Originally Posted By mossy We are trying to book a trip in december, and we were under the impression that iw was a slow month. I'm told that the first week is 'Pop Warner" week, and is quite busy. Is the second week of december fairly slow ?? My wife has a bad back and can't handle the long lines...
Originally Posted By TDLFAN To be honest... there really is no "slow season" at WDW anymore.. Seems like the place sees a fair amount of crowds for most of the year, thanks in part to parents taking their kids off school to visit (the shame) or tourists from abroad coming in big numbers pretty much all of the time, regardless of the time of the year. However, historically speaking... early december has always been manageable in regards to crowds and I don't think you'd be dealing with huge crowd problems. I am not sure what this "pop warner" thing is you are talking about, as I have never heard of it before... But my experience with WDW in early December has always been good. Weather is nice, all of the Xmas stuff is up and running and parks are moderately crowds at worst. It should be a good time to visit.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Pop Warner is the football league that is nation wide. They hold their Super Bowl at WDW in the first week of December. For all of their age groups, which go from about 6 to teens. They (Pop Warner) also have cheerleaders who have a competition going on at the same time. It's huge. Huge. This is the fourth year we've gone the first week of December and it's the first year I've seen this. We did miss December 2005, so maybe it was going on then, too. Before that we experienced very low crowds, loads of Xmas decorations, great weather, etc. This past year was very different from the years before it. The Resort was loaded with unaccompanied groups of kids from the football teams. I think I'd try to avoid the first week in future years. And that gives me the chance to be home for Candlelight at Disneyland! It's usually the first weekend in December, too!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Thanks for that info. Now that I know what Pop Warner is... then I can honestly offer this advise to mossy: GO in december. I have never noticed crowds to be any worst or better during that time as opposed to other "school periods" times of the year... and if your wife's back is a problem.. then use FP to minimize wait times or do what other people with similar ailments or guts do: rent a wheelchair and get access to the front of the line without any questions asked..
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I was at WDW during the Pop Warner thing and didn't really find the crowds to be that bad. I thought that it was typical crowds for WDW. The typical rides had 20 minute waits. It seems a lot of the "kids" were actually hanging around DTD. I thought DTD was very very busy. Must have been everyone christmas shopping. My advise is stay at an on property resort so your party can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours. That way you will get on the really busy rides like Soarin and Everest. The ONLY weeks that is going to be incredibly packed will be the weeks of Christmas. Other than that.. the parks will have a "normal" crowd.
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn Hey Kennesaw and TDL. That makes me feel better as I have my honeymoon booked for that week and I was starting to get worried. If it is still less crowds than during the summer (I've dealt with the July 4th crowds before) that is fine.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I have found that December is less crowded that the summer months. However, keep in mind during the winter the park hours are shorter and the fireworks displays ( in my opinion are far shorter as well ). Oh course the festivites doing on throughout WDW during December easily make up for the shorter hours. Just make sure you get tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.... its a blast.
Originally Posted By MPierce If you've never been on board a bus with a bunch of teenage cheerleaders or in a queue with them you are really in for a treat. Anyone at WDW Dec.1-8, remember I warned you.
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn Hey Kennesaw. We have tickets for MVMCP for that week so we are all set. We also have seats at CG during the fireworks as well. Should be great.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Been there when it was wall to wall Brazilians, there enthusiasum was infectious. But at the end of the night, I was glad we weren't staying in the same hotel. I assume cheerleaders could be the same.
Originally Posted By MaddJack Well, I will be there over part of Pop Warner week this year (November 29th through December 6th). Is it a crowd issue that is the annoyance factor during Pop Warner week for those that are warning people away? Or is it more a packs of barely supervised kids situation? Just curious. Right now we are currently planning on keeping our current plans, but just looking more for what to expect. Thanks all.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Been there when it was wall to wall Brazilians, there enthusiasum was infectious. But at the end of the night, I was glad we weren't staying in the same hotel. I assume cheerleaders could be the same. << You can certainly learn the art of line jumping from them. Sorry for the stereo type casting, but I believe that to be fact. My Portuguese isn't that great so it was sometimes difficult to convey that line jumping was a no-no. >> Is it a crowd issue that is the annoyance factor during Pop Warner week for those that are warning people away? Or is it more a packs of barely supervised kids situation? << If you are stuck on a bus with them or at a resort with them you will find out real fast what the problem is. When they are not in competition they will be in the parks so the parks will be a little more crowded then. You may encounter nothing but well behaven cheerleaders, who knows. I just think everybody here wanted to warn people what the potential was.
Originally Posted By mossy Mpierce.....if you had to choose would you go the first or second week of Dec ??
Originally Posted By MPierce Well it would depend on a lot of things. Where I was staying would be the main factor. It would be a little less crowded after they leave, but it won't ruin your trip if you go when they are there. Like I said avoid staying at a value or moderate. I don't think they book over at CSR so if I was staying at a moderate I would stay there. If you can go either week I would suggest the second week. WeirdJohn has his honeymooned already planned for the first week, but he is staying at the Poly, he shouldn't have any problems. If you do go while they are there you can always avoid them in the parks it just takes a little planning. What the heck it's WDW at Christmas time. I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter which week you choose.
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn Thanks for the advice MPierce. I'm not too worried about the crowds. I've been around Disney on the 4th of July, so the crowds can't be worse than that. Well, at least not during off holiday times. Good to know the Poly should be relatively quiet though.
