HELP!!! I need some reassurance about my upcoming trip!!!

[deanainnc]

We are going to be at WDW Dec. 1-10. And it looks like it is going to be packed. Our last trip was the first week of Feb. 2005 and it was to crowded for us it ended up with Mardi Gradi was early that year hitting on our vaction week and tons of schools in the Louisnana area are closed all week for this and I think they all came to Disney World. Plus the Super Bowl was in Jacksonville during the same time we were there. Saw lots of families dropped off at the world while the men folks were at the game. We even saw more people at Sea World due to football.

My question is how is my upcoming week going to compare to all this. Please be honest all you disney veterns out there.

I do know that disney says all the resorts are full that week, but I did go on traveloisty and you can book most any disney hotel from Dec.4 -Dec. 10 so they are not completely full.

 

[RN01]

I am also going to DW Dec2-10. I know that it is Pop Warner week and that the hotels are full but not the parks. This is just what I have heard from others. At first I was really worried about it and almost changed my reservation but I decided not to worry about it anymore and just enjoy planning my vacation. I know it's a lot of time and money but just try to look forward to it and if it's busy you'll know for next time.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A lot will depend on where you are staying. The parks themselves will not be crowded. However The Pop Warner Football Cahpionships with 64 teams are being held, as well as the National Cheerleading and Dance Competition.

If you are staying at one of the Deluxe resorts you should not have any problems. If at the values or, to an extent, the moderates there will be tons of excewss lound groups of children and teenagers running around.

Some of the Cheer and Dance competitions take place at the Studio in the Indiana Jones Amphitheater; everything else at WWS.

 

[deanainnc]

I also meant to metion that on the offical disney web site they have added a new feature called the wonderful weeks of disney showing the best weeks to come for low crowds and the first week of Dec is not even included in this. They have the 2nd and 3rd weeks of dec listed. Whats up with that? We will be staying at ASMo. I called about the pop warner group and the cm told me that all the groups of kids were supervised and that disney provided totaly separte buses for them so we would not have to share buses with them. Is this true or a smooth over?

 

[C.Ann]

And here I thought I was being so "smart" by booking Dec.2nd thru the 10th.. We're staying at Pop (first time for my DD, her DH and my DGD) but crowds or no crowds, WE WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME!!!!!! Just seeing everything decorated for Christmas and going to MVMCP should be the thrill of a lifetime..

Our last trip together was during the time of 9/11 (we arrived on the 9th and left on the 22nd) so the parks were basically empty.. I know my gang is going to be in for a shock (crowd-wise) but I'm trying to assure them that if we just take our time, do what we can do without stressing about "we didn't get to see-ride-do everything", it will still be an awesome trip..

We're going to Disney!!!!!

 

[Mo-Yo]

We went the same week last year. We avoided EMH parks, got there early, used FP and made ADRs. We found most days to be very manageable. We really never waited more than 15 minutes...and we rode and saw everything we wanted to -slow loading,fastloading, shows, fireworks etc.

Dumbo, Splash, Thunder, Space, RandR Coaster, POTC, Jungle Cruise,TOT, Safari, Soarin.

There were exceptions to the low crowds- On Saturday Night, the World Showcase was very crowded. Fantasmic was a mosh pit. And on our last night, a Saturday, I think, we broke the no EMH rule to spend our last few hours at the MK... a bad idea. It was very crowded and a rain storm sent everyone out of the parks and to the buses early. We waited like 90 minutes for a bus.

Throughout the week, most restaurants were turning away all walk-ups.

Also, the Pop Warner kids took up a lot of space at the POR dining room in the morning and late at night. We had breakfast food in the room, so it really didn't bother us. We didn't hear them at night, though I understand that is a problem sometimes. We didn't see them in the parks.

I really HATE crowds, but they really weren't bad, and we all agreed that it was a terrific week to go. We never felt crunched, or overwhelmed.

I think with just a bit of planning you'll be fine.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm going Dec. 8-16th. I just saw the disney website. The wonderful weeks info is in the Calandar section. I'm praying for low crowds.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I've been to WDW twice during the beginning of Dec. Even though it's not crazy crowded during that time, it still isn't empty. The only time I've seen the park so uncrowded was going in mid-Sept. The next lowest time I've experienced was the first week of Jan.

If you follow the "rules" like getting there at opening, making ADRs in advance, using FP, and having a plan for each day, you will be fine!

Have a fun time! I wish I was going then.

 

[TinaLala]

We're going Dec 1-10 as well and I'm psyched!!! I know the resorts are full, but that's because there's a cheerleading competition going on, so I think a lot of people will be at the World of Sports. The parks aren't suppose to be really packed. From what I've read in the past people have said it's really dead during this timeframe.

Don't worry about it...the parades will be busy, but I'm hoping it won't be crazy....can't be as crazy as the summer time when you're waiting in line for over 2 hours to get on a ride.

 

[shaws2003]

I'm surprised you can't hear the sound of my heart dropping from wherever you are in the world! We picked this time based on the Christmas decorations, temps and crowd levels when we went in 2003. I knew going in that it would be Pop Warner/Cheerleading like it was in 2003 and we never experienced any problems with them. An International Builders convention, NASCAR Busch and Truck Series banquets at the GF, Mousefest is all going on around when we go (Dec 4 - 12) and now I am hearing all the hotels are booked? So much for having the parks to ourselves, huh

 

[phantom728]

We're going this same week and will try and have a good time no matter what. We are staying at SOG, so Pop Warner kids won't be an issue at the hotel or on our transportation.

I also read somewhere that several conventions are going on this week which was another reason that the hotels are booked.

I've got my itineraries ready to go and am counting my days...hope to see some of you around the parks. I'll have my LGMH's.

Everyone enjoy your trips.

 

[lazydazy8]

I have been having the same feelings, everyone. It has kept me up nights. I have been the official planner for two other families going along with us. I chose the resort (POP) and made the ADR's. I'm nervous enough, being the one in charge. UGH!

I chose this week, b/c my DH and honemooned the exact time in '98. It was wonderful! We waited in very little lines (no more than 15 minutes) and the weather was perfect!

Good news is, the cold front that is there now is on it's way out in the next few days.

I appreciate all the reassuring posts.

I have my LGMH proudly hanging from my pink Baggallini bag! I'll be watching for all of you!

 

[byoung]

You will be happy with this time, because of the parade tapeing the first few days avoid MK.

 

[Disney Panda]

We'll be there from 12/4-12/9. See you all there and hope everyone has a nice trip--crowds or not.

 

[AllNamesTaken]

My advice is to join Tour Guide Mike and take a look at his crowd predictions. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Then use his advice for touring and I'll bet you can see most everything with little to no wait!!
Have a great trip!