HELP!!!! December Question

[Sweet_Thing]

Hello everyone. Thank you so much for reading this post. I need some advice from all of you about December in Disney. I am going into the school psychology graduate program this fall and classes do not end until December 12th. When does it start getting busy for Christmas holiday? We like it as least crowded as possible and have heard the first week of December was great, (but I can't miss exams which start Dec.6th) but I was wondering about Dec. 12th through the 19th. We normally go in early January, so we are wondering if it would even be better to wait until then. But we would like to see the Christmas decorations. Please pass along all your expert advice. Thanks :) I greatly appreciate it. :earsgirl:

[tinawv]

Hello Sweet_Thing. We went December 13-20th this past year and it wasn't bad at all as far as the crowds go. From what I have gathered on the boards, it starts to get busy from about the 21st of December and thereon. The most crowded park for us was Magic Kingdom, but managable with fastpass. I think you will be fine this time of year. Good Luck! :)

[ead79]

I have gone during mid-December several times (Dec. 16-20, 2000 and Dec. 16-21, 2001 and Dec. 11-21, 2003) and have always found crowds to be quite light. The weather is generally very pleasant as well, but be forewarned that it can get pretty cold (it definitely was last year). The crowds don't seem to pick up at all until about the 21st, so I think you should be fine. December is a wonderful time of year to visit--enjoy your trip!

[Sweet_Thing]

Thank you so much for the advice, I knew I could count on fellow Dis'ers to help me out! I appreciate your help and advice more than you know! :earsboy:

[Sweet_Thing]

Bump! :)

[MamaQuack]

Sweet_Thing,

DS(12) and I usually visit in Feb, Oct or May but 2003 we wanted to see all the Christmas decorations, the MVMCP, etc. I too was apprenhensive. We arrived Dec 17 & departed Dec 24. We did not find it crowded until Dec 22. It was, however, very, very cold. We had hoped to swim but instead we bundled up, enjoyed the cold, Christmas feeling and loved the parades, parties and decorations!!!!!

Have fun and good luck on those exams.

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Sweet_Thing! We will be arriving on the 12th as well! We are hoping for light crowds too. We'll be wearing our lime green Mickey Heads from Home Depot...so look for us! See you there! :wave:

[daystar]

Hi,
My family last year went at christmas from Dec.23-28....The parks really didn't get crowded until Dec 25.....The first two days were nice....No problems getting on rides.....But it was all worth seeing the christmas decorations....

[Serenity]

We are going from 12/17 to 12/22. So hopefully based on these posts, we will be leaving just when it starts getting busy. We have never been during Christmas time either. Have always gone May, Sept, Oct and mostly in Jan. So I am really looking forward to seeing how different it will be with all the decorations. And hoping for manageable crowds so we can still do as much as we normally do.

[2angelsinheaven]

The place seemed empty in early/mid December. We made a few day trips up and the lines where 5-10 minutes, 20 at most.

[Jordan's MOM]

We have been both early Dec. & early Jan. and the crowds in Jan. are much lowed. The Dec. crowds were not bad, just we were used to NO crowds in Jan. The christmas decortaions and activites are very much a plus for December. WE LOVE both times but I would do Christmas at least once. If crowds are the only factor howeve, Jan is lower.



Jordans' mom

[crow11ad]

Anyone know what the crowds should be like from 12-4-04 - 12-10-04? Same with the weather?

[Poohlovr]

The crowds have always been rather light in early -mid December when I've been.
The weather...wish there was an answer for you.

Last year was rather chilly, but in 2001 and 2000 (didn't go in 2002) we wore shorts every day and night, and did the water parks.

In 2000,though, it got frigid the week after we left.

The point is, you just never know about December weather.

[crow11ad]

Woohoo light crowds compared to the week before Easter. Can't wait.

[daystar]

Originally posted by Poohlovr
The crowds have always been rather light in early -mid December when I've been.
The weather...wish there was an answer for you.

Last year was rather chilly, but in 2001 and 2000 (didn't go in 2002) we wore shorts every day and night, and did the water parks.

In 2000,though, it got frigid the week after we left.

The point is, you just never know about December weather.


Hi,
We went last Dec. the only thing i suggest is layered clothing....And a back pack to carry your sweater or jackets....This is what my family did on our trip to WDW in Dec....It's seems the mornings were cold but by 11 it started to warm up but then again around 5 it started to get cold again....The weather just seems unpredictable.....

[crow11ad]

That's fine.... I love the cool weather.

[DisLUV]

Anytime untill the 21 or 22 depending on when the school breaks fall. Before that there is not a more magical month to go the WDW. I know I have talked on other threads about how great it is but I just cannot contain myself. We (DW and I) only go during this time and have found no reason to change. AND this year our little DD (2yr old ABBYmouse) will make her first trip and we cant wait.

Good luck with your tests and what a way to celebrate the end of those test.

