When do crowds arrive in December?

[Dakota731]

Planning a trip for next year and was wondering how busy December 16-23 week is?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We just came back from our trip yesterday. We were there December 16 - December 21. It was crowded, but certainly not as crowded as Christmas week (we were there December 25 - December 30 last year). We used FP+ effectively and were even able to snag some pretty good FP+ after our first 3 were up (got a Soarin' FP+ one evening). Standby lines were very long (up to 2 hours for some of the major rides), so just make sure you schedule your FP+ at 60 days if staying onsite. We will most likely do this week again next year. We had a great time.

 

[Dakota731]

What is FP+? We were planning on doing the week of Dec 9-16 which I assume would be less crowded but one of my daughters couldn't go that week. How does the Dec 16-21 week compare with summer (the only time we've ever been to Disney)?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

FP+ is FastPass+. I would suggest subscribing to a site like Touring Plans to take a look at predicted crowd calendars. It depends on when you go in the summer. If you are thinking July 4, early December will be less crowded. Late August, early December will be more crowded. We found this past week to be completely manageable and certainly not as hot as the summertime. I would much rather go early December than summertime (though I'll still do both!)

 

[Accident]

Planning a trip for next year and was wondering how busy December 16-23 week is?

More than previous years. Very crowded. Hours to ride things that normally would be an hour type crowded.. I would be willing to throw out there that the crowds shifted by a week this year. I think a lot has to do with the calendar though as this year with xmas on a weekend many schools had this week off, some are just getting off now and many schools don't go back to school until jan 9 with the rest back in around jan 5. It just lined up giving more people the option to come to disney for longer near or on xmas. Calendars only repeat every 7 years so it should be calmer the next 6 years

In the past years, usually just after thanksgiving weekend it goes to one of the lowest crowds of the year and steadily builds up. I would call it the lowest crowd week of the year. That low week is normally a week with no discounts, they film the parade and you pay rack rate to be in the low crowd or stay long enough that your first day was a discount that continues through that week.. This year was the second year they filmed in nov, didn't film the parade at all, and it was discounted including an option for free dining. This year it basically go busy for thanksgiving, dropped a hair but not much and has climbed up since then. It's been packed, really packed..

Now with my crowd description, I had a lovely evening shopping at disney springs. A separate night I did the epcot holiday festival thing plus some more shopping and it was also a lovely crowd. I didnt' go near anything that resembled a ride though but just being there, I found it a wonderful time, enjoyed finally getting to epcot.