Crowd levels first 3 weeks of Dec; Pop Warner, etc.

[bookgeek]

Right now we have scheduled Dec 2-16 for our WDW vacation. I have heard that Dec is picking up in crowd level. Is this only during the Pop Warner week, or is it just that levels in Dec are increasing in general? My 2005 Unofficial Guide listed the first 2 weeks in Dec as a "1", but on the website for this year it ranges from "4" to "6". That is a significant change! I don't know if we want to go if that is the case. Our previous trips in September were awesome--very low crowd levels.

We could change our dates to eliminate the Pop Warner week if that is the reason it is considered busier. Any recent years' trips in the first 3 weeks of December regarding crowd level would be great.

Thanks!

 

[hockey mom]

We went Dec. 10th to the 17th last year and it was great. Front desk did mention that alot of people did check out as we were arriving and the week after us was flooded with new comers.

 

[paladin]

We go in the early part of December, most recently in 2005 from December 4 - December 17. We have noticed a marked increase in the number of folks there, especially when compared to 2001 and 2002. I think this is true for several reasons - tourism has picked up since 9/11 and every guide book and website on WDW say that early December is one of the very best times to go - in other words, the secret is out.

Last year the parks looked to be much more crowded than previously. However, even though there appeared to be many more folks in the parks, the waits for attractions were minimal - the longest we had was a 20 minute wait for Soarin' (I thought this was very strange at the time, but hey, I am not going to complain about short waits).

I think that the crowds in early December have always been quite a bit higher than September, which has always had one of the lowest crowds (along with parts of January), though I think even this is changing somewhat with the free dining.

I highly recommend early December even with the increased crowds - the holiday stuff is just fantastic. Whichever you decide, have fun!

 

[Wengino]

We've gone 3 times over the last 5 years in the first 2 weeks of December. Following the Unofficial guide, I thought we were going during the "quietest" time of the year. I mentioned this to a couple of CM's in casual conversation, and they all said "nope, early September". It may not be the slowest, but it has to be one of the best. Christmas decorations, MVMCP, cooler weather, low crowds, people "on vacation" AND "in holiday spirit" at the same time! Enjoy!