Crowds in Mid Dec?

[voleball]

We are planning the WDW/UO trip this December. I'm looking at probably 12/16, 17, 18 or 20 for the UO visit. Does anyone have any guess on how crowded it would be? Do we need Express pass? We were there on 12/15 (Tuesday) and 17 (Thursday) in 2009 and it was pretty much walk on for most of rides both days. (I know it's quite a long time ahead, but I'm addicted to planning...)

We'll be in Orlando 12/12 ~ 12/23 and renting a house during that time. Ever since I found about the Unlimited Express pass (and HP) onsite guests get, I've been looking into to see if staying onsite makes sense for our plan/budget. It would be easiest if we can do UO at the beginning or at the end of the trip so the accomodation planning part would be easier, but at the beginning of our trip, I assume it will be slow and I want to save the slow days for WDW touring. I assume it will be super crowded at the end of our stay and unlimited pass will make a lot of sense, but the hotel costs $650+ more (2 rooms) comparing to staying at the rental house.

So, if above dates I mentioned on the top are not that crowded and can get around the parks without the pass, we may just travel from our rental house, just do normal offsite touring plan with RD.

Any suggestions?

 

[damo]

There are generally low crowds leading up to the Christmas break.

 

[sanveaz]

we were there this past Dec. from the 14th through the 22nd. It was slow through the 18th, we were at Seaworld on the 19th and 20th back at Universal on the 21st and it was really busy then.

 

[voleball]

Thank you for the info.

 

[buckeev]

We've done the mid December to Christmas...and beyond the past two Decembers. In 2010 US/IOA after Christmas was a incredibly busy- with "park limits" exceeded several times. This past Christmas we did Unversal up till the 24th, and each day the crowds grew in size. By the 23rd, they were very packed during the "Pepper Up" time...(10-2-4), but much more tolerable after that. If you want a "prime" viewing spot for the Macy's parade, stake out your claim early.