December crowds?

[DebbieB]

What exactly is Pop Warner football/cheerleading? Never heard of it before.

It's a national league of young football players & cheerleaders. They range from ages 8 to 16. They have their regional championships and the winning teams come to WDW for the "Super Bowl" in early December. The cheerleaders have separate competitions. Both are held at Wide World of Sports. There are thousands of kids involved and they stay at the value & moderate resorts. It is currently scheduled for December 4 to 10, 2005. They really don't affect park attendance that much, they come into the parks in small groups when they are not competing. The problems are more at the resorts, they pretty much take over.

http://www.popwarner.com/

 

[Mary2816]

Thanks, DebbieB. I must live in a bubble because I have never heard of PopWarner before. Thanks again for the info. I was just looking forward to not having to deal with the large crowds. Are the early december crowds like the June crowds? Wow, I think you can smell my desperation!!!

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Agree with those who say early December used to be great crowd-wise but is not so anymore. I went 4 times in 2004--End of January, beginning of May, 2d week of September (between hurricanes) and first week of Dec. By far the least crowded time was September, but Ivan was due to hit that week (lucky for me didn't) and a LOT of people changed their plans and cancelled that week. So that may have affected crowd levels (it was great, felt like I had the place to myself most of the time).

BUT January was the next slowest, followed by the May trip. December trip was by far the most crowded. I used to LOVE the beginning of December, all the decorations, MVMCP, decent weather AND low crowds. I was shocked at how many people were in the parks this past December.

Just came back from a (mid) January trip this year and the crowds were again quite low. (I am referring to the parks not DVC crowds in this post).

 

[lllovell]

We have gone twice in December (the last two years). The first time was around the 4th and the place was deserted. Walked onto most rides. It was a week day and it was overcast and a bit chilly, but it was sooooo worth it! It got busier with the weekend, but not really ever bad and the place was just beautiful.

This past year, we drove down on Friday after Thanksgiving and stayed through Tuesday. It was busier, but still nothing like July crowds.

Go! Its a beautiful time of year at the parks. Avoid the value resorts if you are going around the Pop Warner week (you can get a schedule of the activities on the website for Pop Warner as well). Use Fastpass. Make PS Ressies. You will have a wonderful time!

So much to do and see. CP, MVMCP, Special Illuminations, the different Santa's at each country in EPCOT, the decorations, etc etc etc. If you love Disney and Christmas its a don't miss.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

This past year, we drove down on Friday after Thanksgiving and stayed through Tuesday. It was busier, but still nothing like July crowds.

I don't think anyone compared December to July (which of course is one of the busiest times at WDW). But the unofficial guide lists the beginning of December as the slowest time possible. In my experience that was once true, but is no longer. I don't want the OP to get the idea that it's packed in early December, but I also don't want the expectations to be that it's slow then either. It's somewhere in the middle.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were there 12/18-23 '04. Not any of our party, 14 people, complained that the lines were so bad that they just wouldn't go this time of the year again. We used FP when possible, did all 4 parks and some special Christmas events, but unfortunately there wasn't a MVMCP during our stay, the last one was on the 17th. This year we are going the week before, so we can get to one.

Bobbi

 

[nowellsl]

Agree with those who say early December used to be great crowd-wise but is not so anymore. I went 4 times in 2004--End of January, beginning of May, 2d week of September (between hurricanes) and first week of Dec. By far the least crowded time was September, but Ivan was due to hit that week (lucky for me didn't) and a LOT of people changed their plans and cancelled that week. So that may have affected crowd levels (it was great, felt like I had the place to myself most of the time).

BUT January was the next slowest, followed by the May trip. December trip was by far the most crowded. I used to LOVE the beginning of December, all the decorations, MVMCP, decent weather AND low crowds. I was shocked at how many people were in the parks this past December.

Just came back from a (mid) January trip this year and the crowds were again quite low. (I am referring to the parks not DVC crowds in this post).

I can't believe it, we went the same exact times last year and also just got back a couple of weeks ago from a Jan. 05 trip!! I agree with your post!! Wasn't Sept. great! But then the last couple of years we've gone in Sept. and it's been the same way.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I can't believe it, we went the same exact times last year and also just got back a couple of weeks ago from a Jan. 05 trip!! I agree with your post!! Wasn't Sept. great! But then the last couple of years we've gone in Sept. and it's been the same way.

LOL, looks like our trip schedules sure have been similar! September WAS great! Good to know it wasn't just due to the threat of Ivan. BTW I am so jealous (looking at what's next to your DIS Name) that you're 2 hours away by car. I'm two hours (and a little more) away too--but by Airplane!