When to go?

[WI_DisneyFan]

Ok, here's my dilemma. My DW and I are currently in the pre-planning stages of our December 2007 WDW trip. We had pretty much settled on arriving at WDW on December 1 and staying until the following Sunday (December 9). Everything I have read the past year or so told me that this time of the year would be very quiet, both crowd-wise and weather-wise. But the more I read, the more worried I got. I've read a lot of trip reports from that same week this past year that said the parks were very busy (some people even said July level crowds). Those trip reports, along with the potential Pop Warner and Cheerleader championships going on the same week have me very worried about what we'll encounter if we stick with that plan.

One option we had was going the end of September (about a month after our 2-year wedding anniversary). We thought maybe Disney would offer their free dining plan again, and we could take advantage of that. But the main problem with that plan is that my DW (a big Christmas fanatic) loves the idea of seeing the Christmas decorations and attending the MVMCP one night. And she really wants to see the big Ginger Bread house at the Grand Floridian. So that sort of shoots that idea down.

So now we are looking at leaving the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 24) and staying until the following Sunday (December 2). I realize the first weekend would be crazy busy, but how would the week be? Does anybody have any experience with this time of the year? Am I right in worrying about our initial plan (crowd levels, Pop Warner, cheerleaders, etc.)? Or would the week immediately after Thanksgiving be even worse?

I'm so confused!!!

 

[ktbugsmom]

Double post! Oops!

 

[ktbugsmom]

3 years ago, we went the 2nd week in December. We found the crowds to be just fine. However, things may have changed over the last couple years. We now go around the first week in January. 2007 will be the third year doing that and the crowd levels are low. The decorations are still up then as well... they come down about Jan 7 - so we usually catch the tail end of the decorations, which are nice.

Any of the time frames you mentioned should be fine. We have gone in March, August, December and January. March had the heaviest crowds. August was surprisingly slow (maybe compared to what I thought). December was more crowded than January. We love January - but still go to the parks when they open. We can ride BTTMR and Splash Mountain 2-3 times each before the crowds get heavy. We love it.

Just get to the parks when they open and you will be fine during any time of year. Have a ball!

PS It is never too late to plan. I booked our room for Jan 07 about a month after we got back in '06! I purchased the plane tickets shortly after that! Now I just need park tickets and the dining plan and my vacation is paid for!

 

[Cthia]

4 years ago we went from the Saturday after Thanksgiving until the following Sunday. There was hardly any crowds that we encountered. . I think the longest we ever waited for a ride was about 10 minutes. The following year we went during Columbus Day week and I was amazed at the crowd difference. It was very crowded to what I was use to the year before.
This year we are arriving on Thanksgiving Day and leaving the following Saturday. I know that it will be crowded our first 2 days but I am prepared for that and know that it will slow down after that. We love it this time of year with the Christmas decorations, plus we get extra time on our vacation with the holiday.

I haven't been there during Pop Warner so I am not sure how the crowds are there then.

I think the dates you have chosen are good. It is still listed as the least crowded time of year to go. Closer you get to a holiday the busier it will be.

I can let you know how the crowds are when I get back from my trip in December.

Happy planning.

 

[Minnie824]

Go the week after Thanksgiving! We went in 2005, and going again this year. We went to MK the Sat after Thanksgiving (our arrival day) just for a few hours after dinner, cuz it was our DDs first trip. She wanted to go on Haunted Mansion. No line. Then we went to Pirates. No line. There were a lot of people lined up for the parade, but it was great. The whole week was perfect. Our longest line was 20 min for Rockin Roller Coaster. Splash Mountain, DD and I had our own boat, as with Kali River Rapids. We had 1 day of swimming, and even our coolest day was just jeans and a sweatshirt. Plus, you still have the Christmas stuff. One thing to note is, *usually* value season starts that Sunday, so you may save some money if you start your vacation on Sun and not Sat. Have a great trip!

 

[byoung]

Love going the mid Dec week.