Newbie - Help w/when to go!

[KrazyKat4DIS]

OK, so I may a little premature in my planning, but we are planning a trip to WDW in either December 2011 or January 2012 (yeah, can you tell I am a little excited) . When is it better to go? If we go in December it would be the week before schools let out for winter break. We could go any week in January.

In terms of experience, what would you recommend? This will be my first time to WDW since I was 8 years and it will DBF first time ever (we are Disneyland vets and annual passholders, but this is a whole other ballgame).

I do love Disneyland at Christmastime, but I wonder if the crowds at WDW in December will take away from the experience. However, January (at least at DL) is refurb month and I don't want to miss a lot due to closures.

What do you guys think??

 

[Stumpy]

We've never been in January because it's just not the same for me seeing the holiday decorations after the New Year. However, we've been at various points in December and it is a wonderful time to go. With the exception of this year, the temperature is pleasant and the crowds are not as bad.

In years past we left the day of or after Thanksgiving and stayed a week. The parks were not crowded and it was wonderful. In fact, the first two times we did the MVMCP event there were NO lines. This year, however, we went a week later, from Dec. 4-12. It was much more crowded and really wasn't quite as enjoyable. Granted, this was during the Pop Warner week, but they really weren't the problem because we didn't see too many of them most of the time. I think it was partially due to the fact that it was a week later and more kids were out of school and possibly the dining promotion was ending.

I'm sure you're aware, but I believe they will be starting the Fantasyland renovation this spring and it is expected to take about 4 years, so a portion of the park will be under some heavy construction while you're there.

 

[BradyBz12]

This past year the Christmas crowds started coming in earlier than usual - I'd assume because of a lot of people were off the week leading up to Christmas as well as the week between Christmas and New Years. Not sure if that will be the case this year with Christmas falling on a Saturday, but if you can go earlier than that, crowds shouldn't be terrible. I'd expect it to get busier and busier in the week leading up to Christmas.

The first 3 weeks of Dec. have been getting a little busier each year, but crowds are still generally in the low-moderate range. Of course depending on promotions offered, your mileage may vary. We usually go at this time and love it, but this year we went in November instead and reports were that all the promos brought in bigger-than-usual crowds in early Dec.

Crowds aside, it's a super festive time of year to go!

January crowds are historically low after New Years, but the holiday decorations usually come down quickly and as you noted, it's generally prime time for refurbs as well.

Personally I'd shoot for early December - just be prepared for it to possibly be a little crowded and have a good touring plan, and you should be just fine.

That said if you're going to be cutting it close to Christmas break week.....

January.