Disney in first week of December?

[jessanic]

My husband and I are planning to go to Disney the first week of December (6-10) because we wanted to see the Christmas decorations and enjoy an adults only trip during what was supposed to be a less-crowded time in the park. Everything thing we'd read had recommended the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas as an optimal time to go. Today, for the first time, we ran across something that said to avoid Disney the first full week of December because the Pop Warner football and cheerleading championships were that week. This was from the Unofficial Guide to Disney book (the "without kids" version). It said that the value resorts were crowded but most of the action took place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Has anyone actually visited during that time? How crowded are the parks during that time? We're planning on staying at a moderate resort (probably Port Orleans Riverside) so we're not too worried about the crowding at the value resorts.

Thanks for any help!
Jessica

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

We went the 1st week of Dec in '08 and stayed at POP. POP didn't seem to be any more busy/crazy than the other 2 times we've been there. The Parks weren't bad either- World Showcase was almost deserted, but it was also COLD that week!

 

[taylor3297]

There are many threads on this topic. We are going during Pop Warner week ourselves but staying at the Poly. My TA said that the group doesn't have much effect on the parks during the day since they are competing. Disney will close HS one night for a Pop Warner group only event.

The Pop Warner groups do mainly stay at the All Stars and some will stay at a moderate. Last years moderate was POFQ I do believe. Someone else may need to correct me on that. It seems as though it doesn't always stay the same moderate.

Since our TA is a good friend also, I know she would tell me not to go that week if it were really bad.

 

[Taja]

I've visted WDW during the first half of December four times. Pop Warner doesn't affect most of the resorts--their packages usually are for the All Star resorts and one of the moderates--I'm thinking POR. You will find some family groups at the other resorts, but usually not entire teams, as their discounts are for the previously mentioned resorts.

There are more people visiting WDW now than in prior years. I noticed many more people in 2007 than in 2003--it's more popular. Still much lower crowd level than summer and holidays.

Most of the players and cheerleaders don't affect the parks much. I did get stuck behind a group of cheerleaders waiting to enter Fantasmic in 2007--and they were a wee bit loud at times! Definitely having fun, but a little too loud for my taste. The chaperones were pretty good about shushing them a bit periodically, so they weren't too outrageous, but the volume would inevitably build again. I just removed myself from the queue and joined the end of it. There are plenty of seats for Fantasmic and my ears did not need to be that close to them! *LOL*

Quite honestly, some of the choir members from the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT have been rowdier than the players and cheerleaders I've seen! And they really weren't too bad--just pushing a shoving in normal teen fashion. I'm just not accustomed to that!

 

[Disneydonnam]

My husband and I go every year the first week of December and love it. During the day we never even see the Pop warner kids and at night when they are in the park they have been fine.

 

[ronacele@earthlink.n]

I've been to WDW twice at that time. The first time was perfect. The kids didn't bother me at all. The weather was cold at nite but good enough in the day time. Last years I went back during the first week of December and it rained for 3 days and was freezing! Just Be prepared for anything! The second time I went I went for my 6oth birthday in Mid-October and I thought I would die from the heat! This year (my 4th trip) I'm going in mid-Nov and hoping for perfect weather!

 

[Nancy F]

I've never had a problem. But I guess it's where you stay. We always stayed at the GF. Now we'll be at BLT. Never had any trouble in the parks either. Go and have fun. We always do.
Nancy

 

[tigger813]

We went in Dec. 07 and they were fine. We saw the cheerleaders on the bus at night and they were very well-behaved.

We are going again this year Dec. 1-9 and hope it's as good as it was in 07.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We went the 1st week of Dec in '08 and stayed at POP. POP didn't seem to be any more busy/crazy than the other 2 times we've been there. The Parks weren't bad either- World Showcase was almost deserted, but it was also COLD that week!

We were there that year, too (3-10), and it did get pretty chilly. I arrived in boots and a jacket and wore them a few times throughout the trip. Anyway, we saw the PW kids a few times towards the end of our trip, but they weren't really a presence. We stayed at SoG and YC, so maybe it was our location, but they weren't really bad in the parks, either.

 

[Floydian]

My parents came for that week last year and we had no issues at all. The crowds were moderate during the days, a bit bigger at night, though we also hit a lot of holiday events at night that would have been busy anyway. Being a local who visits often, I really didn't even notice cheerleaders or football teams. It's so common now to see big school or church or other event groups that seeing a crowd of 10 kids in matching jerseys wouldn't have seemed out of the ordinary at all.

As for being a good time to go, IT IS! You get all of the holiday events, cooler (sometimes even COLD) weather, and lack the HUGE crowds of the weeks when school is usually out.

 

[Missytara]

If you stay at POR, almost have the expectation that you will be there with Pop Warner.

They have been at POR several times in the past few years.

Personally, I would change resorts. Been there, done that - never again. Changed back to the week after Thanksgiving after that one experience.

They do start arriving in small dribs and drabs on Thursday to the resorts, and are in full swing by Saturday. I stay at POR Saturday to Saturday, so I am gone by the time they show up in full force.

 

[Poppinsme]

We always stay at that time of the year because its the best!!!
Weather, Xmas lights, more fireworks, very romantic. We are DINKS and we find there are more adults at this time of year.
Enjoy.

 

[lmelandfrank]

We'll be there that week too! Hope it's not too crowded. Everyone was telling me how beautiful the parks are in December...so I can't wait!

 

[Missytara]

We'll be there that week too! Hope it's not too crowded. Everyone was telling me how beautiful the parks are in December...so I can't wait!

It has been getting steadily more crowded since a few years ago, the Travel Channel did a special on Disney on a Dime and noted that the two weeks after T-giving gives you the best bang for your buck. The fact that rides wait times are less, the resorts are decorated, xmas programs, etc.

Combine last year with all the discounts extended, it was the busiest I had seen since I started doing it in 2000. Still very manageable, but surprisingly busy.

Also, the weather has not been as I had hoped the past two years. It has been pretty chilly, almost downright chilly. One year, I went with my mom right after they had a torrential rain storm for a few days, and it was downright hot - high to mid 80's every day.

Last year, it hit 80 once and rained solid the last day we were there.

I am finding that time of year, is best to check the weather the day before you leave, and then layer, layer, layer.