Okay, let’s be real — planning a trip to Disney World in December sounds magical… and also a little terrifying. Last year, I did exactly that with my kids, and let me tell you: it was magical, but it was also crowded, chaotic at times, and absolutely required some strategy.
If you’re thinking about tackling Disney during the holiday season with your family, here’s what actually worked for us — no fluff, just the real stuff that helped us stay sane and have fun.
Start With a Plan, But Keep It Chill
I’m a planner by nature, and honestly, it saved us. I made dining reservations 60 days out (they go fast in December!), and I loosely mapped out which parks we’d do each day. But I also gave us breathing room. I picked one or two must-dos per day and left the rest open for wandering, resting, or grabbing a last-minute Lightning Lane.
Trying to plan every hour? Recipe for disaster. Leaving space to just be at Disney made everything more enjoyable.
Genie+ Is Your Friend (Even If You Hate It)
Yes, it costs extra. Yes, it’s one more thing to think about. But Genie+ helped us skip some seriously painful lines, and with holiday crowds, it was 100% worth it. I set reminders on my phone to grab our next Lightning Lane as soon as we could. It wasn’t perfect, but it made a big difference. Would I do Disney again without this (even though its an extra cost)? NO. Genie+ during peak seasons is a non-negotiable for me after this!
Also: mobile ordering food? Lifesaver.
Breaks Make or Break You
We did a mix of strategies depending on the day. Some mornings, we rope-dropped (arrived before park opening), did the big rides early, and took a midday break at the hotel — naps, pool, or just chilling out. Then we came back in the evening for fireworks and snacks.
Other days, we let the kids sleep in and went later in the afternoon, staying through until the nighttime shows. That worked really well when we were tired, and the parks are honestly beautiful after dark in December.
We made sure to have a resort day after a few days at the park because our feet really needed a good rest. Regardless: don’t try to go nonstop. Burnout at Disney is real, especially with kids.
Manage Expectations (Yours and Theirs)
This was huge for me. The holidays at Disney are crowded. You won’t do everything. You will wait in lines. I asked each kid to choose one must-do for the trip — and we made sure those happened. Everything else was extra. Letting go of the Pinterest-perfect idea of a Disney vacation helped me enjoy the actual moments so much more, and realizing that it’s impossible to hit it all in one trip.
Pack Snacks, a Charger, and Patience
Three non-negotiables:
Snacks — for lines, delays, and random “I’m starving” moments.
Portable charger — your phone will die if you’re using the app all day. Buy a good one!
Patience — seriously. Bring extra. You’ll need it for crowds, strollers, and all the things you didn’t expect.
Is Disney World in December Worth It?
Honestly? Yes. The decorations, the festive treats, the fake snow on Main Street — it was everything I hoped it would be. But it only felt magical because we slowed down, let go of perfection, and adjusted to the pace that worked for our family.
If you’re thinking about doing Disney World in December with kids, you can do it — just plan smart, be flexible, and give yourself grace. The magic is real… even in the madness.
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