Michelle:
I've been to Disney in December four times and never during the week between Christmas and New Year's--I don't have to go that week to find out for myself how crowded it is...it's one of the busiest weeks of the year for Disney, and I've taken the advice of many Disney experts who say avoid it if you can.
So that leaves us the first three weeks of December: I've been during each. Typically the week AFTER Thanksgiving is one of the slowest leading up to the first weekend of December. But that first December weekend brings the Pop Warner Football playoffs and the families that arrive for it along with the taping of the Disney parade. Good weekdays, but crowded weekend.
The second week of December is typically my recommendation because of the moderate crowd levels. But if you're concerned about missing school, the third week--the week BEFORE Christmas is still doable at Disney as far as crowds. HINT: Disney gives you your room rate based on the date that you
check-in, so the sooner you can get there, the better your bottom line will be. Also, keep in mind that Disney doesn't schedule the
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party after about December 16 or 17. So, if you go the week before Christmas to cut down on missing school, you'll want to factor this in. Disney tends to release the dates for the special-ticketed parties around late April.
Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
Whitney