Help with dates--late Nov/mid Dec?

[MarieS]

We had originally wanted to go the first week of Dec, but have decided against it due to the Pop Warner groups. We want to see the Christmas decorations and do MVMCP. Both of my boys are in wheelchairs so we need to go during less crowds. We will be driving down if that makes a difference. One alternate date is arrive Nov 25, the Sunday after Thanksgiving and stay 7 days. This would have us leaving the day after PW usually starts. Our second choice is arriving Sat Dec 8--the usual end of PW.
Does anyone have advice on which of these alternate dates would be best for us? Thanks!

Marie

 

[nutty4wdw]

though that sunday may be crowded i think the first week after thanksgiving is a good choice as far as crowds go. however, i'm not sure all the christmas decorations will be up. maybe others on the board will have more info on that.

 

[bluedoggy]

We have gone to WDW in the middle of November the last 2 years, and have found the crowds very manageable. Plus the Christmas decorations are at least partly put up. We have seen the Osborne Lights both times, as they have turned them on around Nov 13th-14th. We usually left to come home the Saturday before Thanksgiving, just as the Thanksgiving crowd was arriving.

 

[MarieS]

We have gone to WDW in the middle of November the last 2 years, and have found the crowds very manageable. Plus the Christmas decorations are at least partly put up. We have seen the Osborne Lights both times, as they have turned them on around Nov 13th-14th. We usually left to come home the Saturday before Thanksgiving, just as the Thanksgiving crowd was arriving.

If we came after Thanksgiving, our first day in the parks would be on Monday. Are the Thg crowds usually the week leading up to Thg or the week after? Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

The week after is historically slow.

 

[MarieS]

Sounds like the week after Thg is a good choice. Does anyone know if all the Christmas decorations are up then? Thanks!

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

We just went 11/26-12/1 and it was perfect for us. I thought that it was a wonderful time to go. We plan on doing it again next year, too.

 

[buffalogirl]

We went 11/29 (the Weds. after Thankgiving)-12/06/06. Stayed at CSR. The weather was beautiful, all the decorations were up, it was the value season (got a moderate room $99. + tax per night with a code) and had no problems with Pop Warner. Yes, we saw them at the parks, but they didn't impact our vacation. My only slightly negative encounter with the Pop Warner groups was on the Tower of Terror, they kept screaming during the intro in the library. I just made sure I wasn't on the elevator with them .

I would love to go again next year at the same time. I highly recommend Tour Guide Mike. We had minimal waits and walk ons for many of the popular rides. My son was thrilled he got to ride Buzz Lightyear 3 times in 30 minutes.
The TGM site takes some getting used to and there's lots of info to sift through, but it's sooo worth it.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

Yes, TGM is the best. We used him, too.