December 1st?

[Letsgetlost12]

Can anyone tell me what the crowd levels are like for the first week in December(starting the 1st)? Our original plan was to go the 8th but it looks like we're going to have to move back a week. All my research is void

 

[tikiman]

It use to be some what slow the first or second week of December but it seems to be getting more popular. Also they have the filming at the MK for the Holiday show around the 1st and 2nd of December so that might make it more crowded or at least things in the parks will be limited to allow filming.

 

[harryk]

Crowds building up now during that time period - Avoid Magic Kingdom during Christmas Parade filming - but it is a very enjoyable time to be at WDW.

 

[Letsgetlost12]

What about the pop warner kids? I've heard they can be difficult to deal with.

 

[Mrs.Skellington]

http://www.popwarner.com/
Normally they are there the first week of December. We are going at that time too but arriving the day after Thanksgiving and returning home on the 2nd of December. I have heard it is really nice weather and the crowds are lighter than normal.

 

[Letsgetlost12]

That's what we had heard too. We wanted to go on and do it when we can pull our 8 year old out of school without it counting against him.

 

[go3epcot]

Magic Kingdom has the taping of the Christmas Parade that Friday and Saturday, along with music performances. Main Street USA becomes difficult to cross during taping, and the crowds are large then. The other parks have light crowds during this weekend. Pop Warner football starts arriving Thursday/Friday for the following week, but their impact is felt most around the resorts (All Star Sports and PO Riverside for sure). I have brought a student group each of the past 2 years and will be going again this year (November 28th- December 2nd). It is a great time to visit WDW!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I was in Disney once the first week of December, in 2006. It was one of my favorite trips. It was a little cooler, we had to wear jeans & hoodies some days and at night. But crowds were great, very mild. We must have been there for the filming of the parade but I didn't know about it, and must not have been at MK that day. A lot has changed in 6 years, but when I went I thought crowds were great!

 

[MeandMickey]

We go every year the first weekend of December and it is always enjoyable. Yes, the crowds seem to be getting larger, but that is happening throughout the year, so it is all relative to timing as in the past. Skip MK on parade taping days. Pop Warner football and cheerleaders stay at All-Star resorts. Just skip All-Stars and stay at Pop Century. The kids are there for football and rarely make a disturbance at the parks. Weather is cooler, sometimes unpredictable, this year was warm, past years in the 40s, but way better than summertime. Best week to go in my opinion, and we also go first weekend in Feb. Another great time to go.

 

[maryyl]

A great time to visit

I agree the early part of December is a great time to go. The Pop Warner kids have never bothered us, but we stay at one of the DVC resorts. I think the kids stay at the bargain resorts. I've heard horror stories about cheerleaders on busses, so I'd avoid those resorts if you can.

This year there are two early weeks of December before the high time starts, so you could consider going the week of Dec. 8 instead of the first week. The crowds shouldn't be much different.

 

[Letsgetlost12]

Thank you all so very much for all the info. I'm new to the board and loving it! :sohappy:

 

[Gojira ゴジラ]

I've been to Disney quite a few times but only once on Winter which was the first week of December. It was the most enjoyable trip in terms of the weather and events.

Crowd isn't as crazy as in the summer. We were there for 15 days, the crowd started to get its momentum in the last few days of our trip.