1st or 2nd week of December

[champagne27]

Does anyone have any feedback on crowd level experience in the parks between the 1st and 2nd week of December?

Thanks!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

While it is not an overly busy time in the parks, it is a very busy time at DVC Resorts. This is because of low points, holiday decorations, annual meetings and low attendance in the parks. The DVC Resorts fill up quickly this time of year.

HBC

 

[GretchGraham]

We have visited in December for the past three years. In December 03 and 04, we went the second week and last year we went the first week. This is overall a slower time for the parks, but we noticed a significant difference in the crowds last year. I don't know if it was due to an increased marketing/discount campaign by Disney, or if that it the normal crowd level for the first week in December. It certainly wasn't a summer type of crowd level, but we noticed it in our increased wait times.

It was still a wonderful trip last year, but as my DD8 has autism and waiting is a difficulty for her, we are going the 2nd week this year.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have gone the first two weeks of December several times, and the first week is generally more crowded than the second week due to Pop Warner football. The crowds are always very manageable though.

 

[JimMIA]

We were there the first week last year. We thought the crowds were manageable except in the afternoon on weekends at MK and during MVMCP. OKW was packed, as I'm sure all the resorts were, so checkin and other guest services were maxed out.

We also were not able to get the ADR's we wanted due to Candlelight Processional dinner packages.

Due to those issues, we will be going in November this year.

OTOH...any time in WDW is good time as far as I'm concerned.

 

[byoung]

Love going mid Dec.

 

[champagne27]

Wow - awesome feedback! Thanks so much! Generally sounds like the second week might be a bit less busy so that is what I'll shoot for. Good point about DVC's being crowded though - I'll keep that filed away for booking day by day and expecting lines at check in!

 

[pogopossum]

our experience the first week in dec 03 was that the dvc resorts were pretty full, front desk clerk told me that okw was in the high 90s occupancy rate every night that we were there, and that the parks that had early arrival times were crowded, decided that the strategy should be to go to a park that didn't open early that day, or go to the early park and move to another after regular opening time. it was interesting seeing crowd movement at mgm as everybody seemed to be going to the first show all day long, should have checked out the second or third show and see if there was less crowd.

 

[keishashadow]

2nd week in Dec. last year was more crowded than I expected but, the decor & festivities more than compensated.

Epcot during CP was very busy. As was MGM in the evening for Osborne lights. MVMCP was over-booked IMO, difficult to get into the shows.

Crowd's didn't seem less crowded than when we went during June few years ago.

 

[dsneygirl]

We were at OKW last Dec the 2nd week and didn't find it crowded at all. Sometimes busy around the front desk/guest services area but I think that's to be expected. Olivia's, pool area, store and buses were never really crowded.

 

[jimmytammy]

The 1st or 2nd week has been our traditional time to visit WDW. We have seen the crowd patterns change over the years. DVC is more crowded but not overbearingly so. The parks are very manageable.
The Christmas related things will be more crowded but doable. Be sure to check out the Candlelight Processional. You may want to do the dinner package because the standby line gets really crowded. Also, the Osbourne lights at MGM are spectacular to see. Illuminations has a special added Christmas bonus at the end that I hope they will continue.
And MVMCP at MK, although becoming very overpriced IMO, is still fun to do. And one other thing, try to check the decorations at the resorts. WL is a great place to see this time of year, as well as GF, just to see and smeel the lifesize gingerbread house.

Have fun!