Mixed Messages About December

[Simba's Mom]

I was there the week after Thanksgiving last year (into the first week of December) and had a very nice conversation with a server about December crowds. She said that up until a few years ago, early December used to be the best time to go for low crowds. However, she said, and I agreed, that the last few years the crowds have rapidly increased, like the secret about early December has really spread. So now, she doesn't see a noticeable drop-off between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I thought it was manageable, but certainly not sparse. BTW, she said that the best time for low crowds is now late January, early February.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

It's crowded. We were just there Dec 3-10 2005 and, believe me, it's crowded.

I was there the 4-11 and we didn't think it was crowded at all

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

I'm have ressie's for December 4 thru 10, and really torned on what to do.

I have read all i can read when i search about december half of the dis's say december is not to crowded and and the other half say it was crowded, and i am talking about the first week in december only.

I would like to hear from people that went say last year on the first week of dec and get your thoughts on it.

Thanks
brooke

we went last year(first 10 days of dec) only days we noticed bigger crowds was on friday and saturday. 15-30 minute waits on most rides. a fast pass on the more popular rides(we only used 3 fast passes in 10 days)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hopefully this year will make 8th year in a row for me at that time. Historically, from right after Thanksgiving (Sunday) up to the 3rd week in Dec has been the slowest of the year. I think it is a bit more crowded the last few years, but still very reasonable crowd levels. And then I use TGM to send me to the right parks on the right days, where the crowds are not. Enjoy.

 

[wld]

We were there the exact same time you are talking about last year. A couple of times we got fast passes until we realized that many rides likethe safari said 20 min waits, but in reality were a walk on. The only time our bus was crowded was after wishes at mk. (but I think less buses run too than used to) We didn't wait in too bad of lines for CS meals, but we paid attention. Alot of times the lines would be long if we were dumb enough to eat at noon, but they were the lines just when you walked in the door or on the side and the middle lines would have maybe one person in them. I really don't remember standing in lines much at all for anything rides included. But then we don't really mind a 10 or 20 minute wait as you wind through the area. It's usually entertaining.
It is certainly busier that in January, but it is much more beautiful too, and not as many things are down for rehab. And while it is busier in early December than it was on our first trip in 1994, it is still not bad at all. The only thing I was suprised at was how busy the evening magic hour was at both ak and mk. We used to go to EE and could do alot...not so with the evening ones.
A word on the pop warner kids...we were at akl so didn't run into them at our hotel. And there was only once we noticed them in the park. It was at mk during the evening magic hour and we were by where it narrows to go from frontierland to fantasy land. It was rather crowded there with strollers and such and a group of boys came running through pushing and punching each other trying to push each other in front of strollers and such. Pain in the butt..but since they were moving quickly, they were gone quickly
Really, just go and do it....I don't think you will be disappointed

 

[erikthewise]

We have gone early Dec every year since 2001. While the crowds are now of course larger than in 2001, they are still not bad at all. Any day of the week we can go to a park at opening and there will only be a few hundred people. Of course the headliner attractions later in the day will often have long lines, but no news there.

I think January and September have the lowest crowd levels, but early Dec is still a great time to go!

 

[AshleyMWC]

We went the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to the following Monday in 2004, and we are going the same week this year. Before that I had only been in August, or at holiday times, so it seemed empty to me! There were a few waits, but we found ourselves rarely ever needing the fast passes. I think the key for us was that we had no children with us (unless you count us, ages 23 and 25 at the time), and the majority of the crowd seemed to be small kids. We figured the bigger kids were back in school.

We went last year the first week in November, for the food & wine festival (two very big thumbs up, by theway), and that was more crowded, but we found it VERY manageable.

All in all, if you use park hopping, and take advantage of EMH, you should be fine I would think. Maybe we are just lucky, but we have not had problems dodging crowds the last 2 years. Also, the Christmas decorations make going this time of year worth it, no matter what the crowds look like. I personally find the atmosphere almost just as appealing as the rides.

Plus, Disney is NEVER EMPTY anymore, so you might as well just go and have a good time, and accept the fact that there is NO WAY to do EVERYTHING all the parks have to offer- it's a good excuse to come back

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

There is no "dead" season at Disney anymore, but there are periods of light attendance, and December (until the end) is one of them.

When reading people talking (particularly WDW veterans) about crowd levels, you need to keep in mind it's all relative. The busiest day in early December couldn't hold a single flame up to the slowest day in the Summer (or Christmas, for that matter).

As long as you don't go during one of the big seasons, you will be fine. Don't let comparisons to the far past cloud your thinking. Yes, it's not as dead as it used to be in the off-season, but we're talking 5 minute wait versus 10 minute wait for big attractions, not 5 minute wait versus 60 minute wait like you'd see in the summer or big holiday break times.

Don't worry...be happy! Early Dec. is a great time to go. I'm going Early Nov. only because of airline deals, but my first choice was the same time you are going - and I've been a Disney vet of the off season for about 17 years. You'll be fine!

NED

 

[Viki]

I was there the 4-11 and we didn't think it was crowded at all

See my definition of crowded

But, I also have to say there certainly were 90 minute to 2-hour posted wait times at Epcot in the evening for Test Track and Soarin, with fast passes gone by afternoon. However, as I said above, if you've got a plan, you'll be fine!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

We Will Be Headed Out On Our Fourth Trip In December In The Past Five Years. I Would Venture To Say Not Busy. Now Our First Year There Our Trip Ended On The 18th And It Was Awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We Walked In Epcot And Walked Out In Less Than 10 Minutes. They Told Us It Was Because Of Christmas Week. The First To Second Week Has Always Worked For Us. I Love The Decorations, Spirit Of Guests And Workers, And Everything In Between. My First Time I Was In Complete Awe. I Wish Everyone Could Have That Same Experience. We Are Hooked!!! This Year We Are Ending Our Stay On A Disney Cruise. I Wish You The Best And Have A Wonderful Time.