Help, should we go in Nov. or Dec.???

[janer03]

Hi, I'm trying to decide the best time to go to see the holiday decorations. We are looking for the lowest crowd time....I've been told the week before Thanksgiving? - are all the decoration's up? The week after Thanksgiving? The first 2 weeks in Dec. However, friends went last Dec. 3-7 and they said MK was so crowded due to Regis and Kelly parade taping. Should I be concerned with Pop Warner Dec. 3-9? Mousefest 7-11? If we wait to go Dec. 8-15, will it be too cold for swimming? And, what do you recommend seeing? Children will be dd - almost 10, twin ds - 5 My DH family went Dec. 25 to Jan. 1 last year and we couldn't do the crowd thing so we stayed home. My daughter wants to see the Christmas "stuff" but I'm not sure what to do....? Any help would be appreciated - I'm driving DH crazy and he said, "JUST PICK A WEEK!" However, he is not a planner!! Thanks in advance!

 

[BlindTyldak]

Several years ago I went Dec 1-4 and the crowds were not bad at all. I'd ask a CM when exactly they are doing the parade taping and just try to skip that week. The Christmas decorations are DEFINITELY worth seeing, MGM in particular is spectactular!

 

[Mickey1122]

Early December is an excellent time, to go, and all the decorations will be up. The crowds are not bad at all, and all the special events never seem to get the expected turn out. The pools are too cold for long smimming breaks, but are good in the afternoon.

 

[liamandcaili]

I could be wrong, but I think the holiday decorations do not go up until Thanksgiving week. DSIS and BIL were there right before Thanksgiving last year, and they said the crowds weren't bad until the Saturday or Sunday before Thanksgiving, then it got crazy. I went Nov 29 - Dec 6 last year, and it wasn't bad. It definitely wasn't low crowds, but there were some rides that were walk-ons, depending on the time of day. We were there during Mousefest, and we did not have any issues. We were able to make the ADRs we wanted, and even switch them that day if we wanted to arrive earlier. We went to MVMCP and then we were able to walk on to all the rides in MK before the Christmas parade. The only thing we didn't do was swim. It was quite chilly the first three days we were there (winter hats and gloves), especially at night, and then it warmed for the weekend, but not enough that we were needing a swim break. That time of year, the weather is pretty variable. DH and I honeymooned there the first week of November, and we did swim a couple of times during the day, but I was always wearing a sweater or light jacket in the morning and evening.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I could be wrong, but I think the holiday decorations do not go up until Thanksgiving week. DSIS and BIL were there right before Thanksgiving last year, and they said the crowds weren't bad until the Saturday or Sunday before Thanksgiving, then it got crazy. I went Nov 29 - Dec 6 last year, and it wasn't bad. It definitely wasn't low crowds, but there were some rides that were walk-ons, depending on the time of day. We were there during Mousefest, and we did not have any issues. We were able to make the ADRs we wanted, and even switch them that day if we wanted to arrive earlier. We went to MVMCP and then we were able to walk on to all the rides in MK before the Christmas parade. The only thing we didn't do was swim. It was quite chilly the first three days we were there (winter hats and gloves), especially at night, and then it warmed for the weekend, but not enough that we were needing a swim break. That time of year, the weather is pretty variable. DH and I honeymooned there the first week of November, and we did swim a couple of times during the day, but I was always wearing a sweater or light jacket in the morning and evening.

I know MVMCP is starting a couple of days after we leave on the 11th of November, so i think they'll have the decorations up by then . . . *laughs* I'm actually going to be curious if we get to see the park slowly transform to christmas during our trip!

 

[HappyGramma]

In 2004 I took my oldest dgd to WDW Dec 3-10 and the crowds weren't bad at all. The only other time I have seen the crowds smaller was when I went the 1st week of feb one year. The weather was warm enough to swim every day except for the saturday the 4th. I think it is a great time to go. I have a trip in the planning stages for the 1st week of Dec 2008.

 

[GretchGraham]

We went the 2nd week of December 03 and 04 and the first week of December last year. We noticed a larger crowd last year, probably due to the Christmas Parade taping and Pop Warner. We have found the 2nd week of December to be uncrowded.

As another poster said, the weather at that time is variable. We usually have one to two really cold days and one rather warm day, with the remainder in the moderate (jeans and 3/4 sleeve shirt) temperatures. We have found that we can count on one good day for swimming each week. This certainly makes it difficult to pack, but the low crowds and Christmas decorations make up for it.

 

[lizanne]

Last year we arrived the Saturday after Thanksgiving and stayed for 10 days. After that first weekend the crowds were minimal. I think they tape the parade the second weekend in Dec so I would avoid that time.


Just thought I'd mention that everything was in full Christmas mode. The lights, the shows, the parades, the decorations - everything.

 

[Greg K.]

A few years ago, we stayed at the BWI the second week of November. We went to bed and there were NO decorations anywhere. We got up the next morning, and the ENTIRE RESORT had been done over, overnight! CMs were putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree. Elves!?

Anyway: mid-November is when the decorating begins. By Thanksgiving Week, everything is more or less done. But for smaller crowds and more opportunities to feel all Christmas-y, go the first or second week of December. We did that one year, and it was wonderful. Many rides were walk-ons, or had waits of less than 15 minutes.

Make sure you check out different resorts -- the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge, in particular, are stunning during the holidays.

 

[MickeyNicki]

The last 2 years we went the second week in Dec, the crowds were very very low. The MVMCP was wonderful, felt like we had the park to ourselves.

THis year we are going the first weekend in Dec, hopefully it will not be crowded.

I think that most people go for Thanksgiving and start to come back for the holidays around Dec 18th to the New Year so that time may be very busy.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

A few years ago we arrived the Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving. The monorail resorts seemed to be in full swing regarding Christmas decorations. We toured each of them one evening. The parks had Christmas decorations up, but they were not lighted the whole time we were there (we left Thanksgiving Day). They may be on a bit of an earlier schedule this year, if I remember correctly what I read recently.

 

[soccermickey29]

I've never been to Disney during either one but this year my family and I are going in December. We are going to have a great time!!!