Crowds in December, when do they pick up?

[stashf]

CAn anyone tell me when the crowds begin to pickup in December? Last year I was there the first week, it was great but this time I'm looking at the 10th to 17th. Wondering if there is any difference in the crowds that week versus the first. Thanks.

 

[dreams4disney]

We will also be there the December 10 - 17 and would like to know how the crowds will be.

 

[ciera321]

We went last year Dec. 16 - 21. The first 2 days were very quiet with little or no waits. We even went to the RNR and there was not one person in line, a first for us...Then about the 18th people starting coming and it got busy, but was still managable. If we did go back around Christmas, it would be the second week or so...Have fun, you chose a great time!!!

 

[mickeysaver]

We expect that the crowds will start to really show themselves starting on the 16th. This is based on our experience in 2003. But, the fact that Christmas falls on the weekend might change the answer. Only time will tell. We plan on doing all that we want to do early in the week so that we can coast through Friday without worrying about the crowd level. I can't wait for 12/11!!! Maggie

 

[Safari Queen]

I've been there for several years now in the weeks prior to Christmas. It really gets crowded the Friday of the weekend before Christmas week. There's a pretty dramatic difference between Thursday and Friday, then Saturday is really nuts. With the way the dates fall this year, I'd say it'll be really busy by Dec 16. Still, if you adjust your expectations for how much you can see and do, it's wonderful to see the decorations and just soak up the experience. Take your time, take lots of breaks, and prioritize so you get to what's most important.

 

[alicenwonder99]

This year, our kids go to school up until Dec 22. I would think that your first few days the crowds will be light.

Mary

 

[disneysnowflake]

Last year we were at WDW from Sat Dec 11 to Sat Dec 18. We stayed at POFQ.

The day we arrived wasn't a park day since we had arrived in the afternoon.

Sunday, Dec 12 we did MK. MK was an early open day at 8am. We were there are opening. The place was really empty until around 11. After lunch it was packed. Between 8am and 11am we never had to stand in line. After 11am the lines started.

Mon Dec 13 to Thurs Dec 16 crowds were light.
We did AK on Mon the 13th. Light crowds. We did MVMCP on Tues the 14th.
Wed the 15th was Epcot. It was so cold that day. Crowds were very, very light until the afternoon, but even then it was still light. The character bus in Epcot pulled up with holiday dressed characters. DS never had to stand in line except for 2 characters he had to wait behind 3 other kids. The photos I got with the characters were great.
Thurs the 16th we did early opening at MK again. Once again at opening we got to ride over and over with no wait (we were the only family on the teacup ride twice). We left at lunchtime to go to MGM. Again no wait time at MGM.

Friday the 17th we noticed a big difference. The gal I spoke to at POFQ said this is when the crowds start, and it was to get worse as it got closer to Christmas. The resort was lot more crowded. We did Epcot this day. It wasn't bad, but you defiinately noticed more people. I was told that MK was a lot more crowded even at opening.

One lady I spoke to at the gift shop said the holiday people start coming the Friday before Christmas. Then it only gets more and more crowded.

We'd definately chose this time of the year to go again.

Buy extra gloves at the Dollar Store or WalMart before you go.
Cheapy magic stretch gloves you can get for 50 cents or $1 at home cost $8 at WDW. They are plain black with no characters. Pack a couple of pair per person. It was COLD a couple of days when we went. You just never know about the weather.

 

[stevelamb121]

Eveytime I go, its alway been last week in Nov, up until about 15th December, and the parks have always been fine i though, not very busy when I compare with other people.

Ill be there 11/24 - 12/15 Cant Wait!!!!!

 

[widget]

So from the 17th to 22nd December would I presume it will be fairly busy then?? Trust me to get the dates muddled!!

 

[CheshireVal]

I've been to WDW in December for the past 4-5 years. We're usually there from the 17th/18th-22nd, but last year we stayed through the 26th.

To me, the crowds are generally pretty light up until the 23rd.

 

[tigerlilly]

I think the crowd issue will also be determined by School vacations and when they start. About a week ago I asked here when most people get out for school and most people do not seem to get out until Dec 21 or 22. With Christmas being on a Sunday this year.
We have reservations for Dec 2 to the 11th but may be changing them to the following week. The funny thing is when I check availability at the Hotels (I am interested in WL and AKL) there is plenty of availability for standard rooms Dec 11 to the 19 but none for the Dec 2 to 11th week. Go figure.

 

[widget]

Ahh! How fickle these times of year are proving!! Thanks for the fast responses. Love the picture CheshireVal.

 

[stashf]

I found the same thing in regards to the standard rooms availability. That's why I switched from my original 8-14 to the 10-17 at the WL, anyone know if there's something happening that first 10 days of Dec to indicate the low availability, or is it just really busy this year?

 

[Toni300z]

I looked at the Touring days site a few months ago and they said that the beginning of December is like one of the best times to go. Crowd level was rated at a 1. We will be there Dec 1- 11! Yay! Can't wait!

 

[Stitch Inside]

I found the same thing in regards to the standard rooms availability. That's why I switched from my original 8-14 to the 10-17 at the WL, anyone know if there's something happening that first 10 days of Dec to indicate the low availability, or is it just really busy this year?

I have no clue as to why, but we had wanted to go the week after Thanksgiving and found the same problem trying to book a standard room at AKL, WL or CR. So we decided to go the 16th-21st, instead. All three showed availability in all different room types. Go figure.

 

[DisDarling]

I found the same thing in regards to the standard rooms availability. That's why I switched from my original 8-14 to the 10-17 at the WL, anyone know if there's something happening that first 10 days of Dec to indicate the low availability, or is it just really busy this year?

The Pop Warner Kids are there Dec 4-10th, so I think thats why MANY are avoiding staying those dates

 

[tigerlilly]

The Pop Warner Kids are there Dec 4-10th, so I think thats why MANY are avoiding staying those dates

I figure part of the reason a lot of the mods and values are reserved is for the Pop Warner kids. But someone is staying in the Deluxes that week because availability is slim. Maybe people who are going this week and are not part of the Pop Warner group are upgrading to Deluxe? Who knows. With all my time spent learning about WDW I am realizing there really is no "slow" time to go.

 

[ccgegg]

True, there is no "slow" time..... but there are "slower" times. And early Dec is one of them. My research shows that Pop Warner week drastically affects Disney resort availability, but not park attendance.