Planning solo trip for Dec. 2013!

[jnoble82]

Planning to head back to the World Dec. 2nd-Dec. 10th of 2013! I know Pop Warner will be there for part of that but that's not going to stop me from heading down to attend the Mickey Christmas Party! I haven't booked right now because I'm waiting to see if I get any discounts or anything but I do want to book soon because I want to get into Art of Animation. Are there usually some deals this time of year? Free dining or room discounts? Anyone else thinking of going down? I'd love to meet up with some other soloists!

[Dan Murphy]

I am sure I will be there next year, have been there for many years now in early Dec.

There are usually discounts and/or "free" dining then, except during the PW days.

And welcome to the dis.

[jnoble82]

How is Disney during that time period? I love Christmas so I'm really looking forward to the decorations! I'm sure it'll be slightly busier than when I was just there (especially near the end when pop warner may invade) but I'm very much play by ear so as long as everything isn't a 2 hour wait I'm good From my understanding (at least from my last visit) as long as you start your trip during free dining your whole vacation is free? My last visit started near the end of free dining but our whole trip it was free. If I don't have free QS, I'll likely just pay out of pocket as its about 300 dollars and I don't see myself eating that much since I won't get a snack or a desert with every meal and if I just want fries, I don't have to order a whole meal with them. I did like how easy it was just using the one card but I'd probably just back my room key w/ credit for my meals or use a disney gift card. I guess I'll find out!

[Dave McCullough]

I am there every December including celebrating my birthday the weekend closest to Dec 10. so whatever you want to arrange you can count me as being around.

[Dave McCullough]

Originally Posted by jnoble82

How is Disney during that time period? I love Christmas so I'm really looking forward to the decorations! I'm sure it'll be slightly busier than when I was just there (especially near the end when pop warner may invade) but I'm very much play by ear so as long as everything isn't a 2 hour wait I'm good From my understanding (at least from my last visit) as long as you start your trip during free dining your whole vacation is free? My last visit started near the end of free dining but our whole trip it was free. If I don't have free QS, I'll likely just pay out of pocket as its about 300 dollars and I don't see myself eating that much since I won't get a snack or a desert with every meal and if I just want fries, I don't have to order a whole meal with them. I did like how easy it was just using the one card but I'd probably just back my room key w/ credit for my meals or use a disney gift card. I guess I'll find out!

Actually, the first couple weeks of December are great because the kids are all still in school, however the national cheerleading championships take place there so there will be a few days during that period where the parks do become over-run with teenagers. But the rest of those 2 weeks the lineups are much shorter than other times of the year.

The weather can be spotty - you dont know if you will have a warm year or a cool year so prepare for both (last year was a warm year but the one day I started at animal kingdom then did Mickeys' Christmas at Magic kingdom, I found myself buying a hoodie because of a 30 degree F temperature drop from sunny day before rain to chili night after rain. Check the weather each day and if there is going to be a temperature drop, locker rental with spare clothes can be a good thing.

The decorations are great, though last year there were a lot less lights than the year before and the fireworks at EPCOT werent as big as the previous years. Well worth it though. As well it is worth getting a lunch reservation so you can get seating for the candlelight processional (it actually can be difficult to get a dinner reservation - I find it is best to make the reservation a couple days in advance if you want to attend the processional) I lucked out last year and it was Edward James Olmos doing the readings. This year unfortunately I am missing Andy Garcia by a couple days (I am in Florida then so I may sneak over to catch him) and have a choice instead of Blair Underwood, James Denton or Jodi Benson (I dont know how to picture them doing the reading). Would have loved to arrive in Florida a week earlier to try to catch Neil Patrick Harris the end of this month.

BUt there is so much holiday themed entertainment (especially at EPCOT but all the parks change their street shows, parades, etc up for the holidays). It is well worth it.

[jnoble82]

I LOVE Christmas so the thought of all the decorations sounds so amazing to me! I'm from Syracuse, NY so I can be well prepared for the cold. I brought hoodies with me this year when it was in the high 40's so I'll definitely be sure to pack a couple more for December. This year it was almost 80 when we left Orlando and 34 when we landed. Today it was 73! But that's Syracuse for you. It will be snowing in a week.

I know I'm not planning on going until next year but when do they announce who's doing the candlelight processionals? I'm not a HUGE planner but for things like that, Mickey's Party, and the Osbourne show, I'll likely come up with a plan. I've already thought of what I would do for Mickey's Party if I was going this year.

As for teens, I work in a science museum so I've dealt with kids roaming unsupervised though definitely not as many as will be at WDW. At least at Disney I don't have to worry about policing or babysitting them.

I'd love to meet up with some December experts while I'm there! I'll be sure to pop into any of those threads as it gets closer. I'm excited! Is it next year yet?

[Lorelei528]

Originally Posted by jnoble82

I LOVE Christmas so the thought of all the decorations sounds so amazing to me! I'm from Syracuse, NY so I can be well prepared for the cold. I brought hoodies with me this year when it was in the high 40's so I'll definitely be sure to pack a couple more for December. This year it was almost 80 when we left Orlando and 34 when we landed. Today it was 73! But that's Syracuse for you. It will be snowing in a week.

I know I'm not planning on going until next year but when do they announce who's doing the candlelight processionals? I'm not a HUGE planner but for things like that, Mickey's Party, and the Osbourne show, I'll likely come up with a plan. I've already thought of what I would do for Mickey's Party if I was going this year.

As for teens, I work in a science museum so I've dealt with kids roaming unsupervised though definitely not as many as will be at WDW. At least at Disney I don't have to worry about policing or babysitting them.

I'd love to meet up with some December experts while I'm there! I'll be sure to pop into any of those threads as it gets closer. I'm excited! Is it next year yet?

DH and I will be there next Dec (Nov. 30-Dec. 14) we obviously are not solo, but we are childless! AND I am a proud SU alum and also lived in the salt city for 7 years! I have LOADS of friends up there and visit quite often. I'm actually job hunting up there because we want to move back up!

We haven't been during DEC yet, but am already really looking forward to it. My excel spreadsheet is getting filled in quickly!

[jnoble82]

Originally Posted by Lorelei528

DH and I will be there next Dec (Nov. 30-Dec. 14) we obviously are not solo, but we are childless! AND I am a proud SU alum and also lived in the salt city for 7 years! I have LOADS of friends up there and visit quite often. I'm actually job hunting up there because we want to move back up!

We haven't been during DEC yet, but am already really looking forward to it. My excel spreadsheet is getting filled in quickly!

Hope you find work! People bash Syracuse a lot but I still like it, cold, snow, and all. SU was too big for me for to go to for college. I go to SU games a lot and still have to go "Now...yes, that way...right? Yes." I'd be late to class every day.

My only concern about a December trip is weather. Will it be snowing like crazy when I'm supposed to take off? Don't really care if I get stuck in Orlando because of the weather :P OK it would cost more but who wouldn't want an extra vacation day? At least Hancock is pretty good at moving snow around. Coworker got trapped in London a few years ago when they had a storm and he was getting frustrated, especially when he finally got home and saw about 4 feet of snow in Syracuse with planes still running yet London couldn't move planes with a dusting (that was the year it snowed for 3 1/2 days straight).

All Decked out in SU gear for my birthday lunch at Chef Mickeys! My favorite picture