I'm jonesin' here!

[StageTek]

I did my first ever trip to the world last September. Solo.

Thanks to the people on this board I did everything right and had
an amazing 11 day trip. No crowds. And that's the key for me.

Now I'm just itching for more planning and talking about my next
trip. I won't be able to go again in September so I'm thinking of
going right after Thanksgiving - exactly a year from now. Who
knows what a year will bring and maybe it won't be solo - I just
might find the DisneyGirl I've been looking for. But until then
I'm thinking about that time - well, this time - of year there.

From what I've read it seems that right after Thanksgiving and
into the the first of December has as few crowds as September
right after Labor Day. Wow, did I love it there at that time.

I'm a sucker for Christmas decorations and music and Disneyland is
amazing right now. I assume the World is amazing, too.

Anyone care to tell me about the crowd at this time of year? And
when, usually, the crowds stat to pick up. I'm just itching to
get some planning going. I suspect most of you know that feeling.

 

[englishrose47]

I can't tell you from first hand experience but I too have read that the crowds are good the first week of December ! I plan on going in 2009 for the F&W fest at Epcot and then my next will be Xmas decorations ! I'm hoping my F&W covers the Halloween theme!! My nexttrip is Feb and I'm going to aP&PP and am very excited about it. Keep checking these boards for others going in Dec. 2008 and you may be able to meet up with some!!

 

[NH_Bubba]

I can tell you first hand that that is an awsome time to be in WDW . The week right after Thanksgiving is the better week. The first week of Dec. is the POP Warner Championships and a Cheerleading Torney but even than it isn't bad if you do a little planning to avoid the MK on early entry.
If your into Chrimas decorations you'll want to set aside sometime to visting several Resorts. My presonal favs are the Boardwalk and Wilderness lodge. If you have the time it's worth a trip over to Universal to check out there stuff and it's wicked slowover there.

 

[chyam]

Another thing you may want to check out is www.mousefest.org they always have a huge meet there during the first week in Dec. the same week as Pop Warner, but even so the crowds are not bad, since Pop Warner kids are usually busy at their events during the day. Anyways Mousefest allows you to set up meets with other Disney nuts, there are always alot of solos that you can meet for either meals or rides, this year I met 5 others for dinner at the CP and then we met everyone for the fireworks and the parade, and then there was the Small World ride. It may give you just enough company and enough solo time. It is always beautiful up there during the holidays. I did MVMCP with some others from mousefest and we had a great time on Thursday night. The only thing is if you are interested in those dates you have to book a room fairly early, since the resorts fill up early, with the Pop Warner kids taking up alot of the rooms at the values with their families, and then the overflow is usually the POR. But as I said the parks themselves are manageable.

 

[StageTek]

Mousefest sounds fun. Thanks for that.

Right now I'm planning to splurge on a Deluxe - BoardWalk or
Wilderness sounds great. I'm even thinking of one of the Fort
Wilderness Cabins. Maybe overkill for a solo trip, but they look
so cool.

 

[Redbudlover]

I thought I was the only one crazy enough to book a deluxe solo!

 

[RachelTori]

Mousefest sounds fun. Thanks for that.

Right now I'm planning to splurge on a Deluxe - BoardWalk or
Wilderness sounds great. I'm even thinking of one of the Fort
Wilderness Cabins. Maybe overkill for a solo trip, but they look
so cool.

Have you considered Animal Kingdom Lodge?

 

[NewYorkRedNeck]

The cabins do look so cool for a solo trip

 

[Carrieannew]

Sounds fun. Wish I could afford a deluxe solo. Just cant swing it yet. Feb will be my first solo just doing a long weekend. Staying Value this time.

Have fun planning!

 

[StageTek]

Rachel - I have considered Animal Kingdom. It looks great.

NYRedNeck - I really like the idea of sitting on the porch of the
cabin at the end of a long day. I wonder if I can smoke a cigar
out there?

When I was there in September I got to Ft. Wilderness really early
for the "Hoop Dee Do" and took a long walk among the cabins. That
kind of sold me.

Carrie - It still seems kind of early to be planning for a Dec
2008 trip, but I just love the process. I don't like crowds and I
had such a great time in September, so I'm concerned about the
first couple weeks in December. I know I'll love the Christmas
decorations, so things should be great no matter what.

I'm just spoiled after that Sept. trip.

I see you're doing your first solo trip. Mine was SO much fun
I highly recommend it.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

Rachel - I have considered Animal Kingdom. It looks great.

NYRedNeck - I really like the idea of sitting on the porch of the
cabin at the end of a long day. I wonder if I can smoke a cigar
out there?

When I was there in September I got to Ft. Wilderness really early
for the "Hoop Dee Do" and took a long walk among the cabins. That
kind of sold me.

Carrie - It still seems kind of early to be planning for a Dec
2008 trip, but I just love the process. I don't like crowds and I
had such a great time in September, so I'm concerned about the
first couple weeks in December. I know I'll love the Christmas
decorations, so things should be great no matter what.

I'm just spoiled after that Sept. trip.

I see you're doing your first solo trip. Mine was SO much fun
I highly recommend it.

Right after TG is a perfect time....decorations are up, no crowds...also the 2nd week in December. Tail end of mousefest...so you could get in on the festivities and no more Pop Warner football or cheerleaders. I found them kind of obnoxious (when they scream cheers at the top of their lungs on Splash for example) and spoiled the peace of MK when I went solo the first week of December a few years' back.

If you're truly looking for a Disney Girl, check out the "Any Single Disney Men..." thread, read a bit and you will see that some have found true love.

