Is early Dec a good time to go?

[DISmomma]

I was told to maybe break up my questions, so here goes
We are a family of 4, with what will be a 4 year old and a 1 year old. We would like to go when the Christmas stuff is up, we were thinking sometime between November 29 and Dec 12. Is this a good time to go, or will it be really crowded?We can only go for 5 days, is that long enough? Thank you!

 

[Disneylover1302]

I would say that usually sometime between those dates they shoot the Christmas Day Parade. SO MK would Be pretty much packed for a day or two! I know they shoot around the first week of December I'm not sure what the dates are for this year!

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Yes this is a wonderful time to go, the Parks and Resorts will be all deck for the Holidays causing your experience to much more magical and very festive. I will answer your other questions on your other Thread.

 

[happymom52003]

It is our very favorite time to go! If I were you, I'd plan your five days to avoid Saturdays. The two Satudays that fall during the time period you are considering are both predicted to be very crowded according to the crowd prediction calendar on touringplans.com. But all of the other days during your range of dates should be great!

The first weekend of December is usually the Christmas parade taping. This makes the MK very crowded, as another poster mentioned. We've been to the MK twice during that weekend and will NEVER do so again!

But the rest of the time is great! It is one of the best times of year to go to WDW as far as crowds go, plus there is nothing more magical than seeing WDW decked out for Christmas!

 

[bigorangeandy]

is that long enough?

That should be enough time to see most everything. You will not be able to see everything, but shoud not miss anything major (or much minor). The one thing we always say if something is down for referb, or the line to long, is that we will just have to come back. Have fun, and enjoy your kids having fun!

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I was there 12/1 - 12/12 this year and had a BLAST. The parks we're busier than when I went in May, but the Christmas decorations/parties/etc MORE than make up for it!!

 

[DISmomma]

How long were the waits for the rides?

 

[goodtimes5286]

10-20 minutes, except for for the major thrills (RnRC, TSM, Sorin, etc), fastpass TSM, it's a MUST!

 

[KristieLC]

That's basically the time we went this past Dec. We were there from 11/29-12/6 and it was great. The first Saturday was a bit busy, but it was the Saturday after TG. I do have to say though, MK started to really clear out at about 9 and they were open till Midnight. Most things we wanted to do that night with our 4 year old had little or no wait. The following Saturday was when they were taping the Christmas parade and Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers were there, so it was crowded at MK. We actually forgot about the parade and it was our last day, so we left MK and went to Epcot instead, which wasn't overly crowded. The rest of the week, during the week had it's crowded moments, but imo, it wasn't a bad time at all!!!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

It was a tad cold this year, but nice ro see the decorations and the crowds thinned out a little after turkey dinner day

 

[3girlswdwdreams]

We went Dec 8 -15 2007 and would do it again in a heartbeat!! the only time we found it crowded was at the Christmas party we went to... other than that it was great, a wonderful time to be there!!!

We will be heading down for 5 days this year... and I believe it is enough to get through the parks if you prioritize what's most important to you, concentrate on getting to those things, and everything else is bonus.

really just seeing the decorations, lights, the castle sparkle is worth the trip!!!
Have fun!

 

[Vernonpush]

Just be aware that the first part of December is also when the Pop Warner Crowd is there.

 

[H20Babie]

We went December 1-8, and while it was cooler (jeans and tees, jackets at night), we found most of the rides walk-on. We had to FastPass EE, RnRC, BTMRR, and TSM, but that was about it. We went to our first MVMCP, and walked on almost everything in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (which was great with 3 kids 7 and under). If you plan properly (ie. use the crowd calendars on touringplans, etc), you'll have no problem. This was the least crowded time of year that I have been.

 

[hokielutz]

The weekends of December 5-6 and December 12-13 are going to be very busy because of the Pop Warner Football and Cheerleader championships. Also during that week, the weekdays will be busier than December's in the 1990's.

Disney keeps trying to pack their non-peak calendar days with special events to draw organizations to the World, and keeps taking away the best times to visit the parks.

We will be there Dec 13-19. So far, that week is void of special events, and may be the least crowded week before the Christmas crowds arrives on the 20th.

Anyways.... early December is better than the Spring and Summer dates.

 

[coltow]

We went 8-14 and it was perfect. Low crowd levels and amazing decorations. Just be aware that the weather is very unpredictible

 

[bugsbunny]

Been going first week of December every year for about 12 years now. After doing this, I feel spoiled when compared to going other times of the year.

During the week, the lines are riduclously short. Weekends brings out the locals, so be prepared for some crowding here and there.

Weather can certainly be unpredictable. I certianly remember days of 75-80 degrees without a cloud in the sky and I also remember days of 50 degrees, grey skies, and a 30 mph cold wind from the North.

Me and my 4 yr old swim in the pool at the hotel, but it can get chilly if you are in the shadows or once the sun starts going down. Regardless, first week of December is da bomb!

 

[rsoxguy]

The crowds and/or weather DO NOT MATTER. Nothing beats WDW during the Christmas season. The decorations and the spirit of the season make everything great at the parks. By all means go!

 

[disneygirl1]

It is an awesome time of the year to go!!! We were there there from 12/6 to 12/13 and it is my new favorite time of the year to go. We were there for 6 day and able to get everything done we wanted to.

The weather can get chilly at night so make sure you bring a sweatshirt.

Oh, and MVMCP is not to be missed... Definitely worth the extra cash to go.

 

[disneytopdog]

Can someone tell me about this taping of the Christmas Parade. In a earlier post they said that it is taped on a Saturday is that right? Is it a one day taping? I am going Sunday November 29-December 4. When do they announce the day or days that the MK is effected by this?

 

[KristieLC]

Can someone tell me about this taping of the Christmas Parade. In a earlier post they said that it is taped on a Saturday is that right? Is it a one day taping? I am going Sunday November 29-December 4. When do they announce the day or days that the MK is effected by this?

When we were there it was taped on 12/6, which was our last day. It was incredibly crowded at MK that day. I know most of it was taped that day - not sure if it all was though. As I mentioned in a previous post, we actually forgot about the taping, so didn't stay at MK. We left and went to Epcot and didn't find it to be overly crowded there. I would just stay out of MK that day if it happens to be taped on a day that you are there, unless of course you want to see some of the taping.