When to go in Dec?

[kangaand2roos]

I had originally planned our vacation to be Dec 6-13 but found out it was Pop Warner week, so I figured since the week after would start to run into holiday crowds we wouldn't switch to that week and so I thought we would go the 29th of Nov to Dec 6th but I think I have read that the taping of the Christmas show is sometime that week and am worried about bad crowds for that. So my question is which of these weeks would you pick?

 

[lilclerk]

11/29 - 12/6 should be okay as long as you avoid the Magic Kingdom during the parade taping.
12/13 - 12/20 would be good as well, it would probably start getting busier for Christmas the week of the 20th.

 

[cymbaldiva]

First week in December was when my exDH and I used to go - it was always wonderful

 

[H20Babie]

Have they announced the parade taping already?

 

[Carolyn1717]

Once the holiday decorations go up, it's busy most of the time. Florida Residents who have seasonal passes that are blacked out during Christmas will all hit the parks right after Thanksgiving up until about the 20th when they can't use their passes. Unless your staying at the value resorts, Pop Warner should not effect you. They are all over at the Wide World of Sports Complex. I would not stay at the value resorts during PW as it is so over filled with kids you could go nuts.

 

[happymom52003]

We went the first week of December in 2006 and it was our BEST trip ever as far as crowds go....actually, as far as everything goes! We would go every year during that time if we could!
As a previous poster said, just avoid the MK during the parade taping.

 

[CuriousDeGeo]

11/29 - 12/6 should be okay as long as you avoid the Magic Kingdom during the parade taping.
12/13 - 12/20 would be good as well, it would probably start getting busier for Christmas the week of the 20th.

I'll second the 11/29-12/6. My family and I went during that time in 2000 and it was great. We got to see all the decorations and the crowds weren't bad. But yes, be sure to find out when the parade taping is so you can avoid the messy crowds, that could be a major headache!

 

[MasonDuo]

I have to agree with some of the others that December is the best time to go. The parks and hotels are decorated beautifully. I'm sure POR is decorated as POP was beautiful when we were there a couple years ago. You will love it.

 

[coltow]

Unless you are staying at All Stars you may not even notice the Pop Warner groups.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

We were there the 14-21st last year, and it was nice. Probably the longest wait time we had (with the exception of Soarin') was 20 minutes.

 

[SweetPea]

We went during Pop Warner week and had a great time. The best trip we've ever had. We even stayed at All Star Movies and really didn't notice the kids. They are mostly at All Star Sports and a little overflow into the other All Stars and possibly POR. Come to think of it, we really didn't see them much in the parks either, even at night when they were not having their activities. I wouldn't hesitate to go that week again.

 

[mickey&me]

We went during Pop Warner week and had a great time. The best trip we've ever had. We even stayed at All Star Movies and really didn't notice the kids. They are mostly at All Star Sports and a little overflow into the other All Stars and possibly POR. Come to think of it, we really didn't see them much in the parks either, even at night when they were not having their activities. I wouldn't hesitate to go that week again.

We were there at the same time and in the same resort, SweetPea. I totally agree--didn't even notice 'em at the resort!

 

[WDW Newsletter]

My in-laws have been the week after Thanksgiving the past several years and have had a wonderful time. Lower crowds compared to summer.

 

[krankenstein]

I have been 3 times in December. Anytime after Thanksgiving and before the week of Christmas will be a good time to go. Crowds will be really manageable until the week of Christmas.

 

[mattfusf]

We usually go the Monday following Thanksgiving and stay until the following weekend.

Aside from the parade taping at the Magic Kingdom, it is a great time to go. The weather is usually nice and crowds are manageable. During the days of the parade taping, I'd recommend avoiding the MK - it is crowded and large sections of main street and the hub are often blocked. It takes hours and hours of repeated takes to film the parade...not much fun after the first one or two takes!

Matt

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Go the first week of December, it's wonderful! I went in 2006 and the crowds were not bad at all. I don't remember them taping any kind of Christmas show when we were there, but if they did, it didn't bring in any kind of big crowd. We did every Christmas activity, all the regular hour parks, plus sea world and a few days to spare for relaxing! You will love that week!

 

[TTFN-Tiggger]

I have gone the last two year over the first weekend in December when they are taping the Christmas Day parade and the crowds have not been bad. I have even been at MK on Friday when they are taping the musical portions of the parade. There will be a lot of people around the castle but other than that it is just like a normal day at the park. I typically leave on Sunday just as the kids for Pop Warner week are arriving which is perfect in my book.

 

[abug'saunt]

We went Dec 19th - 28th in 2005 and had an absolutely amazing time. Heard all the stories about crowds but it really didn't seem all that crowded to us. Longest we waited for a ride was about 20 - 30 min max. Then, on Christmas day, around 6 or 7 pm, we were just walking onto rides. That said, I have to say go 13th - 20th. Oh, if you can, try MVMCP. We had an absolutely awesome, splendidly wonderful, fabulously great time.


No matter what you ultimately decide, I am jealous of you :lookaroun yet I hope your trip is filled with much fun and happiness :sohappy:.

 

[santa's surpriz]

We were there the Dec 15-21 in 2007 and it was great! Crowds were great, MVMCP was awesome. It was in between alot of the holiday festvities (parade taping etc.) and school breaks so we could not have chosen a better time to go!