Disney in Early December?

[crebok]

I am planning a trip with my husband and two little boys in early December. We are thinking about arriving on Wed, Dec 1st which is a couple of days after the Thanksgiving weekend. I want to ensure that the Thanksgiving crowd is gone. Does anyone know how many days after Thanksgiving we should arrive to ensure the crowds are light?

When speaking to the Disney agent they said that early December is moderate crowds and late December is extremly busy? Is is true that early December is moderate... I always thought it was supposed to be extremly light (similar to late Sept and October crowds levels). Any insight would be very helpful.

Thanks

 

[SnowWitch]

You can walk right onto Splash Mtn, this should give you an idea. After our first early Dec trip my husband vowed he would only do Disney this time of year from here on out. That vow was made Dec 99 and he has held true ever since.

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone the first or second week of December the past 6 years. I don't know if I would say "extremely light" but it is lighter than other times of the year I have gone (late winter, late spring, October). The Christmas decorations and activities are wonderful. The weekends are more crowded with locals taking in the Christmas stuff. The discounted hotels rooms have already come out and are pretty picked over from what I've heard. One iffy thing is the weather. We've had trips where it was near 80 everyday and trips were it was low 60's everyday.

 

[crebok]

If there is more weekend traffic by the locals to the parks, would it be wise to plan MGM and/or Animal Kingdom for the weekend. I am guess that most weekend visitors go to MK and EPCOT??

 

[DebbieB]

Animal Kingdom would be good. Epcot would be good during the day, the Candlelight Processional is more crowded on weekends. People might go to MGM towards evening for Osborne Lights.

 

[BethC1952]

This is our favorite time of the year to be at WDW. It will be the third year in a row, and our 10th overall early December visit. We arrive on 12/6 for a week at POP before our DCL cruise.

Last year, we walked on to Pirates of the Caribbean. The CM said he was glad to see someone...he had been there by himself for at least five minutes with no riders! The time we waited on line was for Kilimanjaro Safaris at AK. We waited less than 20 minutes. I agree with DebbieB about the weather, however. Last year, we were able to swim at PO Riverside a few days, but were wearing coats and gloves at night! If you're prepared for that, it's a great time to be there. The Christmas decorations and music are wonderful.

Beth

 

[te2077]

this is also my favorite time of year to go. we are from the midwest so even 60's is nice weather for us. we would wear shorts during the day and slacks or jeans in the evening. My brother would wear shorts some evenings. im just a cold person i guess.im going in late october this year (trying mnsshp). definately already thinking i will have to plan a trip for dec next year. The decorations are so beautiful and mvmcp is not to miss. Hope you have a great time.

 

[DizBelle]

Thanksgiving is on November 25. You aren't arriving until Dec 1 nearly a week later. The throngs of Thanksgiving visitors clear out on the Sunday after Thanksgiving or Monday at the latest. The big crowds should be gone by the time you get there.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We're going Dec 5th - 11th this year. Arriving Sunday, leaving Saturday to avoid weekend crowds. From everything I've read it shouldn't be busy at all. Most people that go early December say the most they have waited 10-15 mintues for really popular rides, walk right on for alot of others.


Lisa

 

[OKW Lover]

You should be fine arriving the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. All the people who are stretching a Thanksgiving vacation will have left on Monday or Tuesday.

We've go to WDW in early December for over 15 years now. Its a great time to go!!

 

[bop28]

Does anyone know if any Rehabs are routinely scheduled in December? I know they try to do those things at off peak times.

 

[erikthewise]

Actually rehabs are amazingly few in December. Small World will be closed this year as part of a major rehab lasting several months. And one of the water parks is closed in Dec, due to low demand if nothing else. But that's about it. Apparently they like to have everything running for the Christmas season.

 

[chyam]

I always go at that time of the year, and to me it is the best and most beautiful.........the weather can be iffy. I have to make one observation though, I have never had any problems getting reservations for ANY rooms during the first 2 weeks in Dec. and this year it looks like everything is just about booked! So I am wondering if it will be busier than normal, oh I hope not! I have gotten so used to having no waits for the rides and very few people

 

[danny1649]

Time to visit WDW,we have been going first or second week of December each year since 1992.Light crowds,nice weather and the parks and resorts all decked out for the holidays.Plus the opportunity to go to MVMCP,CP and Osbourne Lights makes our visits very special.Plus you get to see Christmas parade and all the live holiday shows.We enjoy WDW when ever we visit but eary December is great.