How crowded will it be...

[themerebear6453]

I'm planning a trip to Disney World with some friends from December 11-16. We wanted to see the Christmas decorations but all agree that it would be better to go another time if it's going to be too crowded that time of year. I know that they say the first few weeks are minimal crowds in December but I'm not sure if we fit in that range or not. I'm especially worried because this will be two of my friends first trip to Disney and I wouldn't want them to get the wrong idea.

 

[PixyDust]

That's actually a great week. The week before most schools get out for Christmas break. Decorations are up and crowds are low.

I've been during that week several times over the years.

 

[themerebear6453]

Thanks! We'll start looking at hotels then!

 

[tcwickings]

We are going the same dates

 

[disneygirl1]

I think you will find it won't be too bad at all!!! We are going Dec 3rd to the 11th... Crowds will most likely start picking up right as you are leaving for the big holiday influx of guests!!!

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

We've been there multiple times during Christmas season and found that the crowds during the weekdays are relatively low especially before the 25th. Foot traffic does increase on the weekends because of all the locals wanting to take in the decorations too but it's still not too busy. We're arriving again this year the week before Christmas. Once December 25th arrives, the madness does too especially @ MK. We usually hightail out of the MK before noon because of the crowd and go to EPCOT instead for the rest of the day. It stays very, very busy until about the first week of January.

 

[Stellajack]

RE: How crowded will it be

I have also been the week before Christmas week. Crowds are really low--parks are decorated all out for Christmas, Candelight Processional at Epcot, Osborne lights and you can do MVMCP at Magic Kingdom. This is a great time to go and really enjoy everything!

Just make sure you plan for cool AND warm (not hot) days and nights. We had temps ranging from 35-78F while we were there.:xmas:

 

[KeithVH]

Well, I think it's more a gamble than a sure thing. We've been going since '97 around that time. Usually starting Dec 4, 5 or 6th and ending 7-8 days later. Wit our oldest not getting out of finals until the 9th, in 2009 we arrived on the 10 and stayed till the 18th. Even with the economy in supposedly bad shape, this was the most crowded trip we'd ever had.

Yeah, compared to the summer, it's pretty quite. Definitely have tried to miss Pop Warner too. But I think December is no longer the "secret" slow time everyone wants it to be. That would seem to be an urban legend at this point. Not sure who is going when every time you turn on the TV, the news is saying "Woe to us", it's the end of the economic world" but attendance is definitely up during December relative to a just a few years ago. Which is saying a lot compared to the late 90's through '03.

I'm sure the OP will still have a great time. The key issue will be good planning that accounts for where the crowds will be so you're someplace else.

 

[themerebear6453]

I usually go in July so I'm used to big crowds but I heard that during Christmas it can be impossible to get on The Haunted Mansion in less than a few hours and I don't want to expose my friends to that chaos. Thanks so much for your replies. I'm really excited now! I've always wanted to see the lights at MGM! ... Hollywood Studios, whatever.:xmas:

 

[me_stitch]

we wen't in Dec. '08 from the 5th to the 16th because we wanted to go during christmas and because the crowds were supposed to be low. it was alot more crowded than I thought it would be for that time of year but it wasn't so crowded that it ruined our trip or anything. the decorations and hollywood studios at night are the best.

 

[lighteningqueen]

2007 was great walked right on rides

2008 busier stood in lines crowd levels around the castle were unbelievable. Packed to the max. Had jams that made us in that mess for over an hour after the fireworks at the castle. Last year even more crowded. We went the 7th - 15th I think Its in my sig, I have never seen so many people the whole week. Lines were long wait times at least 60 minutes most rides. I agree no secret here it was very very crowded as were the buses and the terminals for going home at night. Usually took 2 bus waits to pick us all up some times 3 if there were lots of EVC's .. Try the week before the holiday or kids get out. I bet it will be a little more slower then. POP Warner is not the issue. You rarely see those kids and we have never run into them in line nor anywhere else not even at All Star Music or POP Century. Now Brazillons are another thing .... 40 to a group and they are all together in the lines.

 

[tink65]

We were there in 2009 on Dec 12-17th and it was great. I did notice it started picking up at the end of the week! You'll have a great time!

 

[goofykt]

We were there from Dec 12-16 last year and the crowds weren't bad. It was a little more crowded than when we were there the first week of September, but the parks weren't "swamped" by any means.

Also, the weather during this time is AMAZING. I wore a tshirt and jeans every day and was perfectly comfortable. Wasn't hot during the day or cold at night.