December or January?

[supersuperwendy]

Our 11 month window opens in a few days and it's time to make a final decision!

Our plan has been to take our first December trip to WDW. We picked the first few days arriving December 4, 2011. We thought it would be nice to see all the Christmas lights and stuff. Well now after reading all of the threads about crowds and long lines for merry mixer and such I'm starting to think we should change our plans.

Our second option is going over MLK in January 2012. It would only change our trip by a few weeks and the kids would actually miss less school since we get Monday and Tuesday off for MLK. I've read that MLK can be pretty crowded too.

Which would you pick?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Crowds in general are not that bad in early December, but the second week is usually better than the first week because the Pop Warner kids are gone by then.

As for the MMM, those will ALWAYS be long lines because of the give aways and the fact that they are limited to only 3 times this year.

MLK weekend will be busy, but the week following will be just fine. That's when WE are going this year. (of course, we were there the first week of Dec. too)

 

[Xizor2002]

I just got back from WDW OKW 19-26 and can tell you that the lifeguards at the pools will tell you January is cold in Orlando. Given that they just got through an unusual cold spell the week before they were bracing for even colder temperatures in January. If you want to see the Christmas decorations then the December time period is the better time to go. Besides park prices increase every January so you might want to take that into consideration.

 

[erionm]

December. With all of the decorations, MVMCP, Candlelight Processional and the rest of the holiday festivities, there just so much more to see and do in December.

 

[Starr W.]

We'll be going down for our 4th MLK weekend, it's not crowded compared to a "major holiday". We'er regular T-giving visitors(just did our 5th).
Kids get Friday before off, so we head out afterschool on Thursday. Weather sure beats NW OH and the kids have been able to swim at least one day on every trip.

Also very easy to try other resorts than your home, we've stayed at BCV and BWV(2br with a BW view) and this year a MK view at BLT.

My eldest is in 8th grade and taking him out of school for more than one day is not going to be an option going forward.

 

[drusba]

Go for the Christmas decorations and events. Park crowds are not huge during that time in December and you don't face the issue that you usually face annually in January when one or more major attractions are down for refurbishment (e.g., this year Splash Mountain will be gone in January).