Welcome back to planDisney, Lindsay. Thanks for reaching out to us again!
While not an exact science, you can use the
Walt Disney World Resort Ticket Calendar to gauge the predicted crowd levels for the theme parks. In general, the higher the ticket price, the higher the crowds are predicted to be. At the time of writing this answer, December 22, 2024 through January 1, 2025 are the same price (subject to change), which means they are all predicted to have about the same crowd levels. While Christmas Day is usually said to be the busiest of these days, truthfully, all of these days will likely be similarly busy. As such, it's important to get to the theme parks earlier in the day and only leave a park if you are comfortable with the possibility that you may not be allowed back in due to capacity constraints.
When it comes to
attractions and
restaurants, the
Walt Disney World Resort is almost the opposite of the rest of the world on holidays. This means that while in most places, restaurants and attractions close on Christmas Day, at the Walt Disney World Resort, most establishments are open. Typically, the busier the park is, the higher the likelihood that most attractions and restaurants will be open, as more Guests need to be entertained and fed. Under the
Hours & Events Calendar, you will see a "Closed for Refurbishment" section under theme parks that have attractions that are either currently closed or projected to close. Just note that while these are the planned closures for that time, it isn't everything, as sometimes, unexpected closures occur.
And finally, we come to your last question about whether you should avoid Christmas Day. And, unfortunately, Lindsay, I can't answer that for you. I told you earlier that many people consider Christmas Day the busiest day of the year at the resort, especially
Magic Kingdom Park. And that does deter some Guests. However, many Guests simply love to be in the parks on this special day. If they are already at the Most Magical Place on Earth, they figure, why not spend it inside one of these intricately detailed theme parks with their many shows, attractions, and entertainment options? Then, others are content to skip that day, stay in their fully immersive
Disney Resorts Collection Hotel, enjoy a day by the pool,
make an advanced dining reservation, and simply spend time relaxing. It's all about what
you want to get out of your holiday.
Lindsay, no matter how you decide to spend your time at the resort or if you visit a theme park on Christmas Day, you will be there with your family.
Winnie the Pooh once said that Christmas is a "togethery sort of holiday." Enjoy the time you have together on your holiday. Ride the attractions you want to ride. Sing along with the shows that speak to you. And celebrate that togetherness so that warmth will last you the whole year through.
If you have any other questions,
feel free to reach out directly to me.
As long as there’s Christmas, I truly believe, that hope is the greatest of the gifts we receive,
Matt