Would you rather go to Disney World...

I think in either case, you'd have to assign yourself to the fact that it's not going to be a typical day at Walt Disney World. I mean, that's obvious, being that it's a holiday, but it will also be atypical due to crowd levels. I mean BIG crowds.

On both days, there is a chance that multiple parks will fill to capacity, so in order to make the most of the day, you may have to forget all your tips and strategies that you use on most days.

So with that said, I think you can still make the most of it by doing things that you WOULDN'T normally do. Of course even off the beaten path, crowds will still get in the way; there'll be THAT many people.

Pressed to choose, I'd probably say Christmas Day.

Actually, I was there about four years ago for the holidays, and Christmas wasn't nearly as bad as New Year's Eve. I had never to that point and never since been in a human traffic jam quite like it. I was stuck on the bridge between Future World and Mexico for a half hour - literally could not move. If I were to ever go again then, I would try to stay at a resort where I could see the fireworks from my room or something - that crowd was RIDICULOUS.

Yikes! That's sounds so unbelievably NOT FUN. I think I'd stay out of the parks completely on either day, but if I had to choose, I'd go to Christmas. I'd pick the least populated park (statistically), find a bench, and people watch all day!

I've been on each and would pick Christmas any time, even though I've been multiple times on the fourth.

Why Christmas?

The weather is nicer.
Crowds are much smaller.
The Christmas spirit is EVERYWHERE!
The special stuff. Osborne family lights, etc.
Disney decorates everything that isn't moving... (and some stuff that is)

I'd take a trip on either date, but Christmas is the best!

Crowds are smaller on Christmas than 4th of July?

The one year I was there they were. Might not be the norm tho.

Since it would be uber-crowded both days, I'd pick Christmas for the nicer weather and the pretty decor.

I think they do some deco for July 4th too (can anyone confirm?) But I really enjoy the Halloween and Christmas decorations. If I'm going to be unable to ride anything I might as well have pretty things to look at.

There is a LOT of red, white and blue during the fourth of July week.

One thing about Christmas. We've talked about the shuttle boat from Old Key West to Downtown Disney. At Christmas a LOT of the DVC'ers decorate their rooms with trees and the whole shooting match.

As you go down the canal you can see the decorations from the rooms and its a really neat experience you wouldn't get in the hotels.

Worth making the trip even if you aren't staying there.

I always think that's great. We've been known to string Christmas lights on our balcony (even when we don't go at Christmastime), but have never stayed long enough to do a whole production.

This is a great suggestion, I'm going to try to summarize it in the Obscure Disney World Activities thread.

I think I'd pick Christmas too. For the weather, the decorations & the spirit.

Max went for his Graduation Trip for July 4th & said it was incredible. They staked out their fireworks spot 2 hours ahead, but he said it was totally worth it.

The heat is pretty much the end of the Christmas vs. 4th of July debate if you ask me.

Hi,

I've never been to WDW on either date, the closest being my departure day, December 16, 2007, but if I had to choose between Christmas and the Fourth of July, I'd pick Christmas. Not only does one get the Christmas decorations and spirit; but if the weather is sufficiently warm, there's something exceedingly decadent about a dip in the pool on December 25.

Jim

Yeah, the trade of cold weather for Florida weather kind of seals the deal for Christmas.

We love when it's warm enough to swim in the winter. It really does feel decadent. Good word, Jim.