Why so crowded first week of December???

[Gina]

Hi all, haven't been here in a while.

We always (except the past couple of years) used to go to WDW the first week of December. Totally empty parks, no lines, awesome time to go. Not that we can afford to go this year, but we were just checking things out, and were shocked to find *nothing* available resort-wise. What gives??? Is there some convention or something this year?

-gina-

 

[bicker]

No, no conventions AFAIK. The annual meetings of the timeshares are all this coming week, but beyond that it's just a normal early December. WDW has remarkably high load-levels. It's just a very popular place to visit, and Disney's done a great job promoting their on-site accommodations.

 

[nowellsl]

The filming of the Christmas parade is this weekend. Pop Warner football and cheerleaders.

 

[Figment2]

Mousefest is going on from Nov. 30 through Dec. 8. I believe it's organized by Deb Wills (allearsnet.com)

Cyn

 

[Gina]

Still seems odd... I've been there for Mousefest, and I've been there when the Pop Warner folks are there -- and still rooms were widely available. Oh well... guess our secret of the perfect time to go is just out now.

-gina-

 

[bicker]

That's true... a lot of online communities have their events at WDW this week, but it doesn't really amount to that many people.

Remember: Packed hotels doesn't necessarily translate into packed parks. It's just a matter of Disney making staying on-site that much more appealing.

 

[Laurafoster]

Last dec was the same - most hotels full but the parks were still empty!

 

[jenjersnap]

I read here there is a large chiropractor convention also. The PW kids put pressure on the values and a couple mods, the conventions and the fact that one wing of the CR is closed put pressure on the mods and deluxes ... I know we'll never go this week again. We went the next week last year - arrived on the 10th - and it seems to have worked out much better for us personally.

 

[soccer mom]

We have been the first week in December many times. In the early-mid 90's the parks were truly dead. There were moments when there wouldn't be another person in site! Beside what everyone else has said, I think people have just started to realize the last few years what a great time it is to go. I certainly wouldn't call it crowded or packed, but, yes, attendance does seem to be up that week. For us, we like to take advantage by coming in on Thanksgiving day and taking the whole next week for a really long vacation without having to pull the kids out of school for more than a week. It is still my favorite week to go, but can't now because of college finals for my son.

 

[dpic]

We're going next week, so I've been watching this. It seems the weekends are full at the resorts, but rooms during the week are available. Someone posted that this is not uncommon during early December.

 

[byoung]

Pop Warner first 10 days for one.

 

[whacked]

Pop Warner is the big one. 65 teams plus something like 300 cheerleading teams.

Mousfest numbers in the hundreds and does not really affect crowds.

It's also become popular because it's past the hurricane season, some of the best weather of the year, and before the truely stupendous holiday crowds.

 

[Pocahontas1]

I have also been trying to add next weekend to my reservations with no luck. When I asked the very nice CM who was helping me she said the first week in December seemed to be 2 - 3 times as busy as in previous years. Her opinion was that other places where people used to vacation just aren't there anymore. Not sure if I buy that, though.

FYI - I would have been able to get a hotel room on Friday night, but no availibility on Saturday in a value. Oh well...

 

[Maria395712]

I am going to cancel dec 8-12. 4 nights Pop preferred room I had AAA rate $79.00 includes tax .I made it back in may
maria

 

[cdrn1]

We have gone four out of the last five years the first week in December and have seen it get steadily busier, though by no means "busy". Last year there seemed to be a LOT of people at the parks, but there were still minimal wait times for the rides, and most restaurants had available seating. Such a lovely time to go!

 

[minijeanie]

I think many many people who were travelling to Mexico and Floriday where the hurricanes hit are now going to WDW....lots of honeymooners have switched from cancun to the world

I also want to say that I have gone 3x during f&w festival and this year was the absolute worst for crowds. I am from NJ and never found it crowded but this time it was over the top. I had also gone in June 2005 and crowds were the same.

I believe it has alot to do with the dining plan as well at the celebration.
all things including the economy being better has created bigger crowds.

just my opinion

 

[stoudt6]

We went last year at this time. The resorts were full ,but parks were empty. The reason being that alot of "drive-up" business. --people staying at hotels outside disney and people who do day trips are very slow (though Sat and sunday is busy). I personally wouldn't worry about it becuase most of the rides were walk-ons last year and they had pop-warner and other event stoo last year.

 

[dr2004]

Also, the cost of a park hoper for 4 vs 7 days is only about 10 bucks more now. I think this was a great marketing ploy by WDW as it encourages longer stays

Also if anyone is familiar with TV production, I would not be shocked if the production crew and staff takes up a lrge chunk of a moderate and the talent 1-2 floors of a deluxe

 

[msable]

Do you know when the filming for the parade is ? We will be at WDW at GF starting 12/4/2005 for a week. Thanks in advance.

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Do you know when the filming for the parade is ? We will be at WDW at GF starting 12/4/2005 for a week. Thanks in advance.

Friday 12/2 and Saturday 12/3 from 7am to 5pm, with 12/4 being the raindate. I read that they may route guests thru backstage areas if necessary for crowd control/movement.