First Two Weekends in December

[krissyh]

I'm curious as to why the second weekend in December has much better availability than the first. I would think the first weekend (Wednesday 12/4 to Sunday 12/8) would simply be less busy as it is further from Christmas.
I know Pop Warner is the first weekend, but even the Deluxe resorts are booked. We went the same weekend last year and it was wonderfully uncrowded.
Thoughts?

 

[Elle23]

I assumed it was Pop Warner. There is so little availability that weekend! We ended up switching our dates to before Thanksgiving, and availability is wide open.

 

[krissyh]

Our issue is the Christmas Party. We can't go before Thanksgiving.

 

[Elle23]

Our issue is the Christmas Party. We can't go before Thanksgiving.

I also wonder if people booked that week hoping for free dining. It was included in free dining last year.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think the second weekend takes you much closer to Christmas. We prefer it but it is right on top of christmas when you return home, and that means you need to be ready early.

 

[krissyh]

That is helpful. How do you find the crowds? We went the first weekend last year and only thought the crowds in the Toy Story area of DHS were bad and with a short time and the opening of Star Wars we plan to skip that park all together. I can wait for Star Wars to dye down a bit! And, I know, that will already up crowds at all the others.

 

[Nancyg56]

That is helpful. How do you find the crowds? We went the first weekend last year and only thought the crowds in the Toy Story area of DHS were bad and with a short time and the opening of Star Wars we plan to skip that park all together. I can wait for Star Wars to dye down a bit! And, I know, that will already up crowds at all the others.

I do not think anyone can really predict this year. We have found that it is getting much busier that 2nd and 3rd week in December, but this year, with the opening of GE, who knows? I think you plan for a busy week, and if it is slow, it is a gift.