Early Dec. Crowds?

[lovetoscrap]

Okay, I picked Early December ( 4th-12) because I thought that it was supposed to be low crowds, very little wait times etc...

But I swear that 95% of the people on the Disney lists I am on are ALL going that week, and going to MVMCP on the 7th! I also am reading that MK will probably be a zoo on Monday the 6th because of Spectro and the Fireworks (this is really the only day we can go, and I HAVE to see Wishes!).

Is it really going to be crowded (like summer time crowds) or just not as "dead" as probably mid to late Jan.

I am not big on crowds, but as long as it isn't to bad we will be okay. Also, I am making a basic plan to get us on all the big rides without huge waits (go early!) but may need to rethink my MK plan if it will very crowded on the 6th. When I researched best times to go this week sounded good, very little waits, no need for Fast Pass etc... Now I am not so sure this will be true. . . .

Is it just that only those "in the know" will be there so that is why everyone on the Disney groups are going then, but the general public will be absent?

 

[Magic2000]

We'll be there Dec 8-12 - and we're going to MVMCP on Dec 9!!!! This is our fourth time going in early Dec and it is a great time to visit!!!! (Last year, we went to MNSSHP and it was also a lot of fun!)

Although our other Dec visits have been the first week in Dec, there were hardly any lines at all!!! Yes, that is the time for Pop Warner, but we didn't find they made any difference in the crowd level at the parks! (We were staying at All Star Movies, and didn't even notice any crowds!)

Our long family vacations are during the summer, and we've gone several times for the week of July 4th. We were able to ride everything we wanted, many of the rides over and over!! Use fastpass and you'll be fine!

With a December visit, at least you won't have to deal with the heat of summer!!! And, I don't think the crowds will really be too bad!!!

Have a great trip!!! Maybe we'll see ya there!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by lovetoscrap
....But I swear that 95% of the people on the Disney lists I am on are ALL going that week, and going to MVMCP on the 7th!......Is it just that only those "in the know" will be there so that is why everyone on the Disney groups are going then, but the general public will be absent?

That is basically it I would say. You are exposed to folks like yourself, here on the DIS, elsewhere, and not the 'normal', average guset. This will be my 6th year there at this time, it is much less crowded.

 

[danny1649]

December the crowds have picked up at this time of year some.Still crowds are not bad and you do get a chance to see a bunch of Disers.We have been going early December since 1992 and by far is our favorite time to visit.Going to MVMCP on 7th and 9th.Looking for to CP and Osbourne Lights.

 

[iluvdisnee]

We're also going from the 4-12th. 9 of us! We're going to MVMCP on the 9th, doing the Illuminations Fireworks for Grand Gatherings on the 6th, The CP on the 10th and Fantasmic on the 5th!

 

[DebbieB]

I've been going at this time the past 6 years and it was never overcrowded. Crowds were less than our May trips. MK on Monday is going to be a problem. Can you go to another park during the day and just go for Wishes at night (assuming you have park hoppers)?

 

[dolphindan1]

Thats what we are gonna do....Hit MK just for the parade and fireworks on Monday night...We will spend the day at AK EE and then hop to MK....then spend the day Tues nice and easy at MK and stay for the Party that night....Hoop Dee Doo wed. MGM thursday, Epcott and CP Sat....we will be at the All star Movies....last year we were there the same time and Pop Warner was there and never had a problem except Friday at MGM....they were there all day and after the park closed buses of them were coming and they were entering the park.....I gusee thay had some special event there that night...So we are avoiding it this year....Of course there was still not any long waits that day but with kids 2 boys addind that many more kids at around the middle school age or close to it was a little much....and the squuealing girls were deafening...but no one was un ruly or rude at all....enjoy relax and have fun as I was told on this very forum a few days ago asking the same question

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

I will be there the week after Thanksgiving and we were also there last year. We too see that Monday is the only night to see Spector Magic and Wishes at MK, we plan to spend the whole day there.

Are the crowds supposed to be bad this year in early Dec due to the hurricanes and all the cancellations?

Also what is Pop Warner? Is that some kind of employee time to go?

 

[philliplc]

just this week disney cut an hour off monday dec 6th, changing closing from 9 to 8 and moving spectro from 8 to 7. i assume that means even if crowds will be above normal they aren't expecting them to be overwhelming that day.

conversely on saturday dec 4th the moved closing from 11 to midnight and added a second spectro, probably indicating monster crowds expected on that day.

i'm also going the dec 4-12, and will also be watching spectro monday 6th

 

[F1Julie]

I'll be there the 8-12 and now getting nervous about crowds. I saw on another thread that a poster couldn't get a room at Pop (where we are staying) the weekend of the 11th. I checked WDW reservations online and all the values and moderates are showing no availability. Only a few deluxes have availability and only for the more expensive rooms. I've never stayed at WDW when my resort was at capacity. That should make for crowded busses and food courts. I was really hoping for low crowds, but it doesn't look that way now. I guess I'll find out when we get there.

