First 2 Weeks in December

[baivasps]

I recently read a couple articles about the best times to visit Disney for crowds. They both mentioned the first two weeks in December. I normally rent DVC points and since then I found out that most DVC resorts are full for that period. Its a really popular week for DVC owners. Now I'm looking at the historical discounts on Mousesavers and the free dining that was offered around that time was blocked out for the first two weeks of December, 2015. There is a room discount offer but then new offers for the third week of December. I'm starting to wonder if this is a bad time to go. I already have my flight so I'm not looking to make a decision. I just want to have an idea of what it will be like. We have been to Disney several times but always in June.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'm going to recommend you not base travel decisions based on crowd calendars.

There are time periods everyone knows will be really busy. Then there are a bunch of others that were "traditionally lower crowds!" that simply aren't any more. Between runDisney events, promotions, etc., people found out about them, book bounce backs for them, etc. There is no "low" season any more. There's "OMGbusy" and "somewhat less busy."

DVC owners love early December because the points required for booking are low and the weather is mild, and the dates usually coincide with a Merry Mixer for DVC owners.

 

[disneykelly]

Aurora nailed it
I am also looking to head down shortly after the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I've given up on the idea that there will be barren population days at the parks, but I know the first couple of weeks in December will almost certainly be a ton lighter than the Thanksgiving week crowd.

 

[baivasps]

I realize there will be crowds. I just thought it would be lighter than June so an improvement in our eyes.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I realize there will be crowds. I just thought it would be lighter than June so an improvement in our eyes.

It might be. But it may not be.

Dates like those are tough right now for crowd predictors to nail, and if you put too much stock in the prediction you may doom yourself to sadness.

 

[sndral]

We have often visited in early Dec., most recently using our DVC points & yes most DVC resorts are booked before 7 months for that time period as the point requirements to stay are lower.
The holiday decorations are beautiful. The weather ranges from very nice to downright cold, which we prefer over hot/muggy/rainy.
The parks have been getting more crowded, IME and you may run into the Pop Warner/cheerleader groups. I'd avoid the resorts they are staying at if your visit coincides w/ those events unless you like sharing your food court/bus/etc. with exuberant teens. They don't really impact the parks.
The parade is usually taped during early Dec. as well. The biggest downside are the many MVCP nights when the MK closes early causing MK to be jammed when it is open late.
The countries in Epcot are especially nice during the holidays w/ their holiday decor/events and the holiday version of Illuminations is great.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well....I've been going to WDW, that first week, for the past 11 or so years now. Last year I said it was my last!! The parks have gotten more and more crowded. Disney way over sells the Christmas parties. My friend and I decided to do a cruise the Sunday. After Thanksgiving, that is a week long. There wasn't going to be much WDW happening for us....possibly a CP before the cruise. Then, my dd got accepted into the DCP. And my dh wanted to have Thanksgiving with Mickey (that really caught me by surprise!). So, he and I fly down Nov 20. Hope to spend some time with dd!! And the parks shouldn't be too bad leading up to T-day. Dh will go home the day after T-day, and I'll bunk in with my friend. But, not a ton of park time. Do our FP choices and leave. Then cruise, and return to WDW for a few nights. My friend isn't renewing her AP (first time in 10 yrs she hasn't renewed), and might just head to US/IoA. I'll be at WDW, but again, basically to spend time with my dd.
Long story short? These first weeks, following T-Day, are getting more and more crowded.

 

[JohnnyB2]

We've also been there the 1st week of December twice in the last few years and yes DVC resorts are very crowded at that time and I know last year for some reason the parks were more crowed than before. We all know Disney attendance has been going up each year, but I think if we said that it is very slow during a certain time frame with in a few years that time frame would be crowded. We also decided to take a break away from that week because of the growing crowds.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I know last year for some reason the parks were more crowed than before.

Osborne Lights Mania.

 

[DebbieB]

Pop Warner football/cheer are there the first full week in December, taking a lot of value and moderate rooms. I've been there that week many times, you may see small groups around the parks but they aren't a big deal.

 

[baivasps]

I'm guessing Pop Warner is part of the reason why Free Dining was blocked out the last two years for those two weeks. Maybe we should avoid the moderate resorts too?

 

[Kelly loves Food]

I went the week after Thanksgiving 2015 and I didn't feel like it was very crowded at all.We stayed at Pop, and enjoyed our time at the parks without super long lines or waits for buses. When I return, I plan on going during the same time frame.

 

[dansdad]

I'm guessing Pop Warner is part of the reason why Free Dining was blocked out the last two years for those two weeks. Maybe we should avoid the moderate resorts too?

Why?

 

[Shanti]

I realize there will be crowds. I just thought it would be lighter than June so an improvement in our eyes.

There is no guarantee of that. December is now such a popular month, while summer has become less popular over the past few years. Early December may well be busier than June. You can't really know which is better unless you go during both months.

 

[Nancyg56]

I realize there will be crowds. I just thought it would be lighter than June so an improvement in our eyes.

Or not. You plan a trip and think the crowds levels will be low, Disney thinks they need to boost crowds, BOOM! Plans go awry.

Seriously, I love December and have another trip planned this year, but you really need to look at the crowd calendars and tae the number with a grain of salt. I use them to plan my park days, especially the MK days and evenings because they are good guides to an initial touring plan for why one should choose any given park on any given day. The levels though only increase IMO, as you draw closer to your dates. Any night in MK that does not have a party can be OMG crowded. It is just a matter of trying to find the least OMG night the week you are there.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm guessing Pop Warner is part of the reason why Free Dining was blocked out the last two years for those two weeks. Maybe we should avoid the moderate resorts too?

They booked rooms at Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs the last couple years.

I was there December 5 to 11 last year, crowds were not bad.

 

[goofy4tink]

Osborne Lights Mania.

It was a nightmare!! Yes, more people were in the parks because of this....but the locals, heading to DHS each night, was awful! Thank heavens that won't happen again.

The week after Thanksgiving can be a good time to go...depending on when Thanksgiving falls. The Pop Warner kids usually arrive that first weekend in Dec, and stay for the week. Then, Disney doesn't need to offer Free Dining if the resorts are full, or close to full...which they tend to be during this time frame. And yes, the PW kids stay in All Stars as well as a moderate (or possibly two).