Prepare for Big Crowds in Early Dec! - The DIS Discussion Forums

cgorn · 10-26-2009, 10:18 AM

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but for all of us who booked early December in hopes of enjoying holiday festivities without large crowds (as is history), it looks like we have been thwarted by Disney's amazing promotions.

I checked to see if any other resorts were available during my stay (12/4 to 12/9 at POP), and the ONLY place that came up was Saratoga Springs. I checked the next week (12/11 to 12/16) and the ONLY places that came up were CSR, YBC, Poly, and GF, and I think one more high-end deluxe. No values, no moderates except CSR.

My wife called Disney who said they don't think the parks will be too crowded despite this news -- that some people might just be going to visit resorts and not parks (which doesn't make sense to me). The only other saving grace I can think of is that maybe the Disney resorts will be packed (since all the promotions involve staying on property), but if surrounding hotels are not, then maybe the parks won't be too bad.

Sorry, everyone!

LMO429 · 10-26-2009, 10:28 AM

I would think the hotels that are not disney owned are not booked to capacity.

We are going the second week of dec as well. I will follow good touring plan techniques and be prepared for crowds and just hope for the best.

DisneyDreams4 · 10-26-2009, 10:34 AM

I hope it will not be too crowded after thanksgiving.

ogreenlee · 10-26-2009, 10:38 AM

i'm hoping with mid-term exams for the older kids will keep them away the week before christmas.

DisneyDreams4 · 10-26-2009, 10:42 AM

It might be crowded but you'll just have to fast pass the big attractions.

MamaMouseCO · 10-26-2009, 10:46 AM

A CM told me they didn't think the parks would be crowded - they apparently have conferences booked in (aside from PopWarner), since it's their value season for lodging pricing - companies take advantage of the pricing. He said the resorts would be full, but the parks shouldn't be bad at all.

Cinderumbrella · 10-26-2009, 10:46 AM

It won't be that bad.

This is our third time down there at this time and it still way better than summer crowds.

Plus, whenever you do a search for multiple days, even if the resort is only booked to capacity for one of those nights, it shows the whole period as being unavailable.

momof2cutegirls · 10-26-2009, 10:47 AM

The Pop Warner football games will be going on so a lot of people will be at WDW for that...they are usually only in the parks in the evening. It won't be as bad as you think!

Capt_Jack_Sparrow · 10-26-2009, 10:49 AM

I think that what we are seeing, with the resorts being so full, is that anyone who would normally be staying off property is staying on property because of the great deals. I think the Park levels will be close to normal in years past, but the offprperty hotels will be empty and the on property hotels will be Filled.

JarrothsMom · 10-26-2009, 10:55 AM

In 2008 I went during MLK weekend. You could not find a room ANYWHERE!! No great "free" dinning promo...or 4/3 promo either. It was the $1400 (or $1600) family of 4 thing. I was sooo nervous thinking it was going to be bad. I was VERY surprised. We just followed the plans...went at opening...then we would get FP...and it was not bad AT ALL...except MK that Sat. night!

Bete · 10-26-2009, 10:57 AM

for about the last four years. Last year we had free dining (Visa promo) and this year is the same.

Based on last year, the parks will not be empty, but they won't be overpacked, either. The free dining restaurants will be packed!

We used fastpass and we were able to see what we wanted last year without a problem. In our case we had 12 days to play with; so, we could take our time with everything.

cat83 · 10-26-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgorn

The only other saving grace I can think of is that maybe the Disney resorts will be packed (since all the promotions involve staying on property), but if surrounding hotels are not, then maybe the parks won't be too bad.

Thats exactly it.

ols386 · 10-26-2009, 11:26 AM

We will be there Dec. 9-12 (staying at the Poly), which is the same week that Pop Warner is scheduled to be there. Although, I think the kids for Pop Warner mostly stay at the value resorts, and are involved in the activities during the daytime hours.

We are going with the attitude that it will be busy, and we will deal with the crowd level as positively as possible. And if by some freak chance, it' not as crowded as we anticipate.....then all the better!!

