Originally Posted By dshyates The BEST time to go. No crowds, value season prices, and yet all decked out for Christmas. My absolute favorite time of year to go to the parks.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome It is busier than it used to be and the resorts do get pretty full (Pop Warner makes the values busier). So definitely book early for the resort you want.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Oh - but still a very nice time to go. I prefer September for low crowds, but December is nice for Christmas.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmm, I used to think it was a good time to go, but after last year I have my doubts. Pop Warner and a number of conferences meant the place was heaving. I did not expect 1 hour waits for It's a Small World on a Tuesday the 1st week in December. It's not the worst, but be prepared for crowds. We did find Epcot and MGM to be ok, but DAK and MK felt very full to us. But the Christmas celebrations are excellent, it has some of the best weather Florida gets (not too hot, humid or rainy), and it's not as busy as traditional school vacation times. But compared to when we went in 2000, I swear the size of the crowds at least doubled, if not trippled.
Originally Posted By stitchcrazy My husband and I have gone around the first weekend of December the past 3 years and will be there roughly 12/5-12/10 this year. Like was mentioned the Pop Warner championship stuff fills up the Value resorts early in December usually our first couple days we see a lot of kids out in the parks from that but by the end of our trips they've pretty much cleared out. Its our #1 favorite time of year to go. Weather is usually warm but not hot during the day and cooler in the evening. For us its our own little Christmas together before the actual big holiday at the end of the month with our families. We especially enjoy Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the MK and all the holiday offerings Epcot has.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo The Animal Kingdom Lodge seemed really busy when we were there too. I wonder if the following week might be better as Pop Warner is over by then.
Originally Posted By mossy How busy are you guys talking about ?? Are the crowds during the first week similar to the Summer crowds ?? Would we be better off to book the second week of Dec ?
Originally Posted By imadisneygal This past year we were there the first week of December. The crowds were substantial. All of the Resorts were sold out and ours was overrun by the Pop Warner crowd. The Christmas Parade films that first weekend of December in the Magic Kingdom and that added to the crowds, but the other Parks were crowded as well. Not quite as bad as summer crowds, but close. By the Wednedsay/Thursday after the first weekend things had slowed down a bit and the Parks were manageable - with the exception of the Osborne Family Christmas Lights Guest Control. Yikes!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo In short, if you can go the 2nd week of December, that is probably better. It took us an hour to get from the monorail, through security, through the park gates over to Nemo. Due to the number of people. Not fun at all.
Originally Posted By mossy It looks like the week of dec 8 - 15 might be a better time to go than the first week ??
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF Our family went from December 15-24 last year.....it was great... the closer to Christmas Day...it got busier
Originally Posted By MPierce I would strongly suggest going after the 8th of December. I do not mean to sound rude, but you do not want to be stuck at a resort or on a bus with a herd of cheerleaders that think everybody wants to listen to them cheer.
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn Ok, I don't mind saying that you guys are making me a bit worried. I made my honeymoon for Dec. 1st - 8th and can't change now. I have dining reservations, MVMCP tickets, and plane tickets. Is this going to be as bad as you all say it is? It won't ruin my honeymoon will it? I had no idea this was going on otherwise I would have booked it a week later. If you have any advice let me know. If the crowds aren't summer size that would be fine. I've gone the week of July 4th before and it was the heat not the crowds that got to me. Anyway, I probably shouldn't worry so much, but you guys are making it sound like it's the worst time to go. Tell me it isn't so!
Originally Posted By MPierce I'm sure you'll be fine, heck it's your Honeymoon it will be great. Just try to stay clear of a bus that is crammed with the cheerleaders. Most of the time you won't even notice they are there if you plan it right.
Originally Posted By MPierce Make sure, and check out the Grand Floridian, and the Wilderness Lodge for the Christmas decorations. Don't worry about the kids they will be in competition most of the time anyway.
Originally Posted By Labuda Aren't you staying at the Poly, John? If so, the ONLY time you'll possibly run into big groups of cheerleaders is at the parks or DTD - and you can easily head the other direction when you see them coming.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Aren't you staying at the Poly, John? If so, the ONLY time you'll possibly run into big groups of cheerleaders is at the parks or DTD - and you can easily head the other direction when you see them coming. << That's good advice, and if you are staying at the Poly that definitely is a plus. Being on the bus with them can be the pits. Don't just head the other way though, run the other way when you see a large group of them in the parks!
