crowds in early december

[Britt7]

We are considering going back to disney the first week of December. We normally go in late January but I have always wanted to go around Christmas so that we can check out the decorations and other activities. I love Christmas. How are the crowds this time of year? We got a pin for free dining and I am nervous that this will increase the crowds. What all isgoing on in the parks for the Holidays? I know about MVMCP. What else is there? Also just on the side - do the value and moderate resorts decorate for the holidays as well.

 

[crocko]

Went last year from Nov 30th-Dec 3rd.

Park attendance was very nice.
On the 30th we did MVMCP. It is expensive, but if you've never done it before, it has some cool fun extra things to do. Those late hours in the park are very nice, too....from 10pm-12pm you can pretty much walk right on to anything.

Next day we did Animal Kingdom. I recall only having to wait like 5 minutes for Expedition Everest. That night we hit Hollywood Studios to check out the Osbourne Lights....HS at night will be packed b/c of these lights, but the rides themselves weren't too busy (except for TSM of course)

Next day we did Epcot. We got there at rope-drop....walked straight on to Mission Space....5 min wait at Test Track. Walked right on to Nemo & Friends. 10 min wait for Soarin'. That night at Epcot, we did the Candlelight Processional (ate at Teppan Edo before as part of a package deal to get good seating). That was well worth it! Great experience, plus we got to see the very cool Neil Patrick Harris.

So....I would definitely say that you can expect lower attendance and better ride times if you go during that first week of December.

 

[DisneyDad1964]

We are considering going back to disney the first week of December. We normally go in late January but I have always wanted to go around Christmas so that we can check out the decorations and other activities. I love Christmas. How are the crowds this time of year? We got a pin for free dining and I am nervous that this will increase the crowds. What all isgoing on in the parks for the Holidays? I know about MVMCP. What else is there? Also just on the side - do the value and moderate resorts decorate for the holidays as well.

I've heard from my resident "Disney expert" that it's a great time to go. The crowds aren't too big and you get the added benefit of the Christmas decorations, etc.

I'm sure the free dining offer will increase crowds a bit, but they're probably making the offer because it's a slow time of year in the first place.

 

[RMulieri]

It is a great time.Low-moderate crowds.Not dead, but nice. All the resorts decorate,but the most elaborate decor is at the Deluxe resorts.Be sure to check out the Osborne Chrsitmas lights at DHS, the Candlelight processional at Epcot, as well as the Epcot Holiday Storytellers in each World Showcase pavilion

 

[Dizzytime]

We were there last Dec 1st-10th after always having been in mid-Jan (marathon). Found the crowds at the parks and ESPECIALLY THE RESTAURANTS more than we expected, but with ADR's, fast passes, early entry and late night's it all worked out just fine. Certainly worth it to us to finally see all the decorations, and I'm sure you'll love it too!

Have a great time!!

 

[LilGMom]

Compared to Thanksgiving week, spring break and summer it is a very nice time to go. Not as dead as it used to be but still a very enjoyable time to go. A couple of things to consider when picking your dates is the taping of the Disney Christmas Parade at MK can affect crowds (usually the first weekend of the month), the number of MMVMCP during the week you want to go will affect MK park hours and Pop Warner is the first full week of December this year (week of Dec. 6). But I'll take the first half of December over the second half any day.

 

[BradyBz12]

We've gone the first 2-3 weeks of December for the last 3 years. It gets a bit busier every year (darned Travel Channel shows!) but it's still a relatively slower time of year.

We ride just about everything and never wait more than 20 minutes (except for TSM, but it doesn't matter what time of year it is for that).

Weather is typically dry, but temps can be all over the place, so pack some layers and be prepared for anything (last year we saw everything from below-40 evenings to 80 during the day).

More info on all the holiday happenings HERE

A very festive, fun time to go!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

ALL the resorts and parks have some form of holiday decorations.

This will be our fourth year in a row at WDW for the week of Thanksgiving and the following week. The week of Thanksgiving is always a madhouse. There's no way we can get around that. But, the kids have the whole week off from school and we don't want to be home twiddling our fingers. So we tour the parks knowing if something is too busy, we can always do it next week. Personally, I like just "being" at WDW.

We've found the week following Thanksgiving to be truly magical. The holiday crowds are gone, we attend a half-empty MK during MVMCP, ALL the holiday decorations are up and the holiday festivities begin within the parks. Even with our little secret out on this being "the best" time to visit WDW, it is still a great time to go. We don't miss it!

Now I will tell you, some people's opinion on crowd levels totally varies. I was reading Trip Reports from the same time we were at WDW in December and they were complaining how busy it was and blah blah blah. We never encountered any of that. Having some form of plan in place, no matter when you visit WDW helps too. Even on the slowest day of the year, there's still going to be at least a 60 minutes stand-by wait on TSM and Soarin'. Go figure. But, that's the reality of WDW and that's what FPs and quick husbands are for. DH always goes ahead of us to get our TSM and Soarin' FPs.

We just got back from a hot, humid and crowded WDW. Never again will we visit WDW in the summertime. We love WDW in the Fall/Winter. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Jennifer

 

[Kathy Z]

OP stated that they received a pin for free dining for this time period. Is that just a hit or miss kind of thing like the coveted 40% off room rate pin that most of us never get, or is it out there for anyone extended into December?

