Dec- 1st week or 2nd week?

[Candycane83]

Hello fellow Disney lovers... So I'm planning a first trip for my DS and want to go during December 2016 for Xmas decorations. I'm looking into Dec 6-14 or Dec 12-20? Which week would be less busy? I know there's the Christmas parade taping some time then as well as Pop Warner week on the first week? But then again, it gets busier as it gets closer to Christmas? So confused... I think I'm overthinking it but I can't help it.

 

[Dani4girls]

In 2013, we were there December 4-12 and it was awesome! Low crowds, warm days - never rained. Unfortunately, nobody told us about the parade being taped so we planned breakfast at Crystal Palace that morning. We couldn't get any great pics in front of the castle. I love Disney in December - it is beautiful. You will love it!

 

[TeachTink]

The parade is taping in November. Pop Warner is the first week you stated. Many people have said that Pop Warner doesn't significantly change crowds, it just mostly affects the resorts.

 

[Candycane83]

Thanks everyone!

 

[matheke]

You could also go a week earlier. With Thanksgiving falling on the 24th there is almost a full week from the 27th of November through the 4th of December that should be less crowded.

 

[JennyDrake]

The first week you mentioned. Much less crowded; even so, you will find the crowds increasing each day by the end.

 

[Cee]

We will be there Dec. 13-20 this year. It has been 8 or 9 years since we've been at this time of year so I'm expecting it to be more crowded. My DD's birthday is the 15th so this is the week we choose. Back in 1994 it was not crowded at all. We were the only ones on the monorail. Those days are gone.

 

[nherbert]

The first week of December seems to have less special offers than the second week of December, if that is important to your planning.

 

[siskaren]

The parade is taping in November.

This year is the first time the parade will tape in November - it might go back to December next year.

 

[Candycane83]

We will be there Dec. 13-20 this year. It has been 8 or 9 years since we've been at this time of year so I'm expecting it to be more crowded. My DD's birthday is the 15th so this is the week we choose. Back in 1994 it was not crowded at all. We were the only ones on the monorail. Those days are gone.

Thanks Cee! I hope you post your experience

The first week of December seems to have less special offers than the second week of December, if that is important to your planning.

Thanks nhrbert. Yes the price plays a factor but I think if first week would be less crowded, I'm willing to pay a little more. With 2 adults and a toddler, I'm really looking for a room discount and have my fingers crossed.

This year is the first time the parade will tape in November - it might go back to December next year.

So the... Never know what will happen next year... From other posts I've just read, I see that we just have to avoid MK that day so hopefully it wouldn't Be much of an issue

 

[sunburnin]

We've done the first week you mentioned (technically the 2nd week in Dec) 3 times now and about to go a 4th - 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015. It's a great week to be there. The parade isn't a big deal once you're passed the hub. Didn't know it was happening our first year until we walked in. It's interesting to see it being filmed and we were glad we weren't in the 'audience' having to watch take after take after take of the floats coming down Main Street. We also didn't know about Pop Warner, but that was a non-event unless you're in the same resorts. The FB teams and cheerleaders are mostly doing their competitions during the days and in the parks in the evenings. If you got to the recommended parks, you're less likely to see them. As you can see, we stumbled there by accident the first trip and are now going back for our 4th.

As Dani said above, the weather was awesome in 2013. That's the week that Florida was in the 80s and the entire rest of the country was below 50. Not kidding: http://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/florida-warm-weather-20131210


Have fun!

 

[TeachTink]

This year is the first time the parade will tape in November - it might go back to December next year.

I missed the 2016 part. Sorry!

 

[Candycane83]

We've done the first week you mentioned (technically the 2nd week in Dec) 3 times now and about to go a 4th - 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015. It's a great week to be there. The parade isn't a big deal once you're passed the hub. Didn't know it was happening our first year until we walked in. It's interesting to see it being filmed and we were glad we weren't in the 'audience' having to watch take after take after take of the floats coming down Main Street. We also didn't know about Pop Warner, but that was a non-event unless you're in the same resorts. The FB teams and cheerleaders are mostly doing their competitions during the days and in the parks in the evenings. If you got to the recommended parks, you're less likely to see them. As you can see, we stumbled there by accident the first trip and are now going back for our 4th.

As Dani said above, the weather was awesome in 2013. That's the week that Florida was in the 80s and the entire rest of the country was below 50. Not kidding: http://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/florida-warm-weather-20131210


Have fun!

Thanks for sharing your experience! Hopefully weather is good again next year!