1st or 2nd week of December- help :)

[Kurgan4]

I know it probably won't make a big difference, but I am trying to decide between 12/1/06-12/10/06 or 12/8/06-12/17/06. I think the cheerleaders are going to be there the 1st week of December, but Mousefest will be there the 2nd week. Has anyone gone the 2nd week of December? Did it start to get busy? We are staying at the Beach Club. I know it may seem like it doesn't matter, but I wanted to check. Thanks everyone.

 

[lpbm4]

Pop Warner is there the 1st week of December but I've been told that you can't tell during the day at the parks...just avoid the Value Resorts. We'll be going the 1st week b/c it's supposed to be one of the slowest weeks of the year. I think it starts to get busy the 2nd week with all the x-mas crowds, but I'm sure someone else would have better info on that. Have fun!

 

[sarehm]

I'm curious too. We're also considering the first 2 weeks of Dec. A few years ago I was there on part business part leisure trip the very beginning of Dec. and it was awesome!

 

[jann1033]

we used to go from about Dec 6-18 or so( usually we left wdw the day of or day before the rate changed to peak season) it was always pretty good till the date of the rate change then it picked way up.( like night and day crowds) the weather is ok, can be cold at night( well usually like 50-60, light sweater/sweatshirt weather usually) both weeks. so crowds should be fine either week.( not sure when Thanksgiving is this yr but as long as you miss that weekend)

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

we are going December 2nd until December 9th. :O) WHOOHOOO! Can't wait!

The last trip I took was with my DH and we did the same week. we were blessed with 80-85 degree days, some cool nights. Park was not crowded, we had an amazing time. Apparently the first week is always/has always been Pop warner week, and dh and i didn't notice. Granted, we went Dec 2001 so things were slow then anyway, and we stayed off site as at the time i was a travel agent and thru a wholesaler i was able to get our hotel for free. (and i would rather pay thru the nose to NOT have to stay off site again. LOL all trips up to that were onsite) but anyway we weren't staying with pop warner kids so .... i can't tell you what the hotel situation is like.
My fingers are crossed that they don't have squads booked at Port Orleans French Quareter!

 

[sarehm]

What's Pop Warner?

 

[RSoxFan]

I was there last year during Pop Warner, and I didn't even know they were there until I got home and read about them being there! I never noticed them at the parks. It's not like the tour groups in July that you can't get away from.

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either week.

 

[Mom to 2]

I think you would be fine either week also. We were there Dec.3rd -17th in 2004 and the parks were dead. Felt like we had the parks to ourselves. Everything was a walk on except FantasyLand in the middle of the afternoon then it was 15-20 minutes at most. Great time to go. We had temperatures from about 85 the first week to 60 the second week. We didn't even know Pop Warner was there except one day a few were cheering on the way to RnR. We are going back this year Nov. 26-Dec.7th

Lory

 

[Cinderumbrella]

What's Pop Warner?

A HUGE football and cheerleading competition for young teens. The value resorts and POR will be full of them that week. I don't think it affects the park crowds during the day since they are at their competition, but we ended up booking our trip the last week of Nov to avoid them.

 

[LISAMWDW]

I've been the first week of December and the crowd level in awesome! Literally, you can walk on rides! The holiday decor is up and everything is so festive. The MVMCP is really busy however. It would be a tough decision as it gets busier the closer you get to Christmas. Never been to mousefest so that would be tempting. Hmmm.
I think I'd pick lower crowds is your never been so lucky to experience it at least once!

 

[Kurgan4]

I ended up going with the 12/8-12/17. We are going to leave 12/14 and go to Universal Studios. We got Royal Pacific for 159 a night AAA rate. They had no AAA rooms available the weekend of 12/8. Thanks for all the info. Hopefully, it won't be too crowded.

 

[dimoe]

I am going Dec 3-10 this year and look forward to the low crowds.
Diane

 

[Tricialiv]

We were there 12/02 -12/08 in 2005 and the crowds were good. We didn't go to parks with EMH because we are not early risers, the kids liked to stay out late and leave for parks around 9. We had no problem with PW at all . I have another trip planned that week for 07. The night we stayed for MVMCP I should have taken warmer clothes though. It was so nice during the day I forgot how the temp can drop.

 

[Mouse511]

We originally booked our trip December 3rd - 9th. After reading many posts on these boards about Pop Warner, we decided to change our dates. We are now staying at the Wilderness Lodge 12/8 - 12/14 and then two nights at Universal. I think MouseFest is also visiting WDW the first week of December. If you decide on the first week of the month, I would avoid the value resorts and POR. We are looking forward to seeing the Christmas decorations!

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

We made the mistake of going during the PoP Warner last year, and they were all over our hotel which was POFQ. They were loud. And they were also everywhere at the EMK at the MK. This year we are going the week after Pop. Also I believe that Mousefest is also the same week at PoP W this year, so look in to that tool