We went this year the 7-13th and it was an AWESOME time to go. We got there the day of the mini-marathon and didn't notice any crowds from that in the afternoon and evening - went to CMs for dinner that night and then onto MK and we walked onto almost every ride that evening. We went to MGM on Marathon day and although it was slightly busier it was REALLY cool to watch the runners run through and cheer them on. There were people there for sure but we didn't have to wait long for anything at all. We go to Fantasmic about 30 minutes prior to show time and ended up with fairly good seats even though it was mildly crowded in the evening. We even go to see the Osborne Christmas Lights as they were still up and that was cool too.
As soon as Marathon evening was over, we didn't have to wait in line for hardly anything AT ALL! We went to MK the next day, had breakfast at CRT and rode everything in Fantasyland and Mickey's Toon Town by 11:00 and rode everything else by early evening. That's one thing - don't be disappointed when you see the early close times for the parks - you WILL be able to get everything done you want to and then some and it's kinda nice to get back to the resort at a really decent hour, stop in for a snack at the food court (get the kids to bed for us), watch a bit of tv and go to sleep - all before 11:00. You are ready to go the next day that way!
Tuesday we took the day off and went to Beach and Cream and resort hopping - NO ONE IN SIGHT for the most part. Nice relaxing day (well except for the bank holdup and hostage situation in Celebration that was going on when we made a run to CVS offsite that took us over an hour to get back to CBR)!
On the Wednesday we went to AK and went on everything with VERY little wait (EE wasn't open then though so that will remain to be seen for this year what the wait would be). We finished up AK by 2:30 for our HDDR reservations for later in the evening.
Thursday we went to EPCOT for the day - went straight to Soarin' and got fastpasses and rode once with only 20 minute wait. Didn't wait in line for ANYTHING that day longer than 5 minutes after that but we didn't do MS because of the ages of our girls. Did everything in WS and FW including riding Soarin' again before Illuminations.
Friday went to DTD for the morning and go souvies and then back to MK for the rest of the day and rode EVERYTHING again, saw wishes for the second time and left by 9:30 or so. No lines at all this day either.
It's a GREAT time to go....long story made long I guess....
Can't say enough about this being a great time to go.
