Help me pick dates in December!

[teach1abc]

We need to reschedule our dates. We are looking at either Dec. 2-5 or Dec. 6-9. We typically go for a half day afternoon/night, two full days, and half day morning before leaving for home. Which option do you think will have lower crowds? We want to be able to see the parade, fireworks, and World of Color. I have not been on dis since our last trip, before the board changed the format, so I am not sure how to search the board for the December crowd predictor, entertainment schedules from last year, etc., so I would love some input. Thanks!!

 

[figment_jii]

Truthfully, I'm not sure there is a huge difference between the two sets of dates you've picked (Wed to Sat or Sun to Wed). I would guess that the first set of dates, Friday evening and Saturday are likely to be the busiest, while in the second set of dates, Sunday is likely to be busy. So in that way, the Sun to Wed schedule might see slightly lower crowds, but probably not a huge difference. Fireworks, the parade, and WoC are usually presented nightly from the start of the holiday season in November. Only F! remains on the weekends only schedule until closer to Christmas. Candlelight Processional is scheduled for Sat and Sun evening, so you'll see crowds on Main Street (it doesn't seem to have a huge impact on the rest of the park).

The mostly commonly mentioned crowd predictors seem to be Touring Plans, IsItPacked, and RMHTravel. wdwinfo also forecasts the hours for December (note that it is just a forecast and everything is subject to change).

 

[StormyCA]

I'd take the Sun-Wed. We usually start our visits with a Sunday and end on Thurs (sometimes with a Friday 1/2 day then leave for home around 1pm). I'd rather start with the busiest day (Sunday) and get the crowd 'over with' rather than end with them (Fri/Sat).

 

[Astylla]

I'd definitely take Sun-Wed. We will be there Dec 5th - 12th and with the possibility of the candlelight processional Sat 5th and Sun 6th, I would start with the busiest day.
We usually have great luck this time of year overall but I would book something soon before more word gets out about the CP and sometimes hotels raise rates.

 

[Sherry E]

I'd take the Sun-Wed. I've done that time frame before (more than once) and it's good. That's my preferred time to go. Keep in mind, though, that the crowds are not going to be light or low unless it rains. The parks have already been really busy and we're not even into the holiday season yet. I believe I read that Disneyland reached capacity for a brief time a couple of days ago -- and that never happens at this point in September. The holiday season will only mean more crowds.

 

[Angrose]

Another vote for Sun-Wed. Hotels will be cheaper those days. There are some good deals for the onsite hotels right now. Look on Orbitz and you can use the 15% promo as well.

 

[Astylla]

We're staying at the DLH standard view for 274 a night ( before tax) from Mon-Thurs ( rate goes up Friday) for the AP offer for Dec. 7th - 12th but the Orbitz deal is good too. If you need tickets they have a deal going with that also which could help !
Use promo packyourbags for an extra discount on Orbitz