December....I'm a little nervous...

[plasfam04]

Ok- so I've heard that the first few weeks of December are a great time to go to Disney. So we booked our vacation for Dec 3-9 for this year. Well- I am beginning to get a little worried as friends of ours decided they wanted to stay at the Poly with us.... and we tried checking into it and it is all booked up... and so is the Contemporary AND the Grand Floridian! After doing some research I am now reading on some websites that December is no longer considered a good time to go...and also that the first weekend in December they tape the Magic Kingdom parade so there are alot of celebrities that come and it will be packed that weekend!! Does anyone have any info on this? Did anyone go the first week in December last year? If so- how was it?? Fingers crossed!!

 

[PooohBear]

Really no matter when you go it's going to be crowded, the question is just how crowded ! early December will definitely not be as bad as the holidays or even the summer months when the kids are out of school, the parks will be manageable for sure if you use express passes and get to the parks at opening

The deluxe resorts are probably booked up due to the 40% discounts that people got in January

Have a wonderful time and don't worry so much

 

[Cruz91]

No worries. We've been twice at this time, and have our next trip scheduled for the Tues before Turkey Day till Dec 7, so we're gonna be in the same boat with you. Anyway - another consideration is that there are a lot of conventions and stuff that fill up hotels, but those folks typically don't have time / interest in going to the park. You also need to consider rennovations that may be happening during this time that have some rooms unavailable.

In general, and sum, hotel crowd levels have little to do with park crowd levels...

 

[ToddyLu]

The first and second weeks are great. The second week my be a little slower--but definitely not on weekends. We were there last year when they filmed the parade. We thought it looked busy but were quite alarmed once inside the park. The crowd was huge at the front of Main Street, we quickly went up to the train and took it around to the other side of the park. Lots of people had that idea also so we finished the ride back around to the front. That is the great thing about WDW--you just hop a bus and go somewhere else. We will be going Dec. 5-14. I would do MK on Friday or Sunday, avoid Saturday. If doing the MVMCP then I would do it Sunday evening. The crowd last year on Friday night's party was busy- but we still got to do everything we wanted. So as the previous poster said it will be crowded but you will be able to do most anything you want with a little planning..have fun and see you there

 

[Echo queen]

It seems I read the Christmas taping will be around the 5,6 and or the 7th of
Dec. I also read that this is pop warner week I am sure some of dis vets will chime in soon to confirm or deny this info. Good Luck

 

[ajwolfe]

We will be there starting on Dec 1st thru Dec 6th and I'm pretty sure that it isn't Pop Werner week. But if for some reason, I'm wrong, please somebody tell me now.

 

[mousiemom]

we were there last dec. 16 - 21st and the crowds were great! there nothing like being in disney during dec. as a matter of fact, while we were watching one of the shows @ the castle one night, we said nothing will ever top this, we will always have to come back during this time. we have nothing booked cause we are going in aug and jan. but it is killing me not to book a long weekend.
have fun!
mousiemom

 

[Sues423]

Pop Warner week is Dec. 7 thru Dec. 13. I just checked their web site.

We are going down Nov 30 till Dec 7. We go on this week often. Last year wasn't too crowded. I do recommend you make ADRs for eating at TS restaurants.

The only attractions we waited long for was Soarin' in Epcot. The wait was like 1 1/2 hours. Get a fast pass if you can.

Have a good time...I know we will!!!

Sue

 

[musclemouse]

Okay..what is Pop Warner week? I will be there that entire week.

Hubs and I went down there and stayed at one of the value resorts and it was perfect. The weather, the less than overwhelming crowds, beautiful with the Christmas decs, etc. That is why we chose to go again at this time.

 

[carlbarry]

I was there the second week in December in 2006, and it was very slow. That is why I am going this year Dec. 5-12. It is listed on www.disneyworld.com as a "Wonderful Week" (Dec. 7-12). In fact, that is the only time in December so designated. I went during a "Wonderful Week" in February of this year, and it was EMPTY! So I'm hoping for the best.

 

[gaffney09]

Ok, now I'm nervous too... I'll be staying that entire week 12/7 to 12/13. So what is Pop Warner week? And how much more crowded will this make the lodges/ parks? I was really looking forward to going this time of year, I hope I don't regret it...

 

[kathie859]

Think of Pop Warner Week as the Superbowl for Pee-Wee Football....the value resorts see the brunt of the crowd which consists of players, cheerleaders (OMG they can be shrill and annoying)....with the adults trying to keep order. I must say that during PWW, the attendees were not obvious in the parks EXCEPT for the few which have to be loud and obnoxious in public--but that's not a reflection on PWW but a reflection of how some kids act in a peer group

If I go again during PWW, I'd avoid the Value resorts for sure!

 

[aangel0]

Don't worry...it's a GREAT time to go!! We'll be there Dec 8-14. It's our absolute favorite time to visit the world. We stayed at an ASSp when Pop Warner was there and it really wasn't bad. Sure it's a lot of kids, some a little more active than others, but it didn't negatively impact our vacation at all.

December is a truly magical time to visit, and the crowds are great during the first couple weeks!

 

[carlbarry]

So now I know why, when I went in Dec. 2006, there were all those cheerleaders on my plane (I left from JFK)! I was afraid that there'd be crowds at Disney due to some event. Nope--very sparce attendance.

 

[gaffney09]

Whew, ok I can breathe a sigh of relief. I plan on staying at WL so hopefully I won't see any of the crowds. I did do some research on PWW, and every site I read, they all said that it's still an excellent time to go. I get more and more excited about going in December every day!! Only 4 more months and 3 weeks!

 

[scraphappy92]

We went during PWW 3 years ago and decided to never go during that week again. We stayed at POR and the kids were everywhere...loud, obnoxious, rude is how I would describe both the kids and parents that were there too. They took over the pools, ran through the hallways (one kid knocked my dad over and didn't even stop). We complained to the managment and were told they get a lot of complaints but there wasn't much they could do. The overflow from the values resorts end up in the moderates and POR was the resort of choice because it was larger.

Now that being said the week was wonderful in the parks! Very few lines, low crowds (until evening when the PWW groups were in the park), and great weather (except two rainy days). We were able to swim almost every evening. We did use sweatshirts at night in the parks.

 

[Chedstro]

Honestly, no reason to worry! It is a wonderful time of the year. If you decide to do Magic Kingdom during parade filming, just follow the signs that take you away from the alarming crowd. Then when you are ready to leave, go down Main Street through the shops. NP

You absolutely will be entranced by the Holiday decorations. If you have time, take a round trip on the Monorail from MK through the resorts on the route and check out the resort decorations.

Oh and it is also usually cool enough in the evenings to enjoy hot chocolate, not something you can do during the rest of the year

Osborne lights at DHS are also magical. Have fun!

 

[dromio42]

There are specific hotel for the Pop Warner kids. Avoid those hotels and avoid AK (EMH) on Monday when they all have the day off and crowds will seem very low. A great time of year to go!

 

[5 for WDW]

We will be there at the same time. December 7-12th for us. We are really looking forward to it. From everything I have read, Pop Warner is only an issue at some of the Value resorts. The parks are still on the quieter side. We are staying at SSR and can't wait!!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

December 3-10 for us. I was a little unsure about PWW, but this thread has been a comfort!! Thanks! See ya there!