Disney in December. Don't g

[sasabu]

My daughter and I went to WDW the first week in December 2011. It was wonderful. Our building in the Alligator Bayou was practically empty. Every attraction were walk ons and we were able to get dining ressies on the same say. My husband and I went in the first week of December 2013 and it was considerably much more crowded. However, the evenings, with the exception of The World Showcase were not crowded. The dining was a problem. At that time I was considering not going in December again. Well, my husband wanted to go this year in December. We discussed the matter and decided that with the economy worse than ever, there was a chance it might be light attendance. I booked us December 6 through the 18 th. 180 days out I was at the computer at 6 am with my planner, disney cup with coffee and Disney music playing in the background. Suffice it to say I felt I was fighting for the last silk blouse on Black Thursday. 90 days out I was again at the computer at 6 am ready to book fast passes. No luck. Most of what we wanted was already closed for fast passes. We decided it was definitly going to be crowded so we should add a few more days to our trip. Nope. No available rooms on Disney property. I called WDW directly and was advised the resorts were filled during our entire stay!!! They are at FULL capacity for Dec 6-18. I asked if there are any events during that time that would fill the resorts yet not the parks. I was told no, no events. I believe with the travel agencies having pod casts and radio shows and books advising people to go in December, people are flocking there in early December. Well, we are trying very hard to stay positive about this trip. We used to go other times of the year that were less crowded also but the crowds eventually caught up with us. I hope this will not be our last trip.

 

[BrittyRo]

Just some info for you! About the fastpasses; they are available at midnight at the 60 day mark so going on at 6am might have been the reason you had difficulty getting fastpasses? As for the first week in December those dates are Pop Warner at WDW. The rooms (mostly values and some moderates) get booked up because of this reason. I also believe the free dining promotion extended into December which would explain the difficulty with ADR's.
Just because the ADR and rooms are booked doesn't mean it will be that much more crowded
I wouldn't worry too much. You are going for a nice amount of days. Enjoy!

 

[mesaboy2]

Resort availability is often not a good indicator of crowd levels in the parks. Pop Warner is at least one event taking place during that time that would help explain resort levels. FPs open at midnight 60 days before onsite stays.

ETA: And I just picked two multiple-night stays at random during the dates you mention and found about 15 onsite hotels with availability for either.

 

[ziravan]

Last year of Osbourne Family Lights.

Also, most of the resorts are decked out for Christmas.

There's lots of reasons to have a great time. We're going, can't wait.

 

[Dominion]

We went two weeks ago and the resorts were all sold out and I had a terrible time getting ADRs. It wasn't that crowded. We went when the parks opened and did MK on the mnsshp nights which made it even less crowded on those days. We toured smart, had a great time and longest line we had was 20 minutes.

 

[wendow]

We went Dec 9-17 last year. It was definitely not low crowds...more moderate crowds...but very manageable and we had a wonderful time. My biggest problem was it was cold. I have a low tolerance for crowds and the cold bothered me much more than the crowds. I hope your trip is great!!

 

[JennysSeven]

We're going to be there from the 11th through the 18th and had no problem getting our fastpasses. Even hard-to-get ones like 7DMT and A&E were still available for multiple days of our stay, but my FP+ booking day would have been after yours. I had no problems with dining ADRs at 180 +10 either. I'm sorry you had a hard time! I'm going in expecting moderate crowds. I hope it's not going to be crazy busy, but even if it is I'm sure we'll still have a great time...it's Disney, after all!

 

[Nancyg56]

I am sorry you are having trouble. Don't give up! I booked a last minute trip and was able to scoot in in the last week to get the Fall discount. Because I wanted the discount and am cheap on this trip, I only looked at moderates and chose CSR, because I truly was only interested in cost, and this resort was the least expensive due to available room categories.

I also booked meals, but found that as we got even closer options were narrowed, so not much changing around.

I have been in December and while I know that the parks may be a little more crowded than the last trip, I think they will be manageable. Just keep in mind that because of parties in MK days that are not closed at 7 will be more crowded.

If you maintain realistic expectations you should be okay

 

[anniemae]

It is a busy time. As a pp said, many many people are booking "special" trips to see the Osborn Lights. I have heard and read about people booking trips this Dec that would normally not have gone specifically to see the lights one last time.

 

[LisaInNc]

I started booking a last minute trip or the same time period not only was I able to get the rooms that I wanted I was able to get the military rate. I am not worried at all. Dining has been challenging but I got every restaurant I wanted except BOG and I didn't think that I had a prayer o a last minute ADR with that one.

Lisa

 

[mom2rtk]

We were there in early December 2011. I wouldn't say the parks were empty, but crowds were indeed low. I always chalked that up to the terribly cold weather everyone experienced in December 2010. I think they backed off of going back the same month the next year.