[outstandinfarmer]

The crowds weren't that bad. We left WDW Dec 24 in the morning. The days before that weren't that crowded. I thought we moved along quite nicely. The lines weren't that long except for RNR, TOT, and TT. (Oh, and that Primeval Spin Whirly Thing - That ride doesn't even deserve to be spelled or called the right name. I was totally disappointed and expected SOOOOOO much more from Disney. That was our longest wait by far and BOY WAS I DISAPPOINTED) Those were the only ones I remember actually "waiting" for. I guess if you are used to no lines whatsoever, then you may be a little disappointed, but as far as I'm concerned we didn't have to wait much and I'd TOTALLY recommend Disney during the holidays. It just gives you that "Christmas rush"!! :flower: http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/noears.gif

[crow11ad]

Don't hold back the excitement. Let it out. I am seeing all these posts about how the crowds will be fairly low. The only thing we have to compare the crowds to, was the week right before Easter. The morning hours were walk ons...unitil about 10:30, then some waits. Around 12 or 1 was crowded time and that was when we left. At night we could walk back on the rides after spectro and wishes. Now if all you guys are saying that basically we can take our experience and it will be like the morning and night times from the week before...then Wooohooo:bounce: :Pinkbounc :earseek: :hyper: :yo-yo: :wave2: ::yes:: ::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

When do you guys think the Christmas crowds will hit WDW this year? We are tentatively planning on hitting the parks on the Sun - Wed before Christmas (the 19th-22nd). Christmas is on Saturday this year. I'm hoping that most people will wait until closer to Christmas weekend to get there, but maybe it's just wishful thinking...

Anyone who's been at this time, do you think the parks be manageable or should we wait and go another time? I guess I've heard so many stories about how bad Christmas week is, I'm just trying to pinpoint exactly when the rush starts. :scratchin

[crow11ad]

Well we are going from 12-4-04 - 12-10-04 and from what I can gather from everyone is that at this time the crowds are very low. The time your going, I hear that from like the 19th and or 22nd and on is very busy and the most expensive. Remember the times are value and ends with Holliday. Hope this helps

[DisLUV]

Rebecca,

Crowds will typically be outrageous during that time. At some point during those dates the Crowds show up and it is PACKED.

The Crowds have arrived as early as the 15th one year when we were there. And 17th the next time. So really there is no way to tell.

The rule I have heard in the past if you dont want crowds is "GET OUT BEFORE THE WEEKEND BEFORE CHRISTMAS" But with the big day being on a weekend I am not sure what it will be like.

If it was me ( and I dont like the crowds ) I would be there earlier than that. WAIT I WILL BE THERE EARLIER THAN THAT!!! YAHOOOOOOO!!!!

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

Thanks for the advice! Maybe we'll have to skip going to WDW again this year. We'll be on the Disney Magic from Dec 11-18 and were trying to get in a visit to the parks while we're there. Ideally, we would go before the cruise, but I don't really want to pull the kids out of school any more than I have to, they will already be missing a week for the cruise.

In 2001, we went to WDW from Dec 8-16 and that was a perfect time to go. We never had to wait, never had to use fastpass, found good spots for parades 10 minutes before start, etc.

[outstandinfarmer]

If you are leaving on the 8, then you might as well pull them out just an extra two days and then you could be there on the 4, 5, 6, and 7. Two more days WILL NOT make that much of a difference. Or I would go to WDW after the 18. I think you are just worrying too much. The crowds will be fine for a few days. The lines were not bad at all. We barely waited except for TT, TOT, and RNR. Since you are already down there, you can't pass up the Disney opportunity.

If I were to pick I'd take them out the extra two days of school and then that could give you 4 days there.

That's just my opinion, but do whatever you feel comfortable with.:D

[Sweet_Thing]

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and of course all the great advice. All you Dis'ers know best, that's for sure. We usually go in early January, but thought about going in December for the Christmasy feeling :) cause I have heard so many wonderful things about it here on the boards. I really don't like it crowded and we have always loved January because we walk on every ride, but if the crowds are low in mid December than we will try it out and enjoy the Christmas decorations. Hope you all have a wonderful trip - whenever you are going. I thank you all so much, for taking the time to reply. It is greatly appreciated. I value what you all have to say.

[bumcat]

The rule I have heard in the past if you dont want crowds is "GET OUT BEFORE THE WEEKEND BEFORE CHRISTMAS" But with the big day being on a weekend I am not sure what it will be like.
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So true! We went in Dec 2002 and checked out the friday before Christmas. It was getting crazy. :crazy:
We did the parks Sun thru Thurs and left friday morning before christmas. It was perfect, very low crowds. Magic Kingdom was a little crowded but even that wasn't bad. We also had low crowds the night we did MVMCP ( we picked a week day).

This year we will be there Dec 10th (Friday) thru Dec 16th (Thursday).

Being from hot Texas I love the cool weather in December. I wore long pants and short sleeve shirts and only got cold around the waters.

[crow11ad]

We can't wait. Woohoo. Come on December