First week in Dec crowds vs second week in Dec?

[goofy4tink]

I'm planning a trip with friends for next Dec. I just got back, on Dec 7. I was there for the week of Thanksgiving, then cruised for a week, returning to WDW on Dec 4-7. The crowds from the 4-7 were much higher than I have seen in previous years (I've been going to WDW that first week in Dec for over 10 yrs).
So, I thought I might try to go that second week...Dec 9-15ish.
My question.....do any of you have thoughts on the crowd levels the second week? I figure PW will be there from Dec 2-9, so maybe Dec 9-15 might be less crowded? How is it there now? Any previous years' experience?
Thanks!!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

We were there 12/7-12/13 last year and we found it low to moderately crowded. The Saturday night before we left was PACKED in the MK. Our best day was when we went to MK on a party day. We didn't wait longer than 20 minutes for anything.

Crowds don't really bother us, so I find maybe my interpretation is different. People on FB were saying that week was insane and we didn't see it that way.

 

[goofy4tink]

The 7th would have been the end of PW time, so I would expect there to be crowds! I don't mind crowds, just not huge crowds!!!

 

[Raenstoirm]

We went about the same week last year as this year. It was much more crowded this year.

 

[Accident]

there was a couple day lull near the end of the first full week but it picked right back up to super crowded for some of the parks but not all.

 

[danalea10]

We are here now and crowds are really bad. Every park has been crowded! Sunday morning at MK was nice because it was a party day it didn't get crowded til later. When we got to the airport and the Magical express line wrapped around the whole bottom floor we knew we were in for a crowded trip!!!!

 

[NH-to-FL]

We took our morning walk around the World at Epcot yesterday and the crowds weren't too bad. We decided to go counterclockwise and got to the rope between Norway and China just as it dropped. The crowd quickly dispersed and we enjoyed a quiet walk until we got to France where the crowds were coming in. We stopped for an early lunch at Yorkshire and continued our walk back through Future World. It was busy but not crazy. We did notice a higher then expected number of families with school age kids.

I think it just reinforces what we have come too know. Early December is now just "less busy" not quiet.

 

[stinkpickle]

Yeah, I don't think a year-to-year comparison is a good indicator anymore. I would expect those two weeks to be similar no matter which one you pick. If it's a crowded year, both weeks should be crowded. If it's a dead year, both weeks should be dead.

 

[ziravan]

This past Sat night at MK:

130 min wait for 7DMT
120 min wait SM
80 min wait for PP
70 min wait for Buzz!!!!
35 min wait for IASW.

This past weekend was extremely crowded. I've seen less crowded parks in July.

OTOH, Universal was practically deserted. Gringotts 20 min wait. Hulk walk on. Minions, Mummy, Transformers, Rip Rockets, Dragon, Spidey were all walk ons. Kong was down unexpectedly and HP Forbidden Journey sched down through 12/16.

 

[loves to dive]

I have a friend whose daughter was just there Sat thru today (driving back up to Georgia today) and she said it wasn't bad at all so it might be a matter of perspective. They park hopped AK/HS/Epcot on Sunday and rode everything they wanted to ride. Did MK and Epcot on Monday and again did everything they wanted to and hopped when they got there on Saturday around 3 to MK and Epcot as well. They were at Swan Sat. night and evidently there EMH night hours somewhere, they were able to get EMH morning hours Sunday morning, then moved off site for the rest of the trip. I advised them to do rope drop and book their FPs as soon as they knew they were going, which was about a month ago. They had a blast. From what she said I'm guessing no more crowded than during F&W.

 

[jwfla422]

Absolutely packed this last weekend--the traffic on World Drive just past the MK toll plaza was ridiculous. Have never seen it like this even during the week between Christmas and New Years! Both nights this past weekend. We were there last year the first weekend of December and it was so much more tolerable! That will be our only option for December next time around. We did The MVMCP on Friday night which was a whole other (disappointing) story but Saturday traffic just as awful!! Stay with the first weekend if you have the option (just hoping that doesn't become as insane next year). And yes it is a matter of perspective...we are AP holders and live less than an hour away and we go every month--this was the worst we've seen it as far as MK goes.

 

[crazedprincess]

We just returned from our 11/30-12/9 trip and there were definitely people there! It was busy and crowded in all parks but manageable with a good plan and FP+.

 

[klmall]

The word has definitely been out about the first half of December for a few years now. It is no longer a low crowd time.

 

[memo10]

We were at Epcot and HS Friday night and it was pretty average. MK on Saturday was packed!! We left around 3pm and they were parking in the very back lot. On the other hand, MK yesterday was much slower than we expected.

 

[areno79]

We just got back from our first December visit, and I couldn't believe how busy it was! We were lucky with FP's, but we couldn't believe the crowds given everything we've been told about low attendance. The least crowded day we had was on 12/7 when we went to US/IOA and almost everything was a walk-on.

 

[areno79]

Also, I think the 2nd week of December is worse...we left the night of 12/10 and our resort was packed with people trying to check-in. That day MK had an insane traffic line just to get to the parking lots.

 

[Nohal]

Go during the first two weeks they said, crowds are low they said. Guess what they were wrong. Was at MK yesterday and thankful from FP because it was so crowded. Space Mt was down Mine train had 140min wait time. Every single ride had a long ride with the exception of Winnie the Pooh around 4pm was a walk on. I was surprised how crowded it was since they said first two weeks of Dec have low crowds.

 

[Bete]

The answer is going to change based on the free dining promo. You make a choice. If free dining is not offered then the crowds that week will probably be less. This has deferred somewhat year to year as to what dates the promo is offered.

If you skip free dining then you will have lower crowds; otherwise, it will be crowded.

 

[icc2515]

My wife and I were there last week for a few days including the weekend. We always go in June or July and take kids. I can tell you that Disney World was much more crowded this trip than our trip in July after the 4th. The MK was so crowded on Sat night that we walked in, got some citrus swirls, and left without one ride. It was too crowded to even walk around. Epcot on Fri was as packed as any Fri during the F&W fest. We made our ressy's late and every Disney owned hotel was booked solid (I think there were some near $1000 rooms avail). We had to stay at the Dolphin, we were told that the Swan was completely booked.

I am looking forward to our summer trip when the crowds will be more manageable. I never thought I would say that.

 

[Tucker24]

MK on Dec 4th wasn't bad because it was a party night so less crowds. Wednesday the 7th was more crowded because non party day. We stayed late for EMH though and it was well worth it. Friday at HS we ran into a lot of the cheer crowd and Saturday at MK was VERY crowded with a lot of groups. We were unable to get many fast passes and the lines were too long for us to wait. We did face painting, bought our Mickey ears, Met Donald and Goofy. After that we couldn't wait to get back to the hotel