 

[StageTek]

That's what I'm hoping for. Christmas decorations and low crowds.

I don't think the kids will bother me. I still love their
exuberance - even screaming out cheers while enjoying a ride is
something I would actually get a kick out of. I'm assuming that
staying at a deluxe will be nicer during that time. I'm cool which
kids going nuts in the parks, but I can imagine it getting old fast
at the hotel.

I have checked out the 600 plus page, 9,700 posts thread and found
it quite intimidating. I see some people have actually connected
there, but I just get lost in there.

 

[Carrieannew]

That's what I'm hoping for. Christmas decorations and low crowds.

I don't think the kids will bother me. I still love their
exuberance - even screaming out cheers while enjoying a ride is
something I would actually get a kick out of. I'm assuming that
staying at a deluxe will be nicer during that time. I'm cool which
kids going nuts in the parks, but I can imagine it getting old fast
at the hotel.

I have checked out the 600 plus page, 9,700 posts thread and found
it quite intimidating. I see some people have actually connected
there, but I just get lost in there.

No need to be intimidated. Most dont bit... I do. But thats another story. There is also dismates and chat. We chat most night around 9pm Eastern time.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

That's what I'm hoping for. Christmas decorations and low crowds.

I don't think the kids will bother me. I still love their
exuberance - even screaming out cheers while enjoying a ride is
something I would actually get a kick out of. I'm assuming that
staying at a deluxe will be nicer during that time. I'm cool which
kids going nuts in the parks, but I can imagine it getting old fast
at the hotel.

I have checked out the 600 plus page, 9,700 posts thread and found
it quite intimidating. I see some people have actually connected
there, but I just get lost in there.

Wilderness Lodge is absolutely beautiful at Christmas....If I remember correctly from the Yuletide Fantasy Tour....it boasts the largest Christmas tree on property. If you think the kids at the hotel are a bit much, stay completely away from the Value resorts....I hear they practice on the lawn at all hours. Disney is for everyone....I realize they have the right to enjoy it, but I am old and need my sleep at night.

Have a Magical Trip!!!

We get to go at the end of Feb for the next time!

 

[Taja]

Just returned from WDW December 7th - 17th. Caught the end of Pop Warner/cheerleader competitions, but they really didn't affect anything. Crowds mostly were light, although not as light as years past (2003 and 2004), but that's the case throughout the year now.

We stayed at Pop Century, with plans to transfer to YC. However, first-timers with us loved PC, so we stayed there the entire visit. Resort was busy, but not horrendously crowded. We don't do mornings, so have no idea about the Food Court for breakfast! *LOL*

I used WDW transportation most of the visit and, other than park closing (probably opening, but we don't do mornings), waits were minimal and buses weren't particularly crowded. Had more issues with Friendship boats at the EPCTO resorts when touring there. Finally was able to board the fifth boat leaving YC for Studios!

Other than Soarin', most of the "big" rides had stand-by/single rider queues of 35 minutes or less. My friend's daughter went on EE 3 consecutive times (disembarking each time) mid-afternoon during the week. I wasn't there, but I know she won't wait more than 15 minutes for an attraction. Possibly 20, if she really wants to ride or see something! *LOL*

Edited to add:
We didn't hear a peep out of cheerleaders at PC. And most of the guests seemed to be respecting the designated smoking areas--at least in the are where we stayed.

 

[ttester9612]

Not sure if anyone is reading this thread, but thought I post anyway.

I'm booked for Dec 11-17 at SOG, it's to celebrate my Dad's 80th BDay. He's never been to Disney. I'm so looking forward to seeing all the XMas decorations. My sisters don't like doing Disney as much as I do, so I'll probably go off on my own quite a bit while they wonder off world. For those that will be there then, let me know if you want to meet up.

I'm enjoying the planning of it all, that I am considering doing a solo in May or June.

 

[StageTek]

I decided in the WL for the first 8 days and then my dad is coming out to spend 3 days so I'm going to book a FW cabin. As I understand it the cabin's have a separate bedroom, right? That way my dad can hit the hay early and not be bothered by me coming in late.

I'm so excited to see the World at Christmas time!

 

[ttester9612]

I decided in the WL for the first 8 days and then my dad is coming out to spend 3 days so I'm going to book a FW cabin. As I understand it the cabin's have a separate bedroom, right? That way my dad can hit the hay early and not be bothered by me coming in late.

I'm so excited to see the World at Christmas time!

I forgot about FW cabin, yes each cabin has a living room, bedroom, a full kitchen and bathroom. The living room has a pull-down double bed. Maybe I need to rethink about staying at SOG, but then I do like being near the Poly (love Kona Cafe's coffee). I want to be some where close to easy transportation for my dad, this way if he gets tired during the day then he can go back to the room and I can continue to play.

Have you decided when in December?

 

[StageTek]

Right now the plan is Dec 1 through 13 - my dad coming out on the 9th. I'm hoping that first week (right after Thanksgiving) will be as uncrowded as September. My dad isn't much of a Disney guy but I know he'll really enjoy Animal Kingdom and he wants to see Epcot so the rest of the time will be walking and bike riding around Ft. Wilderness and me maybe dragging him to the shows I wrote - which he has never seen.

I'm wondering about booking through a travel agent. Anyone have thoughts on that? I've done the research so I know the rack rates. I wonder if I would save anything using a TA...

 

[ttester9612]

For airfare only, I normally use AAA, Expedia, Travelocity or directly with the airline and then select the lowest fare.