We have a bounce back rate on 5 of our 7 nights and from what I understand you can't combine discounts. If the free dining offer is for more than a select few would we be eligible for it on the 2 days that we are paying rack rates for our room?

I guess the main reason I would like to know how broad the free dining offer for the first week of December is would be so that I am really super prepared when my ADR window opens since I know it has been crazy for people currently trying to book ADRs during free dining.

 

[lustergirl]

Low crowds and great weather. December is my favorite time to go but now hubby is scared to fly in the wintertime because of the plane crash locally here in clarence new york which had ice on the wings. (scaredy cat)

 

[RMulieri]

OP stated that they received a pin for free dining for this time period. Is that just a hit or miss kind of thing like the coveted 40% off room rate pin that most of us never get, or is it out there for anyone extended into December?

We have a bounce back rate on 5 of our 7 nights and from what I understand you can't combine discounts. If the free dining offer is for more than a select few would we be eligible for it on the 2 days that we are paying rack rates for our room?

I guess the main reason I would like to know how broad the free dining offer for the first week of December is would be so that I am really super prepared when my ADR window opens since I know it has been crazy for people currently trying to book ADRs during free dining.

It is a person specific pin that gets sent...it is not for the general public.Last year in addition to the pincodes, Disney Visa extended free dining for its card holders. No word for this year yet.Free dining has NEVER been extended for everyone in the general public to Nov and Dec. But any form of free dining will make adrs a little rougher so plan ahead and book at 90 days.You would not be eligible for free dining since you already have a discount.The only way is if the 2 nights are on a seprate ressie, and that doesn't work either since you need to purchase a pkg with park tickets and it is still a minimum stay of 3 nights to qualify

 

[SageFemme]

I just asked how to get the pin code yesterday and I got an email TODAY saying I got a pin code for free dining during that time, LOL. Until yesterday I was completely clueless on how to get it! It just came in my email...I didn't do anything. Is there a chance we will get these in Dec. 2010?

 

[Shan-man]

I just wanted to jump on the pile and agree, early December is a GREAT time to go to WDW!

 

[Kathy Z]

It is a person specific pin that gets sent...it is not for the general public.Last year in addition to the pincodes, Disney Visa extended free dining for its card holders. No word for this year yet.Free dining has NEVER been extended for everyone in the general public to Nov and Dec. But any form of free dining will make adrs a little rougher so plan ahead and book at 90 days.You would not be eligible for free dining since you already have a discount.The only way is if the 2 nights are on a seprate ressie, and that doesn't work either since you need to purchase a pkg with park tickets and it is still a minimum stay of 3 nights to qualify

Thanks. You always seem to know the facts and are so helpful.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

The crowds in the first 2 weeks of december are still considered 'light' but not dead (I dont know anytime, thanks to free fall dining that is dead anymore). With a little planning and some working knowledge of stratgies/fastpasses/hours you shouldn't have any long lines. I have been twice during that time frame and have never waited longer than 20 minutes (but I DO fastpass Soarin and Toy Story Mania). The better (aka cooler) weather makes December one of the best times to go and its not that bad waiting in line for 20 minutes if its a nice and balmy 70 vs the 95 degree heat and humidity of most of the rest of the year.

 

[RMulieri]

I just asked how to get the pin code yesterday and I got an email TODAY saying I got a pin code for free dining during that time, LOL. Until yesterday I was completely clueless on how to get it! It just came in my email...I didn't do anything. Is there a chance we will get these in Dec. 2010?

No way to know. Most times people do not get these codes all the time( though some do), and there is no way to know if Disney will even OFFER the free dining pincode for Nov/Dec.This is a new thing for them in the last year( first in 2008)

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks. You always seem to know the facts and are so helpful.

You are so welcome

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We have gone the first week of December every year for the last several years (except last year did a DCL Thanksgiving cruise) and it is our favorite week to do. We go do go other weeks depending on our schedule.

What I have noticed is the increase in the crowds every year.

It is usually Pop Warner that week but that will only be an issue if you stay at a value resort.

The weather is CHANGEABLE. Honestly, one day 40 degrees, next day 80. Pack for both.

The parks close earlier and MK will be closed many nights for MVMCP.

Also, I always notice that the days are shorter but my DH doesn't notice it. He is happy for the sunshine in FL vs the Northeast.

 

[Missytara]

Actually the Pop Warner people usually stay in one value resort and one moderate resort. This year, it is POP and CS.

I was there a few years ago, when they were at POR. They have been kicked out of POR since then.

 

[CraftyOtt]

Actually the Pop Warner people usually stay in one value resort and one moderate resort. This year, it is POP and CS.

I was there a few years ago, when they were at POR. They have been kicked out of POR since then.

Wait a minute..... POP and CS as in Coronado Springs??? Good golly we booked at Coronado Springs thinking they'd be at POP and POR!! If this is confimred we'll definitely have to consider moving it to the next weekend (we were aleady considering it based on DH work schedule anyway, but the 1st weekend works better so I won't miss my sister's 40th birthday). Can anyone confirm this?

OK, a question on those who got a free dining pin for December, was that from VISA? We just got a Disney Visa last month, and I have been checking my emails everyday and we got nothin' so far. I got the VISA specifically for this offer (hoping they would offer it again like last year), but I read on another board that I might not be guaranteed to get the pin just by having the VISA card.

Thanks!