With Christmas less than a week away, the crowds are starting to descend on the Walt Disney World Resort, and with that, Orlando International Airport has issued a travel warning to those guests who are heading to Central Florida to celebrate the holidays.
Credit: Inside The Magic
Orlando’s primary airport informed travelers today that they are expecting near-record-breaking crowds, with 3.1 million people expected to pass through the airport between December 19 and January 5. The airport is expecting over 500,000 guests this weekend alone, as many are taking a two-week vacation to celebrate the holidays.
MCO reminded guests to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled flight departure time and to check their flight status through their airline’s website or the Orlando Airport app. Guests should also consider getting a PSA pre-check to make an appointment to pass through security at the airport.
Disney World Crowds
If Orlando International Airport is expecting record-breaking crowds, guests heading to the Walt Disney World Resort should expect the same. Based on social media reports and Disney World’s recent wait times, after a slow start to the month, the parks have begun to experience increased crowds.
While Disney World won’t disclose precisely how many people they expect for this year’s holiday season, their Lightning Lane prices indicate how crowded the parks will be. If this year’s prices are any indication, expect massive crowds for Christmas. Disney Lightning Lane Premier Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass have hit the highest prices this year. The passes also hit those heights during Spring Break and Thanksgiving week.
Passholder reservations are already fully booked for Magic Kingdom for several days next week, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, and are also full for EPCOT on New Year’s Eve.
Credit: Eric Lopez, Flickr
Even Disney World’s after-hours Christmas parties are sold out for next week. Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios is sold out for December 20 and 22, while Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is sold out for December 19 and 21.
Credit: Disney Parks Blog
If you happen to be headed to Disney World this Christmas season, you should have already known what you were getting yourself into, but now, you know that you could be facing record-breaking holiday crowds this year. Maybe Disney World’s pricing isn’t keeping people away.
What’s your favorite thing about Disney World during the holidays? Let us know in the comments.