Another myth busted...low crowds in early December

[Granny]

I've been reading on these threads about how great it is to go to WDW in early December due to low point schedules for DVC and low crowds in the parks.

Well, the low point schedule is certainly true. Really a great deal since we are in a BWV standard view 1BR.

But the park crowds....WOW!!! We arrived on Saturday 12/3 and there have been heavy crowds every day in the parks. Fortunately, we are more focused on enjoying the decorations and having a relaxing trip, but if we wanted to do a lot of attractions it would be challenging to say the least.

I know things change, but we were looking forward to finally visiting WDW when the crowd levels would be down a bit. We have been reading on this board for about 10 years about the low crowds in early December. I think it's safe to say that there are very few low crowd times left on the annual calendar.

Of course, the shorter park hours contribute to crowding a little too as there is less total park time for all the guests to enjoy the attractions.

We haven't been to DAK yet, but the other three parks have been pretty crowded each day. Popular attractions (Soaring, Rock n Roller Coaster, Space Mountain) continue to have long stand by lines, and Fast Passes are gone fairly early in the day.

Not complaining, mind you. We're having a great trip. But to those who expect walk-on attractions at this time of the year, be warned.

Beyond that, the weather is fantastic and everything looks great. Candlelight Processional continues to be one of the most entertaining and moving experiences at WDW.

 

[lcj19]

We discovered in 2009 about early Dec. "low" crowd levels It was hit or miss for us...MK was slow with our longest line being 20 mins, while DHS was crazy and we never got to see TSM and the wait time for RR was 40 mins. Just the way it is sometimes I guess

Glad you had a nice trip!!!

 

[taaren]

Good to know. We're going to be there this time next year but mainly because we want cool weather, low points, and to celebrate 3 birthdays in our party by making the pilgrimage to see the mouse in all his lighted glory. If there are low crowds at any of the parks it'll be a bonus.
I'm assuming crowds in early Dec are still lower than Thanksgiving or the week before/after Xmas and New Years though?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Was the Christmas party taping during your time? That may have added to the interest in the week. I remember Epcot being pretty slow during what is next week, the week after my school lets out, especially during weekdays. Like you, we'll be there primarily for enjoying the decorations, and I have a few meets with friends and family! I'm bringing Christmas cards to write while enjoying the ambiance of a fireplace and rocking chair at VWL!

I'm glad you're enjoying your stay! We're coming down on Friday!

Bobbi

 

[Meriweather]

We've been here since the 1st and I don't think the crowds are bad. Weekend definitely more than during the week and more and more people as the day goes on.
We arrived at rope drop yesterday at MK and did all of Fantasyland, HM, PotC, Jungle Cruise all by 11.

 

[hakepb]

I have been checking my wait time app since my trip, and it looks like lines are lower than when I was there the week before Thanksgiving week. Occasional 30-40 min TSM waits seems low to me. (Although Thanksgiving week itself was crazy with 120+ on TSM and Soarin'...

I'd be curious if you are going to easywdw.com recommended parks or not because I will see low waits at some parks and busier at others.

 

[Doug7856]

We started going to Walt Disney World in December in the late 90's, and with the exception of Saturday during Pop Warner, it was genuinely very slow. Not so true anymore. People love Christmas and Disney does it right. The real secret is no longer a secret.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

It seems to have picked up more over the last couple of years, with the parade taping and Pop Warner and everybody giving out the secret that it is less crowded. We found that the week just prior to Christmas and even Christmas week until Dec 26 has had smaller crowds.

 

[Scott]

We've never experienced crowded parks during weekdays...but weekends seem quite crowded during our December trips. We go the 2nd week in December...leaving Saturday so I hope this crowded park experience was an anomaly. Curious to find out what your experience was today (Wed).
Scott
P.s. dining reservations seemed to be more avaiable than past years so I was hoping that meant park attendance would be reasonable/low.

 

[Granny]

We discovered in 2009 about early Dec. "low" crowd levels It was hit or miss for us...MK was slow with our longest line being 20 mins, while DHS was crazy and we never got to see TSM and the wait time for RR was 40 mins. Just the way it is sometimes I guess

I agree that things can be hit or miss. This week, we seem to be hitting the crowded spots. The trip itself is a wonderful one, and no regrets over coming at this time of year.

Good to know. We're going to be there this time next year but mainly because we want cool weather, low points, and to celebrate 3 birthdays in our party by making the pilgrimage to see the mouse in all his lighted glory. If there are low crowds at any of the parks it'll be a bonus.
I'm assuming crowds in early Dec are still lower than Thanksgiving or the week before/after Xmas and New Years though?

We were here at WDW during Christmas week in 2006 and yes, it is less crowded than that. But especially this past weekend it was pretty close.

Was the Christmas party taping during your time? That may have added to the interest in the week. I remember Epcot being pretty slow during what is next week, the week after my school lets out, especially during weekdays. Like you, we'll be there primarily for enjoying the decorations, and I have a few meets with friends and family! I'm bringing Christmas cards to write while enjoying the ambiance of a fireplace and rocking chair at VWL!

