Crowds: Nov 16-20 vs Nov 30-Dec 4

[ah edwards]

We have the option of going for a conference/vacation Nov 16-20 or Nov 30- Dec 4. I will be doing mornings alone with my girls (3 yrs. and 11 months), and hubby will join us in the afternoons. Are the crowds pretty similar both dates? Any recommendations?

Any hopes of Christmas decor being complete by the Nov 16 date?
Thanks!!

 

[texaslovesdisney]

Great Question.
Would love to know myself.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

I've been the past 2 years around the 11/16-20 time frame and saw it WAY busier the second year. With free dining it's becoming a much more popular week. I think you might be better going 11/30-12/4 as Veterans Day is a Friday this year so I think that will make 11/16 week even busier. That being said I doubt it will be a significant difference. And yes, lots of Christmas decorations are up by the 16th, you'll get more (especially at the resorts) by 11/30.

 

[momofkids]

We went the first week last year. It was busy. We have been the second week before and it was better. I would choose November 30.

 

[celina14]

Here are the crowd levels according to Touring Plans:

11/16- 3
11/17- 2
11/18- 3
11/19- 5
11/20- 8

11/30- 3
12/1- 1
12/2- 2
12/3- 5
12/4- 2

So according to that, I'd pick the 2nd week but neither week looks awful (aside from 11/20).

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Here are the crowd levels according to Touring Plans:

11/16- 3
11/17- 2
11/18- 3
11/19- 5
11/20- 8

11/30- 3
12/1- 1
12/2- 2
12/3- 5
12/4- 2

So according to that, I'd pick the 2nd week but neither week looks awful (aside from 11/20).

Yes the crowds really pick up that weekend heading into Thanksgiving so be aware....

 

[CynBeth]

I would go 11/30-12/4 so you can experience all of the holiday decorations and Holidays Around the World/CP at Epcot.

 

[Amanda Hall]

We went the week after Thanksgiving last year and the crowds were ok. They did NOT offer free dining at that time last year. This year they are. We are going back during the same time and are nervous that the crowds are going to be much higher because of the free dining.

 

[Accident]

I love the week after thanksgiving weekend and it's usually very light, especially in the afternoon. (lower crowds = more packed rope drops and mornings but dead afternoons in my observations). It looks like your dates would put you mid that week into the weekend. historically (with the exception of last year) this is also when they film the xmas parade (shown on tv, it is not live on xmas) so that can be an added bonus. Also that week is the first time that everything for the holiday including epcot that just had food and wine finish is all happening so plenty of holiday cheer to enjoy with the family in all parks.

you can't really compare last year to this year as last year was when osbourne lights ended so the place got really packed for people who came out to see them 1 last year. I'm expecting a much lighter year and so far it appears to be heading that direction with crowds.

 

[celina14]

I love the week after thanksgiving weekend and it's usually very light, especially in the afternoon. (lower crowds = more packed rope drops and mornings but dead afternoons in my observations). It looks like your dates would put you mid that week into the weekend. historically (with the exception of last year) this is also when they film the xmas parade (shown on tv, it is not live on xmas) so that can be an added bonus. Also that week is the first time that everything for the holiday including epcot that just had food and wine finish is all happening so plenty of holiday cheer to enjoy with the family in all parks.

you can't really compare last year to this year as last year was when osbourne lights ended so the place got really packed for people who came out to see them 1 last year. I'm expecting a much lighter year and so far it appears to be heading that direction with crowds.

I'm not the OP but I hope you're right since that's when we'll be there! We arrive the night of Black Friday and are there for 10 nights. I'm expecting that first weekend to be crowded but hoping for lower crowds the rest of the trip!

 

[NH-to-FL]

Of your two choices I would recommend Nov 30-Dec 4. We've done that week a number of times and enjoyed it. As a previous poster notes, the holiday decorations will be completed by then.

As to crowds, they are becoming harder to predict but they will definitely be going up on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Of your two weeks I would guess that the first week of December would be a bit less crowded.

 

[ah edwards]

Thanks for the help everyone. We've decided on the second set of dates. Potentially lower crowds and more Christmas decorations sounds like a win to me.
Now to plan!