Question for the Disney experts

[Tink0102]

I have only been once and many of you have been dozens of times so I defer to you all as my experts.
A friend of mine has a trip planned for Thanksgiving week. I told her last night that based on what I have read here and the estimated crowd levels on touring plans that is a very very busy week. So she is considering changing it to the week before Christmas...specifically the 16th thru the 20th. Those dates look pretty good on touring plans, but what say you? Is that a better week than Thanksgiving week?

 

[Disnee4Me]

They say the first few weeks of December are among the best time to go. We've arrived there around the 20th (my birthday) and all was pretty quiet. But come Christmas Eve through New Years ... it became a total zoo.

 

[crispy]

Should definitely be a better week to go. I think they are even running free dining up to Dec. 23rd.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I have only been once and many of you have been dozens of times so I defer to you all as my experts.
A friend of mine has a trip planned for Thanksgiving week. I told her last night that based on what I have read here and the estimated crowd levels on touring plans that is a very very busy week. So she is considering changing it to the week before Christmas...specifically the 16th thru the 20th. Those dates look pretty good on touring plans, but what say you? Is that a better week than Thanksgiving week?

Although I am no expert, I agree with other posters, beginning/mid December is a tad less crowded. We have been to Disney several times for Thanksgiving, and it wasn't too bad with the exception of Thanksgiving Day thru the following Monday. What we did, was when one park was really busy (usually MK) we went to another park, then hung pool side, weather permitting.

 

[Master Yoda]

It will more than likely be a little better but it will still be busy. If she is planning on sleeping late and showing up at the parks at noon then she is going to hate it. If she thinks that she can show up to Crystal Palace ay 5:00 and get a table for 4 she will find herself eating at Casey's.

The bottom line is if the kids are out of school, WDW will be busy. There is no getting away from that fact. This year, most winter breaks will be starting sometime during the week she is planning on going.

 

[Tink0102]

Thanks y'all. She's changing it and making reservations for their dining.

 

[taz0162]

The crowd levels pick up leading up to Christmas, then tapering back down Jan 2nd-ish. You should be pretty good with a 16-20 time frame. Take advantage of any early or late operating hours. Been there during your dates in the past and It really is a great time to be there. I have not been there for Thanksgiving week though but would imagine that the crowd levels would be higher. Dec 16-20 you don't have to compete with Grade-HighSchools being out for break as much.

 

[JimJam]

I am actually going the week of thanksgiving also. We do every year. Crowds never really seem to be that bad.

 

[sxeensweet]

Definitely better to go for the December dates!!!!! No questions!! A lot smaller crowds being it is not the 24th on through New Years. It is me and DH's fave time to go. Plus if your interested they are offering room discounts or free dining for those dates. Also it is cheaper for rooms even without the discounts than going for Thanksgiving. Holiday rates are very high! So overall it definately is the better choice in December!

 

[Brandon Bowman]

Early December is Much better time for touring. Deals and rates seem to always be alot better.

 

[disneygirl1]

We where mid December last year the 12th to the 18th and crowds were too bad. as the week went on you definitely started to see the increase of crowds coming in. Early December is probably their best bet.