Thanksgiving or Late December ??

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

our family has been going to WDW every second week off December for a few years now and love it. However as the kids have gotten older its been hard for us to miss a week of school. I know it is bad during both times but are crowds better at Thanksgiving or last 2 weeks of December ?? Just trying to pick the lesser of 2 evils. Thanks !!

 

[MorganKelly]

I would opt for December, but before Christmas. So ideally visiting and leaving just before 12/24. You will have crowds either way. Remember you need to consider lots of locals have time off to visit too. Early December is great, as you know, but I do understand not wanting to take the children out of school.

 

[BigRedDad]

I would go the week leading up to XMas week. Most likely the kids are not out of school then either. For me, if I went at this time, I would pick 4-5 things I wanted to do each day, get those done, and then watch shows, pin trade, or enjoy the resort.

 

[TXDisney]

I'd say thanksgiving week is less crowded

 

[bigorangeandy]

We have just returned from a trip December 12-17 and the crowds were building at the end of our trip. We have been the week of Thanksgiving in the past (arriving Saturday prior to Thanksgiving) and starting about Tuesday the crowds really picked up. Keep in mind that for Thanksgiving day if you want a traditional dinner, make your reservations 180 days out. We were trying for Liberty Tree, but it was completely booked and ended up having the buffet at Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge. All in all the lunch at Whispering Canyon was great, a short boat ride from MK and we walked around Wilderness Lodge and took in the Christmas decorations.