First Week of December Crowd Levels

Davy Crockett · 10-22-2007

Since planning my first visit to WDW, I have been an avid reader of The Unofficial Guide. While planning that trip, I was always interested in making my next trip the first week in December.

In the 2005 version of The Unoffical Guide, they indicated crowd levels at 1 after Thanksgiving and up until the week before Christmas. Now, as I look at the 2008 version they are indicating crowd levels up to 7 on Saturdays during that time period, and 5 seems to be the average crowd projection.

Sounds like things have really picked up at WDW. And that a lot of people are wising up and going at the "dead" times.

Has anyone been there in the first week last year? The projections I am seeing are actually higher than they were for my October 2004 trip. Now I know I am going at the best of possible times for avoiding huge crowds, and I can only plan for the best. But, what can I expect?

rlcarmichael · 10-22-2007

I don't know but if this is any indication, they used to offer discounts to Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party during the through the 1st 2 weeks of Dec but now they don't.

This year the discounted nights are SOME weeknights before Thanksgiving, and the 3rd week of Dec.

alilmagical32 · 10-22-2007

I spent a signifigant amount of time in the parks last year during that week as my family came in from PA. Crowds were not extrememly low, but were much better than a few weeks later. I think the longest line we had was Soarin' which was about 1 hour. Everything else was 30min or less however. Weekend crowds were def. heavier, but not unberable at all! I think its a great time to go!

maelae11 · 10-22-2007

I want to WDW last X-mas and the crowds were died during the weekdays. Saturday and Sunday things picked up a bit, Along with the night of the X-mas party.

allirella · 10-22-2007

Not sure how it will be. I'll let you know when I get back!

We're going 12/1-8/07!!

timsha · 10-22-2007

We are going the 9th to the 16th this year. In years past, the crowds were very light. we just got back the other day, and the crowds were more than what we expected, but were tolerable. We were also there this past January 5 - 11, and the crowds were very light.. It does appear that more people are going in the 'off' season now than used to.

nbodyhome · 10-22-2007

Over the years, that time period has gotten busier and busier. Not very heavy, but not light like it used to be. It is Disney's "worst kept secret" (next to the CR DVC project!)

Denise

RowdyRAider · 10-22-2007

The first 2 weeks of December are among the lowest crowd levels of the entire year. The last 2, of course, are the busiest ever.

Davy Crockett · 10-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by allirella

Not sure how it will be. I'll let you know when I get back!

We're going 12/1-8/07!!

I'll see you there! I will be the guy with the Mickey Mouse shirt.

nbodyhome · 10-22-2007

The first two weeks have high levels of guests at the resorts as well (it has been much harder in the past few years to find rooms, including discounted ones, in early December). The first week it's at least in part due to the Pop Warner. Early December seems to be a pretty big convention time all around (though October always seems the busiest for conventions!)

Denise

TK924 · 10-22-2007

If early Dec is not better than what we've experienced in the past, my DW will probably kill me.

I had to talk her into our next trip by explaining that this time of year was the very best time to go. It almost sounds like it's becoming otherwise.

I really hate lines and I have bit my lip during other WDW trips. It can be a bit ridiculous.

KarenT · 10-22-2007

We have gone the first week in December 8 of the last 10 years. Weekends are busier, weekdays..pretty light crowds.The parks have become busier the last year or two. But in my opinion , it is still the best time to go.
Last year, the longest wait was 1hr standby for soarin', 45 min. for space mountain. These were all midday times. Early in the AM , or late in the PM, most attractions were walk on or 5-10 minute wait.

keljen · 10-22-2007

This will be our second trip in December and we love it as the crowds are lower then anyother time weve been. This year were going 12/7 - 12/11

Andrea · 10-22-2007

We had a great time the first week of December last year and found the crowds very manageable.

Pop Warner DID get in the way, with closing down MGM early one night... and keeping me out of the Osborne Lights. Grrrrrr.

