Mid Dec trip to WDW - Crowds?

[jdkpa]

Anyone been to WDW in mid Dec?

Roughly looking at Dec 12 to Dec 19 this year. I know I would be approaching the super busy time.

I know there are websites that speak of crowds, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I have been to WDW in prior years in Sept, Oct, Nov and January. In those experiences, I have found Nov to be the best time.

Thanks!

 

[marcriss]

Hi:wave:,

We'll be there the 10th through 20th this year. Usually we go the first weekend for 10 days. I'm expecting it to start getting crazy this year around the 16th, but it could be okay til around the 21st. Because xmas is a Sunday I think people will delay getting there until closer to christmas day. Otherwise they'd be leaving right after Christmas. So...be prepared for heavier crowds starting that weekend before and keep your fingers crossed that maybe it'll be better than expected. When we've gone earlier in the month it's been getting much more crowded when we were leaving, but part of that I think was where Christmas Day fell in the week.:xmas:

To answer your question more directly, before the Xmas crowds swoop in it's been moderately heavy. Peter Pan needs a FP, TSM FPs are gone by 10am, but everything else is usually reasonable (not light, but reasonable).

 

[Mukta]

I was in WDW Dec of 2010. I usually go in September, so I wasn't sure what to expect crowd wise. I was there the 10-13th and it was more crowded than I was used to.

 

[eroyee]

We found out that its more crowded in Dec. than it used to be. From the 1st to about the 16th, it wasnt too bad, but after that people came in like crazy...

 

[jlandis44]

Touring Plans crowd predictions are showing really low levels for Dec until about the 16th. Then it starts to really pick up. Hence, why I selected Dec 3-10...should be pretty reasonable.

 

[BeachClubNut]

Anyone been to WDW in mid Dec?

Roughly looking at Dec 12 to Dec 19 this year. I know I would be approaching the super busy time.

I know there are websites that speak of crowds, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I have been to WDW in prior years in Sept, Oct, Nov and January. In those experiences, I have found Nov to be the best time.

Thanks!

last year we were there that time, all I can say is perfect.....you miss the Pop Warner Idiots and basically its walk on to almost all rides with exception of Soaring, you can also get dinner reservations anywhere, if you ave a smart phone go to Disneyworld.com it will bring up mobile site, we got to eat anywhere we wanted and made same day reservations, went to Italy they said reservations only went outside used my phone, got a reservation there immediately, great time of year to go. We are going again this year same time.

 

[BeachClubNut]

Anyone been to WDW in mid Dec?

Roughly looking at Dec 12 to Dec 19 this year. I know I would be approaching the super busy time.

I know there are websites that speak of crowds, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

I have been to WDW in prior years in Sept, Oct, Nov and January. In those experiences, I have found Nov to be the best time.

Thanks!

From Touring Plans 3rd is best parks to avoid 4th column then its shows Mickeys Nights.
We go by this every trip, it was way off on a March trip but other than that its been pretty accurate. Weekends at Epcot are usually busier.
DATE CROWD LEVEL BEST PARKS PARKS TO AVOID NOTES
Sun, December 11, 2011 1 out of 10 MK EP HS Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mon, December 12, 2011 1 out of 10 EP HS MK
Tue, December 13, 2011 1 out of 10 AK HS Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Wed, December 14, 2011 1 out of 10 MK EP Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Thu, December 15, 2011 2 out of 10 AK HS
Fri, December 16, 2011 3 out of 10 AK EP Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Sat, December 17, 2011 4 out of 10 AK MK
Sun, December 18, 2011 2 out of 10 MK EP HS Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mon, December 19, 2011 5 out of 10 MK HS AK
Tue, December 20, 2011 6 out of 10 HS AK MK

 

[Poofiesdream]

We go that week every year. This year 11th - 17th. Crowds are always very low. Starts to get crowded around the 17th and 18th thats why we leave then. You'll be fine with your dates. Little to no wait for rides and fantastic weather. Last year it was a bit cold lows 40's high's low 70's. Its also the dry season so very little rain. As somewhat locals its our favorite time!

 

[TheAmazingBobbo]

I went last year from December 19-23... the first two-three days were dead, then the last two were as busy as I've ever seen. Once that weekend hits when the kids get off school, it picks up like mad, but up until then, you'll be fine.

 

[diddy_mouse]

Count me in for mid-December! :wave: We're booked the 12-17th and this was the same week we visited back in '07. The crowds were manageable but I noticed DTD was busy with holiday shoppers.

 

[lbrad]

Beautiful time to visit ...
Enjoy the holiday decorations:xmas:

 

[KeithVH]

While we always go this time of the year also, this is really getting to be a relative question. Yeah, probably compared to some other times of the year, it is slow. But I felt the last 2-3 years it has been busy. Compared to the late 90s and, say, 2000-2004, I'd have to say December is now a pretty busy time of the year.

A while ago someone else posted that there really isn't a slow time anymore. Just busy and busier.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Last December we were there from the 4th thru the 19th and the crowds were lightest for our our second week. However they built in very fast starting on Saturday the 18th. The amount of people checking in was crazy and the resort was packed. They had to be at capacity.

We have been there many times for the first week of December, but this was the latest we have stayed in December and I would say that by far the best December week is the last full week before Christmas week. Not the slowest I have ever seen WDW, but a good mix of light crowds, Holiday Decor and the Christmas events make it well worth it.