WDWTeri · 10-26-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgorn

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but for all of us who booked early December in hopes of enjoying holiday festivities without large crowds (as is history), it looks like we have been thwarted by Disney's amazing promotions.

I checked to see if any other resorts were available during my stay (12/4 to 12/9 at POP), and the ONLY place that came up was Saratoga Springs. I checked the next week (12/11 to 12/16) and the ONLY places that came up were CSR, YBC, Poly, and GF, and I think one more high-end deluxe. No values, no moderates except CSR.

My wife called Disney who said they don't think the parks will be too crowded despite this news -- that some people might just be going to visit resorts and not parks (which doesn't make sense to me). The only other saving grace I can think of is that maybe the Disney resorts will be packed (since all the promotions involve staying on property), but if surrounding hotels are not, then maybe the parks won't be too bad.

Sorry, everyone!

I wouldn't worry about it. We have been down when you couldn't find a WDW room, but the parks were empty. I think the convention crowds have a tendency to make Epcot busy at night, so you might have to plan around that, but if you have ADR's in place you should be fine. The Pop Warner kids have pretty full schedules during the day, but if they spread out at night to the parks, even if there are several thousand of them(just guessing, no idea of the numbers) it should still be fine. Nightime shows like Fantasmic and Illuminations will probably fill up faster than typical early December, so you'll need to take that into consideration.

I think this will still be one of the best times of the year to be at WDW. Have a great time.

aprilp · 10-26-2009, 11:49 AM

Last year the values and mostly all the mods filled up and it was still pretty dead at the parks, so I cant imagine it would be too much worse this year.

At least we wont have to deal with the heat. I can stand being in lines if there isnt sweltering heat to go along with it.

No matter the crowds this is still my favorite time of year to go, because you are minus the heat and plus the decorations! :D

10-26-2009, 10:18 AM	#1
cgorn Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 178	Prepare for Big Crowds in Early Dec! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but for all of us who booked early December in hopes of enjoying holiday festivities without large crowds (as is history), it looks like we have been thwarted by Disney's amazing promotions. I checked to see if any other resorts were available during my stay (12/4 to 12/9 at POP), and the ONLY place that came up was Saratoga Springs. I checked the next week (12/11 to 12/16) and the ONLY places that came up were CSR, YBC, Poly, and GF, and I think one more high-end deluxe. No values, no moderates except CSR. My wife called Disney who said they don't think the parks will be too crowded despite this news -- that some people might just be going to visit resorts and not parks (which doesn't make sense to me). The only other saving grace I can think of is that maybe the Disney resorts will be packed (since all the promotions involve staying on property), but if surrounding hotels are not, then maybe the parks won't be too bad. Sorry, everyone!

10-26-2009, 10:28 AM	#2
LMO429 DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 3,260	I would think the hotels that are not disney owned are not booked to capacity. We are going the second week of dec as well. I will follow good touring plan techniques and be prepared for crowds and just hope for the best. __________________

10-26-2009, 10:38 AM	#4
ogreenlee i surely didn't want to have to use the gorillapod I'd tell my husband to bite it, but that's just me Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: woodstock, ga Posts: 1,792	i'm hoping with mid-term exams for the older kids will keep them away the week before christmas. __________________

10-26-2009, 10:46 AM	#7
Cinderumbrella Wench Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Madhouse on Madison Posts: 7,128	It won't be that bad. This is our third time down there at this time and it still way better than summer crowds. Plus, whenever you do a search for multiple days, even if the resort is only booked to capacity for one of those nights, it shows the whole period as being unavailable. __________________ Next trip: June 2010 Disney's Contemporary Resort Previous Trips: Grand Floridian RPC December 2009 (Mommy's Birthday trip) The Contemporary June 2009 (Surprise 6th Birthday Trip!) Grand Floridian December 2008 (Another Christmas with Mickey!) Pop Century May 2008 (DS's 5th Birthday Trip) Grand Floridian August 2007(Our 10th Wedding Anniversary) Animal Kingdom Lodge December 2006 (Christmas with Mickey!) Port Orleans Riverside October 2005(DS2's 1st Trip!) Beach Club February 2000 (Valentine's Trip) Grand Floridian August 1997 (Our Honeymoon)

10-26-2009, 10:47 AM	#8
momof2cutegirls Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 450	The Pop Warner football games will be going on so a lot of people will be at WDW for that...they are usually only in the parks in the evening. It won't be as bad as you think! __________________

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10-26-2009, 10:34 AM	#3
DisneyDreams4 Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Long Island N.Y. Posts: 12	I hope it will not be too crowded after thanksgiving.

