When do the Christmas crowds usually start?

[Adreana]

My boyfriend and I want to go back to Disney world and are looking to go after I finish up my last final of the fall semester in December but would rather avoid the Christmas crowds and considering moving it up to the last week of November. When do the Christmas crowds start coming? Thanks

 

[anniebean]

We were there the 2nd week of December last year, and the crowds were very manageable. Not as low as September, but still not bad.

 

[Love Tink]

The crowds take off in tandem with when kids all over the country start getting out of schools. Some years that is easy to predict - like if the Friday before Christmas is something like December 21.

This year I think winter breaks are going to start at different times - some on the 16th, some on the 23rd, and some on a day in the middle of that week.

So, I would predict that the week that starts Saturday the 17th will see crowds pick up quite a bit, with crowds growing every day that week. The staggering crowds will start around the 23rd.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

It usually happens a week before Christmas is a good assumption. This year with where Christmas falls, the first few days of the week may not be bad, but as we found out last year, Disney was running free dining through the 23rd. The deal made it very busy earlier than usual. We have gone at Thanksgiving and have found it to be less crowded. The weather last year was borderline summer like.

 

[Adreana]

We were planning to go December 16-23 and fly out right after I take my last final. We were considering going in September but almost being done with college I don't want to miss that much. Do you think the crowds will be manageable or over bearing we would probably do 5 park days and a Christmas party

 

[GWhitten98]

I agree with PP, with x-mas falling on a weekend, I think the crowds might be harder to predict. We went several years ago the full week prior to x-mas week and the crowds were non-existent. I do not think that will be the case this year. Our xmas break will start wed 12/21. I think if there are others that fall mid week like ours they will be willing to miss the first 2 days of the week to have the full week before x-mas at Disney....I know we were heavily contemplating it!

 

[heywagners]

I think as you get to the 20th and closer the Christmas, things get ridiculous.

 

[Indio]

You'll be fine from the 16th til about the 19th. After that it gets pretty wild.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have found the crowds to thicken daily starting the 14th.