Week of December 14 - 21 Crowds

[Disneyguy57]

Hi Everyone,

We are looking at taking a WDW trip in December. The week we were looking at would be December 14-21, this way we avoid Pop Warner and the week of Christmas. What are your thoughts on the crowds? Has anyone gone the week before Christmas week? I have looked at a few crowd calendars and they split 50/50 as to whether ithat time period will be super busy like the holiday week or super empty like early December.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DisneyGlennB]

It's a good time to go. It doesn't really get slower than that at the holiday times. If I had to rate the crowds that week, would give them a 5 out of 10. The week after gets a 10 of 10.

 

[bgraham34]

Your leaving when it will start to get busy. So it is a good time to go.

 

[Master Yoda]

It should be fairly good, but crowds will more than likely be on the uptick the later it gets in your vacation. Winter break starts around 12/20 this year and that is typically when people start to show up.

 

[JillC LI]

We were there December 14-16, 2012. For the most part the parks weren't crowded with one big exception. Of those 3 days, the only one where there was no MVMCP was 12/15, so that's the day we went to the MK because we wanted to be able to stay late and see parades, fireworks, etc., but unfortunately, the rest of the world had the same idea so the park was a 9.4 crowd level. We did fine though by arriving before morning EMH rope drop at 8am and riding nearly every ride we wanted to before 10:30am then taking it easy the rest of the day. But as I said, AK, EPCOT, and DHS were not overly crowded those days.

 

[James Clifton]

I found the parks to get crowed after Dec.17.
Jim

 

[disneyfan1995]

You're leaving at a great time. The parks will probably have moderate crowd levels which is better than what you'd face the week after.

 

[disneygirl1]

That week is usually the calm before the storm!! We were just there that week this past December. I will say this... It was definitely more crowded then I thought it would be. Waits for rides were average and the major attractions, you definitely needed fastpasses for! It was definitely not a week were you could just walk on to rides thats for sure. The increase could have had to do with the opening of the new fantasyland too the week before.

 

[Master Yoda]

That week is usually the calm before the storm!! We were just there that week this past December. I will say this... It was definitely more crowded then I thought it would be. Waits for rides were average and the major attractions, you definitely needed fastpasses for! It was definitely not a week were you could just walk on to rides thats for sure. The increase could have had to do with the opening of the new fantasyland too the week before.

There is no doubt that the opening of FL had something to do with the crowds, but the traditionally slow times of the year have been getting busier and busier. It would appear that the secret about the beginning of December is out.

 

[disneygirl1]

There is no doubt that the opening of FL had something to do with the crowds, but the traditionally slow times of the year have been getting busier and busier. It would appear that the secret about the beginning of December is out.

I couldn't agree with you more! I had a feeling it would be crowded w/the opening on Fantasyland, but wasn't expecting it to be as bad as it was. Thank goodness we are selected for the FP+ test! We flew thru MK. My thought was we were in Disney and we STILL had a great time. No crowds were going to bring us down! Figured it also prepared us for the crowds we are going to see when we go in mid-June! LOL!

 

[Mot]

A great time to go, during the week seems to be moderate howeverstartingon Fridays the crowds ramp up. We've been twice the week prior to Christmas. The firstntime we departed on the 24th just after the parade and even that day was not horrible. It is one of the most magical times to visit. Have a great trip!

 

[Disneyguy57]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. I have experienced early December before, but this will be the first time so close to Christmas.

 

[princessmommy]

Hi Everyone,

We are looking at taking a WDW trip in December. The week we were looking at would be December 14-21, this way we avoid Pop Warner and the week of Christmas. What are your thoughts on the crowds? Has anyone gone the week before Christmas week? I have looked at a few crowd calendars and they split 50/50 as to whether ithat time period will be super busy like the holiday week or super empty like early December.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

we were there this timeframe 2012 and were spoiled rotten. Low crowds , great weather, and beautiful decorations. Have fun!

 

[JTT]

Great time to go.

Small crowds and the Christmas decorations are up.

We use to go at this time until my son got too old to take him out of shcool.