We were back in early December 2012 and it was indeed busier, but then again New Fantasyland opened then too.

 

[MattsPrincess]

If you were trying to book FP at 90 days out, that is the reason you couldn't get anything. FP can only be booked 60 days out at the longest, for onsite guests, no earlier than that.

 

[busymommy2pink]

When we are going (nov 10-20) it's at capacity. As have been the last several weeks. I have been monitoring ride wait times at various times in the day via the Disney experience app (found it very reliable last time we went) and the times are 5-30 mins for almost everything!!! The only crazy waits were soarin, test track and Snow White mine train. Occasionally space mountain. I'm not too worried anymore.

 

[Malibustyle23]

My daughter and I went to WDW the first week in December 2011. It was wonderful. Our building in the Alligator Bayou was practically empty. Every attraction were walk ons and we were able to get dining ressies on the same say. My husband and I went in the first week of December 2013 and it was considerably much more crowded. However, the evenings, with the exception of The World Showcase were not crowded. The dining was a problem. At that time I was considering not going in December again. Well, my husband wanted to go this year in December. We discussed the matter and decided that with the economy worse than ever, there was a chance it might be light attendance. I booked us December 6 through the 18 th. 180 days out I was at the computer at 6 am with my planner, disney cup with coffee and Disney music playing in the background. Suffice it to say I felt I was fighting for the last silk blouse on Black Thursday. 90 days out I was again at the computer at 6 am ready to book fast passes. No luck. Most of what we wanted was already closed for fast passes. We decided it was definitly going to be crowded so we should add a few more days to our trip. Nope. No available rooms on Disney property. I called WDW directly and was advised the resorts were filled during our entire stay!!! They are at FULL capacity for Dec 6-18. I asked if there are any events during that time that would fill the resorts yet not the parks. I was told no, no events. I believe with the travel agencies having pod casts and radio shows and books advising people to go in December, people are flocking there in early December. Well, we are trying very hard to stay positive about this trip. We used to go other times of the year that were less crowded also but the crowds eventually caught up with us. I hope this will not be our last trip.

Off topic and it's not your point but I personally disagree that the "economy is worse off than ever", especially compared to the two prior years that you went.

Unemployment rates are down dramatically in the U.S., etc,etc. Many, many people can finally afford to travel again as I have witnessed on my most recent trips to WDW. We went 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014. Every single year the crowds get larger and larger and the discounts offered by Disney get smaller and smaller. There is no low season time of year anymore.

Until the economy truly does tank again I think the crowds are here to stay.

 

[texasroni75]

We are going the first week of December. I certainly don't expect the light crowds we saw on trips in previous years, but I don't think it's necessary to be so pessimistic. My biggest worry is weather - affecting travel and packing the right clothes for however hot/cold it will be.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Would you really never go to WDW again because of crowd fear?

Early December may be crowded. But it won't be Easter Week, Christmas Week, 4th of July, etc. Could crowds be heavier than previous trips? Sure.

We've done a mix of peak season trips and low season trips over the years. We have amazing times on both trips. It's about managing expectations. Try not to compare your trip to previous trips while you're there. Just take it in and enjoy being there. Every trip is unique. You will have a great time. Pretend it's your first.

Just relax, and keep checking for FP and ADR availability as your trip approaches. You may still get what you want. I have even when we've booked during peak (table for 8 on NYE at Le Cellier shortly before our trip.) The impossible is sometimes possible.

 

[GreatLakes]

Early December is still the best time to go if you want to see the parks in all their Christmas glory but the crowds are no where near as low as they used to be. In the early 2000's early December was a so slow but news got out and it isn't any longer.

I think the key is to compare early December to late December of the same year, not past years. Yes, early December 2015 will be much more crowded then early December 2005 but much less crowded then late December 2015.

 

[anniemae]

It is a fabulous time to go! We went one year the last week on Nov, into Dec and it was the best trip. We loved seeing the holiday decorations and festive atmosphere. The weather was wonderful. I would much prefer park touring when it's a bit cool, not the soul crushing heat of the summer. We did not go to the candlelight processional, but saw Neil Patrick Harris as he was reading that evening. Disney is great at the holidays!

 

[Nancyg56]

We were there in early December 2011. I wouldn't say the parks were empty, but crowds were indeed low. I always chalked that up to the terribly cold weather everyone experienced in December 2010. I think they backed off of going back the same month the next year.

We were back in early December 2012 and it was indeed busier, but then again New Fantasyland opened then too.

We were there then as well and it was a bit busier than I had anticipated, but still not too bad. Tow years prior we were there in teh middle to just before Christmas and it was really less busy up til that Friday before Christmas.

 

[anniebean]

We're going Dec 9-13. Had no problems getting every dining reservation we wanted, and had not problems with the fastpasses. I really don't mind crowds though. A crowded day at Disney is still better than a day at work.