My sister and I go to Disney four times a year, once for each Epcot festival. We typically go on our “Festival of the Holidays” trip in the first week of December (this year would be Dec 5-12). But I’m considering some other dates…either the week after Thanksgiving (Nov 28-Dec 5) or the second week of December (Dec 12-19). The current crowd calendar tells me to go the week after Thanksgiving because once we get through the busy first weekend, crowd levels drop. But everything I reserve (hotels, car rental, airfare) says that I should book the second week of December because pricing is so low and Disney resorts actually have passholder rooms still available. Anyone have experience with either of the other two weeks, right after Thanksgiving or second week of December? We did go once after Thanksgiving but it was during Covid times so not easy to compare that one.
I like to go the same first week of Decemeber. This year I’ll be there Dec. 10 - 16, 2026. I am not seeing any significant price difference versus previous years going Dec. 1 - 10.
If you are seeing dates and prices in your range, you should book it. We are almost 100 days away from those dates. Prices only increase from that point forward.
Every year it seems the crowd patterns vary ever so slightly depending on when holidays fall and other factors. I’ve gone in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas and they are usually tolerable. I think I would go with what is cheaper because you can’t guarantee that the crowds will be lower for certain either week.
I appreciate that insight. Sounds like any week during that time is going to be a toss up.
I like that 12/5-12 week personally
It will definitely be less busy than the days leading up to Thanksgiving or any time from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day. That said it is a popular time for DVC folks since the point values are so low. I love going in that time frame cause the holiday decorations are up, the temperatures are cool, and the crowds are either low or tolerable. You’ll have a great time regardless!
The first week of December is my dream time to visit. DH is a teacher, so we are stuck with the school schedules now, but I’ve already informed him that once he is retired, we will be going then.
First or second week in December is my ideal time to visit
I am appreciating this thread because my birthday is nine days before Christmas, but like everything with my birthday doing anything fun is 10x more expensive because of the holiday. 
Maybe 2027 will be my year.
I visited in this timeframe in 2022 and 2025 and it was great: lower and manageable crowds, resort availability/price and airfare. This year, we’re going to Savannah, and just moved our dates into this window from the following week to take advantage of lower cost airfare.