Which weekend in December?

[jpolak]

We are trying to plan our first ever early December trip in hopes of taking advantage of the lower crowds to see Disney decorated for Christmas. So would you go or have gone the first or second weekend in December? I know the first weekend is when the Disney parade is taped and the second is Pop Warner, so which is better? We are planning to fly down on Wednesday p.m. and home on Monday p.m. TIA

 

[DaveH]

Pop Warner was never a problem for us when doing DVC. I saw them one year when staying at an All Star resort and that was not really a problem. The difference at the MK is the tree is by the castle until the parade is filmed and some platforms for the filming of the parade. After the filming is done the tree is at the flag pole later. If you are looking for this year I would suggest finding which weekend has the DVC rooms for you. There are enough of us to fill the rooms every year.

 

[mikesmom]

Not to rain on the parade, but I hope you mean for NEXT year? If you mean December of this year, it should be whatever weekend actually has reservations available. Frankly, if you mean THIS December, your odds on getting a ressie for 6 nights consecutively at the same resort are pretty slim. December books up very early, and there are waitlists running for every night in December at every resort.

 

[jpolak]

No, next year for sure. Just tyring to plan ahead so when the 11 month window opens I can call at 9 am sharp. I didn't thin that Pop warner would be a problem at SSR, I am more concerned about MK and HS. We plan on mainly going to MK and HS, and visiting the resorts to check out the decorations.

 

[DaveH]

The crowds are usually light. The weekends are more crowded but not like summer crowds. The locals come on those weekends. The limited annual passes locals get are available those weeks but not later. There is always a chance to get behind a group from time to time. We have not not seen anything with the Pop Warner folks. The Osborne lights at HS is always crowded. The weekend more so. Don't forget the Candlelight Processional also.

 

[jpolak]

Don't forget the Candlelight Processional also.

Good point! I was expecting the Osborne lights to be crowded. I am just trying to get an overall feel for which weekend would be better. In my mind I am thinking the second weekend so we can avoid the whole Christmas special taping at the MK. This gives me more flexibility in planing. So we are hoping to do MVMCP, the Candlelight Processional, and Osborne City of lights.

 

[jpolak]

Any other opinions?

 

[wedance6]

I'm going the first 2 weeks in Dec, this year, so I'll give you an update

 

[jpolak]

Sounds good! Have a great trip!

 

[Dean]

The first week will be a little slower than the second as long as you miss the taping days for those parks. But both should be fairly light. We've been both several times (as well as the third week) and those 2 should be fairly open. The 3rd week gets a little busier but still not bad. Those are also great weeks to do trading, both to DVC through II and using DVC out of II, lots of availability almost anywhere including HI.

 

[wildernessDad]

We went Sunday - Friday the week before Christmas last year and the crowds were moderate. We had a great time.

We're going from the 11th - 19th this year, so we'll get a little bit of the Pop Warner crowds.

 

[jpolak]

The first week will be a little slower than the second as long as you miss the taping days for those parks. But both should be fairly light. We've been both several times (as well as the third week) and those 2 should be fairly open. The 3rd week gets a little busier but still not bad. Those are also great weeks to do trading, both to DVC through II and using DVC out of II, lots of availability almost anywhere including HI.

The first two weekends play out the best for us, so we are trying to decide on which one. Since we have never gone this time of year and will not be able to do this again for a while we're hoping to plan the quintessential Disney x-mas vacation. MVMCP, Candle light Processional, Osborne City of Lights, and enjoying the decorations at some of the resorts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, we are close to December, but my DF's don't know which night their DD's school will be singing in the CP until close to the time. They found out about a week and a half ago, and we are all having a terrible time finding even regular ADR's. I'm at 0% success for a dinner ADR for a single for Sunday December 7th. The only availability for CP package (Monday December 8th)has been the restaurant at Morocco.

In the past, we have gotten CP packages at Le Cellier (lunch), Chefs de France and China within the time frame that they had to make the reservations. Her school has never sang so early in the month. So, this year, the first weekend in December seems to be extremely crowded. I had been told that Pop had no availablility when I first called, but on Friday I did get a room there, preferred view.

Bobbi