Which week in December?

[Fall1]

We are trying for a December trip and I'm wondering which week would be better crowd and decoration wise.
We'll want to do all 4 parks and MVMCP, plus Candlelight Processional.

Thanks for your input!

 

[MtMinnie2]

We have went the first week after Thanksgiving. We loved it ...low crowds and Christmas decorations and activities were up and going. The weather was nice and only a few sprinkles of rain. This year we will be going from Dec. 9th-20th. I am a little worried about the crowds as we get closer to Christmas. Hopefully we will be leaving as the rest are coming in.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I go every year at that time. I think it would be a toss up for either week as to crowds, weather. Decorations will be the same. It is a great time to go. Enjoy.

 

[AmyB2006]

I would choose the first week over the second week. You might still run into more crowds than typical for this time of year, but overall, I think it would be better. You have Parade taping and POP Warner that usually go on during the second week of December, which could affect crowds more.

CP, MVMCP, and decorations will be the same both weeks. CP narrators won't be released till closer.

 

[Fall1]

I thought parade taping and Pop Warner were usually the first week?

 

[mckelvey72]

Judging by your past trips, assuming you are staying deluxe? Was just going to comment that the 2nd week runs into Pop Warner if you are staying Value. We went first week of December 2013 and had a great trip. It rained, but only while we slept, weather was nice...kids swam but we didn't. It was a mix of shorts and jeans/hoodie so in my opinion comfortable for everyone. Few days got into higher 80's.

 

[mom2rtk]

I thought parade taping and Pop Warner were usually the first week?

It depends on when Thanksgiving hits. They won't do those things over Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[AmyB2006]

I thought parade taping and Pop Warner were usually the first week?

This year, they were the second week. Thanksgiving was late in the month of November, as it will be this year. I expect things at Disney to be similar to how they were last year.
POP Warner didn't arrive at Disney till December 7th this last year. I think the parade was taped on the 9th, or 6th? I can't remember.

 

[goofy4tink]

I thought parade taping and Pop Warner were usually the first week?

It's usually the first full weekend in Dec...so the 6/7th this year (I would think).
I go at this time almost every year. This coming Dec will be my first time, in 12 years, that I won't be in WDW in early Dec....heading to DL instead.
You will find that the Pop Warner groups will probably head in around the 6/7th as well. I would choose that first week just to avoid the larger number of people in the parks the second week.

 

[Fall1]

This year, they were the second week. Thanksgiving was late in the month of November, as it will be this year. I expect things at Disney to be similar to how they were last year.
POP Warner didn't arrive at Disney till December 7th this last year. I think the parade was taped on the 9th, or 6th? I can't remember.

OK, good to know. If it follows last year, it looks like the parade would be taped the 5th and 6th. Good thinking! Thanks!

Yes, we'd ideally be staying BCV, AKL or SSR.

 

[goofy4tink]

This year, they were the second week. Thanksgiving was late in the month of November, as it will be this year. I expect things at Disney to be similar to how they were last year.
POP Warner didn't arrive at Disney till December 7th this last year. I think the parade was taped on the 9th, or 6th? I can't remember.

The parade was taped on Sat, Dec 7. PW groups started arriving the 6th, with the majority arriving on the 7th. I left on Dec 9...before I had to deal with the kids in the parks at night.

 

[AmyB2006]

OK, good to know. If it follows last year, it looks like the parade would be taped the 5th and 6th. Good thinking! Thanks!

Yes, we'd ideally be staying BCV, AKL or SSR.

It's easy to avoid the Parade Taping, just don't go to MK that day LOL. POP Warner is a little harder to avoid.

I think either week you'd be ok, I just think you might have less crowds the first week. I myself will be there the 5th through the 8th. So... hopefully it will be nice.

 

[wiigirl]

I would choose the first week over the second week. You might still run into more crowds than typical for this time of year, but overall, I think it would be better. You have Parade taping and POP Warner that usually go on during the second week of December, which could affect crowds more.

CP, MVMCP, and decorations will be the same both weeks. CP narrators won't be released till closer.

 

[lucyem]

We arrived on Thanksgiving this past fall. Stayed the first week of December. It was one of the more crowded trips we have taken. I was surprised because everyone said it was a low crowd week

 

[goofy4tink]

We arrived on Thanksgiving this past fall. Stayed the first week of December. It was one of the more crowded trips we have taken. I was surprised because everyone said it was a low crowd week

It normally is. But with Thanksgiving falling so late, it made that normally less crowded first week in Dec much more congested. The first week in Dec is a very popular time for DVC people to go....if Thanksgiving falls a week earlier, there is a week in-between T-day and the first full week in Dec. Not so last year and this coming year (I believe).

 

[AmyB2006]

We arrived on Thanksgiving this past fall. Stayed the first week of December. It was one of the more crowded trips we have taken. I was surprised because everyone said it was a low crowd week

Typically it is, because you usually have a week in between Thanksgiving and the 1st of December. This last year, and again this year, Thanksgiving is late, so that time is shortened.

But I still think it's low crowds on a scale of 1-10, but higher than normal.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We went Nov 30th to Dec 5th this past December and we thought it was really busy. The airport and hotels were very busy. Crowds didn't seem to thin out until the Wed after Thanksgiving. It was also a period that had room discounts, which I think led to some of the extra congestion. If I was going to go again in December, I would avoid traveling right after Thanksgiving.