Soundgod · 10-22-2007

Weekdays are more than fine. Weekends are a little denser, mostly people from in state, in early December.

10-22-2007	#1 (permalink)
Davy Crockett Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 73	First Week of December Crowd Levels Since planning my first visit to WDW, I have been an avid reader of The Unofficial Guide. While planning that trip, I was always interested in making my next trip the first week in December. In the 2005 version of The Unoffical Guide, they indicated crowd levels at 1 after Thanksgiving and up until the week before Christmas. Now, as I look at the 2008 version they are indicating crowd levels up to 7 on Saturdays during that time period, and 5 seems to be the average crowd projection. Sounds like things have really picked up at WDW. And that a lot of people are wising up and going at the "dead" times. Has anyone been there in the first week last year? The projections I am seeing are actually higher than they were for my October 2004 trip. Now I know I am going at the best of possible times for avoiding huge crowds, and I can only plan for the best. But, what can I expect? __________________

10-22-2007	#2 (permalink)
rlcarmichael Too many DVC points? NST Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 1,996	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels I don't know but if this is any indication, they used to offer discounts to Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party during the through the 1st 2 weeks of Dec but now they don't. This year the discounted nights are SOME weeknights before Thanksgiving, and the 3rd week of Dec. __________________ Richard Carmichael, Chesapeake VA DVC Member BLT, VGC & SSR 2009 SSR(x2), AKV, BWV, BLT(x2), VB, DCL Magic; 2008-SSR, WLV, OKW YC; 2007-YC, GF: DCL Wonder; 2006-SSR, SoG, Poly; 2005- Poly (x2), Orange Lake; 1999-Courtyard LB; Disney Inn (RIP - now SoG) '90, '88, '86 Make-A-Wish Volunteer www.wish.org My Wish - no Wish Kids to send to see THE* Mouse.* 2nd Fav Org - Give Kids The World Village www.gktw.org My Disney Countdown Counting down to: BLT Mk Christmas Trip 18 days 15 hours 55 minutes

10-22-2007	#3 (permalink)
alilmagical32 Big Cheese Join Date: May 2006 Location: Celebration Posts: 998	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels I spent a signifigant amount of time in the parks last year during that week as my family came in from PA. Crowds were not extrememly low, but were much better than a few weeks later. I think the longest line we had was Soarin' which was about 1 hour. Everything else was 30min or less however. Weekend crowds were def. heavier, but not unberable at all! I think its a great time to go! __________________ MB'ers I've Met: Tink74 http://thebestthingscomeintwos.wordpress.com/ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: On our way to One! 18 days 21 hours 40 minutes

10-22-2007	#4 (permalink)
maelae11 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Elmwood Park, NJ Posts: 260	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels I want to WDW last X-mas and the crowds were died during the weekdays. Saturday and Sunday things picked up a bit, Along with the night of the X-mas party. __________________ Thanx, Dina 2002- Honeymoon (Boardwalk) 2003- Wilderness Lodge 2005-Contemporary, Became a DVC member 2006 Beach Club- First time using DVC 2006- Dec Wilderness Lodge Villas 2007 Boardwalk Memorial Day Weekend 2008 Boardwalk with the whole family!!! 2008 Boardwalk Nov X-mas with the mouse. 2009 April :Beach Club-Chris' Birthday @ WDW 2009- DEC OKW family gathering @ X-mas 2010 April- Chris' birthday again in WDW My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Christmas with the Mouse 13 days 5 hours 33 minutes

10-22-2007	#5 (permalink)
allirella Big Cheese Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SC Posts: 800	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels Not sure how it will be. I'll let you know when I get back! We're going 12/1-8/07!! __________________ Allirella AVATAR: Rainbow A Vellum Scroll Am I a twit if I tweet? My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Possible 2010 Trip? 77 days 22 hours 10 minutes

