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Worried @ early Dec trip timing!
- Thread starter jenni4
- Start date
pacochran
Active Member
We've gone around that time, and over the last few years it has gotten a little more crowded, but not anywhere near as bad as other times of year. You may hit crowds of Pop Warner, but many days they are competing. As to the parade, we have always avoided MK on those days, though my guess is you will be arriving the day of the taping as based on prior years it would be taping the 4th and 5th.
I would just enjoy it if I were you, it's a great time of year to be at WDW.
I would just enjoy it if I were you, it's a great time of year to be at WDW.
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radioandy
Member
My experience has been that anytime after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas is a great time to go! You get all the WDW holiday magic :xmas: but the crowds are manageable.
We've been on early-mid December choir trips to perform in the Candlelight, and there were moderate crowds. Last year we went the week before Christmas (20-23) and it was much more crowded. And I've never been but I understand the week from Christmas to New Year's is claustrophobic!
So I think you're good. If you're on property, do take advantage of the "extra magic hours" when the park thins out considerably!
We've been on early-mid December choir trips to perform in the Candlelight, and there were moderate crowds. Last year we went the week before Christmas (20-23) and it was much more crowded. And I've never been but I understand the week from Christmas to New Year's is claustrophobic!
So I think you're good. If you're on property, do take advantage of the "extra magic hours" when the park thins out considerably!
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I would not stress it too much. While POP Warner will book the value resorts solid they have very little effect on the parks. If every single room on WDW property is booked to maximum occupancy that would only be about 15%-20% of the 4 parks capacity. If you are staying in All Star Sports you might run into an issue but you will be fine at every other resort on property. When it comes to the parade taping simply avoid Magic Kingdom on that day.
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RiversideBunny
New Member
The taping of the parade isn't really a problem. You don't have to stay away from the Magic Kingdom.
We were there last year for it.
They keep an open area on the sidewalk along Main Street so that guests who aren't watching the taping can go on past.
:xmas:
We were there last year for it.
They keep an open area on the sidewalk along Main Street so that guests who aren't watching the taping can go on past.
:xmas:
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AEfx
Well-Known Member
It's one of the best times of year to go. Even the busiest day while you are there is going to feel empty compared to a truly busy time.
Make sure you check out one of the Xmas parties at the MK if you can swing the extra bucks - it's always a highlight for us. (Although, if you don't want to spend the $$, you can watch the fireworks - even with sound pumped in) from the Ferry dock over at the TTC.
Don't worry, don't pay attention to "crowd level numbers" or internet stuff - just go and have a great time. As long as you are walking through the gates of the parks at opening, you'll have a great time.
Make sure you check out one of the Xmas parties at the MK if you can swing the extra bucks - it's always a highlight for us. (Although, if you don't want to spend the $$, you can watch the fireworks - even with sound pumped in) from the Ferry dock over at the TTC.
Don't worry, don't pay attention to "crowd level numbers" or internet stuff - just go and have a great time. As long as you are walking through the gates of the parks at opening, you'll have a great time.
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AEfx
Well-Known Member
Sorry to double post, but this is very accurate. It may take you an extra few minutes to get down Main Street (but, bonus, you might catch a glimpse of Regis and Kelly), but the rest of the park is usually a lot quieter since so many people are occupied at the endless parade.
Also be on the look out for special guests...I was walking around Adventureland one day and heard this beautiful voice singing Silent Night; I walked towards the Castle, and there was Beyonce - I got within about 10 feet of her.
Have a great time!
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AEfx
Well-Known Member
before her body guard tackled you?:lol:
Sorry...could not resist.
Haha...yeah, now the lawyers says 100 feet.
In all seriousness, it was pretty awesome. I think I've told the story here before, but Beyonce totally got my respect that day. It was a chilly day in Dec, and the girl had on a white dress (sleeveless, I think) and it was really overcast. She sang that song through at least 8 or 9 times that I heard, and even when it was raining on her she didn't stop until the director made her. I stayed for probably 4 or 5 listens before I went on my way, and she was still going.
