a park that's so crowded you literally can't move anywhere.