Early December getting more crowded?

[LauraR]

Just wondering if early December, which used to be one of the lowest attendance periods, is getting more crowded. We're going Dec. 2-10 this year. Any input from DIS veterans who are in the know?

 

[travelin' tigger]

Just wondering if early December, which used to be one of the lowest attendance periods, is getting more crowded. We're going Dec. 2-10 this year. Any input from DIS veterans who are in the know?

As I posted on the resort board, it seems that more people are finding out what a great time of year early Dec. is for visiting WDW - MVMCP, decorations, Osbourne lights, and Candlelight Processional topped off with value season rates has enticed alot of people to travel then.

DVC is pretty much sold out with many people waitlisted, plus there's Mousefest (Swan/Dolphin) and Pop Warner (All Star resorts) going on!!!

Some posters seem to think that even though resorts are filling up, that the parks won't be TOO crowded - I hope they're right!!!

I've been the past few Dec. and it's been fantastic - I suppose it's time to share with other DISers!!!

 

[fun & fancy free]

I know this December will have 4 more then usual. This will be my families 1st trip for this time of year. We usually go in the beginning of May. We are so excited for all the Christmas events SHHHH my little one's(dd6&5) don't know we are going.

 

[nowellsl]

We've been in early Dec. for the last 5 or 6 years and this past Dec. was definately the most crowded we've seen. I think it's been a steady buildup since 9/11. Then again that's true at all times throughout the year. It was still fun, just a lot more crowded!

 

[erikthewise]

Well perhaps somewhat more crowded than in 2001-2002, but still wonderfully uncrowded compared to most other times. I think only January and September can compete for "uncrowdedness". (Definitely not a word!) Last year I thought it would be more crowded as just about everyone on DIS was going, but still we did a lot of walking onto rides. Got a fastpass for RnR and couldn't use it -- the line was so short they wouldn't take a fastpass!

Get there at opening time at any park, and you can just about have it to yourself. Often only 200-300 waiting to get in.

 

[fun & fancy free]

That sounds good to me! Last May we walked onto quite a few rides and Mother's Day was no crowds as well.

 

[goofy4tink]

I was there in '03 from Dec 12 to Dec 17 and it wasn't bad at all. Yes, it was at the end of the Pop Warner time but the kids really didn't impact the parks too much during the week. I was there last year from Thanksgiving Day until Nov 30...I have to say that based on the dwindling numbers of people each day after the 27th, I really didn't want to leave WDW. It was incredibly nice. I think the week-ends may be somewhat busier but the weekdays are nice. Yes, DVC people are there, MouseFest is happening the first week-end. Pop Warner is going on the following week-end I believe. And they tape the Christmas parade in WDW early in Dec (maybe the first or second Sat). So while it may seem that the parks might be crowded, they aren't really bad...quite the opposite.

 

[toystoryduo]

We were in WDW the first two weeks of December 2004 and we were able to walk on to most rides. It is our favorite time of year to go because of the decorations, music, and low crowd levels. Being from Ohio though, it was a little difficult to adjust to hearing Christmas music and seeing Christmas decorations in the warm and sunny Florida weather.

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[cobbler]

Still slower but it is steadily getting more and more busy. We go every year that first week in December and every year I see the crowds a little heavier.

Last year may have been an exception due to hurricanes and vacation rescheduling.

I don't think I saw a wait anymore than 30 minutes for non-fast pass rides. One time I did see Splash Mtn with a wait time of 70 minutes but after the parade it was back down to 15.

 

[cdrn1]

I've gone in that time frame four times over the last eight years and have seen the crowds increase. This past Dec was the most crowded I've seen at this time of year but it was still very manageable. The parks looked crowded, but we still only needed FP for a few things. Most rides had very short waits (5-10 minutes) and quite a few were walk-ons.

