Animal Kingdom in December

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We are headed to the world in Early December YAY!!!

Quick trip, and really only 4 park days. I have never thought twice about park hopper passes, and have always gotten them, but thought for a quick trip, and our second this year (a huge luxury for us), we would cut some corners.

My question- How is AK in December. Any thing special, or not to miss decorations?

I know about MK and Epcot- Been there at Christmas, and know not to miss them- Looking forward to the Osborne Lights at MGM, and planning to do MVMCP.

I think the one to miss would be AK- Or should I go ahead and get hopper passes, so I can run over there for awhile?

Also any suggestions about not getting hopper passes would be welcomed. I've always liked being able to go to one park in the AM, and somewhere else in the evening, even if it is just to eat, or catch the fireworks.

Thanks

 

[nluvwithmickey]

When we went last december, they had the christmas version of the jammin' jungle parade. The park was nicely decorated with carollers before the park opening. I got to see the little show they do before the opening too.

Aside from that I don't think anything special goes on over there. I think hoppers are a must in December. Many parks close early, so this would give you a chance to make the most of your park days.

 

[foxtrotter]

I would do the parkhopper option. We also did AK last December and it closes in late afternoon. We left AK around 4, went back to POP to change, then headed over to Epcot for the tree-lighting and Candlelight Processional, etc. If you plan dinner at a resort or some other non-park activity and stay at AK until they kick you out at closing, then you wouldn't need a parkhopper I guess. But we found ourselves hopping all over the place that week.


ETA: or you could do AK the day you do MVMCP. If I recall, park admission is included with the MVMCP tickets so you don't use an extra day there.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I would do the parkhopper option. We also did AK last December and it closes in late afternoon. We left AK around 4, went back to POP to change, then headed over to Epcot for the tree-lighting and Candlelight Processional, etc. If you plan dinner at a resort or some other non-park activity and stay at AK until they kick you out at closing, then you wouldn't need a parkhopper I guess. But we found ourselves hopping all over the place that week.


ETA: or you could do AK the day you do MVMCP. If I recall, park admission is included with the MVMCP tickets so you don't use an extra day there.

I think we would want to hop- Esp. since we only have 4 days- Now to convince DH.

I really think we will want to go to MK, for at least one day, and MVMCP. Can anyone confirm- Does the party ticket get you into MK, even if that wasn't your park for the day? I thought when we went to the Halloween party, we had to go to MK that day, but I could be mistaken.

Thanks for the suggestions- Keep them coming.

 

[crazee4mickey]

We were there early December last year-the decorations are nice but nothing spectacular we had parkhopper passes so we could go to AK then go to MK, MGM, or Epcot for the rest of the day. We enjoyed the park a lot-the parade was good but it wasn't spectacular! We went 2 or 3 times throughout a 10 day period the kids loved it!

 

[danny1649]

To have the option to jump from one park to the other.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

If you MVMCP tickets, they start letting yo in at around 4:30 I think.

If you plan on going to the party, maybe you should keep one of your MK days to pass off as your MVMCP ticket. IE: relax during the day and make the most of your ticket for the party beginning at 4:30. That way you wouldn't waste a MYW day & a MVMCP ticket on the same day.

 

[MrShiny]

AK is the least decorated of the parks, but in cooler weather, the animals on the safari tend to be a bit more active.

 

[dolphindan1]

The party ticket also includes you admission...One year we did AK till after the parade and went straight to MK...They start letting you in for the party at 4pm....If you decide against the hopper option I would save your day at MK till last so then you know what you want or need to see after the party....You shouldnt have a problem in early Dec....we will be there for our 4th or 5th trip in a row and the longest we ever had was 30 mins at Test Track...everything is typically 15 min...Only thing real special at AK is the chistmas version parade and the characters dressed in christmas clothes and the animals are more active cause its alot cooler and no Humidity....you will have a blast