Suddenly Busy?

[KyleAfterAWhile]

I am booked for December 2nd - 9th at a Deluxe resort. Historically, I have read over and over that this is a great time to visit. If that is the case, why is there such limited availability and why do all of the planning websites "predict" heavy crowds? When I looked last year it was predicted as light and moderate crowds. Is it no longer a tad bit slower?

 

[shanew21]

Combination of free dining and pop warner, probably.

 

[Skallywag Steph]

I think the secret is out that early December is a good time to visit. If it helps, Kenny the pirate has that week as low to moderate.

 

[shanew21]

I think the secret is out that early December is a good time to visit. If it helps, Kenny the pirate has that week as low to moderate.

Yep, the secret week is being discovered. I don't complain because it actually makes the third week of December pretty manageable.

 

[hakepb]

And the seemingly general "there's no slow time anymore"

Crowds will be noticeably lower than Christmas week... but much higher than early dec 2004
But with "lower" Disney seems to adjust with lower ride capacity and hours, so you don't regularly see Space < 60 min or Pirates < 25 min..

 

[mickey1968]

Also the reservation system has been down since Thursday night/Friday morning. Nothing is very reliable right now. AP rates are not showing at all, but some of the other promotions are showing fine.

 

[stenmarks]

Pop Warner

 

[DebbieB]

I've been going those dates since 1998 and the hotels are always close to full but the parks aren't bad. People always freak out about the room availability.

Pop Warner takes up a lot of value and moderate rooms. This year moderates have a lot of rooms closed for construction. I've never seen huge crowds, you will see small groups of the Pop Warner football players/cheerleaders, they are usually busy at their games/competitions during the days.

One thing - MK will be very crowded on non-party days. Since parties are 4 nights a week with early close, the other 3 days are busy. One time on a Wednesday (non-party day), we left around noon because it was so crowded, went to Epcot and came back in the evening for the parade/fireworks. I always plan Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday for MK, party days (go home on Friday).

 

[Jennasis]

The first week of December is a hugely popular time for DVC owners to go

 

[SL6827]

I am booked for December 2nd - 9th at a Deluxe resort. Historically, I have read over and over that this is a great time to visit. If that is the case, why is there such limited availability and why do all of the planning websites "predict" heavy crowds? When I looked last year it was predicted as light and moderate crowds. Is it no longer a tad bit slower?

Be glad your booked at a Deluxe, you'll avoid the Pop Warner crowd at your resort.

 

[FastPasser.]

And the seemingly general "there's no slow time anymore"

While there may not be "slow" times, the historical crowd level graphs do show that there are "slower" times.

Combination of free dining and pop warner, probably.

Pop Warner

Pop Warner has minimal impact on crowd levels.

 

[SL6827]

Pop Warner seems to have minimal impact on crowd levels in the parks. But at the resorts, different story.

 

[stinkpickle]

Which planning website is predicting heavy crowds?

 

[FastPasser.]

Pop Warner seems to have minimal impact on crowd levels in the parks. But at the resorts, different story.

I'm assuming you're referring to the resorts that they're staying at?

 

[SL6827]

I'm assuming you're referring to the resorts that they're staying at?

Correct. That is what I was meaning. Maybe I didn't come across well?

 

[mamamelody2]

I am booked for December 2nd - 9th at a Deluxe resort. Historically, I have read over and over that this is a great time to visit. If that is the case, why is there such limited availability and why do all of the planning websites "predict" heavy crowds? When I looked last year it was predicted as light and moderate crowds. Is it no longer a tad bit slower?

What makes you say all the planning websites predict heavy crowds? I quick looked at 4 different crowd calendars and they all predict low to moderate crowds for those dates.

 

[Satchmo128]

We have been around those dates a few times over the past 6 years. It's one of the most magical times to go. MK will be crowded on Saturdays, but otherwise we rarely have issues with crowd levels at that time of the yea.r We will most likely be back again the first 10 days of December this year again! Have fun!

 

[Shanti]

I am booked for December 2nd - 9th at a Deluxe resort. Historically, I have read over and over that this is a great time to visit. If that is the case, why is there such limited availability and why do all of the planning websites "predict" heavy crowds?

Because you're not the only person who has read those online descriptions of early December being a great time to go. You've read it, I've read it, tens of thousands of prospective Disney visitors have read it. So it gradually becomes a very popular time to visit. The Internet is a powerful thing.

 

[stenmarks]

While there may not be "slow" times, the historical crowd level graphs do show that there are "slower" times.


Pop Warner has minimal impact on crowd levels.

The OP asked about resort availability.

 

[FastPasser.]

The OP asked about resort availability.

I am booked for December 2nd - 9th at a Deluxe resort. Historically, I have read over and over that this is a great time to visit. If that is the case, why is there such limited availability and why do all of the planning websites "predict" heavy crowds? When I looked last year it was predicted as light and moderate crowds. Is it no longer a tad bit slower?