 

[Ahrizel]

Maybe this December will be busier, but we were there last Dec and 3 years ago, same week as yours and 'what crowds'? Really-we've done June many times and it's dead comparatively speaking. Now MVMCP is a seperate event and that can be another story, plus the 7th is a Friday-a busier day for the parties. As for MK on Saturday, it is a good general policy to advoid it on Saturday almost any time. If it makes you feel any better, I will always choose the first week in December as favorite time to visit the world period, because of the crowds, weather, and holiday happenings. Most people have no clue about how good this time of year is to visit-people on the boards are a true exception to the rule. Enjoy your trip!

 

[n2mm]

I'm still looking. Going Dec. 10-13 and holding a ressie at A/S Sports. Been trying to change almost daily. Website shows no availability at anything except suites. check AP rates and Cast rates and nothing still as of yesterday. I believe Dec. 10th is the worse day of the three. Will continue to try until the night before we leave. Sounds busy on the weekends. I think the week days will be OK.

 

[kristen821]

I am going to be at wdw dec. 9 - 13. I am getting nervous because it happens to be that the mousefest '04 is at the same time. Does that add alot to the crowds. I too noticed the the resorts are all booked. I really hope it isn't busy.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by ILuvTinkerbelle
I will be there the week after Thanksgiving and we were also there last year. We too see that Monday is the only night to see Spector Magic and Wishes at MK, we plan to spend the whole day there.

Are the crowds supposed to be bad this year in early Dec due to the hurricanes and all the cancellations?

Also what is Pop Warner? Is that some kind of employee time to go?

Pop Warner is a league for 5 to 16 years to play football and have cheerleader competitions. Dec 5 to 11 is their "super bowl" and it is held at Wild World of Sports. They mostly stay at the All Star resorts.

http://www.popwarner.com/superpop.asp

 

[n2mm]

If this is any indication HOW busy it's going to be, I just checked the disney website (for employees) and Dec. 4th and 11th hours have been increased for MK. MK now closes at midnight both Saturdays.....all I can say is WOW.

 

[cmonroe]

Originally posted by dolphindan1
Thats what we are gonna do....Hit MK just for the parade and fireworks on Monday night...We will spend the day at AK EE and then hop to MK....then spend the day Tues nice and easy at MK and stay for the Party that night....Hoop Dee Doo wed. MGM thursday, Epcott and CP Sat....we will be at the All star Movies....last year we were there the same time and Pop Warner was there and never had a problem except Friday at MGM....

May ask a one question?

Why is Monday the only day to go?

 

[dolphindan1]

I dont know If I understand your question....Monday is not the only day but its the day we are gonna go see wishes and spectro after spending the day at AK....we cant see Sat night cause we will spend the day at Epcot....I was also assuming it would be a litlle less crowded as oppsed to Sat eve....I hope that answers your question

 

[lovetoscrap]

since I am the OP

The way we have our various park days/days off/PS scheduled Monday is really the only day we can get to MK other than the MVMCP. I also PROMISED DH that we wouldn't Park Hop because it is difficult with our little ones and he likes to just get to one place and stay there! He wants a more relaxing time with just one park per day this trip (last trip--our first-- we hopped to at least 2 if not 3 parks a day). I HAVE to see Wishes so this is really the only day that I can schedule it and MK.

Our schedule is:
Sunday: MGM and F!
Monday: MK and Wishes
Tueday : Off in the am (to rest from late night Mon. and before the evening activities) and MVMCP in PM
Wednesday: Off all day (to recover from late night at MVMCP) and PS at Chef Mickey's early evening
Thursday: Epcot
Friday: AK

Originally I wanted to do Epcot on Monday and MK on Thursday but forgot with the MVMCP we wouldn't be able to see Wishes.

On our first trip we found we really needed a break mid week to sleep in and rest at the pool etc... I am also planning to visit other hotels to see the Christmas decor. on those days.

We will be at the parks at opening each day because the kids are up early anyway. I guess if Monday is just a zoo we can leave after a few hours and hop to Epcot and then hop back, but we just really don't want to. Also, I realized last night that if it is really busy on Monday and we dont' get to "do everything" we want to (like ride Buzz 10 times!) we could get to MK for EE on Thursday and then head to Epcot. But this is our first time at Epcot and want to get to Test Track and MS early so we don't have long waits there.

Does this all make sense??????

 

[lovetoscrap]

we only have 4 day hopper tickets so we can only be at the parks 4 days and want to make the most of every minute so will be there from opening to close! My kids will do that fine as long as we rest midweek.

The only other day that we could see Wishes that week is Wednesday,but we have PS at a great time at Chef Mickey's and will really need that day off from the parks, especially since we will try to stay at MVMCP until midnight on Tuesday.

Hopefully we can see Wishes again from the Contemporary after we have dinner.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

You'll be able to see Wishes during MVMCP. I just checked our brochure from last year's party and the fireworks show was definitely Wishes. I would imagine it will be this year as well. I read on another thread that people who are attending one of the earliest parties have promised to post a copy of this year's schedule, so we should know for sure in a week or so.

Mike