Help me choose...Nov 18-22, 2020 or Dec 9-13, 2020!

[lynzi2004]

We have been to WDW 4 times, 2 times in Spring, 1 time late May and most recently September 2019. We are planning our 2020 trip and want to see the parks decorated at Christmas. I was fairly set on my Dec 9-13 dates staying at a value resort. We tried POFQ last trip, and although we liked it, our young kids want the big statue/cheesy Disney. Our youngest (8, 6, 2) will turn 3 next January so this is our last chance for a value resort without needing 2 rooms. We plan on 3 park days, plus a Christmas party. But then I started reading about Pop Warner and that the values can be a mad house. So, that’s when i started looking at the Nov dates. I figured everyone mentions mid-Nov as being a lower crowd time and that would avoid the Pop Warner craziness and we are out of there before the Thanksgiving crowds arrive. BUT doing more research, Touring plans has crowd levels higher then and Disney ticket prices are also higher in November, so I’m not sure exactly what to do! Those are really the only 2 times we can consider due to the craziness of the holiday season and some prior commitments. If you had to choose or if you’ve been during those times, which would you pick and why? Thanks in advance!

 

[SamFaniam]

I would choose the December dates, and in a location most likely to avoid some of the sports groups, I would stay at Art of Animation. Much of the resort is family suites, but the Little Memaid buildings are regular rooms.

I think the issue that you’re seeing with your November dates, is they aren’t quite far enough in front of Thanksgiving. People will be arriving the weekend before Thanksgiving to start week long stays there. The end of the week is busier, but the front of the week can be busy also.

 

[NancyIL]

December is my favorite time to visit WDW. Even though the Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom starts shortly after Halloween - most of the other Christmas festivities don't begin until the day after Thanksgiving.

 

[DWillowBay]

December!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Definitely December. Crowds won’t be as bad and rooms are cheaper.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

What about the first week of December? Get out of there before the Pop Warner groups arrive.

 

[MulanMom]

I love December, but I have to say, one time we were there mid-Novemberish. It was so crowded during the last days of the F&W festival, then veterans day. But the following few days, we had the parks to ourselves. If I didn't have to worry about kids being in school, I'd definitely return during that week as long as it has MVMCP available.

The December time period is also really sweet. I think you'd do fine with either.

 

[DisneyandBeerLover]

I would say December because Festival of the Holidays won't be going for your November dates.

 

[Laura's Dad]

We have done both general times, and I, too, would chose December. Much more to do if you want the Christmas feel. We really enjoyed the feel of the parks this past December.

 

[evlaina]

Pop Warner is December 5-12, so you will be right in the middle of it if you're at an All-Star, and I highly advise you against that. If you're willing to go to POFQ or another resort (other than CBR or Coronado, they can stay there, too), that's the only way I would stay with those dates. The problem with switching to the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA is that they're often not part of any free dining or room discount deals, plus they're not in a great location. I personally don't take any consideration to where my kids would prefer, because they would honestly like any resort - they're all kid-friendly.

Another poster mentioned the first week of December, which is our favorite time to go. Our dates overlap a bit with PW, but because we don't stay at the resorts they stay at, we don't even see them - you won't notice them in the parks at all, and the weather and crowds are lovely that time of year.

 

[CynBeth]

December!

 

[Laura's Dad]

Pop Warner is December 5-12, so you will be right in the middle of it if you're at an All-Star, and I highly advise you against that. If you're willing to go to POFQ or another resort (other than CBR or Coronado, they can stay there, too), that's the only way I would stay with those dates. The problem with switching to the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA is that they're often not part of any free dining or room discount deals, plus they're not in a great location. I personally don't take any consideration to where my kids would prefer, because they would honestly like any resort - they're all kid-friendly.

Another poster mentioned the first week of December, which is our favorite time to go. Our dates overlap a bit with PW, but because we don't stay at the resorts they stay at, we don't even see them - you won't notice them in the parks at all, and the weather and crowds are lovely that time of year.

We didn't even notice Pop Warner was there. We were at OKW and the Beach Club.

 

[scooterD]

We are going to leave Saturday, November 28th to head down and then come home Friday, December 4th. We did this same week when our children were very young and it was wonderful! Perfect weather, low crowds and all the Christmas excitement! Now we will be taking our first (and only so far) granddaughter on her first trip that week. She will be 17 months old and we are giddy with excitement! I'd definitely say go the first week in December.

 

[evlaina]

We didn't even notice Pop Warner was there. We were at OKW and the Beach Club.

That's what I'm saying - we stayed at AKL and didn't know they were around, and this year we're there for part of it but we'll be at WL so won't see them either. It's a great week unless you're staying with them!