December Advice

[chrissy92972]

Booked bounceback with free dining for Decemer 8th to 16th 2017. Booked ASMU for 1 adult and 3 15 year olds.

Did I make a mistake with this time of year? We just came back from Pop on 8/21 to 8/30.

Wondering about crowds compared to end of August?

 

[Accident]

This year the crowds were a little lower that week partially because of hermine starting to form and people needing to stay home for their homes or having trouble with traveling. The first week in decemeber I actually call one of disney's lowest crowd weeks (well at least a few days after thanksgiving weekend). Then it starts to grow bigger and bigger. I think you'll find it comparable but it depends on what happens next year. They are still saying 2017 for pandora in animal kingdom to open and I would expect the year after it's opened to be rather high crowds all the time again for peopel coming to see it, including avatar fans that aren't disney fans.. that movie had a cult following of sorts with people who wanted to be in the world and now their chance is coming

 

[chrissy92972]

This year the crowds were a little lower that week partially because of hermine starting to form and people needing to stay home for their homes or having trouble with traveling. The first week in decemeber I actually call one of disney's lowest crowd weeks (well at least a few days after thanksgiving weekend). Then it starts to grow bigger and bigger. I think you'll find it comparable but it depends on what happens next year. They are still saying 2017 for pandora in animal kingdom to open and I would expect the year after it's opened to be rather high crowds all the time again for peopel coming to see it, including avatar fans that aren't disney fans.. that movie had a cult following of sorts with people who wanted to be in the world and now their chance is coming [/QUOTE

Thanks didnt know about Pandora opening in 2017. Thought 2018. Guess I will keep it for now.

 

[Klayfish]

We weren't there for the week you're quoting, but we were there last year for Christmas. I'll bet you'll have lower crowds than we did. Xmas Day itself in MK was absolutely insane, but other than that it's manageable. For you, I think it'll be even easier. I'd bet you'll have some crowds, but if you know how to use FP+ to your advantage and have a general idea of what you're doing, you'll be fine. If you've never been to WDW during the holidays, it's really cool. Last year was our first time, and we can't wait to do it again next year.

 

[100acreHiker]

Early December is usually a quieter time to go, but this year I'm seeing very little if any availability for the first week of December, some the second week. I'm expecting crowds to be higher than they were December of 2015, if only because last year, there were many more rooms often available to book than there are now. Not sure if it's because they're offering free dining at the very end of November (which allows you to dine for free through that whole first week), or if there are conventions or something else. Just my opinion, of course!

 

[Accident]

2015 was crazy with people running down to see osbourne lights 1 more time. Although this year they did discount the first week of december which is not normal so we'll see what happens

 

[Sdolores]

I am going the second week of December (7-11). This is my second time in this window (work related). I can't take the heat and love the Christmas feel, but I hate that the parks close early. As my kids get older I wish the parks would stay open later. Also, trying to make plans without an answer to AK's River of lights is killing me. I had to guess.

 

[JennyDrake]

You will start off with low-is but expect the crowds to increase a bit each day. Rope Drop is your best friend...

 

[mco65]

Booked bounceback with free dining for Decemer 8th to 16th 2017. Booked ASMU for 1 adult and 3 15 year olds.

Did I make a mistake with this time of year? We just came back from Pop on 8/21 to 8/30.

Wondering about crowds compared to end of August?

I would expect the crowds to be lighter than End of August... but not by much. call it a push.

 

[chrissy92972]

This is for Dec 2017. I would love to see Disney at Christmas time. I just would prefer everyone else to stay home Lol

 

[cassie58]

Expect it to be busier than late Aug., but not too crazy, nothing like Christmas week! We were there last yr. the week leading up to Christmas, and while it was busy, it was still not bad ( other than Osbourne lights since it was their last yr.) As PP mentioned, if you are well planned and have FP set, you will do fine. And it is so worth it to be there for all the Christmas decor - truly magical! The castle with icicle lights is amazing, as well as the part they add to the projection show. You will also want to hop on the monorail while at MK and check out the giant gingerbread house at GF. The only thing to be prepared for is MVMCP running 3-4 nts a week, which makes MK close at 7(unless you choose to pay extra if you want to attend) so you will only have a few nts to be in MK for the whole evening and watch Wishes, etc.

 

[NH-to-FL]

We spent many years bouncing between the weeks of early/mid December. Always enjoyed it. As others have noted, the crowds do start to grow the closer you get to Christmas though you are leaving right when it will really starts taking off.

I agree with others who propose that the crowds will be a little higher than what you experienced in late August this year.

But it will definitely not be as hot.

If you have never visited in December you will love the holiday activities and decorations.

 

[chrissy92972]

Thank you everyone!!!

Chrissy

 

[SadieDawn90]

We always go in December, 2nd or 3rd week. Nothing like Disney at Christmastime! 2015 was pretty crazy because of it being the last year for Osborne lights. Parking lots were shut down, HS was a nightmare. For the most part, everything is super manageable. Especially early in the day. Around 4, MK would always start getting pretty crazy. It's worth it to me, though. weather is good, crowds aren't terrible. We'd gone in May, and March, and once we went in December that was it for me. That's when I love it best :]

 

[jaysmom4285]

We've been to WDW the first or second week of December for quite a few years. Early December used to be a very slow time of the year. The crowds have picked up some, but it is still a relatively low crowd season. As others have noted, it is a great time to see all of the holiday decorations and experience the holiday activities without the insane crowds that show up the week of Christmas.

 

[dkmulder]

I just returned from Disney this past weekend and had booked a bounceback offer for December 9-17. The cast member I spoke with said that has been a very popular booking week This was my first time back since 2012, and I thought the crowds were considerably higher in MK despite historically being the slowest week of the year. I had picked the second week in December because I had also heard that was a very slow week. I have a feeling it is not going to be though based on what that cast member said.

 

[DrunkJam]

We were at WDW christmas 11/12 and will be there christmas 17/18

It's busy. There is no getting around it. But, we still had an awesome time, and we still managed to do all the things we wanted to do.

I am hoping for the same again. Plus, I LOVE being on holiday for Christmas.