Christmas or Thanksgiving 2004?

[rsschneck]

Not sure if this is the place for this post but here it goes.

Looking into next year. We have Last week of August already booked using 179 points.

My sister's family doesn't want to go in Aug. and we are trying to compromise on kids school schedules. Which would be a better time to go Home the week of Thanksgiving using 188 points or the week before Christmas using 176 points?

When are the crowds the heaviest Thanksgiving week or the week before Christmas?

Is the weather about the same?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Thanksgiving week has crowds on par with the summer according to the "Unofficial Guide to WDW" The week befroe Christmas is low in terms of attendance but that could depend on what you mean by the week before.

Since next Christmas is on a Saturday, do you mean the 7 days exactly prior to Christmas (which will have VERY HIGH attendance) or the week before that (which will have low attendance)?

And remember that December is one of the most popular months for DVC.

HBC

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

This is exactly what I've "heard" as well, but I am a little confused after calling CRO today.

We were planning on a possible last minute trip Dec 20-24 of this year, and I called to check on AP rates.

Every onsite resort had AP rate availability except for the WL and YC. All of the rest of the deluxes, all moderates, and all of the all stars and pop century had availability at the AP rate.

This led me to (wishfully) conclude that maybe it is Christmas through New Years that is the crazy overcrowded time????

As an aside, we usually go in summer and are used to heavy crowds, but I have heard that even 4th of July week doesn't compare to the Christmas/New Years mob!!

Anyone been there/done that??

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

we usually go in summer and are used to heavy crowds, but I have heard that even 4th of July week doesn't compare to the Christmas/New Years mob!!

The Christmas/New Year's crowds are far heavier than the summer. We were there for last year's New Year's celebration and have been in the summer too. We will be going back this Christmas/New Year's.

If you plan in advance, use FP, leave the parks after lunch and go enjoy your resort until the evening, it really isn't that bad. They even open 2 parks early on some days between Christmas and New Year's.

HBC

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

So do you think the days prior to Christmas are less crowded than the days after??

Thanks!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

So do you think the days prior to Christmas are less crowded than the days after??

Yes it is. It starts lightening up after January 1.

HBC

 

[rsschneck]

Okay! Since points will all be within 12 give or take. Which one of the three weeks would be the best choice from a low crowd point of view for 2004. Would like decent weather as well. I am also thinkin about airfare prices.

The very last week of August/ first of September
Thanksgiving week
The week just prior to Christmas (18th through 25th)

We went to Disneyland last Christmas from the 25th through the 30th. Christmas crowds were not too bad, but each day got horribly worse as far as crowding goes. We did not like so many people in such a small area. Keep in mind Disneyland is smaller than WDW.

 

[PamsFam]

We have gone Thanksgiving week the past two years and while the crowds can get high if you plan it right, utilizing Early Entry, and fast passes it is still very enjoyable. Thanksgiving Day at Magic Kingdom can get very crowded, but last year we got in early and hit all our favorites and managed to get out and back to the resort by noon. The weather is still pretty good, whereas Christmas can be cooler if you like to sit out by the pool. We are leaving in a week and will be at WDW the full week prior to Thanksgiving before heading down to Vero Beach for Thanksgiving week. The only reason that we will not be there for Thanksgiving is that our AP's expire on the 23rd. If you go anytime during the Holidays be sure to attend a Candlelight Processional. The Candlelight Processional Dinner Specials are a GREAT deal. You order off the menu and the cost is less than paying ala carte, plus great seats w/o waiting in line for the Processional. That is one thing I will miss not seeing this year.