Crowds December 17-21??

[kayli2299]

I'm thinking about planning a last minute trip to WDW December 17-21. What should I expect from the crowd levels? My main goal is to attend MVMCP on the 18th and see the Osborne lights on the 19/20th. I assume MVMCP will be crowded considering it's the last one of the year. I also think the crowds will begin to get super heavy that weekend because it's the start of Christmas break.. what do you guys think?

 

[larryz]

Holiday season (for resort hotel prices) starts Dec 18th.

That means WDW expects big crowds to start that day...

I respect their opinion, especially where resort prices are concerned. They have decades of data that tell them their rooms will be in big demand starting the 18th.

 

[Sytrace]

Schools will all be having their last day before Winter Break on the 18th. The good news though is that recent annual passholders whose passes have already been renewed will not be there. The blackout dates for the Gold and Silver passes start on December 17th and go thru until January 2nd.

 

[larryz]

The blackout dates for the Gold and Silver passes start on December 17th and go thru until January 2nd.

Indeed! That's another little clue...

 

[kayli2299]

Schools will all be having their last day before Winter Break on the 18th. The good news though is that recent annual passholders whose passes have already been renewed will not be there. The blackout dates for the Gold and Silver passes start on December 17th and go thru until January 2nd.

good to know, thank you!

 

[kayli2299]

Holiday season (for resort hotel prices) starts Dec 18th.

That means WDW expects big crowds to start that day...

I respect their opinion, especially where resort prices are concerned. They have decades of data that tell them their rooms will be in big demand starting the 18th.

I noticed the resort prices... not too thrilled but it is Disney at Christmas!

 

[mom2rtk]

Schools will all be having their last day before Winter Break on the 18th. The good news though is that recent annual passholders whose passes have already been renewed will not be there. The blackout dates for the Gold and Silver passes start on December 17th and go thru until January 2nd.

A bunch will, but not all. Our district goes through the 22nd.

 

[sharonabe]

The 17th and 18th won't be horrible, but beginning the 19th, I would expect things to start getting crazy and just get crazier every day.

One note, that last party sold out 20 days beforehand last year, so you need to make this decision soon.

 

[Sytrace]

Wow, Mom2rtk...that seems to be cutting it close to any possible travelling folks want to do.

I homeschool my 2 so they will be getting the 21st until the 28th. And you made me curious so I looked and OC public schools are in session until the 21st. Even better for the OP!

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow, Mom2rtk...that seems to be cutting it close to any possible travelling folks want to do.

I homeschool my 2 so they will be getting the 21st until the 28th. And you made me curious so I looked and OC public schools are in session until the 21st. Even better for the OP!

Some years have a pretty obvious cutoff date and most schools get out at the same time. But when Christmas falls late in the week like this, it's all over the place.

 

[siskaren]

One note, that last party sold out 20 days beforehand last year, so you need to make this decision soon.

It's already sold out.

 

[sharonabe]

It's already sold out.

Where did you find that info? I looked, but couldn't find anything saying any of this year's parties were sold out.

 

[lovndisney12]

Having been during the time you are looking at and then also the week of Christmas - it actually isn't too bad a time to go. The crowds aren't near what they will be about the time you are leaving. With that said, it still will be crowded but with good planning - very manageable. My concern would be availability of FP+, MVMCP, and any ADRs you might want. And yes, the holiday break varies quite a bit depending on the school district. Our last day is the 18th but there are schools a town or two over from us that go into the early part of the following week. It just depends. Either way, you will see a significant increase in crowds starting the weekend of the 19th compared to when you would arrive on the 17th.

 

[momto4obkids]

Where did you find that info? I looked, but couldn't find anything saying any of this year's parties were sold out.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/purchase/

It says sold out when you look at the December calendar.

 

[siskaren]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/purchase/

It says sold out when you look at the December calendar.

Yep, I checked there to confirm after reading a post in the MVMCP thread saying that it had.

 

[pmaurer74]

I went during that time the past two years and it was moderate crowds and I think it was not holiday season at the resorts.. interesting that it has changed this year indicating that this week is becoming more popular and crowded.

 

[rwdavis2]

look here: easywdw.com for the December crowd calendar.

 

[sharonabe]

Yep, I checked there to confirm after reading a post in the MVMCP thread saying that it had.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/purchase/

It says sold out when you look at the December calendar.

Thanks you two! When all else fails go to Disney's site....DUH!