It was funny, because the directors/PA's were yelling at people "No PONCHOS! NO UMBRELLAS!" because they wanted it to look like Xmas morning. After I walked away it started to clear up, and I'm pretty sure that's what you see in the final cut on TV. It definitely was much nicer out at the end, and I think they largely used that one - at least for the audience stuff (i.e., I didn't see myself on TV because I had already left at that point, LOL).
One of my best WDW memories.
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Soarinrulz
New Member
Going to Disney World at this time is great. The crowds are so much lower then Summer.
~Heading off to Disney December 10!!!~ :kiss:
~Heading off to Disney December 10!!!~ :kiss:
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RobnRachal
Well-Known Member
~Heading off to Disney December 10!!!~ :kiss:[/QUOTE]
Us too!!!!!!!!
Us too!!!!!!!!
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AGentlRose
New Member
The Pop Warner kids are busy with their games, so they don't have a lot of impact on the parks during the day. If you are staying at one of the resorts they've booked, it might or might not be a problem. I worked at All Star Music in the mid 90s and there were problems with noise, but that was then and I think there might have been enough complaints, that things calmed down.
The weeks before Christmas is really the best time to go. You get to see the parks and resorts decorated in their Christmas finery without having to deal with the Christmas week crowds. Another plus is the weather is fabulous.
The weeks before Christmas is really the best time to go. You get to see the parks and resorts decorated in their Christmas finery without having to deal with the Christmas week crowds. Another plus is the weather is fabulous.
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hrcollectibles
Active Member
I wouldn't worry too much about the crowds....The temperatures should be nice...Besides a bad day at Walt Disney World is better than a great day at work
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ClemsonTigger
Naturally Grumpy
I will be down at the same time as I have been for a number of years. Parade only really affects MK for that Saturday. Other than that Pop Warner and cheerleaders are rarely an issue in the parks, and only occasionally in some hotels.
Don't sweat it, it is a great week to visit!
Don't sweat it, it is a great week to visit!
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bugsbunny
Well-Known Member
I have been scheduling my trips for the first week in December for about 10 years now. Having done this and also other trips at various parts of the year, I can say without a doubt that early December is the best time to go in terms of crowds. I'm spolied with the 10-15 MAX wait time for things. If I go in other times of the year, I have to remind myself to alot more time to get things done.
The taping is normally just something done on one day, sometimes two. So just avoid MK on those days and you are fine. If I remember correctly last year, it was on a weekend and is about the only time the parks get any real traffic since the locals come out then.
Other than the Pop Warner crowd you might run into at Pop Centruy and the occasional unpredictable weather that time of year, you will thoroughly enjoy it as well as the Xmas decorations. for the most part, the weather is in the 70s and 60s, but you can get some fluke systems come through with mornings in the low 40s or upper 30s. Been there, done that! The Pop Warner crowds are normally obnoxiously loud real early when they are all in mass doing their cheers and then late at night when they all get back and run around seemingly unsupervised in the pool area. My last 2 years at Pop with a preferred room were enough for me to declare we will NEVER stay at Pop this time of the year again. It's not very preferred if you have kids in the pool till midnight and running up and down the place pounding their feet screaming! I've since moved on and only stay at the moderates or higher during the first week of December.
If you can, be sure to see the Wilderness Lodge tree, the Grand Floridian gingerbread house, and the Beach Club edible carossel.
The taping is normally just something done on one day, sometimes two. So just avoid MK on those days and you are fine. If I remember correctly last year, it was on a weekend and is about the only time the parks get any real traffic since the locals come out then.
Other than the Pop Warner crowd you might run into at Pop Centruy and the occasional unpredictable weather that time of year, you will thoroughly enjoy it as well as the Xmas decorations. for the most part, the weather is in the 70s and 60s, but you can get some fluke systems come through with mornings in the low 40s or upper 30s. Been there, done that! The Pop Warner crowds are normally obnoxiously loud real early when they are all in mass doing their cheers and then late at night when they all get back and run around seemingly unsupervised in the pool area. My last 2 years at Pop with a preferred room were enough for me to declare we will NEVER stay at Pop this time of the year again. It's not very preferred if you have kids in the pool till midnight and running up and down the place pounding their feet screaming! I've since moved on and only stay at the moderates or higher during the first week of December.
If you can, be sure to see the Wilderness Lodge tree, the Grand Floridian gingerbread house, and the Beach Club edible carossel.
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