Best time to visit Nov/Dec for Christmas decor and discounts?

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

We've been quite a few times but never to see the holiday decorations and magic that is WDW during Christmas season.....the crowds and prices have always scared me away!

That said...I'm thinking maybe we should take the plunge in Nov/Dec of 2013. When would be the best time for lowest crowds/prices? has FD ever been offered during these times....to the public...something I can count on? With a family our size we've only ever gone with that discount as it saves us the most...thanks for any help!

 

[Masonmj84]

The last few years they've been offering free dining for the first and third weeks after Thanksgiving (but not the week in between, which includes Pop Warner and parade taping).

We're planning to go Dec. 9-16 this year (third week after Thanksgiving) and crossing our fingers for free dining. Assuming we get decent weather, I can't imagine a more perfect week to visit WDW (Christmas decorations are all up, most of the weekdays are 1's or 2's on the crowd calendar, and with not as many ride closures as in Jan. or Feb.).

On the other hand, I think any time in November (excluding Thanksgiving week) would also be a good time to go. You still get to see a lot of Christmas decorations, crowds are mostly low, and it's likely to be somewhat warmer than in December (allowing for better utilization of the resort pools and water parks).

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

thanks for the info!! Wow...1s and 2s?!? I've only ever seen that in September...what crowd calendar are you looking at?

Yes...my kids would still like to use the pools so I'm thinking November...can anyone who has been during that time chime in?

 

[Kitkat6595]

We are also planning on going in 2013 and were looking at September or early December for the Christmas decorations. I will be following the responses as well!

 

[dazednconfused]

We've only ever visited WDW in Nov-Dec. And we LOVE it! The festive atmosphere is so magical. Awesome decorations and special events, like the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. Can't beat being at WDW during the holidays! 2 thumbs up!

I'd say the week following Thanksgiving is good. Low crowds up till mid Dec. By then, the crowds will pick up. And they will not go away till after New Year's. We too are hoping for a good promo! Wishing for pixie dust!

Happy planning!

 

[Hitchhiking Ghost]

thanks for the info!! Wow...1s and 2s?!? I've only ever seen that in September...what crowd calendar are you looking at?

Yes...my kids would still like to use the pools so I'm thinking November...can anyone who has been during that time chime in?

Another thumbs up for after Thanksgiving. We went down in 2010 the day after Thanksgiving with Free Dining. What is nice is the cheaper rates start 11/24 and as others have mentioned, the crowd levels are much lower. If you go in November, make sure you time it so you can still see Osborne Family Lights and the Candlelight Processional, two must sees if you are there for the holiday decorations.

We swam pretty much every day in December that we were down. It could have been warmer, but it wasn't bad and the kids certainly didn't mind.

It's our favorite time of year to go down.

Crossing my fingers for some type of discount again as we are looking at another post Thanksgiving trip if things work out.

 

[jcmaro]

We checked in the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2010 and had free dining. Going the same time this year and hoping for FD again.

 

[disneyfan55]

We have visited 2 times during the Christmas season and both were the week following Thanksgiving. In 2010 we had APs and got rooms in CBR for about 89 per night. I believe they did have FD avail but the discount and TIW card worked out better for us. Don't miss the CP!! we didn't buy the package just watched a few nights. It was wonderful!!

 

[Karabee]

Were heading down on November 30th. 2 years ago we went the second weekend of December and we literally watched as the crowds got larger and the check in lines got longer. POP Warner never bothered us when we were there that time luckily. A CM told us that each day in December the crowds get a little larger so we're going with that thought - unless this year proves us wrong!