Best time in late December?

[Seaton]

Between 12/21 and 12/31, what would be the best three day stretch to be at Disney as far as experiencing the lightest crowds - relatively speaking, as I know the crowds won't be light.

 

[saskdw]

12/21-12/23. Crowds will just be starting to roll in. They will become insane on the 25th and beyond. We are there 12th-24th. Leaving just in time!

 

[Seaton]

12/21-12/23. Crowds will just be starting to roll in. They will become insane on the 25th and beyond. We are there 12th-24th. Leaving just in time!

So the 21st-22nd isn't that bad?

 

[kerri0616]

It will be bad. Just not as bad as Xmas and beyond.

 

[One Hit Wonder]

21st is a Saturday, a lot of people will be rolling in that day.
Expect every day from the 21 - Jan 1 to be among the busiest of the year.

 

[chicklet2]

We take a December trip every year.We are here now and the crowds have been higher than usual. It usually doesn't get insane till next week,that's when Disney expects peaks to start coming.

Early December is best for crowds,thanksgiving crowds over and it starts to build for Christmas. All the decorations are up and you can experience everything you could in late December.If you must go in late December just be prepared for high crowds but it can be dealt with.Just plan days well and make careful fast pass plus selections. It's Disney so remember to have fun

 

[saskdw]

So the 21st-22nd isn't that bad?

It will be busy but the least busy of the days you are asking about.

 

[Seaton]

It will be busy but the least busy of the days you are asking about.

I'm probably just going to wait and go in the spring or summer. I am a warm weather Disney person anyway. I am only about 50 miles north of Pensacola (pretty easy driving range) and am a solo traveler, so it's no problem for me to make a last minute decision either way.

 

[pmaurer74]

I spoke to a CM about this a few weeks ago and she said historically Dec. 22-23 are the largest check in dates. She said we should be fine the morning of Dec. 22 but by the afternoon it will be crazy. We will be there Dec. 19-23.

 

[saskdw]

I spoke to a CM about this a few weeks ago and she said historically Dec. 22-23 are the largest check in dates. She said we should be fine the morning of Dec. 22 but by the afternoon it will be crazy. We will be there Dec. 19-23.

That is pretty accurate. If you hit the slow parks on those days it will be manageable. From the 26th on it won't matter which park you are in it will be crazy. This is our 5th Dec trip in 6 years so we are familiar with the trends.