We may be able to do a possible trip the week before Christmas. Is this an insane time to go or not as bad since it is before Christmas and crowd level won't be as intense? What do you all think? DH is in nursing school and has off that week, so we may just pull the kids out of school early to do this.
Also would this be less crowded than the week of Thanksgiving? Thanks!
No idea what to tell you about the crowds, but my opinion is that any day at Disney is better than one stuck at home!
We arrived on the 23rd last year and there were tons of people coming in at the same time as us. In theory it would seem that the week before would most definately be less. It cannot be as busy as the actual week of Christmas. Either way plan to have some waits and use the fast pass system and plan your days, if you can, to leave early enough before the crowds hit. We did this during the week of Christmas and were still able to do most attractions that we wanted before the big crowds hit. It seems like everyone does breakfast at once and since we are not big breakfast eaters we usually just pack a granola or cereal bar and plan our ADR's for late lunch or an early dinner with snacks to fill in between. It was busy and crazy at times but we still had a great time and got to see and do so many things. It was a great experience and the magic seems to be magnified during that time. Go if you can, you will have a wonderful time. 
No idea what to tell you about the crowds, but my opinion is that any day at Disney is better than one stuck at home!
Soooo true!!! 
Does anyone know what the weather is like at that time? I know it can be unpredictable. Just wondering if we will be able to pack swimwear or will it be too cold? You never know....it could be hot as mollasses and then freezing the next day.
I would pack it if you like to swim. We have never been there in Dec but we do go every Jan. There has only been two years that I thought it was to cold to swim in Jan. Last Jan it was in the 80's everyday we were there.
Thanks again, Scrappy! You are on a roll!!! We went to Disney at the end of Jan '09, the first day to head off to the parks and it was 27 degrees!!!! It was soo windy they closed down "Test Track" at 6pm. Not fun! We froze!!! Don't want a repeat of that but this week looks like the only time we'll be able to take before the end of the year. Usually it doesn't really get cold until February but the weather has been so nutty, who knows? Just want to be prepared and would love to enjoy the pool at WL.
Hey Poppet, yeah I'd take the swim wear. Like scrappy said it was in the 80's for us this year in Jan, but 2 weeks before they were down into the low 30's , so you can never tell.
Thanks, MrHub. I will take your advice and definately bring it!
I'm watching responses too...this will be our first year visiting for Christmas. I'm not expecting to ride a lot of rides. I just want to enjoy the atmosphere.
Member of the 6 castle club and working to pay for my next Disney vacations: 1/5-10/18, September 2018 for my 50th and 2018 the year of Disney cruising.