When in December should we go?

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hello all,

I am planning a BIG trip to WDW December 2007. (Yes, I am a compulsive planner!). I want to see the Christmas decorations, but NOT go when it's crowded.

What do you think of the week December 1 to 9, 2007? It's starts the weekend after Thanksgiving weekend. I hear that week is so empty.

Thanks for feeding my compulsion!
Kirsten

 

[hockey mom]

We went the second week, 10th to 17th, and it was amazing. we were walking on everything. The week before us was a bit more crowded- something was going on and for the life of me I can't remember what it was.

 

[PigletsPal]

Pop Warner was that week. I went that week and it was alot more crowed than I would have liked but it wasn't bad.

How are you doing with your band? I was banded on Sept 9th and you got banded on my birthday also........cool! Love it, one of the best things I ever did, it sure made a big difference in the way I got around WDW last Dec. that is for sure.

 

[javamom]

I am hoping to go the week before Christmas 2006... and am wondering the same thing. I picked this week because the 18th is my oldest DS's 17th birthday and I really thought it would be fun to see the Christmas Parade and stuff. Plus, when we fly back on Christmas Day we have a whole week to recooperate before going back into the swing of things

I expect it to be crowded, but am I perhaps not fully aware of HOW crowded, crowded can be, KWIM? I went during Spring Break 1991 and did not think that the wait times were all that bad... umm but I didn't have any kids with me that trip. What do you think about going at this time with a teen, and 2 gradeschoolers?


steph in Kansas

 

[heart4dis]

It has always been wonderfully perfect. If staying off-site as we did in 2003, just avoid early entry days. If staying on-site go to early entry only if you are actually going to go early (that may seem obvious, but it's really not). I believe it is the best time to go. Even if there is a convention or something, it doesn't affect crowds like summer does.

Oh, you are going to have a magical time!!!

 

[John's Mom]

We were in WDW Dec. 17-24. Didn't notice a difference in the crowd level until the 22nd, but it was still manageable.

We tried to see the major attractions early in the day and got fastpasses whenever we could.

The only thing that bothered us was the cold weather.

 

[brandip22]

We are planning on going this Dec 2-10th. Never been during that time, but we want slower crowds and Christmas decorations.

 

[rkmassa]

We went the 17th to 27th last year. Noticed a real difference on the 24th. The other days, using Tour Guide Mike, we waited no longer than 20 minutes for rides.

 

[Hugpug]

I went Dec 11-18 and it was not crowed except on the 17th which was a Saturday and AK was very crowed even with the rain on and off. I am planning this year about the th week before so my AP will be good. The Party nights are very crowed I found out even though I enjoyed myself. The shows where very entertaining. Can't comment on the Parade as I could not see it very well dued to the crowds and parents putting kids on there shoulders just blocked your view. Since I can't get down to sit on the curb dued to health problem it kinda spoilded that part of the Magic. The CP was awsome and the fireworks where just WOW!! You just have to be there to know what it is like.

 

[Dana49]

We always go the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the crowds are very comfortable. You can pretty much walk on any ride that you want. aw:

 

[goldmickey]

We always pick Dec because of low crowds and beautiful decorations! We have done this 5 times. One time was early Dec and Pop Warner was there. We didn't really find that it made much difference in the crowds. Three times we went mid-Dec. This was a great time. We could just walk on any ride with no waits. The last time we went was 12/19-12/26. It was more crowded than mid-Dec, but not bad. We have learned how to take advantage of the fast pass system. We got to do everything we wanted to and w/fast pass no bad lines at all. We did notice that it got more crowded by 12/24, but again not too bad. We had breakfast at CP on Christmas Day and then left to go to Epcot. I had to be at MK on Christmas for our picture on Main St! It was very crowded at MK by the time we finished breakfast, but Epcot was not bad at all. Again, Dec is our favorite time and I would highly recommend it. I like most people on these boards loves to plan for our trips. Just make sure you have everything planned out, especially your ADRs and you will have a great time. Oh, one more thing, we did a sleigh ride from FW on Christmas Eve that was very magical and something new for us that trip.

 

[javamom]

Oh wow, I am so glad I found this forum. I am learning so much, and quite frankly, I am just so excited I can't stand it. Have wanted to try to take this trip for several years, and just couldn't swallow the cost of it all. But we have decided that it is this year or, possibly, never - so let's do it!

That sleigh ride sounds great! I definately want to do a CRT if I can. Do you have to book these yourself, or can I just get a travel agent to handle it all?

I am confused...

PS: I am just beside myself about taking my DD to the Bibbity Bobbity Boo-tique!

 

[tink2dw]

Can you tell me about the Sleigh Ride??Please??

 

[always quiet]

We are also planning a trip for that exact week!! We are going to do 2 weeks again like we just did last month. I did notice that the first week of Dec. was more crowded than the 2nd week...cheerleaders and Pop Warner (it wouldn't of been too bad if they didn't have to travel in such large groups!! ). Actually, the only park that we really noticed a real difference in the crowds was MK. Aside from Soarin', we didn't need a FP for anything. We can't wait to get back again.

 

[LiteBrite]

I think that the first week in December is a little more crowded than it used to be, probably mostly due to Pop Warner. If you're unfamiliar, it's football and cheerleading competitions for (I believe) pre-teen kids, and they hold their national championships the first week in December at WDW. Some people aren't bothered by their presence, others are. Here are links to a couple of threads about it:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=993953&highlight=warner
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=989362&highlight=cheerleaders

Judging by the reports we read this year here on the DIS, it sounds like Pop Warner is getting bigger than it used to be. However, the good news seems to be that the 2nd week in December still has the same low crowds it's always had. If it was me, and I had a choice, I'd pick the 2nd week, but I'm sure the 1st week is still manageable, too.

 

[blessedby3]

In 2005, we went the day after Thanksgiving and stayed thru Decmeber 3rd. We didnt go into the parks until the Sunday after Thanksgiving and we didnt experience any crowd problems (until Dec. 2nd at Epcot- lots of kids which may have been the start of Pop Warner). Some rides we didnt have to get off of because no one was waiting to board. It was a great time to go. This year we are going December 16-23. I am a bit more concerned about crowds this time. I wish we could go the week before, but DH's family cant go until the 16th. Maybe it wont be too bad the first half of our trip.