Freaking out over December crowds..

[Obsessed-x]

Hi, we have booked to go to wdw from Dec 5th - 19th 2009 because i had heard it is a quiet time to go and we were looking forward to seeing the decorations. However im now hearing that it is busy at this time and something called Pop Warner week ? So im getting worried. Please tell me how the crowds are (hopefully good things) Oh and we've been before in October 2007 and August 2008 if that helps to compare crowds. Thankyou

 

[tink645]

We went this past Christmas from Dec 23-28. We purchased Tour Guide Mike and followed it to the best of our abilities. IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! He definitely knows what he is talking about. We were able to avoid the crowds. My husband was doubtful at first, but came around at the end of the first day, and was a full blown believer by day 2.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

It's not that bad (unless you are booked at one of the Pop Warner hotels- POR and the All Stars). The crowds will be about the same (maybe a little less) than October and comparable to the end of August.

The Pop kids are there for a tournament so you don't see many of them in the parks during the day. There are more around at night and towards the end of the week as they get knocked out, but it isn't too bad. We were there for Pop week last year, and other than having the misfortune to ride HM with a group of cheerleaders, it wasn't that bad.

Have fun!

 

[BradyBz12]

We've gone during this time the last 3 years in a row. It does seem to be getting a little busier each year, likely because of the continued promotion about how this is a great time to go (that's why we did initially!)

We still find the crowds to be very manageable and nowhere near the crazy levels I hear about during peak times. We do pretty much everything in all parks and with the exception of TSM, never wait more than 20 minutes for everything. A good touring plan, using FP and doing a little research before you get there goes a long way.

Pop Warner week really isn't a big deal if you avoid the resorts they typically stay at (values and I think Port Orleans?). You may run into groups of kids/parents in the parks in the evenings, but they certainly don't spike the overall crowd levels significantly.

 

[frdeb1999]

We were there this year the 13-15 and while it was busy. It was'nt anything near as bad as the summer months. Deffinately would do this time frame again.

 

[goldenears]

We were there from Nov. 30th - Dec. 11th and we also used Tour Guide Mike. We followed his advice and never had a problem w/ crowds and had a wonderful time. The decorations are absolutely beautiful!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

We were there December 7-16TH 2007. We hit the tail end of Pop warner and after that there were some kind of soccer championships, so new kids moved in at All Star Sports, where we stayed. We did not think the crowds were bad at all and the kids for the most part were very polite. Then again I had preteens at the time, so I was used to them. The only crowd we encountered was a Tuesday night sold out MVMCP. We also used TGM.

 

[Dee77]

what do you mean by using "Tour Guide Mike" and if I may ask, how much was it?

 

[Dee77]

Forget it, realized why it sounded familier when I scrolled to the top of the message board and saw the ad.

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone many times in early December and loved it! Booked for 12/5-11 this year.

 

[Justthe8ofus]

LOL Who on earth told you that???

Christmas time is by far the bussiest time of the year at WDW. I have lived here for 14 yrs and have been going to the parks for the same. Aug-Oct would be slower for comparison for sure. Christmas is nice at WDW but, I do not think the extra crowds are worth it. After 14 yrs you just don't deal with the crowds the same. No ride in any of the parks is worth more than 40-50 min wait. Also what Disney has done with the lights at "Hollywood Studios" is sad. Nothing like it used to be. Soooo tacky!

 

[DisneyShannon]

I plan on going that week in Dec also. I have been going that week for years. I never in 4 days even saw the pop warner, and I stayed at the all star movies. I say it is a great week to go. I will be there again this week in dec.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I use TouringPlans.com which is cheaper than Tour Guide Mike and gives you some great park touring itineraries too.

You are going during a great time. It's not as bad as summer or Christmas week. It's not as low crowd as it used to be, well 2008 wasn't, but the way the economy is going, 2009 might be back to very low crowd again.

You have many months to soak up info and read all about it. It's going to be ok. Don't forget to breathe!