Help!! is it going to be busy Dec 5-12th

[melissac]

I hope I didn't make a mistake by going this time of year. We booked our trip at this time by reading different disney books that stated the crowds were low at this time. But, as I have found this wounderful website and have searched many different threads I am starting to get scared and wondering if it will be really busy.
HELP PLEASE. We have been talking about(and saving for) this trip for years and planing since Jan.
I also have concerns about the DDP and new menus for children. I know that is a different thread but it still all worries me. Please let me know your thouhts.
thank

 

[buckylarue]

Well, we will be there December 5-11. We usually go during this time for my birthday on the 8th. Crowds have gotten a little bigger over the years, but still nothing like a really crowded time. You will find a lot of people on here that go during that time period, but you have to remember, we DISers are a highly intelligent, discerning group, and so we know that this is a good time and more of us go there then. Also, a lot of us are DVC members, and it is low point period for DVC, but the attractions are (usually) all open, and the holiday decorations and shows are in full swing, so it's a great time to go! Just don't tell too many people; let's keep it our little secret!

 

[Abd4253]

My family and I were there at that time last year. Like buckylarue said, the crowds have gotten larger, but it's still a pretty far cry from 4th of July or something. Do some smart planning on what days you visit parks and take advantage of the EMH and you should have no problems.

You'll love the decorations and the music, but for the love of everything holy, bring an iPod or a CD player, something - anything! - because you will be so flipping tired of hearing the Christmas music by the third day that you'll want to roast Santa over an open fire. It seems to be on an endless repeat and, for me anyway, it will make you miss the music they normally play in the parks.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I've been to WDW in early Dec twice so far. It's not overly crowded, but don't expect to walk into MK at noon and find no one there.

You will really enjoy the World decorated for xmas. Make plans to see the Osborne Lights in MGM, the parade at AK is xmas themed (which is really great), Country Bears is xmas themed, too.

Plan to get there at opening. This will make the biggest difference in the crowds. Since the weather won't be stifling hot, you probably don't want to plan an afternoon break to your resort. MK will be closing early so you can plan on staying there all day.

The weekdays will be less crowded at the parks than the weekends.

Don't worry, it isn't crowded like the summer time crowds, and you probably won't see outrageous wait times for rides by 10am. Just get to the parks at opening, use FP, make your ADRs, plan where you are going to eat all your meals, and HAVE FUN!!!

HTH

Mary

 

[twotoohappy]

It is Mousefest and Pop Warner time. If you go early in the morning, you'll be fine. The only time I noticed it starting to get busy was at night when the Pop Warner and Cheerleading groups were more visible.

Have fun and enjoy!

 

[dana1003]

how bout weather? we will be there at the same time?

 

[HayGan]

It is Mousefest and Pop Warner time. If you go early in the morning, you'll be fine. The only time I noticed it starting to get busy was at night when the Pop Warner and Cheerleading groups were more visible.

Have fun and enjoy!

I totally agree!!!

The Pop Warner kids really only come out in mass during EMH evening hours. We did learn to avoid those last year. Since their events are mostly held during the day, the evening is when they come out to enjoy the parks. I think the best day to tour a park is typically the day AFTER its' EMH evening.

As for the weather, it can really be a mixed bag. Some days can be upper 70's to low 80's perfect for shorts and t-shirts. Other days can be down right cold and rainy. Long pants/sleeves & jackets required. You really need to pack for the spectrum of weather possibilities in December!!!

 

[KittyKitty]

I have been there the last 2 years for Mousefest, and have seen some Pop Warner cheerleaders, but nothing to worry about.They are polite, cute, and have rules on when they can practice.

Mousefest itself only has 1700 ppl. And if you think that MK can handle 50,000 on a busy day, that's nothing.

Just use what you have learned from this board. Go early, get fastpasses, take breaks if needed,MK will be busy on Saturdays, and make ADR's if it's someplace you want to eat.

And please do not worry about it. You will be at WDW!!

 

[Stitch's O'hana]

Just wanted to say, that my mom and I will be there those same dates~ Dec.5-12 too!!!!!! This will be our first time going in Dec., so all this info. helps! We can't wait!!!!!!

 

[scheddj]

We'll be going Dec 5-13. I don't care if it is busy, this is going to be the best Christmas present ever!

 

[WillCAD]

I've been to WDW in early December for the last 3 years running (this year's trip is only 37 days away).

Crowd levels have been steadily increasing over the last three years, but I would not say that WDW is crowded. It's certainly a lot less crowded than summer season, and nowhere near the peak holiday crowds.

The various groups and conventions can make certain parks crowded at certain times, but those are isolated pockets and all you have to do is avoid them. Restaurants, however, have been extrememly busy during this time and very tough to get into unless you made ADRs as early as possible.

For more perspective, you might browse through my trip reports from the last 3 years on my web site:
http://willcad.org/disney_trips.html

 

[disneygal33]

We'll be going Dec 5-13. I don't care if it is busy, this is going to be the best Christmas present ever!

I'm with you!! We'll be there the 9th-18th.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Crowd levels have been steadily increasing over the last three years, but I would not say that WDW is crowded. It's certainly a lot less crowded than summer season, and nowhere near the peak holiday crowds.

I think that's what is important. To keep it in perspective.

Yes, many of us talk about how Dec., Oct., and other times are "crowded" in the last few years.

It's all relative. The busiest day in early Dec. is going to still be slower than the slowest day in July.

This is when the internet can be bad for a vacation, when it makes you worry needlessly. The OP picked a great time to visit WDW, and there is simply no need to worry.

NED

 

[princess sparkle p]

Joining the December crowd 1-10!!! 32 days and counting!!!

 

[WillCAD]

Hey folks, since so many of us will be there, anybody want to try to put together a DIS meet or two? I'll be at a lot of MouseFest events, but in the two years I've been on the DIS Boards I have not yet been able to attend a bona fide DIS Meet.

We could either put together a seperate meet or just get together during one of the MouseFest meets that are already planned, like the MegaMouseMeet on Dec 9 or the MVMCP Wishes Meet on Dec 7 (that one is a LOT of fun but you need a MVMCP ticket).

 

[QuickGold]

Crowds should be on the low side of things, despite the fact Pop Warner is down there. Pop Warner has alot of events going on so if anything, the value resorts may be crowded but the parks fairly open.

 

[phantom728]

We're there from Dec 1st-9th and this is our first Holiday trip as well. Friends of ours went last year the same week and didn't think the crowds were that bad at all.

I like to be at the parks early this way I can get lots done

I'll have my LGMH's, so hope to see some of you!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Hey folks, since so many of us will be there, anybody want to try to put together a DIS meet or two? I'll be at a lot of MouseFest events, but in the two years I've been on the DIS Boards I have not yet been able to attend a bona fide DIS Meet.

We could either put together a seperate meet or just get together during one of the MouseFest meets that are already planned, like the MegaMouseMeet on Dec 9 or the MVMCP Wishes Meet on Dec 7 (that one is a LOT of fun but you need a MVMCP ticket).

Some of us who won't be at MVMCP on the 7th are going to be at Jellyrolls that evening...meet us there! We'll have our LGMH's on!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm going Dec. 8-16th. Hoping for low crowds too.

 

[jjan]

Considering that there is hardly one empty room (as of now) for Dec. 8th... I am wondering what the parks will be like. I am desperately trying to get one more night at Pop and there is almost nothing available anywhere