December crowd levels

[pmanko]

we were at Disney this past Dec the week before Christmas - Sun to Sat (14th to 20th). We went to the parks week day - Mon through Friday; and i was pleasantly surprised with (most) of the crowd levels.
I remember reading the boards before we left ( a week to 2 weeks ahead of time) and many were complaining about crowd levels. I heard one suggestion that the first two weeks of December (09) were very busy because of other events/celebrations going on...
I am wondering if this was a one time thing for 2009 or if those first two weeks of December are always going to be "busy".
I am looking at the point calendar and the first 2 weeks of december are considered to be "adventure" season (low- value). The week before Christmas is choice (so only the difference of a few points - but, it all adds up quickly!!)...
I was also playing around with Nov 10 as well. (most of Nov is considered choice).
Just playing around with a potential time frame right now. DO NOT Want big crowds! WE have a toddler whose max wait time is 20 mins!

 

[chalee94]

I remember reading the boards before we left ( a week to 2 weeks ahead of time) and many were complaining about crowd levels. I heard one suggestion that the first two weeks of December (09) were very busy because of other events/celebrations going on...

the points are low and the decorations are up, so DVC owners generally love the first 2 weeks of december.

it's a question of booking in advance - it has nothing to do with crowds in the parks in general - it's just that many DVCers book december right at the 11 month window to avoid having to waitlist.

(to be clear, the parks in general are less crowded the first 2 weeks in december since schools are still in session. but as a DVC owner, you should plan to book as early as possible.)

 

[cel_disney]

I think that the crowd levels this past december were also very off...there were days of major rain followed by days without rain...everyone went on the days without rain so the crowd levels were much higher on the touring plans scale than expected. (I wasnt there, but this is what I remember from the posts).

We are booked to be there 12/4 - 12/11 - its DHs birthday week. We usually go in Sept/October and prefer the weather that time of year but we are expecting a baby in July and it would just be too soon for me to enjoy a trip in the heat I think! I'm looking forward to the Christmas decorations but I'm a little nervous about the crowd levels and weather. I assume that pop warner will be there that week as well as the Christmas Parade taping the first weekend.

 

[Crystal_27]

I believe that Disney offered free dining through December 18th last year, which also contributed to the madness. I read reports of those who go around Christmas each year saying that last year was very unusual in terms of crowds. We'll be there from December 18-January 1 in 2010 so I'm hopeful that the crowds are not as crazy as reported in 2009. We'll see...

 

[MDDisneyDevotee]

We've been twice in December. The first time in 2006 was just my son and I. We were there December 13th - December 19th and the crowds were very low. We had such a great time and talked that December trip up so much to my parents that we all went back in December of 2008, but went from Dec. 7th - December 13th. The crowds were much larger (though not jam-packed by any means). We found out that Pop Warner and cheerleading competitions were going on that week which I'm sure contributed (plus there was the fun of having 15 twelve year olds screaming "Hey Nicky you're so fine, you're so fine, you blow my mind. Hey Nicky. Hey Nicky", or something similar over and over and over again in full cheerleader voice at bus stops, in lines for rides, waiting for food, and I suspect, in their sleep....).

It was somewhat disappointing, but I do love going in December and would go at that time every single year if I my work allowed for that. I don't have a toddler along for the ride, though I do have a son on the autistic spectrum, a mom with Alzheimer's and a father with mobility issues all of which make lines and crowds a bit more challenging. Even with those issues I would still say the crowds are doable and worth the bit of inconvenience to be in the World at Christmas time.

 

[fers31]

I was there from 12/5-12/13 this year and due to the previously mentioned....booked the week after Thanksgiving this year. Let's see: Pop Warner, Cheerleaders, Parade Filming.....I'll pass this year. It was VERY crowded certain days. One of my favorite examples was the first day we showed up to MK at 9:30 in the morning, the line for Pooh was 60 min already!

 

[exwdwcm]

We were there 12/10-12/20 at WL. It only rained one day that whole time, but it had rained like crazy that week before we arrived. The rain did make a noticeable difference that one day (Friday, 12/18 morning)- the MK was empty that morning. It was the only time we saw rain in those 10 days.

