Crowd levels in early December vs October

[dales1971]

First question: My girlfriend and I are planning our trip to WDW later this year. According to the 'Unofficial Guide' book early to mid December is the slowest time (as far as crowds) with October being next slowest. Low crowd levels is VERY important to me but the warmer weather (and longer daylight) of October is appealing also. PLUS IT'S 2 MONTHS SOONER!! So if there isn't a whole lot of difference in crowd levels it will be October.

Can anyone tell me how much difference there is in crowds for these two time periods? Any other pros vs cons concerning these two time periods?

Second question: I know that WDW stands for 'Walt Disney World'. I am seeing a lot of other shortcuts (on this forum) that I have not idea what they mean. Can someone point me to a list?

Thank you,

Dale

 

[travelin' tigger]

First off, here's the link to the abbreviations:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

As far as Oct. and early Dec. go, I'd have to say Dec. is the quieter of the two, although during the past year crowds have picked up all year round due to a better economy and more people traveling. Sept. and later Jan. are the quietest times of the year.

That said, Oct. is great because of the warmer weather, the Food & Wine Fest in Epcot and the Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom. Resort rates are a little higher than Dec. (reg. season).

Dec. early on is also great with Christmas decorations up at the parks and resorts. Also there is the Christmas party at MK, the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and the Osbourne Lights At MGM Studios. The first weeks of Dec. are value season at the resorts (cheapest rates) and are VERY popular with Disney Vacation Club.

HTH!!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Have never been in December, however for me October is the ideal time to go for a good balance of low crowds and nice weather.

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

Haven't done early Dec. (that's this year), but we did Oct. 1 last year and it was HOT and humid and fairly crowded. We definitely used fast passes and some rides later in the day, and waited in others. Did I mention it was HOT the first week of Oct? I did hear from a neighbor that it was comfortable later in the month though.

 

[dales1971]

Thanks Barb, Johnny and Mouseketeer!! So far it looks like LATE October will get the nod. I sure want to get past any chance of hot, humid weather. But I'll be interested in what others say.

And thanks Barb for the abbreviations list. I'd hate to think that DG stands for 'D*mn Girlfriend'.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Thanks Barb, Johnny and Mouseketeer!! So far it looks like LATE October will get the nod. I sure want to get past any chance of hot, humid weather.

Just wanted to add that the FUNAI golf classic is held in late Oct. - shouldn't affect the parks too much, but resorts will be a little busier.

Have fun planning your trip!!!

 

[aengus]

Not sure if by early december you mean the first week or not. That is pop warner week and you might actually find the crowds a little heavier than in october.

Of course both are good times, the crowd levels even with the pop warner events are nothing compared to busy times. The Christmas decorations as others pointed out are a big plus, and the extra two minutes of Illuminations are spectacular as well

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Weather was unbearably beautiful for us first week of Dec. this last year. Christmas decorations, crowds...we'll NEVER go any other time of year.

Shel

 

[joanchris]

Haven't done early Dec. (that's this year), but we did Oct. 1 last year and it was HOT and humid and fairly crowded. We definitely used fast passes and some rides later in the day, and waited in others. Did I mention it was HOT the first week of Oct? I did hear from a neighbor that it was comfortable later in the month though.

2nd week of October was VERY HOT and humid this past year too...and more crowded than I had expected it would be....we fastpassed a lot, waited for a lot, skipped some things...We probably won't go back in Oct again, was thinking of Dec next time around (maybe 2007).

 

[Ginamarie]

We've gone both times of year. Honestly, the crowd level was not significantly more during October than in early/mid December. They were both great times for low crowds.

As far as the weather goes, October gets my nod for warmth. We've had some VERY cold December weather (in the 50s during the day, in the upper 20s/lower 30s at night).

Other pros for October- The Halloween party, longer park hours.

Pros for December- Christmas decorations and the Christmas events/parties.

 

[gapack]

I am suprised to learn of the low crowds in Oct. Haven't looked at any projected numbers but thought because of the F&W Festival and the Halloween party that it would be busy. I have found rooms at BCV and BWV have already become difficult to obtain. So what do yall think about October 2006....overall how crowded might it be?

 

[eeyore45]

2nd week of October was VERY HOT and humid this past year too...and more crowded than I had expected it would be....we fastpassed a lot, waited for a lot, skipped some things...We probably won't go back in Oct again, was thinking of Dec next time around (maybe 2007).

I was shocked too - after reading posts saying Oct was low crowds - and then going in Oct - NOT - it would've been fine IF I was expecting the crowds, but it was very crowded for me - I went in July that was crowded and HOT - same for the week of Columbus Day - it was HOT and it was CROWDED!! Wall to wall people, a lot of people dont get the hopping option so the emh parks are more crowded - - if I had planned for crowds my mind would've been set - but my mind based on posts like this thread - thought low crowds, Hot weather - -

then there are the threat of hurricanes in Oct, or the tropical depressions that just "pop" up out of nowhere!!

Be prepared... all I'm sayin!!

 

[angel's momma]

We went Dec. 11-21, 2004 and Sept. 25- Oct. 8, 2005. We thought the first week of Oct. was more crowded than it had been in Dec. It rained A LOT our week of Oct., and was hot. We did have one VERY cold day in Dec. - a low of 35 that night, but we were told that that is very rare.

We are going back Dec. 9-16 this year, and would like to plan a trip for the same time period next year. We enjoyed Dec. more than Fall.

 

[Mamu]

This past year we went the middle of October after Columbus Day. Weather was hot and crowds low.

In 2004 we went the middle of December, weather was cold and crowds low.

I guess if I had to pick I'd pick October, I like the warm weather. December was wonderful, everything was decorated I just didn't like wearing my winter coat, hat and gloves. Nights were very cold so parks were on the low side of attendence.

 

[LisaMaz]

Not sure if by early december you mean the first week or not. That is pop warner week and you might actually find the crowds a little heavier than in october.

Of course both are good times, the crowd levels even with the pop warner events are nothing compared to busy times. The Christmas decorations as others pointed out are a big plus, and the extra two minutes of Illuminations are spectacular as well

hi I'm just wondering when and what this is? Does it get really crowded? thank you.

 

[travelin' tigger]

hi I'm just wondering when and what this is? Does it get really crowded? thank you.

Pop Warner is the kids football/cheerleading league that hold its championship playoffs every yaer at the Wide World of Sports complex in WDW. This years dates will be Dec. 3-9.

The only places you'll really notice the crowds are at the All Star value resorts and PO mod resorts, especially at their food courts first thing in the morning and around the pools. They're also at the parks during the week, but since they play during the day, it's mostly at night that they're plentiful.

HTH!!!