Question about after Thanksgiving/early December

[cmark]

We're still new at all this, but this board is "THE" greatest source for the info. We are thinking about going down after Thanksgiving. We even have booked dates at our home resort, OKW. My questions are--1) When do the Thanksgiving crowds leave? We have heard that early December is very uncrowded, but we must go the week right after Thanksgiving. 2) We really want to stay at VWL--at the 7 month window, will it be hard to change over? 3) Are all the holiday decorations/special activities in place by the week after Thanksgiving? Thanks for the great info!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

This past year, we started our trip December 3. All the decorations were up, but it was a lot more crowded than we were expecting. The crowds did thin out by about the 7th, and it was more like what we had expected. I think a lot of people try to do what you are planning to take advantage of the holiday decorations. We also noticed the Pop Warner leagues were there for their tournaments at Disney sports complex, and they definately added to the crowds.

Disneydiane

 

[jkfreeman33]

We were also there 12/2 - 12/9 last year. It was much more crowded than in years past. It was also on the chilly side for most of that week. We are going to try the 2nd week of Dec this year. Hoping the crowds go back to the 1st week. The weather can be iffy in Dec. Usually we have had really good weather , but not last year... The entire world is really decked out with the decorations. Too pretty for words, it really is something you have to see to believe.

 

[jennybobenny]

We've gone the week after Thanksgiving 3 times now and just love it. We already have reservations for this year beginning on Nov 22nd until Dec. 1st. Keep in mind the weather can be on the chilly side. Usually during the day it's warm enough to swim but once the sun goes down it can be very cold. The first year I made the mistake of thinking 'Florida-cold' wouldn't be as cold as 'New England-cold'. Boy was I wrong. I'll never be caught without long pants and a sweatshirt again. Just forget about 'packing light' and you'll be all set.

The decorations are up in the resorts and the parks. The Christmas trees are larger than life (don't miss the ones at the Grand Floridian or Wilderness Logde). The Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club each have their own versions of amazing Gingerbread houses (and they smell yummy, too!)
Plus there are alot of extra perks at this time of year - MGM has the Osborne Family Lights, Epcot has the Candlelight Processional and the Magic Kingdom has Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Keep in mind that MK and MGM close early almost every night this week - usually around 7pm. Even though the crowds are lighter than during the summer or at Christmastime it can sometimes seem jam packed since there are alot of people trying to see the parks, but in a smaller time frame. This is the first year we'll actually be in WDW for Thanksgiving. I've read that the weekend after the holiday is very crowded but after Sunday the crowds dwindle noticeably.

Since we've only stayed at our home resort (BWV) I don't know too much about the availability of DVC resorts at the 7 month mark. Good luck switching to WLV.

<font face="Class Garmnd BT"><font color="ff69b4"><big>Jennybºoº benny</big></font>
<font color="9400d3">~~DVC Member~~
Onsite: Poly '76, Contemp '98, BWV '99, CBR '00, BWV '00, CBR '01
Offsite: '74 '80 '82 '88
Next trip: BWV~June '01, ASM/BWV~Nov '01</font>
<a href="http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jsmith12/jillian&kylecharacterpage.html">Jillian & Kyle's Disney Character Website</a></font>

 

[KNWVIKING]

We always go this time of year-love the Christmas atmosphere. The 1st time we went to WDW was '95, we went the week of Thanksgiving & stayed till the Tuesday after.Parks were incredibly empty on the Sun,Mon & Tues afterwards. Since then,WDW has always had something special going on to attract visitors- 25th Annivesary,castle decorated like a cake,Animal kingdom opening, Millenium celebration, now looks like 100 yr birthday of Walt,etc,etc... We now go after Thanksgiving & before Christmas. The parks aren't too bad most of the time,but it's nothing like '95.Only thing we wish they could change is the refurb for Typhoon lagoon,always closed this time of the year.

 

[princess angel]

If you said you wanted BWV at the 7month window, I would say it would be iffy, but VWL are still easier to get, because they're so new, and less people own there, so you may have luck switching to VWL!
Have a great time! WDW is so magical for the Holidays!!! we were there in '99 for the first week in Dec, and we plan on going next year (2002) for Thanksgiving and the whole week after!!!
you'll Love it!!!

Laura
18 days til WDW!!! yipeeeeeeeeee

4/97 - offsite (Hyatt)
6/98 - GF (honeymoon)
12/99 - Grand Floridian
9/00 - Grand Floridian
1/01 - Grand Floridian
4/01 - AKL, BWV & Poly
7/01 - YachtClub lagoonview concierge
10/01 - BWV or VWL
1/02 - running Disney's 26 mile marathon!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We've gone to WDW 3 times, always from the weekend after Thanksgiving, through the following weekend. Love it. The crowds are fine, the weather (for the most part) is beautiful, and so are the decorations. Definitely be prepared for some cold weather, although 2000 wasn't as cold at night as 1997 and 1999.

We just bought a BWV resale in the beginning of Feb, and are on a waitlist for BWV for that week. Hope we get it.

KNWVIKING...I agree with you about Typhoon Lagoon...at this rate, we may never see it!

 

[Peggy Sue]

A very popular time to travel for DVC members. We are returning again this year..11/27 - 12/9 at OKW. We love this time of year at WDW. NO heat/humidity..and we've been lucky to have beautiful days, warm enough to swim. nights are cool. However, it can be very cold day and night too! The parks are so beautiful, and the special shows are fantastic. We've noticed the crowds increase every year, but they are very managable, and we've never had to wait longer than 10-15 minutes for anything. (except at the MK on a Saturday..and then we just skipped the attractions with the long waits, such as splash mountain)

The cheer leaders are there the first week in December too. Lots of energetic kids! (with their families)

Good luck with the 7 month window! You never know until you try, and we've heard about many success stories here on the boards!

Have a wonderful day!

 

[maddiemom]

My DW and I have been to WDW 3 different times the week after Thanksgiving. Actually, We stayed at Dixie Landings just last year.(00) We actually try to make it a point to go at that time of the year. All decorations are up and you can go to MVMCP, Osbourne Spectacle of Lights, etc. if you like. Last year the only day that was crowded was the 1st Monday after Thanksgiving at MK. It is early entry day and I think people had made it a long weekend. We went back on Tuesday and was able to ride all the rides before 1:00 p.m. As for VWL I would think you would have a good chance to get reservations since it yet to be sold out. We have reservation for VWL the week of Columbus day this year. The only draw back from going the week after Thanksgiving is you have to pack twice as many clothes. It is either 85 or 65 . I would recommend going at that time if you get a chance. We actually joke about the parks being all ours. We are little concerned that this year we may feel like people are intruding on our vacation. Hope Not.

Have fun!!

 

[jcodespoti]

Yes the weather was somewhat cool. But it wasn't that bad crowds were pretty heavy for that time of year. Maybe because of the whole 2000 celebration. But its my fav time to go


Joe in CT