1st week of December questions.

[LovesTimone]

We have done December before but always the week of the 25th.

But this year DH and I are going the 1st week of December checking in on the 1st - just a few quick questions.

Will all the decorations be up in the parks and resorts?

Gingerbread house at GF up and selling treats?

Has Mickeys Very Merry Christmas party started being offered by then?

At DHS is the Osborne Christmas light show up and running?

and last but not least

Really how are the crowds?

 

[WEDWDW]

Yes to all questions.

Crowds are "manageable"-NOTHING like Chrisrmas Week.

 

[Mkrop]

We have done December before but always the week of the 25th.

But this year DH and I are going the 1st week of December checking in on the 1st - just a few quick questions.

Will all the decorations be up in the parks and resorts?

Gingerbread house at GF up and selling treats?

Has Mickeys Very Merry Christmas party started being offered by then?

At DHS is the Osborne Christmas light show up and running?

and last but not least

Really how are the crowds?

Yes to everything, the only decoration that is delayed in the tree in MK, that goes up after the parade filming.

It can be crowded but very manageable...our families favorite time to go.

 

[JennyDrake]

Yes to everything, the only decoration that is delayed in the tree in MK, that goes up after the parade filming.

It can be crowded but very manageable...our families favorite time to go.

DITTO!!!

 

[cedricandsophie]

Yes to all. We will also be there from dec 1 to dec 7. Love the very merry Christmas party. It usually starts in November. Schedule should be out soon

 

[Dan Murphy]

As said, yes.

Keep in mind that is can be quite cold even earlier in the month. Bring layers.

 

[lustergirl]

I have been the first week of December twice. We absolutely loved it. The weather was perfect, still in the 70's. I enjoyed all of the Christmas decorations. They are quite beautiful

 

[rapunzels]

When we were there the first week of December is was practically a deep freeze! I can't remember what year that was, maybe 2010, but it was odd how cold it was. I've seen other people comment on that same December before... it was very cold nights, and not many people were prepared for it.. check the forecast before you go.. WDW made a lot of money on blankets that year,, they were sold out everywhere.. we bought one in the World Showcase one night, and it has been the official car blanket ever since...

 

[PuppyPrincess]

First or second week of December is my favorite time to go. As OP said, it did get extremely cold in 2010, but that was a fluke. Most of the time it is nice weather, in the 70's during the day and 50-60 at night. Light sweatshirt in the evening is all that is needed. Oh, and by the way the week after we were there in 2010 it was in the 80's. All the decorations are up, after the Christmas tree in MK goes up. MVMCP is in full swing. Gingerbread house, etc. Disney and Christmas, what else can I say.

 

[Nancy F]

We go this time every year and love it!
Nancy

 

[JediMasterMatt]

Will all the decorations be up in the parks and resorts?

Just a reminder that this year is rumored to be the first without the overhead garland on Main Street due to the height requirements of the new Festival of Fantasy parade.

Also, the first week in December is also when they usually film the Christmas parade, which usally causes them to remove the garland anyway for the days they are filming.

The parade filming will also rope off the area around the Castle and potentially the Partner's statue.

 

[LovesTimone]

Really looking forward to going...

Is there some where I can find out about the filming date of the parade?
Just so I can be prepared if its in our window of time.

Thanks for all your info.

 

[chrismb22]

See you there! That's my week. Did it in 2011 and going back this year. Sooooo excited. If you haven't seen the Wilderness lodge at Christmas, check it out. It's stunning. We took our son's Christmas card picture right by the giant tree in the lobby and hope to repeat it his year.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Really looking forward to going...

Is there some where I can find out about the filming date of the parade?
Just so I can be prepared if its in our window of time.

Thanks for all your info.

The parade recording is typically the first weekend in Dec. Should be Friday and Saturday, 5th and 6th, with Sunday the 7th as backup for bad weather or other contingencies.

 

[crazydaisy00]

The parade recording is typically the first weekend in Dec. Should be Friday and Saturday, 5th and 6th, with Sunday the 7th as backup for bad weather or other contingencies.

So how do you know exactly what day/time they record the parade? If we would be there that weekend do they announce it or can you get details from a CM?

 

[Itinkso]

So how do you know exactly what day/time they record the parade? If we would be there that weekend do they announce it or can you get details from a CM?

The parade is taped that Saturday. CMs and paid actors arrive early and fill in the front row spots in the taping area. At normal park opening, guests can fill in behind the CMs/actors.

 

[Dan Murphy]

So how do you know exactly what day/time they record the parade? If we would be there that weekend do they announce it or can you get details from a CM?

Keep in mind that the parade is not just a recording of a regular parade. It is all split up into segments, videoed with many takes and retakes, back up, go forward, with music, without music, etc. Long and tedious. As said, parade itself is usually Saturday, entertainment (singers, ets), Friday. And I have heard Thursday sometimes for the entertainment portion.

 

[crazydaisy00]

Thank you!! Our original dates are Dec 6-12 but discussing moving check in date back a few days which means we might catch some of the excitement! I don't think we would make it through the entire thing but would be neat to see a part of it because we watch it every year!

 

[JediMasterMatt]

Thank you!! Our original dates are Dec 6-12 but discussing moving check in date back a few days which means we might catch some of the excitement! I don't think we would make it through the entire thing but would be neat to see a part of it because we watch it every year!

I've been at the park a few times while the parade filming is going on and to be honest - it's worth avoiding and not seeking it out. As mentioned in an earlier post, it's not like the do the entire parade. It's very much start/stop wash, rinse, repeat.

The usually filming days are Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun as a fail safe day the first week in December.

Main Street is usually a mess the days (mostly mornings) they do the filming and they usually reroute normal traffic back stage. Even after they do the days worth of filming, they typically leave the equipment roped off and block the area's that they are using - like the Castle forecourt, the hub, the end of Main Street plaza, and sometimes even the balcony area of the train station.

Considering all of the construction to the hub area this year, it may even be more of a mess.

In my opinion, the parade filming is a heavy dose of "real world" invasion into your Magic Kingdom escape.

I would recommend avoiding the parade filiming and instead plan around MVMCP instead. The good news is that the first week in Dec isn't usually too bad from a crowd perspective.

 

[wareagle57]

I'm not sure why people are calling this weeks crowds "manageable." Other than September it's probably the least busy time of the year. It's at least on par with January/February and October/November.