Early December question?

[tink2]

We went the first week of Dec. in 2004, stayed in POFQ, and loved it- great weather and low crowds! We are considering a trip this Dec. but are thinking of going the next week- Dec. 10- 16 so we can stay in a value to save money and avoid the pop warner kids. But, will the crowds at the parks be bigger b/c it is closer to Christmas and more kids will be out of school? So, would you go Dec. 3-9 staying at POFQ or Dec. 10- 16 staying at a value? I'd love to go the second week and stay in a value to save a few hundred dollars, but if the crowds are bigger that week then it won't be worth it. Opinions please!!!

 

[CarolMN]

I've been in early December every year since 1998 (when I got hooked on that time of the year).

Doubt you'd notice any difference in crowds between Dec 3 - 9 and Dec 10 -16. The crowds don't really start arriving until later in the next week. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to go 12/10 -12/16 and stay in the value if that's your first choice.

Best wishes -

 

[MarySB]

WOW! Now I'm REALLY excited! We are going to be going to WDW Dec.4-8 staying at POFQ. First time in several years and first time with GD and GS. Can't wait! BTW, I recently learned that a cheerleader convention will be held the first week in December this year. So, I wouldn't try to stay at the Value Resorts if you want peace and quiet!

 

[angel's momma]

We're going 12/9-16.

We went on our first trip 12/11-21 in 2004. No crowds until school let out on the 17th that year (15th this year). That weekend was still manageable. Decided on a quick final trip to Epcot on the 21st - WOW it was CROWDED!!

 

[MrsB1228]

WOW! Now I'm REALLY excited! We are going to be going to WDW Dec.4-8 staying at POFQ. First time in several years and first time with GD and GS. Can't wait! BTW, I recently learned that a cheerleader convention will be held the first week in December this year. So, I wouldn't try to stay at the Value Resorts if you want peace and quiet!

We'll be there during that time too Mary. We're booked at POFQ Dec. 2 -10. This is the first I've heard of this cheerleader convention. Where is it being held and will it impact on crowd size in the parks? We chose this time of year for two reasons, first because we'd love to experience Disney Christmas magic, and second because it's supposed to be less crowded at that time of year. We're all soooo excited!!

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

I am not going this year, I am palnning on 2007 in December....

I am wondering, how do you hear of a cheerleader convention?

Because it will not make a difference which week we go and if it is possible... we would like to go when there is a lower amount of crowds!!!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

For the cheerleaders, there are threads regarding when they are there - it is every year from what I understand, (mostly to the All Star resorts). I would do a search on Pop Warner. I remember reading that there is a pop warner website as well. I think it is actually cheering and sports, heard the resorts are packed and noisy but folks seem to think the park crowds aren't too bad with them there.

My DS17 wants me to change our trip to when they WILL be there !!! No way, son!

 

[Straitlover]

I was there Dec 10-14, 2005 and stayed at Pop. Crowds were nonexistant! I may be doing a solo trip this year around the same time. If you belong to AAA, a value room rate would only be $63.20/night plus tax!

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

BUMP.......


I am still thinking of going in December.... Is the cheerleading convention the same week every year? And is it for the entire week? We are thinking of going Dec 9th till the 16th, do you think that will effect us? Also, does anyone know when schools get out for vacation? Our schools do not get out until a day or so before Christmas.... And do you think that week will still be somewhat warm, I know nights are cooler and we will need a jacket......

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

I would like to know as well...I have a trip planned the 8th-13th pf December (SOOOOO excited ). I went last December from the 2nd-6th and I remember them being there and bein quite annoying. I stayed at POR and felt it was very crowded every morning at breakfast, it wasn't the end of the world or anything, but paired with the fact that we didn't know about the Xmas day taping (and of course ended up at MK that day!!!) the whole "value season" didn't seem very slow! Do you know if the Pop Warner group will be gone by the 8th??? Thanks guys, my search wasn't working and kept coming up 503-server busy, or something

 

[tink2]

OP here- Deb's website and the pop warner calendar post the pop warner week as Dec. 3-9 this year. We have decided to go Dec. 10- 16 and even though I was wanting to stay in a value when I first posted this, we have decided to return to POFQ- just can't resist, it's our favorite!!! From what the crowd level chart says, it looks like the 10-16 is also a great week to go with very low crowds!!!

 

[rlduvall]

I went with a friend the first week of December in 2004 for 7 nights - stayed at AKL. Saturday was pretty cold, but the rest of the week was absolutely incredible weather. Decided to take my son 2nd week of December in 2005 for 4 nights - stayed at POFQ. Saturday was beautiful, but the rest of the time was pretty cold. As much as I enjoy the Christmas decorations, I want it to be warm . . . no, hot . . . when I go Disney!!

 

[stashf]

We've went the last two Decembers, first was 2-6th and last year was 8-15th. This year we are doing 8-18th. Stayed at POR and POFQ respectively. The first year I never noticed the pop kids at all, last year noticed them our first night the 8th at DTD and then on the 9th they closed MGM early for their private party! Of course I had planned the 9th for MGM - Fantasmic and Osborne lights!!! So needless to say it messed up my schedule a bit but that's life! I have found both years to have low crowds and have heard the crowds dont start coming in until the 18-20th. My cousins will be staying over at the new ASMu suites so will see if the kids affect them at all, but from what I've heard and so far experienced it's not much of an impact!

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

OP here- Deb's website and the pop warner calendar post the pop warner week as Dec. 3-9 this year. We have decided to go Dec. 10- 16 and even though I was wanting to stay in a value when I first posted this, we have decided to return to POFQ- just can't resist, it's our favorite!!! From what the crowd level chart says, it looks like the 10-16 is also a great week to go with very low crowds!!!

Now I am just curious because we have never been to WDW in December, but with the whole cheerleader thing... Is that in Disney? Or do they just stay at Disney resorts? Also, Do you know if they ever offer free dining in December? Every time we have gone we have paid for the dining plan, but figured that might be a nice bonus....

 

[brytorlyn]

Every year Disney hosts Pop Warner week which involves football players and cheerleaders coming to compete at Wide World of Sports. This is always held early in December, this year first week in December. They generally stay at the All Star resorts and with that comes what you would expect from a Large group of high school kids....noise at the resorts. I am told the crowds in the park are not that affected but the resort might be a zoo.

 

[brytorlyn]

It will involve 64 football teams and 400 cheerleading teams...

 

[ccgegg]

We went Dec 11-16 last year and crowds were lower than we experienced in two previous early Feb trips (also low season). Longest wait was 20 minutes with a Fastpass for Soarin. That being said, you still gotta have a good plan-- I mean, don't expect to walk on Space Mountain at 2pm. There are actually other people in the park with you.

Here's a tip that worked great for us-- go to MK during a Mon-Thu MVMCP day. Crowds were ridiculously low.

 

[SnoweyWhite]

My family went to WDW last December 14-20, and we really didn't notice the crowds getting larger until the 18th. This was a great time to go, and I'm hoping to get to go back December 2007 at the same time.

 

[tkd lisa]

I don't foresee any noticable difference in crowds between those two weeks. Most schools wouldn't be out any earlier than the 15th (my school system here in Tampa runs through Dec 15th). I imagine some schools will go into the middle of the next week (our MD school system does this).

My family went the 16th and 17th of December in 2004 (similar timeframe before Christmas) and it was very uncrowded! We managed to cover nearly all of the attractions in all 4 parks in those 2 days.

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

Thank you all for your great advice.... Just another question???? If you call the Disney Resorts (value) and you ask if this would be the Pop Warner week... will they know what I am talking about.... (because we are not going this December, we are going in 2007)