Low December Crowds at Disney World

by Angela
(Texas)

Hello,

I'm comparing your calendar to the Touring Plans page. I'm looking for low December Crowds at Disney World. Your calendar lists the week of Dec. 3-11 as Heavy but Touringplans has the levels as 1 and 2. This will definitely effect my decision. Please give me your best advice & possible reasons for the opposite predictions.

Thank You!

It's all about Football and Cheerleaders

Photo by Best of WDW

Dad's I'm right, they're wrong Answer

Angela,

Let me say right off the bat, I'm right and they are wrong about the low December Crowds at Disney World.

Let me explain ...

First, the reason I list the crowds as heavy is because of the Pop Warner Football and Cheerleader Championships which occur that week. Now, you will read that I don't think these events have a big bearing on the crowds during the day, but in the evenings can have some impact on the length of lines.

Dad's December Disney World crowds page

I might actually overstate the crowd levels a bit, but there are a couple of reason for that. This week has historically been busier than Touringplans.com is predicting this year. Also, the events that go on during the first weekend and full week of December can really cause havoc with the lines at the parks.

Dad's Touringplans.com page

Sometime during that first weekend of December, the Christmas Parade taping will happen at the Magic Kingdom. The official date hasn't been announced yet. Going by history, it should be the 2nd with rain and overflow slipping into the 3rd and 4th. This event really bottles up things around the Magic Kingdom.

The Pop Warner Football and Cheerleader Championships start during the weekend and last throughout the week. These don't bring a lot of day guests to the parks, but do significantly bump up park attendance in the late afternoons and evenings. They all start leaving by the 11th.

Another thing is the Value Resorts tend to fill up with teams of preteens that don't usually, but can get a bit rowdy and if you run into the cheerleaders, they will definitely be loud.

The week before or after the 3-11 are great weeks to visit.

Dad's Bottom Line

Angela, the week of December 3-11 isn't a bad week to visit (other than you can't get free dining that week), it's just not the best. The weeks around it are much better if you have a choice.

PS. Why not let the Disney Vacation Planners at Pixie and Pirate Destinations help you with your trip. They'll help you find the best time for you to visit.

Dad's Pixie and Pirate Destinations page