Early December Crowds

[Olaf]

We've been once before during early December, and the crowds were wonderful. Yes, DVC was packed, but the parks were great. However, I'm not sure what to expect for the our upcoming trip. Mom & Dad live in the local area, and they're coming over on Dec 8 and wanted me to get them a room for the night. CRO says all the values and moderates are gone, and only the most expensive rooms at the deluxes are available. Checked with some of the hotels at Downtown Disney, and found a room at the Royal Plaza. Does this mean the parks are going to be swamped? I really hope not. I was so looking forward to low crowds.

 

[zackspal]

annually visit week after Thankgiving, Always find very small or no crowds except on weekends.

 

[Donald's#1Fan]

I think the crowds may be due that weekend to the Pop Warner football championships and cheerleading competition which end officially on the 9th, but I'm sure that many stay for the whole weekend.

 

[Olaf]

Cheerleading competition?!!! Tell me it ain't so. All by their lonesomes, I'm sure they're sweet little darlin's, but get them together in a group and they turn into little monsters. I remember seeing them walking 12 abreast through the parks doing their cheers and stunts. Extremely annoying.

Oh well, thank goodness for DVC. I feel sorry for all the folks in the values.

 

[CarolMN]

December 8 is a Friday - December weekends have been pretty much selling out since at least 1998 (first year I went during early December). Lots of locals like to come to see all the decorations and attend the special Holiday events. FWIW, it's kind of late to be trying for a weekend in December. I'm not surprised that everything is sold out. Glad you were able to bfind something for your parents.

As far as Pop Warner, doubt they will bother you unless you are staying at one of the value resorts. Had we not learned about them from the DIS, we would never have known they were there.

I don't think the parks will be all that crowded, although it does seam to be busier than in the past at this time. I think more people are staying on site - it's still a slow time for the off site resorts and those have to be booked and a lot of locals have to come before the parks get busy. The weekends will be busy, but not the weekdays.

Best wishes -

 

[fkj2]

I've been trying to get an AP rate for a value or mod for December 2nd. Only PO was available but not for the AP rate--those were long gone. As for the values, I was offered a suite.

As the CM said, "the secret of low crowds in early December must be out."

 

[get_us_to_WDW]

We were there in Dec 2005. I was worried about the Pop-Warner crowds also, but we saw small Pop-Warner groups only once or twice in the parks, they were a happy bunch, not bothersome or overwhelming at all. I found the crowds to be very low - noticeably lower then our normal Oct/Nov visits. Have fun!

 

[jimmytammy]

We have been several times in Dec. We notice each trip the crowds get a little bigger but not overwhelming. I wouldnt be too concerned about that.

 

[keishashadow]

Mousefest is usually the 1st week in Dec.

Being stuck in the AS with the swarms of cheerleadering & twirling groups was what convinced us to buy into DVC.

We've went 2nd week last year & it was manageable with FP, EMH (with exception of overcrowded MVMCP)...certainly, the parks were far less crowded than Columbus Day week was this year & last week of June (which was a challenge).

Anytime @ WDW is great!

 

[cdmickey]

We've been for the last four years, either 1st or 2nd week in December; each year has been progressively busier but still not as bad as some of the premium times. The good part about early December is lesser crowds, lower temperatures (sometimes even a little too cool), lower humidity, Christmas decorations, fewer children (plus or minus according to taste), etc. It's definitely a good time to go.

 

[Olaf]

Thanks for all the feedback. We're really looking forward to this one.

CDMickey, I used to live in Mt Pleasant. I was devasted when we had to leave Charleston. You are sooooo lucky to live there.