December questions

[916chipndale]

We went to Disney December 12-18 2010, and loved how minimal the crowds were. I am guessing the cold weather kept quite a few people from the parks. I noticed this year that December 12-18 is now during Peak prices. So, I am just wondering how crowds would be December 1-7? Since we would have to stay at a value or moderate I don't think we would go Pop Warner week, and figured Dec 1-7 would be nice because Thanksgiving break would have just ended, therefore most people would be back home. TIA.

 

[figment_jii]

Since we would have to stay at a value or moderate I don't think we would go Pop Warner week.

As long as you don't pick the Value or Moderate where the Pop Warner folks are primarily staying, they might not really impact your trip. I went once during Pop Warner week and toured all of the resorts. It was pretty easy to tell which ones had the Pop Warner folks and which did not. Within the parks themselves, it really didn't make that much of a difference.

 

[916chipndale]

As long as you pick the Value or Moderate where the Pop Warner folks are primarily staying, they might not really impact your trip. I went once during Pop Warner week and toured all of the resorts. It was pretty easy to tell which ones had the Pop Warner folks and which did not. Within the parks themselves, it really didn't make that much of a difference.

I'm hoping we could swing the Wilderness Lodge, but it's looking we will stay at a value or moderate.

 

[JennyDrake]

The first week in December is a great time to go. Usually good weather and low crowds. I have been gong during this time frame for 8 years. Each year it is a little more crowded. EMH evenings can be jammed.

As far as Pop Warner: I have been at WDW during PW at least 7 times, and most of them in the same (value) resort. Please note that I am Childless by Choice and cannot be considered "Kid Friendly." I have NEVER had an issue with PW kids!!! I find them polite, respectful and often friendly.

In contrast, I was at WDW this month during Cheer Spirit week and I found the cheerleaders incredibly self absorbed, unaware of others, UNsupervised and often rude. Give me Pop Warner any day!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

We went to Disney December 12-18 2010, and loved how minimal the crowds were. I am guessing the cold weather kept quite a few people from the parks. I noticed this year that December 12-18 is now during Peak prices. So, I am just wondering how crowds would be December 1-7? Since we would have to stay at a value or moderate I don't think we would go Pop Warner week, and figured Dec 1-7 would be nice because Thanksgiving break would have just ended, therefore most people would be back home. TIA.

Early December is no longer the gem it once was. We go every year the first 8 - 10 days of December and each year the crowds grow. Now that best time to go for crowds is in January. The crowds will still be better than the week before or the week after, however. You will have a great time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am there every December that time of the year, will again this year, 12/4-11. It is a great time to go. Not as slow as years ago, but still very good.

If you are looking at deluxes but wanting to pay for a moderate, check the Swan/Dolphin thread on the resort board, you might be surprised.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904771

 

[nkereina]

Pop Warner this year is 12/7-12/14. So if you go 12/1-12/7, it won't matter where you stay so you wont have to avoid them. You can expect the Christmas parade taping on 12/7 most likely, which will make MK chaos. Frankly, it might be hard to predict crowds for that week this year, with Thanksgiving falling so late. We lose a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas essentially, so I might expect it to be busier than normal.

 

[916chipndale]

Thanks for the answers so far. I know they don't tell us exactly where Pop Warner stays, but usually they stay at the All Stars, Pop Century, and maybe one or two moderates, right? Do you think they would stay at AoA in a LM room? Thinking we could go December 12-18th and stay at AoA, which could work out.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the answers so far. I know they don't tell us exactly where Pop Warner stays, but usually they stay at the All Stars, Pop Century, and maybe one or two moderates, right? Do you think they would stay at AoA in a LM room? Thinking we could go December 12-18th and stay at AoA, which could work out.

I've never heard of them staying at Pop. Doesn't mean they won't though. And Disney will not be cutting them a deal on their hottest rooms on property (LM rooms at AoA) so you're safe there I think.

 

[I-4Bound]

We were there at the first of December last year and it was wonderful! Great weather and very light crowds. That is the weekend that they film the Christmas Parade at Magic Kingdom, so plan accordingly. We were there for one of the days, and as long as we stayed away from Main Street and the Castle Hub, it really didn't impact our touring.

 

[nkereina]

Thanks for the answers so far. I know they don't tell us exactly where Pop Warner stays, but usually they stay at the All Stars, Pop Century, and maybe one or two moderates, right? Do you think they would stay at AoA in a LM room? Thinking we could go December 12-18th and stay at AoA, which could work out.

Pop Warner typically stays at the All-Stars and a moderate. They haven't (yet) stayed at Pop Century. I think it's safe to say they will definitely not be staying in LM rooms at AoA. Disney is aware of how rough the PW kids are on rooms and the resort, so they have seemingly put them at resorts that are due for refurb. Plus, the number of LM rooms is small so it makes more sense for Disney to put them at a place with a larger number of standard room inventory.

 

[JennyDrake]

Pop Warner typically stays at the All-Stars and a moderate. They haven't (yet) stayed at Pop Century. I think it's safe to say they will definitely not be staying in LM rooms at AoA. Disney is aware of how rough the PW kids are on rooms and the resort, so they have seemingly put them at resorts that are due for refurb. Plus, the number of LM rooms is small so it makes more sense for Disney to put them at a place with a larger number of standard room inventory.

I could be mistaken, but I believe that PW has stayed at Pop at least once.

I agree that you will never see PW at AoA due to the low number of standard rooms.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

We have been during the first 2 weeks of December every other year for the past 5 years, so 3 times now. I can't say for certain that Pop Warner people have never stayed at Pop Century, but they haven't any of the years we were there and I have never seen Pop Century mentioned as one of their resort the other 2 years.
I think you are pretty safe with AoA, most likely PC and probably Port Orleans.