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Theme Parks
First Week of December Crowd Levels

10-22-2007	#6 (permalink)
timsha Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Foster. RI Posts: 1,255	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels We are going the 9th to the 16th this year. In years past, the crowds were very light. we just got back the other day, and the crowds were more than what we expected, but were tolerable. We were also there this past January 5 - 11, and the crowds were very light.. It does appear that more people are going in the 'off' season now than used to. __________________ Next trip?? some time in 2009

10-22-2007	#7 (permalink)
nbodyhome Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 217	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels Over the years, that time period has gotten busier and busier. Not very heavy, but not light like it used to be. It is Disney's "worst kept secret" (next to the CR DVC project!) Denise

10-22-2007	#8 (permalink)
RowdyRAider Mouse Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The House of Mouse in Florida Posts: 2,176	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels The first 2 weeks of December are among the lowest crowd levels of the entire year. The last 2, of course, are the busiest ever. __________________ Defending the magic since '04, Matt Taylor, Da RowdyRaider

10-22-2007	#10 (permalink)
nbodyhome Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 217	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels The first two weeks have high levels of guests at the resorts as well (it has been much harder in the past few years to find rooms, including discounted ones, in early December). The first week it's at least in part due to the Pop Warner. Early December seems to be a pretty big convention time all around (though October always seems the busiest for conventions!) Denise

10-22-2007	#11 (permalink)
TK924 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 212	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels If early Dec is not better than what we've experienced in the past, my DW will probably kill me. I had to talk her into our next trip by explaining that this time of year was the very best time to go. It almost sounds like it's becoming otherwise. I really hate lines and I have bit my lip during other WDW trips. It can be a bit ridiculous. __________________ Dec 2001 - Off Site (our 1st trip to WDW!) Apr 2003 - All Star Music Apr 2004 - Pop Century Mar 2005 - Pop Century Sep 2005 - Pop Century (nice trip!) May 2006 - Pop Century Dec 2006 - Pop Century (3 days prior to Christmas) Dec 2007 - Pop Century (2nd weekend in Dec.) Jan 2009 - Pop Century (MLK weekend)

10-22-2007	#12 (permalink)
KarenT Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 1,025	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels We have gone the first week in December 8 of the last 10 years. Weekends are busier, weekdays..pretty light crowds.The parks have become busier the last year or two. But in my opinion , it is still the best time to go. Last year, the longest wait was 1hr standby for soarin', 45 min. for space mountain. These were all midday times. Early in the AM , or late in the PM, most attractions were walk on or 5-10 minute wait.

10-22-2007	#13 (permalink)
keljen Mouse Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Too far from Disney Posts: 1,221	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels This will be our second trip in December and we love it as the crowds are lower then anyother time weve been. This year were going 12/7 - 12/11 __________________ Walt Disney World - Always on my mind My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Cruise on new NCL ship 348 days 20 hours 10 minutes

10-22-2007	#14 (permalink)
Andrea Dole Whip Apostate Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shasta in my heart Posts: 2,815	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels We had a great time the first week of December last year and found the crowds very manageable. Pop Warner DID get in the way, with closing down MGM early one night... and keeping me out of the Osborne Lights. Grrrrrr. __________________ x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨"...make sure you don't grow up stupid.¸.•´¨) (¸.•´xxxxxxxxxxxxIt's bad for the world."xxxxxxxxxxx ¸.•´ xxxxxxxxxxxxx--Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lightsxxxxxxxxxx(¸.•`* My Disney Countdown Counting down to: I have absolutely nothing to look forward too. :-(

10-22-2007	#15 (permalink)
Soundgod Squirrel! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Laughing on the Laughing Floor Posts: 8,790	Re: First Week of December Crowd Levels Weekdays are more than fine. Weekends are a little denser, mostly people from in state, in early December. __________________ Do you live to eat or do you eat to live? My Disney Countdown Counting down to: WDW? Nope. Home

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