Week before Thanksgiving vs week before Christmas

K

KTK

Active Member
Long time reader but first time poster.
My family of 5 including three pre-teens have been going to WDW the week before Thanksgiving the past 4 years. We stay 9 days and leave the Monday of Thanksgiving week. We love the Epcot resorts. While we have enjoyed being there that time of year, crowds have gotten larger and last year was the first year we didn't get any type of discount or promotion. During last year's trip, I tried to book a bounce back offer which didn't include Nov but did include Dec which I booked for 12/14 - 12/23/18. I realize the closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded it is going to get. We are traveling from Pennsylvania so the Florida "cold" won't bother us in Dec. For those have done both of these weeks, am I crazy to go so close to Christmas or better to stick with the week before Thanksgiving? Thanks for the input.
 
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S

SHP

Active Member
Let me offer a different perspective. My last three WDW trips have been between Xmas and New Year. Is it crowded? Definitely! However, I also feel like this is when Disney is at the top of their game. Every CM knows this is their busiest time of year and they are putting forth max effort to ensure things run smoothly and efficiently. Just sit back outside a shop one day and watch in amazement as two CMs with a roll of tape can control a crowd of 20,000 ppl around a walkway. It’s incredible.

I also feel like people are generally kinder to one another. No matter what time of year you go, there will be some rides that have really long lines, and instead of hot, sweaty, miserable people griping at each other, I found most lines had parents and kids willing to talk, laugh and share in the holiday spirit which made the waits bearable.

Finally, if you already got a great deal, and you know going into the trip to temper your expectations with the crowds, I think you will have a magical vacation. Make sure to see and do some of the special Christmas events and decorations as part of your trip- you will love them.
 
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OneofThree

OneofThree

Well-Known Member
We've changed our Q4 trip to September to avoid both those times of year, as it seems the place is just mad from Thanksgiving through the first week in January these days. If I had to pick one of those particular weeks, it would definitely be the week before Thanksgiving. We were there in early December this past year, and you could not pay me to go back again at that time, much less the week before Christmas.

EDIT: OK, you could pay me off, but it would take a sizeable amount. :)
 
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