10-26-2009, 10:42 AM	#5
DisneyDreams4 Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Long Island N.Y. Posts: 12	It might be crowded but you'll just have to fast pass the big attractions.

10-26-2009, 10:46 AM	#6
MamaMouseCO Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 8	A CM told me they didn't think the parks would be crowded - they apparently have conferences booked in (aside from PopWarner), since it's their value season for lodging pricing - companies take advantage of the pricing. He said the resorts would be full, but the parks shouldn't be bad at all.

10-26-2009, 10:49 AM	#9
Capt_Jack_Sparrow Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	I think that what we are seeing, with the resorts being so full, is that anyone who would normally be staying off property is staying on property because of the great deals. I think the Park levels will be close to normal in years past, but the offprperty hotels will be empty and the on property hotels will be Filled.

10-26-2009, 10:55 AM	#10
JarrothsMom Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beaumont Texas Posts: 203	In 2008 I went during MLK weekend. You could not find a room ANYWHERE!! No great "free" dinning promo...or 4/3 promo either. It was the $1400 (or $1600) family of 4 thing. I was sooo nervous thinking it was going to be bad. I was VERY surprised. We just followed the plans...went at opening...then we would get FP...and it was not bad AT ALL...except MK that Sat. night! __________________ All Stars Sports Sept. 2000 All Stars Movies Sept. 2001 All Stars Movies Jan. 2008 All Star Movies Jan. 2010

10-26-2009, 10:57 AM	#11
Bete DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Crawfordsville,In. Posts: 2,603	We've been doing the first two weeks of December for about the last four years. Last year we had free dining (Visa promo) and this year is the same. Based on last year, the parks will not be empty, but they won't be overpacked, either. The free dining restaurants will be packed! We used fastpass and we were able to see what we wanted last year without a problem. In our case we had 12 days to play with; so, we could take our time with everything.

10-26-2009, 11:26 AM	#13
ols386 Love WDW Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,322	We will be there Dec. 9-12 (staying at the Poly), which is the same week that Pop Warner is scheduled to be there. Although, I think the kids for Pop Warner mostly stay at the value resorts, and are involved in the activities during the daytime hours. We are going with the attitude that it will be busy, and we will deal with the crowd level as positively as possible. And if by some freak chance, it' not as crowded as we anticipate.....then all the better!! __________________ Wilderness Lodge September 2009, POFQ March 2009, DCL (Wonder) May 2008, Port Orleans Riverside January 2008, Contemporary Resort January 2007, Coronado Springs Resort January 2006, DCL (Wonder) February 2005, POP April 2004, Grand Floridian November 2003, Caribbean Beach Resort March 2002, DCL (Magic) March 2001, Various Visits During Past 15 Years

10-26-2009, 11:49 AM	#15
aprilp Didnt realize how great it was 'til I left and came back for vacations! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: in a ballroom just north of Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 121	Last year the values and mostly all the mods filled up and it was still pretty dead at the parks, so I cant imagine it would be too much worse this year. At least we wont have to deal with the heat. I can stand being in lines if there isnt sweltering heat to go along with it. No matter the crowds this is still my favorite time of year to go, because you are minus the heat and plus the decorations! :D __________________ Nov 30-Dec 5 2009 CSR w/folks ; Dec 3-8 2008 POP w/bff; 2003 (2x), 2004, 2005 POR/CBR w/bff & her parents; 1996 POR; 1991 Grad Nite; multiple day trips 1970's-1980's w/family when we lived in Tampa

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