 

[Spartan]

We've been a couple of times in that time frame, and thought the crowds were low. Not September low, but still low. We went last year mid-October, and thought the crowds seemed pretty comparible between the two times, at least to us.

 

[Viki]

For the past few years we've gone in either Sept or Jan - very low times, so we are prepared this year for larger crowds. We're making sure we have our ARs (let's face it, I would anyway!), and on park days we do plan to be there early, at least to wave to all of the other Disboarders!

 

[mickeysaver]

We were there from 12/14 to 12/21 of 2003. We had a great time. We hate crowds, so it was not until Friday the 19th that we started to feel the crunch. We booked roughly the same week for our visit this year. We are doing MVMCP twice, once with my partner's family the day that we arrive and once just for us. I can't wait to finally see the Osborne Lights, which were missing in 2003. Our itinerary has had multiple reworks, but, I think that we finally have it with the exception of a few dining choices all figured out. I can't wait! Maggie

 

[oogie boogie]

Well the whole reason I planned our trip from Dec. 3-10 was to avoid: A- The Heat/Hurricanes and B- The crowds. I'm just hoping that it works out well even though it seems as though I'm hearing more people going around this time. I'm still just as excited!!

 

[daisy_77]

Well the whole reason I planned our trip from Dec. 3-10 was to avoid: A- The Heat/Hurricanes and B- The crowds. I'm just hoping that it works out well even though it seems as though I'm hearing more people going around this time. I'm still just as excited!!

A bit OT
Hi...I notice that you are from Costa Mesa. Would you say DL is more crowded than WDW? I have been to DL too many times to count, but
I have never been to WDW. We are going to WDW 11/29-12/6 and I am not too worried about the crowds, just wondering how they compare to the DL crowds! Thanks!!

 

[oogie boogie]

A bit OT
Hi...I notice that you are from Costa Mesa. Would you say DL is more crowded than WDW? I have been to DL too many times to count, but
I have never been to WDW. We are going to WDW 11/29-12/6 and I am not too worried about the crowds, just wondering how they compare to the DL crowds! Thanks!!

Well last year we flew in hours after hurricane Charlie had past (August) so we didn't see alot of crowds the week we were there. 2 me it seemed low to moderate. But Nothing compared to Disneyland most the time. Disneyland is busy 9 out of 12 months, especially this year!!! Crowds are pretty bad at DL except jan-march.

 

[mrslur]

A bit OT
Would you say DL is more crowded than WDW? I have been to DL too many times to count, but
I have never been to WDW. We are going to WDW 11/29-12/6 and I am not too worried about the crowds, just wondering how they compare to the DL crowds! Thanks!!

Having grown up near DL, yes the crowds always seem to be worse there. I think maybe it's because it's so much smaller. You will be amazed at how much bigger the MK is at WDW. Have a great trip. We'll be there 11/27 -12/3.

 

[DisneyFreq]

We were there from 12/14 to 12/21 of 2003. We had a great time. We hate crowds, so it was not until Friday the 19th that we started to feel the crunch.

Your dates in '03 are nearly identical to our dates this year. You've confirmed what I've figured all along...not to bad at the beginning but steadily more crowded as the weekend approaches. I'm hoping to get most of our MK time out of the way in the first part of the trip since it always seems to be the MOST jam packed...particularly on Saturdays. Mabey Sat. would be a good day for AK? Hmmmm.....

 

[daisy_77]

Thanks, oogie boogie and mrslur! I am from Riverside, not as nice as Costa Mesa! Everytime we go to DL it is packed! It will be nice to see WDW's Magic Kingdom. I appreciate you guys answering so fast...maybe we will see each other there! Hurry up November!!

 

[Lorikr65]

Last year we went first week of Dec - Pop Warner was there but didn't see them other than around the pool. A couple we went with originally couldn't get a DVC res. but were later called back with a cancellation. So, hopefully it won't be any busier than it was last year. We're leaving 12/1 from Providence and I'm just hoping for no snow that day!!!