Considering early December trip...

[luvgoing2disney]

We have been in December, arriving on Christmas Day (will not do THAT again!) but now a group from our church is putting together a package for December 3-8. From what I can tell, that seems to be a good time, crowd-wise, decorations up, MVMCP will be going on.

For those of you who have been during that time, did you find that to be a good time to be there?

 

[Bugdozer]

I went this time many years ago and it was awesome. Weather was not too bad. decorations up and everything holiday was in full swing. I found the crowds not to be too bad.

 

[rlduvall]

I have been going annually at that time of year since 2008. I love it, but weather can be iffy and all over the place. It has been in the 30-40s [2010] and last year it was mid-80s every day - absolutely heavenly. While the crowds are nothing like summer or big holidays, it's definitely not uncrowded. Still very manageable, but do expect some occasional waits.

The holiday decor will be up. A few of my favorite things to do is Osborne Lights and the Candlelight Processional. I think it's a great time to be in the parks.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been going to WDW at some time during the first 10 days of Dec since '03. It's gotten a bit more crowded each year! This is also the time the Christmas parade is taped, and the time the Pop Warner kids come down for their championships.
The weather is variable..I've had great weather, high 70's during the day and high 50's at night..but I've also had weather that was downright cold!! high 30's at night, 50's during the day...brrrrrrr.

 

[Crazyhorse]

We've been there several times during that same week. Mostly the weather is good and I think the crowds are very manageable. As noted, the Christmas stuff is up and I think the Candlelight Processional is starting around then. I think Neil Patrick Harris is usually one of the earlier speakers...but I could be wrong. Last year, we saw Dennis Hasbert of the Allstate commercials, he was awesome! Don't be afraid to go that week.

 

[mslhb]

That is my favorite time to go! I thought the crowd levels were great. The parks weren't empty but I thought everything was very manageable. Weather can be very hit or miss but I have always lucked out. I would rather it be cooler then blazing hot but that is just me!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Had not even thought about the parade taping. If we do book the trip, I would probably avoind MK those days or at least Main Street. They tape it over a two day period, don't they?

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I arrived thanksgiving day last year and stayed for a week. Made sure to arrive at RD and found touring in the morning to be quite pleseant. Not sure when the resort decorations are set up, but loved resort hopping in the afternoon when the parks were more crowded. Parks were rated a 4 on easywdw and were more crowded than I expected but I think the rating of a 4 is all relative based on avg attendance. So a 4 one year won't be the same as a 4 the year before.

 

[W.E.D.]

We did that on our last trip ('11) and it was absolutely fantastic.

Be forewarned: Thanksgiving comes late again this year, and I've heard reports on the DIS, from last year, that the timing will mean things are a bit busier.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I went dec 8-16, 2006 and also Dec 3-8, 2012. In 2006, crowds were amazing. Very low. Never waited more than 10 or 15 min for anything. Weather was awesome. I think the first day at AK was freezing, but the rest of the week we had no problems. In 2012, it was definitely busier, but still somewhat manageable. I think our longest wait was about 30 minutes. The secret was out that early Dec was a good time to go so it has gotten busier, but I really love the Christmas events.

 

[heartse]

We have loved that week - been in '09, '11, and '13. Last year it was HOT, and CROWDED! I am wondering if it was so crowded because of the late Thanksgiving making the Christmas season so scrunched. Well, that plus we were there over the weekend, and it was a beautiful weekend so the locals all came to the parks. I will say that going to MVMCP did help with the crowd problems as far as MK was concerned.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I really do wonder if crowds first week of Dec depend on how late thanksgiving falls. So if there are 5 weeks b/t the two holidays first week is less crowded than if there are only 4 weeks.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

We have loved that week - been in '09, '11, and '13. Last year it was HOT, and CROWDED! I am wondering if it was so crowded because of the late Thanksgiving making the Christmas season so scrunched. Well, that plus we were there over the weekend, and it was a beautiful weekend so the locals all came to the parks. I will say that going to MVMCP did help with the crowd problems as far as MK was concerned.

I was there last year too but that was my only trip at that time. I thought the weather was perfect but I was also coming from the Midwest. Glad to know I'm not the only one that thought it was crowded tho.

 

[su_A_ve]

If you could push your arrival to December 12, you'll be able to take advantage of free dining if you stay onsite.

You have Pop Warner the first week in December, which affects the values mostly.

 

[nkereina]

I really do wonder if crowds first week of Dec depend on how late thanksgiving falls. So if there are 5 weeks b/t the two holidays first week is less crowded than if there are only 4 weeks.

Well, Thanksgiving was late last year and I know all of December was much more crowded than usual or was anticipated. I'd expect the same this year. People who typically travel this time of year are now crammed into 4 weeks instead of spread out over 5, and many people book to avoid Pop Warner which is also later than usual due to the late Thanksgiving date.

 

[lucyem]

I was there last year too but that was my only trip at that time. I thought the weather was perfect but I was also coming from the Midwest. Glad to know I'm not the only one that thought it was crowded tho.

We found it much busier then we had expected. Arrived on thanksgiving last year and stayed a week.