Are the Christmas decorations worth it?

[JessM]

I personally would say yes! We started going in December in 2001 and have been hooked ever since. Disney at Christmas is very magical to me and we try to go the first week in December every year. The crowds are not bad at all and with a loose touring plan you can do everything with little to no wait.

I love the Osborne Lights, the pictures and videos don't do it justice to standing there in person. I also love the Candlelight Processional in Epcot. The castle dreamlights at MK are fabulous as well : ) I also love all the small things, the Christmas Characters at AK, the Resort Decorations, the Main Street decor and Park Christmas Trees. Epcot does some nice toparies as well.

I managed to snag some great airfare for our trip this past year in June ($200 a person round trip which is unheard of from where I live). We also ended up with a 20% resort discount. They did do free dining that week this past year too.

If you haven't been at Christmas before I would definitely say try it!

[emsmommy323]

I am having similar issues! Only we are having to choose the full week before Thanksgiving or the first week in October. The super low crowd levels and Value rates for October are a huge draw for us. but November we would be there for my daughter's 10th birthday. We are so completely torn!

[michelleiada]

We are considering second week of December trip. Never been for holiday season and would love to see it all decorated!

[mm1971]

Originally Posted by Nutbean

Planning a trip for 2013. Fairly flexible on when we can go. In a perfect world, all things being equal, I'd like to go the first week of December to see all the Christmas decorations and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. I think I'd also appreciate the cooler temps (hoping it's not too cold though - kids will still want to swim).

HOWEVER, I just found some AMAZING roundtrip direct flights ($169/person taxes in) for September. Having been twice in September already though, I was looking forward to switching it up.

Other reasons to go again in September, crowds likely will be less and the chance of free dining or other discounts is likely higher. We'll be going with a friend and her kids who have never been before. She would ideally like to go in December as well but, being a single mom, she is also feeling the appeal of the cheaper pricing that September offers.

In your personal opinion, do the Christmas decorations and cooler weather of December outweigh the benefits of going in September?

Wouldn't you be able to find similar flights deals for the beginning of December? I would think that is still the offseason and you could get some decent fares.

If I had a choice, I would go in December. The crowds at the beginning of December are still low and you get all of the added plusses of the holidays. Just be prepared to pack last minute as you will need to check the weather to see if it will be warm or colder.

[Nutbean]

Wow! That was an overwhelming majority. December it is!

Thanks everyone!!

[GrammyJudy]

We are going 11/30-12/7 and it will be our first Christmas visit...I absolutely can't wait! We usually go the end of Jan so i figure the weather will be about the same. At least once we want to see Disney at Xmas.Hoping for FD again this year and cheap fares but we are going. Keep in mind that PopWarner is 12/7=-12/14 and there are no deals that week

[North of Mouse]

Originally Posted by Nutbean

Planning a trip for 2013. Fairly flexible on when we can go. In a perfect world, all things being equal, I'd like to go the first week of December to see all the Christmas decorations and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. I think I'd also appreciate the cooler temps (hoping it's not too cold though - kids will still want to swim).

HOWEVER, I just found some AMAZING roundtrip direct flights ($169/person taxes in) for September. Having been twice in September already though, I was looking forward to switching it up.

Other reasons to go again in September, crowds likely will be less and the chance of free dining or other discounts is likely higher. We'll be going with a friend and her kids who have never been before. She would ideally like to go in December as well but, being a single mom, she is also feeling the appeal of the cheaper pricing that September offers.

In your personal opinion, do the Christmas decorations and cooler weather of December outweigh the benefits of going in September?

Just be prepared for *any* weather. We went that week in 2010, nearly froze - 20's at night 40's some days with wind, so we were bundled up in coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and I still was cold. Also, a lot of plants froze and they kept a lot of them covered.

Just went the same time this past Dec. and the weather was absolutely perfect. So, be prepared that swimming might be "out". They even close down the water park (s) some days. You really can't plan ahead (even a week) as it changes *very* fast.

September is mostly *hot* and humid. I'm a southern girl and I know!

Good luck on your decision

[disrev]

Without a doubt worth it. Osborne followed by Fantasmic or vice versa my be my favorite evening in the parks, and that's saying a lot because we LOVE Wishes and Electrical Parade.
Resorts are awesome, and a trip to Fort Wilderness to see campsites decorated is a fun non-park evening.

[sissy1]

We went this past Dec. (second week of Dec.) The weather was wonderful and the crowds were very low. The decorations at the parks and especially at some of the resorts were amazing. And the Osbourne Lights...WOW!

[Stacy's a freak]

Originally Posted by Nutbean

Wow! That was an overwhelming majority. December it is!

Thanks everyone!!

Another vote for December even after you have made up your mind September is HOTT (two Ts for extra emphasis) and likely to rain every day for at least a bit in the afternoon. The first week in December is my favorite time to go because of the cooler, mostly-dry weather, the decorations and the relatively low crowds. It used to be a ghost town in early December but not anymore - the secret is out. Rides won't be a walk-on, but the crowds will be significantly less than busy times.

If you are a music nut (and if your kids will enjoy it), I also recommend seeing the Candlelight Processional during your December trip. The music is fantastic! Have fun!!

[Mom2six]

Last year we went in mid-September, and then at the spur of the moment, we went for the first week of December. I loved both trips. I would definitely agree that since you have been in September, I would go for the Christmas decorations. The Osborne Lights were absolutely amazing. We went to MVMCP and had a blast. It was so much fun. The weather was cool - a bit chilly for swimming in the evenings, and that is the only thing I really missed about the September trip. On the other hand, it was nice walking around the parks without being hot /rained on!

[W.E.D.]

There are a bazillion other reasons to say "yes" to early December, but yes, the Christmas decorations are really nice!

[pickles]

sept is halloween and I prefer the halloween parties over the christmas one. and halloween decorations are really cool, but osborne lights with snow are amazing..you cant go wrong either way

also i got same airfares that first week as I did sept, so dont assume all fares are bad in dec

[Judyfun]

I too have been over 30 times, but last year we went in mid-November. PERFECT weather, low crowds, and Christmas was breaking out everywhere.

Loved it!
Judy

[bytheblood]

In the past I would have said yes without a 2nd thought, but with Disney scaling back so much over the last 11 years (since my first Dec visit), I am not sold on the "December is the best time ever to visit" idea anymore. September is wonderful, but December is too because there are things you can do/see in December that you cant an earlier time of the year. It really depends on how much you want to see the Christmas-themed shows, parties, etc.