The crowds were not too bad until our last night- Saturday, 12/19 at the MK at night. Then it was bad. we did experience bad crowds at Osborne lights, but it was right after they were turned on at dusk. We came back later near closing time and had it all to ourselves. We didn't even have to wait for a second monorail or boat the entire trip.

I think everyone's view of 'crowds' is different. I didn't consider it any more or less crowded than when we did the first week of december back in 2007. It appeared about the same to me. We just get up early, arrive at opening, use EMH am when possible (then hop when it gets crowded) and used FP. With a little planning, even with crowds, it doesn't seem crowded. I never felt the walkways were overwhelmed with people until that last saturday night 12/19. of course the parades and fireworks were crowded as usual, but they always are.

our wait time is also 20 minutes. If it is over 20 minutes, we pass it and come back later or FP. I have a 2yo with no patience for waiting either. We didn't wait in line over 20 minutes for anything the entire time using smart strategies. Of course we did the DIS toy story party, so we got to ride that over and over with no wait. We hit all the big attractions too. You can read my trip report below in the link if you want to hear about it all.

We liked it so much, we are going back this December, for our first trip HOME as DVC - 12/4-12/11. I know this is POP Warner week typically, but in 2007, we never saw any of the kids in the park, except once, it had no impact on us (especially since we are staying BLT). We really enjoy all the holiday decor, holiday wishes, osborne lights etc. It really adds to the trip a lot for us. This will be our third pre Christmas trip.

I can tell you that when i called to reserve our room at BLT a week or two ago, they couldn't find availability for that full week at BLT for a studio or one bedroom. As a new member, my guide pulled it out for me, but apparently it is pretty busy in terms of DVC that week. Doesn't scare me away though- if you have a good strategy for tackling the parks and you won't notice 'big crowds'.

We did extra events like MVMCP and the WISHES Dessert party that added to our experience too.

 

[dizfan]

During the first week of Dec 2009, weather caused Disney to have to extend the days they were planning for the MK Christmas Parade filming. Disney plans rain days, but from what we were told, this was the first time they have ever had to go beyond the originally planned rain days.

Many people were scrambling to find accommodations for the extra day or two. They even had to fly in other cheer squads because not everyone could extend stay longer.

It made for a couple very interesting days at the checkin/checkout desks, and luggage transfers were also more chaotic than usual.

We were only there a couple more days after the Christmas filming, but we noticed a big difference.

 

[dmoore22]

We were there 12/20 thru 1/1. For the first few days it was significantly more crowded than the same time last year. We spoke with a CM who told us that WDW gave service men and their families free accomodations at Shades of Green plus admission to the parks for 5 days that week. It doesn't sound like that would have made that much of a difference but we did notice that the crowds were much lower after that time frame. Compared to last year we were acutally able to ride more rides this year. Not a very scientific appraisal but that's what we noticed. Plus we were able to make last minute ADRs while in the parks.

 

[matt and beth]

About the same story here. Went this year Dec. 5-12. However, it was less crowded than what we have experienced at the end of Aug. and about half of what it is around new years and the first couple days after Jan. 1. We experienced little problems with anything. The DVC resorts are busy. But the parks are doable.

 

[brianheather]

Does anyone know the crowd levels for Dec 10-17th...... anything would be greatly appreciated

 

[wildernessDad]

We were there last year from December 10-18. If memory serves me correctly, the crowd levels weren't too bad, but we are fairly laid back in our approach to theme park touring. It did pick up near the 18th.

The weather was brisk at times, for Florida, but we saw someone in a t-shirt and shorts. He must live in the north to have been able to handle the cold. He looked like he was freezing his tail off though.

We'll be there from the 6th to the 11th and then for the family vacation from the 11th to the 18th. I think it will be fine. Just remember, as DVC members, you get to do this again and again and again and again and...

We visited the GF and bought some gingerbread. It was fun. All in all, it's a great time to go. Crowds are relatively light due to people getting ready for Xmas and classes being in session. The decorations are up and the rides have been refurbished. There usually isn't much in the way of scheduled maintenance at that time with the exception of one water park, although Astro Orbiter will be closed from December 5-9 for refurbishment.

"Free" Dining is being offered from December 10–21, so we'll see how that goes.