Christmas Visit

The week after Thanksgiving/First week of December. Crowds are manageable and at times very small, but, the Christmas events are taking place.

magicofdisney;2445525 wrote: The week following Thanksgiving used to be our go to week for our winter trip (winter for us, anyway). The last couple of years, we were hard pressed to find our preferences during that time and ended up going the week or two before Thanksgiving. Christmas decorations actually begin going up right after the last Halloween party but aren't complete until after Thanksgiving. At least last year, the Osbourne lights show began before the Thanksgiving holiday.

So you think that the week after thanksgiving would be good to go since we are planning way ahead? My mom wants to see the christmas decorations and I want to make sure most are up when we go. I've read that the taping of the Christmas parade is the first week of December and the Pop Warner and Cheerleading competition is the 2nd week. My mom will be 76 and not able to stand in super longs lines and my husband doesn't like large crowds either so I'm trying to find the best for both and see the most.

We prefer first 2 weeks in December! Relatively low crowds and almost always great weather! We started going in '94 when the kids were 5 and 3 and have visited many times since (during the same time period). I will say however, that the current Christmas decorations (2013) absolutely pale in comparison to years ago....take for instance the WL .....the trees in the median leading up to the Lodge used to be totally decked out in twinkling tree lights and the courtyard was decorated in like manner......but no more! Same with Epcot and MK. Unfortunately, it's a sad commentary on cutbacks in the name of lower overhead.

Thanks.. I'm going to try for the 2nd week in December. I'm hoping it will be a good choice but really who cares you are at Disney right? LOL

It is indeed the most magical time to be at WDW. My wife and I went the first week of Dec (2014) and it was not overcrowded. This year (2014) is was quite cold at night...defintiely bring long pants to stash in a locker if you're staying all day. Be sure to get tics for Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party and visit all the Deluxe hotels to see their Christmas displays (especially Grand Floridian).
The last week of Nov. is when all the Pop Warner football teams and cheerleaders visit so sometimes you end up in a line behind them.:santa3:

The 2nd week of December is great - we have gone twice during that time. Both trips were wonderful! Decorations at the deluxe resorts are beautiful. Make sure you see them. It's nice to take a break from the parks (sit and ride) and see the decorations. My favorites are the Gingerbread House at GF and the chocolate carousel (with hidden Mickeys) at the one of the resorts by EPCOT. Sorry I can't remember which one but it is BEAUTIFUL. December is our favorite time to go - just not so easy to take the kids out of school though. Have a great trip!

Going down during Thanksgiving and the first week of December is one of our favorite times to go. We've stayed out of the parks until Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend when we've gone during this time. It'll be busy but not as crowded that first week in December and you'll get all the Christmas decorations.