Bobbi...I think DVC Mike said in his report that the Christmas parade taping was this past Saturday (the day we arrived). Definitely Saturday and Sunday crowds were very high, but not much of a fall off after the weekend. We'll be heading out about the time you get here. I know you'll have a great time at VWL!

We've been here since the 1st and I don't think the crowds are bad. Weekend definitely more than during the week and more and more people as the day goes on.
We arrived at rope drop yesterday at MK and did all of Fantasyland, HM, PotC, Jungle Cruise all by 11.

The words "rope drop" were eliminated from our vocabulary when we joined DVC. I was hoping the lower crowds would be an all-day kind of thing since we don't rush out to the parks any more. But I'm glad you have been able to get everything done you wanted.

I have been checking my wait time app since my trip, and it looks like lines are lower than when I was there the week before Thanksgiving week. Occasional 30-40 min TSM waits seems low to me. (Although Thanksgiving week itself was crazy with 120+ on TSM and Soarin'...

I'd be curious if you are going to easywdw.com recommended parks or not because I will see low waits at some parks and busier at others.

Thanks for the tip on the web site. We haven't tried that, but I'll go give it a look. So far we haven't seen TSM under 60 minutes in our two trips to that park. Space Mountain was 50 minutes.

I agree that 40 minutes on "hot" attractions isn't that bad, but like I said, I've been reading for years that 10-15 minute lines at the hottest attractions all day long was more the norm. Again, I'm not complaining but I do think that Disney has done a good job of keeping the parks busy even during traditionally slower times.

 

[Muushka]

Granny Granny Granny

Don't you listen when Muush whines?

I whined about 4 years ago about the 'early Dec low crowd MYTH".
The following year we went in Early Jan. Bigger mistake.
The following year we went mid-November. Bingo! The sweet spot. Low crowds and better weather!
Last year we did early Dec for a Groupie meet, but low crowds? Nope.

Speaking of mythbusting, in case anyone is a fan of the show

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011...wry-sends-cannonball-rocketing-through-homes/

Have a great time Granny.

 

[keishashadow]

We started going to Walt Disney World in December in the late 90's, and with the exception of Saturday during Pop Warner, it was genuinely very slow. Not so true anymore. People love Christmas and Disney does it right. The real secret is no longer a secret.

agree and the weeks around Columbus day are closing the gap too. I chalk it up to FDP offers.

muuska - i'm thinking buster was in charge of that experimentthere was a clip on ABC morning news today.

 

[disneynutz]

The early closing times of the parks and the hard ticket events really seem to keep the parks crowded.

The Epcot resort area is really busy this week due to a ESPN event at the Atlantic Dance Hall. TV trucks are setting up and a stage was built. Someone said that it's some type of Football Trophy award.

All of the resorts are at full occupancy and security has increased.

Bill

 

[Mtnman44]

Avoid the Extra "magic" hour parks on any particular day as well as the Studios on a Fantasmic scheduled day and MK on a christmas party day.

 

[hakepb]

I was just checking my UT app and Space Mountain is 10min, Dumbo is 15 and PP is 30. I consider that low crowds @ MK.

But if you chose the wrong park, I can see how a 50 minute Soarin, 55min TSM or 30 minute safari might make it seem a bit busy...

I don't think there are any long stretches of crowd level 1-2 days anymore (like the "good old times") but it still seems reasonable with a plan.

 

[hakepb]

Avoid the Extra "magic" hour parks on any particular day as well as the Studios on a Fantasmic scheduled day and MK on a christmas party day.

Actually, today is most recommended @ MK because of MVMCP (unless you think 10 minute Space Mountain waits are excessive ) and Disney finally started adding Fantasmic back on most days (this Thu is the only non Fantasmic day this month because of early closing due to a CM party)
I still avoid EMH until its the last park open

 

[Granny]

I was just checking my UT app and Space Mountain is 10min, Dumbo is 15 and PP is 30. I consider that low crowds @ MK.

Wow, I have to agree with you that I would consider those to be low crowds.

One thing we have seen is the boards posting 15 minute waits and we walk directly to the attraction and the lines are clearly closer to 30 minutes or more.

I guess I need more apps and better use of technology. It would be nice if Disney would post more wait time boards around the parks to help even out the crowds.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Granny, are you still here? I'd love to meet you if you are. We didn't have many crowd issues yesterday, and we were at the EMH park by default because of the Wild Africa Trek. I'd say it's a normal early Dec. crowd. We have the Pop Warner kids here, but I think it's better than crowds when they are tapping the parade.

We've had beautiful weather so far, but it's chilly today with a current temp around 40 (early morning). However, it will be upper 60's by midday.

 

[poggs]

We have been at the world for the past week with a another week to go.

The parks are pretty quiet, except for HS which seems smashed when we go. Everything at MK has been walk on, same at AK. We walked right on everest 3 times in a row at noon on wednesday.

Epcot has the standard line at soarin, but the others were almost walkons.

Much quieter that October 2010 when we were last in the world, especially epcot. Never coming during food and wine again!

 

[Anthony1971]

Pop Warner is the key....
Try to find out what parks they are going to on a given day and avoid that park. Go to any park when they have big events. Friend a PW parent for the rest of you stay