When to go Oct or Dec 2012

[mslhb]

Was close to booking a Deluxe room at the WL for 12/1/12-12/6/12 and am now 2nd guessing my choice. Trip will be me, DH and DD(4.5). I really want low crowds. Sounds like early December is starting to get busier, weather is hit or miss, and not sure how much the Pop Warner stuff adds to the crowds. Now thinking 10/13/12-10/18/12 might be a better choice. Seeing the Christmas decorations for us would be nice but not a deal breaker. I keep obsessing over the crowd level stats on touring plans.com. My analytical mind is on information overload and I know I need to just book something! Which would you recommend. The week in October or the one in December.

 

[nkereina]

I'd think they'd be about even. October stays moderately crowded with F&W and MNSSHP. Pop Warner in December is not noticeable unless you are staying at a Pop Warner resort which is typically the All Stars and POR. The weather in October can still be hot and also runs the risk of hurricanes/rain. If I had to choose, I would stick with December solely because of the Christmas decorations, because there isn't much of a difference otherwise.

 

[amandaw]

We're booked, as of right now, to go 12/8/12 - 12/15/12. We've been during the 2nd week of Dec. before & it's usually pretty good as far as crowds go. And by then, most of the Pop Warner should've left or will be leaving. Just another option.....

 

[figment_jii]

I've do WDW around both times. The crowds did seem relatively similar, except on the evening weekends In World Showcase. On Friday and Saturday nights the crowds for F&W really pick-up. As Nkerenia said, the Pop Warner crowds weren't really noticeable except at the resorts where they are staying. The weather is really unpredictable - either hot and humid (October) or cold (December) or great.

So to me, it really depends on which your family would rather see/do. In mid-October there is the F&W festival and MNSSHP. In December there is MVMCP and the Christmas decorations. I would pick the time for my vacation based on the activities and not the crowds (because they're pretty comparable).

 

[Lumiere Lover]

We are booked 12/8 to 12/15. I am going because of the Christmas decorations-they are incredible. Try to make time for MVMCP. It is an extra ticket event, but to me the parade itself is worth the price.

Also, the longer you wait in 2012 the better the chances of more rides/attractions being opened in the Fantasyland expansion.

 

[Forensicmom]

I agree that I think both would be fine. I was told that the first week in December was one of the lowest crowd times of the year.

We were planning to go this past October but they came out with the free dining plan and that week wasn't on there. With kids in school, we had to adjust. We picked the week before Thanksgiving. The weather was fantastic and the crowds were very low. A friend went two weeks later (the first week od Decem) and the weather was the same (gorgeous), the crowds were low and everything was decorated for Christmas.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I agree that I think both would be fine. I was told that the first week in December was one of the lowest crowd times of the year.

We were planning to go this past October but they came out with the free dining plan and that week wasn't on there. With kids in school, we had to adjust. We picked the week before Thanksgiving. The weather was fantastic and the crowds were very low. A friend went two weeks later (the first week od Decem) and the weather was the same (gorgeous), the crowds were low and everything was decorated for Christmas.

We went 2 yrs ago in October and then this year the first week in Dec. Crowds were about the same, Weather was better in Dec. I loved the MNSSHP and the MVMCP so its up to weather you want fall or Christmas! I would chose Dec though. October was still 98+ when we went UGH!

 

[Mommytwotwins]

We went this October and it was great!!!! We were there 10/16-10/26 and the weather was perfect,crowds very good IMO. We were able to do everything we wanted with very little waits. I wish I could go every Oct. now but with the kids getting older I donot want to take them out of school that long.

 

[SharonZ]

I've done both, and prefer October. The past few times, we've done the first week in December and the crowds seem larger every year.

 

[starousse]

I've done both and love both. This is actually my dilemma now too. I want to plan for next year and can't decide between Oct and Dec. I would definitely say Oct crowds are less, but I do enjoy the decorations and feel of December more. We were there last week from the 12/15-12/22 and it was pretty crowded, especially the Magic Kingdom.

 

[chrisw127]

The only way reason I'd give October an edge is because if you celebrate Chrstimas, it can make it hard to get everything done when you're spending a week at WDW. We go every year in December but we're actually switching our big family trip to October this year so we can relax a little bit more during the holidays.

Still, I love the Christmas decorations and will probably take a weekend trip in mid-November.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

I'd think they'd be about even. October stays moderately crowded with F&W and MNSSHP. Pop Warner in December is not noticeable unless you are staying at a Pop Warner resort which is typically the All Stars and POR. The weather in October can still be hot and also runs the risk of hurricanes/rain. If I had to choose, I would stick with December solely because of the Christmas decorations, because there isn't much of a difference otherwise.

Just agreeing with what nkereina said. I would take a cooler December day over a hot sticky day in October. We were there the first week of November once and the first two days were very warm and sticky. A cool front finally moved through during the second night. And the Christmas decorations are fantastic.

 

[qman]

If you consider the weather October will be much warmer, December might be fine but you risk a cold snap and days in the 50's where in October you are in no danger that that happening.

 

[North of Mouse]

Last year Dec. 6- 15 was VERY cold - you never know - but we, of course picked the wrong year to go in Dec. The crowds weren't bad though.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

We were there this year October 27th through November 5th and the weather was amazing. Mid 70s every day and the crowds were very low. We walked on to almost everything. We are going back the same time next year. Maybe a week or two earlier.