Which week to go in December '08?

[Fall1]

DH and I are beginning to plan a December trip for next year....our first time at the Holidays . We wanted to go from Dec. 6-13 '08 but it looks like we might have to move the trip up to Dec. 13-20 '08....do you think the crowds will be much heavier the later week?

Thanks!

 

[doulacandice]

I don't know from personal experience but my talking to friends and reading this board, they are VERY busy at Christmas. I would expect them to be more crowded towards Christmas.. If I had to choose, go as early as possible.

 

[barbmouse]

We've just returned from our trip Dec 16-23!! Had an awesome trip. We were pleased with crowd levels. Sat, Dec 22 was most crowded day. I say go for it but you must know how to plan. We used fastpassess for Space Mountain twice while others were in a standby line of up to 80 minutes! Other lines were really not too bad but we did the busiest rides early in the day. Do your homework and you will be fine.

 

[PrincessEmilysMommy]

In 2005 we went the first week of December...............Perfect. I'd go again that week anytime. Christmas decorations were up and beautiful, and the crowds were low. This time we're headed in January/February because of our cruise, but 2010, we'll be going the first week in December again!

 

[Momvic5]

My family and I just returned from a trip that was in mid December (8th-15th) and the crowds were very manageable. At first we were disappointed with the crowd levels throughout the parks, but truthfully the line waits were only 10-20 minutes. The safari in AK was the only line we waited 40 minutes in. We went Dec. 18 - 23 in 2005, and though the crowds did increase as it got closer to Christmas, the parks were still very manageable. We had the same line waits - 10-20 minutes for most. To be honest, I think the secret is out about how nice December is. I think each year the crowds are going to increase, and it is going to get harder to predict the crowd levels and the best weeks to go.

Just plan around what works for you and you'll have a wonderful time.

 

[Princess Roo]

Crowds will be a lot lower that first week because most schools are still in session. But, the parks are open fewer hours, too. We went early December '06 and LOVED it. Since the parks closed earlier, the shows/fireworks were earlier, which was perfect for our DS2. The crowds were also very low. The 2nd week you're looking at won't be as crowded as the following two weeks, though.