When should we go????

[Farmn4Mickey]

This is my first posting ever, so bear with me till I figure all this out! We are beginning plans for a trip to Disney with our 5 and 2 year old sons. We are considering either the first 2 weeks in December, or mid-January. Our stay will probably be 4-5 nights Sunday - Wed/Thurs. According to other information I have read, the crowds are relatively light at both of these times. However, I keep reading how busy things are in early December, and that has me concerned. Our first priority in trip planning is light crowds, with weather being second. I am hoping some Disney experts can share their knowledge and advice. Thanks so much from a farm family in Iowa that can't wait to see Mickey!!

 

[4Pluto]

Most of the discussion on this board focuses on how difficult it is to get dvc reservations in the first two weeks of December, not that the parks are crowded. The point values that Disney assigns to various seasons gives you some insight into how popular the parks are. At some times of the year, like the first two weeks in December or the food/wine festival in September/October, DVC fills up fast because the points are lower. DVC members can take advantage of the festival in the fall or the Xmas decorations at Christmas without having to use as many points and avoiding crowds. I think both of those dates would fairly safe as far as crowds go.

We've gone in early May and its relatively crowd free and really nice weather.

BTW, there are changing rooms in the parks that I understand provide a great place to get infants out of the crowds. There are tvs and rocking chairs. A little oasis in the middle of madness.

The best part of DVC, however, is that you can always retreat back to the Villas in the middle of the day. Play in the pools or the community halls. Then jump on a boat or bus and head back for a few rides and dinner. It's the best way to escape crowds.

Good Luck.

 

[PEANUT1]

I think mid January will be less busy than early December but it can be chilly. We were there in 1996 in January and it was 32 degreees at night. That is an extreme of course.

With only 4-5 days, I would suggest picking the least crowded time too. The pools are also heated so if it is chilly the kids can still swim. When we went this past October, there were a few days that I thought were too cold to swim, but my 4 year old had no problem with it.

 

[abner1776]

My personal opinion is that the term "light crowds" is a bit of a misnomer as it all depends upon what your level of "crowd comfort" is. We have been in WDW in mid January with very good weather and found the crowds to be very light which means very short lines for rides and then I overhear people complaining about how crowded the park is...go figure. How can the park be crowded when I just rode BTMR 3 times in a row...without having to get off the car !!!!

Mid January will be one of the slowest times of the year, but you pay a price for the slowest time of the year...some rides are shut down for maintenance, park hours are reduced and the weather is always a crap shoot...so now that I have totally bummed you out, let me say that mid January is my favorite time of year at WDW.

 

[MEK]

I just visited Jan 5 - 9th this year and the weather was fantastic. The crowds were slightly heavy when I first arrived and dwindled. Of course, I left right before the marathon attendees arrived.

I had better weather this trip then a prior trip at Thanksgiving - go figure. Anyway I just go lucky, but it was perfect. (except I couldn't use my points then because my resale contract wasn't settled early enough).

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't forget about the marathon in January.

 

[ccigliano]

OK - so I guess I'll have to disagree. I love Disney in the first two weeks of December. The Christmas festivities more than make up for the lower crowds and cooler weather in January although you can get chilly in December too. December at Disney is special. The Christmas Processional at Epcot is one of the most inspiring readings of the Christmas story you'll ever experience, with a guest narrator (celebrity), the 50 piece Disney orchestra, and a 400 member choir. Christmas Around the World is fascinating for you and your children as they act out the Christmas celebrations at each country in the World Showcase. The decorations at the parks and the resorts are beautiful and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is also a must see at that time of year. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is also perfect for children of your ages. With all the special Christmas activities, December just can't be beat for me. Like 4Pluto said, it will be difficult to get a reservation at any DVC at that time because of the December point values and all the festivities. Good Luck.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Between Thanks and Chris the parks are DEAD.

No lines and and the lights are up. Our fav time of the year.

The mornings are chilly, like you kinda wished you wore pants, but then the sun comes out and the weather is nice!


WE LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Between Thanks and Chris the parks are DEAD.

No lines and and the lights are up. Our fav time of the year.

The mornings are chilly, like you kinda wished you wore pants, but then the sun comes out and the weather is nice!


WE LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

The parks may be dead, but the DVC resorts are full. You have the annual member meeting in early Dec as well. Lots of members like to go to attend the meeting. Plus there are lots of other groups that go every year that time of the year.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Our first priority in trip planning is light crowds, with weather being second.

Between Thanksgving and Christmas,...you'll love it!!!!!!!!

 

[jekjones1558]

Welcome to the DIS! I also love the beginning of Dec. because of all the holiday festivities and hope to go every year at that time until I'm 6 feet under. Weather can be chilly or lovely. You just have to check weather.com when packing and plan accordingly.
You may find pretty slim pickings on rooms for the beginning of Dec. January dates might have a slightly better choice. Best to call Member Services ASAP. Good luck!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love the first two weeks of December also. Don't worry about the posts on this board in reference to park crowds. On the other hand, if you are looking for a DVC reservation the first two weeks of December and have not yet made it, you might be in for a surprise! You might have to go through CRO instead of DVC, since many DVC people book that time up right at the 11 month booking window.

 

[Farmn4Mickey]

Thanks for your reply. What is CRO? See...I really am new at this?!? Thanks!

 

[Farmn4Mickey]

Thanks so much for all the good information you have shared. It sounds to me like we can't go wrong with either time frame for our Disney trip. The Christmas atmosphere sounds wonderful, but I am very concerned about being able to get into the BWV at that time? Is there any chance of getting in if we haven't booked yet? Do you guys think I would have much better chances of getting into a one bedroom villa at BoardWalk around January 8th instead?

Also...the point requirements for DVC are very different Sun - Thurs versus the weekend. Booking through Disney, the room rate is the same every day. Am I missing something, or is that the way it works??

Thanks again for taking time to help a newcomer. Once we get our rom booked, this site will be soooo helpful in planning our trip.

 

[minniekissedme]

We've gone in January three of the last four years. We like the lighter crowds and the weather can be good and/or bad. You just need to be prepared.

Since there is Christmas discussion involved here, I have a quick question. When do the decorations come down????

 

[photobob]

Between Thanks and Chris the parks are DEAD.

No lines and and the lights are up. Our fav time of the year.

The mornings are chilly, like you kinda wished you wore pants, but then the sun comes out and the weather is nice!


WE LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

For the love of all things tasteful and Disney, please don't go to the parks without your pants!!!

 

[chalee94]

Thanks for your reply. What is CRO? See...I really am new at this?!? Thanks!

you're going to need this thread...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

 

[chalee94]

Do you guys think I would have much better chances of getting into a one bedroom villa at BoardWalk around January 8th instead?

anything can happen, but jan is probably a safer bet at this point...

Also...the point requirements for DVC are very different Sun - Thurs versus the weekend. Booking through Disney, the room rate is the same every day. Am I missing something, or is that the way it works??

DVC weekends are extremely expensive...so yeah, that's how it works.

disney has been looking at charging more for weekends at its other hotels, but i don't know to what extent that has been implemented. it's doubtful it will ever get to the level of...say, OKW studios costing 150% more on weekends...

 

[DVC Mike]

What is CRO? See...I really am new at this?!? Thanks!

CRO is the Disney Central Reservations Office -- the folks you call to book a WDW hotel using cash.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you a DVC member? You don't seem very familiar with the DVC program.