Is there any not super crowded time in December?

I can go anytime after Dec 8th..... is the whole month of December crazy?

Thanks!

No, not at all. We've gone twice the first week in December, most recently last year, and it was not bad at all. I think most of December is moderate till you hit the late teens, like 17/18 when schools start to go on break, and things ramp up from there.
 
Last edited:
I was there the first week of December last year & it wasn't bad at all. I doubt another few days would have made much of a difference.
 

We'll be there the 5th-11th and when looking a tourplans.com the parks look pretty low on crowd level.
 
I'm hoping for low crowds 10-14th. I'm sure it will be a bit more calm but not perfect!
 
The first half of December is what I have heard to be really slow...you have to figure, most people aren't going to take their kids out just before a school break, especially as that is often a time with end of the year exams and such. If they want to go in December, they will just wait for break.
 
/
I used this to help me figure out when to travel:
http://**************.net/2014/09/28/2016-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

It gives rankings based on how busy it will be, how much things will cost and what is/isn't available.
 
We have gone in the past first week of Dec. and was not that bad , but now it seem to be crowded year around, we went this year early May and thought the schools would be in secession and I never seen so many kids and was crowded, people from overseas seem to fill it in....
 
We always go early December. This year is 6th thru the 15th. Based on crowd calendars might be a tad more crowded than it used to be at this time of year- but overall not too bad. MK on MVMCP days is great- hardly anyone there because the park closes early for the party and people don't feel they are getting their 'money's worth' since there is no evening parade and fireworks for general admission guests- so many go elsewhere. I wouldn't go much after these dates though- as we backed our trip up almost 2 weeks since the crowd calendars show some serious congestion starting on the 19th.
 
Our family went one year from the 8-18th. One of the least crowded times I've ever been. Around the 16th crowds picked up, but still weren't anywhere near capacity. Wishing that was an option for our family this year, but we are going to be facing the masses. Have a great trip.
 
I'm going this year from 12/11 to 12/20. I thought that this would be a good week since it is right before the holiday and as pp indicated, folks won't take kids out of school when they will be off at some point the following week. So I'm hoping for not crowded; although I assume the weekend portions will be crowded with Floridians to see MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, last year of Osborne lights, and, of course, last minute XMAS shopping.
 
Having been every December for the last 10 years, I will echo what others may have told you--there are NO *slow* times as we once knew them. The difference within the last 5 years is significant. It is still GREAT time to go, but you cannot go expecting low to no crowds. Rope drop is still your best friend. Wait times for headliners will still be 50-60 minutes by lunch each day.

I have noticed that starting between the 8th and the 10th, the crowds increase noticeably each day.

There are also way too many assumptions made about "when schools let out."

Some colleges let out on the 4th. Year round schools have funky schedules and don't forget home schoolers. The public schools in this county let out the 10th.
 
The school districts in my area go right up until the bitter end... the 18th.. sigh...
 
WE have been in December twice and I found both weeks, one was the first week, and one was thr 12 thru the 21st, were moderately crowded. I think a lot depends on when Christmas actually falls if you are traveling towards the last of December.
The weekend before can be very busy if Christmas falls midweek. Even if schools are in session, folks will take children out to get a jump start on the trip.
 
WOW! Some schools let kids out on the 10th--I guess I'm glad that next year I'm going earlier--hopefully the 2nd to the 10th. I heartily agree with the notion that things just get busier and busier. I've been going all the way back to 1978 and I've definitely noticed that there are no really slow periods anymore--just periods that are not so bad. I went the 1st week in February this year and it wasn't so bad, but busier than I expected for that time. In the end, still worth going and I seem to be going more and more now--maybe I'm part of the problem!:crazy2:
 
We are going the 13-20th this year. It's been almost ten years since we've gone at this time. I'm not expecting to be alone on the monorail this time around!
 
Last three years been there the first week of December. Definitely NOT slow. Not holiday busy, but not slow. Anna & Elsa had posted times of 180 minutes, 7DMT 100 mins, Space Mountain 60 mins, etc. Last year we attended the MVMCP and decided as a family it was our last. Crowds were ridiculous. Couldn't do anything.

Still a GREAT time to go, just don't expect no lines on the rides.
 













Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE







New Posts







DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top