Early December question?

[tink2]

Fab 4- they should know what you are talking about- but if they will or not I don't know. However, Pop Warner doesn't officially release the dates until much, much later. The dates for 2006 were not released that long ago- maybe a month or so ago. Historically, it has been the first full week of Dec. Also remember the taping of the Christmas parade is usually the first Sat. in Dec. My bet for pop warner week in 2007 would be Dec. 2-8, but that is not official until pop warner releases the dates. Deb's site was the first to post the dates this year, I had to really search pop warner's site before I found the dates after she released them.

 

[queenof hearts]

Book the Pop Century. Somewhere I read that they do not book "teams" there.

 

[snowiit]

We're going a bit later... Dec 17-22. I know the closer it gets to Christmas the more crowded it gets, but since we leave on the Friday before Christmas (Christmas is Monday) do you think Sunday through Thursday should be decent for crowds? We are experienced WDW people but we haven't been in December in a few years. I just would love to know what everyone thinks.

Nancy

 

[KevinM]

There are plently of Pop Warner threads out there so I won't beat the dead horse too much. We stayed at POR in 2003 and the Dolphin in 2004 during Pop week. The food courts were absolutely jammed in the mornings at POR with footballers and cheerleaders. They did cause some problems at night in the resort (noise). There were no groups at the Dolphin the following year.

The effect on crowds was marginal. As the week progressed, more and more groups were roaming the parks. I don't think they had an impact on wait times, but they did cause annoyance. Not to say that they are all bad kids; for every 1 misbehaving we saw 10 that were perfectly well behaved. For that I blame some chaperones who were preoccupied getting mixed drinks in Epcot. The worst the was line cutting, foul language, and graphic sex talk in front of small children. I had to speak up when one cheerleader who looked about 13 years old was commenting very loudly about the flexibility of the Chinese acrobats in Epcot and how that would benefit her boyfriend. Another group kept getting in the single rider line at Test Track and then forced thier way into the same car while the CM stood there looking intimidated. One of the girls gave him a look and said "What are ya gonna do, call the Epcot po-lice?".

I was annoyed when they would suddenly break into a cheer in the middle of a park, but DD5 loved watching them.

 

[vatmark]

The worst the was line cutting, foul language, and graphic sex talk in front of small children. I had to speak up when one cheerleader who looked about 13 years old was commenting very loudly about the flexibility of the Chinese acrobats in Epcot and how that would benefit her boyfriend.

Annie

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

somewhat off topic here, but what day is better to plan for AK in early December, sat the 9th or sunday the 10th. We only have 1 day there and it is one of my fave parks, so I want the lowest crowds possible. Thanks!

 

[disneyvillainlover]

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.

slightly off topic but noticed you are from tampa... I have been to WDW a few times in December .. but my question to you is .. do you know when Physics day is? I made the huge mistake of going to Busch Gardens on Physics day and do not want to repeat it .. so it would be good if you could help me..

the little kids were no problem but the teens!!!! Gee nightmare of a day

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

Fab 4- they should know what you are talking about- but if they will or not I don't know. However, Pop Warner doesn't officially release the dates until much, much later. The dates for 2006 were not released that long ago- maybe a month or so ago. Historically, it has been the first full week of Dec. Also remember the taping of the Christmas parade is usually the first Sat. in Dec. My bet for pop warner week in 2007 would be Dec. 2-8, but that is not official until pop warner releases the dates. Deb's site was the first to post the dates this year, I had to really search pop warner's site before I found the dates after she released them.

Tink.... You are awesome with all this info .... I hope you will be Dis-ing next year when I have even more questions about WDW and the .... since we don't go until December 2007....
I will have to keep your thread going..... I will pick your brain when you come home this December.....

 

[tink2]

Fab4- no problem! I really researched when we went in Dec. 2004. I was scared to death of pop warner week but really had no problems at all at POFQ. Early Dec. is such a terrific time to go with the holiday decorations, low crowds, and Christmas stuff! Unfortunately, our trip is kinda in the air for this year. DH got laid off and has gotten a new job, but the pay has been cut tremendously. We are trying to sell our house since his pay has been cut. If the house doesn't sell before Dec., the trip is off. If it does, we are off to WDW! So, please keep us in your thoughts.
If you have any questions about early Dec.- just ask! I truly researched everything I could before we went last time.

 

[tink2]

somewhat off topic here, but what day is better to plan for AK in early December, sat the 9th or sunday the 10th. We only have 1 day there and it is one of my fave parks, so I want the lowest crowds possible. Thanks!

Check out the touring plans web site for crowd predictions. It looks like the Sunday may be best for Animal Kingdom.
http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14
Is Sat. EMH for AK? If so, avoid it. I think Sat. may be busier in Dec. b/c locals want to come see the holiday decorations.

 

[raven69david]

We usually choose the 2nd week in December for the lower crowds, to avoid POP Warner and avoid hurricane season LOL. We're going 12/10/06 thru 12/16/06 as that is the week before it REALLY gets busy. The week before Christmas through New Years seems to be exceptionally busy. For some strange reason, last year it was actually a little too cool (mornings lower 50's and afternoons in upper 60's). It's never really been that cold before so this year we will be taken some winter clothes just in case the same situation occurs, otherwise a great vacation will be had nonetheless.

 

[MarieS]

We are also planning a first week of December trip in 2007. I didn't know about the Pop Warner event or the parade taping--glad I found this thread! Do you think we will be okay if we stay at CBR? If we avoid MK on the weekends will we miss the parade taping crowds?
Tink, hope you are able to go on your trip! We'll want to hear all about it when you get back.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We went last December during Pop Warner week and I think it was crowded. Not completely packed, but definately a significant amount of people there. I felt it was a little crowded. We ran into Pop Warner groups at all the parks all times of day and night. We stayed at POFQ and it wasn't too packed with them but POR was the mod resort for them and our buses were swamped with PopWarner kids and families. I wouldn't go again when they are there, we didn't have pleasant experiences.

 

[momomonster]

We're arriving the evening of 12/9 and heading home 12/15, staying at CSR, and I'm really looking forward to it! We honeymooned in 1997 at POFQ 12/13-12/17 and it seemed very quiet with low crowds at both the resort and in the parks. It was a bit rainy our first few days, but not unpleasantly cold (until we were riding the boat to DTD, then it seemed pretty darn nippy!)

Dh and I lost a lot of weight last year and would love to be able to use the pools (w/o scaring people- ha ha ), but we realize it's a crap shoot this time of year. I'll be happy either way.

I love to travel when the kids are still in school. Rates are great this time of year and the decorations are nice. I remember we did get a lot of Christmas shopping done on our honeymoon, especially in all the World Showcase shops in Epcot. (We certainly didn't have time to do Xmas shopping *before* the wedding!)

Wishing you all a happy, safe trip!

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

I would go the first week...but I can say that because it's true...i WOULD go and AM going!

POFQ!!!! We will have to get a 1st week of Dec POFQ thread started, everywhere I turn I hear of people staying there that week. :O)

 

[deekaypee]

Bump...

Thanks for all this information; I'm trying to talk DH into a December trip!