Is December What It Used To Be?

[KevinM]

We were in WDW last December 07-14 and found the crowds to be (at times) managable but by no means light. We are returning again this year from Dec 05 - 13.

My question is for veterans of December trips:

Because just about every website and book lists the first 2 weeks of December as one of the best times to visit, have crowds been increasing yearly? Or is it because I haven't been to WDW during peak season in years that I don't know what really big crowds are like?

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

To me, the crowds were heavier during the first week of December 2003 than they were the first week of December 2002. I think the word is out.

That said, it is still much much better than moderate and peak times. If fact, there is no comparison.

Tink

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I'll be there those exact same days!

One bad thing about that week is that the value resorts, and some moderates, are overflowing with kids from the Pop Warner Football Thingey. The only time I've really noticed them is at the food court during breakfast, though.

 

[tcw02]

It doesn't seem to matter when you go - there are always alot of people walking around. The difference is in early December there are not that many people waiting in line compared to peak times when there are a ton of people waiting in line!

The best time for no crowds was my mid January trip. We have been three times in the beginning of December but Janaury was definately the least crowded IMHO.

 

[tcw02]

It doesn't seem to matter when you go - there are always alot of people walking around. The difference is in early December there are not that many people waiting in line compared to peak times when there are a ton of people waiting in line!

The best time for no crowds was my mid January trip. We have been three times in the beginning of December but Janaury was definately the least crowded IMHO.

I remember going on those December trips and saying to my husband - this is the slow time - what are all these people doing here? He pointed out the difference to me.

Our early December trips are over -kids can't miss school any more - (son is in high school) so we are going 12/18 -12/26 and I am bracing myself for the worst - but hoping it won't be too bad.

 

[MyboysluvBuzz]

We went last December 14th-19th. We did not think the crowds were heavy at all. Fantasyland did get crowded in the afternoons, but we went early and rode everything with little or no wait. We went to MVMCP on the 15th (I think that was the day) and we walked on to every ride. Now, things did pick up on the 19th when we were leaving. I know a lot of people were coming in for Christmas week. It may not be deserted anymore, but it is still a wonderful time to go. The decorations are beautiful and the wait times are minimal.