Beginning of December experiences anyone??

[pooh4evr]

We are debating when to go back- DMIL and DFIL are taking the fam (DH, DD5 DD3 ME DSIL and DBIL) to the world as our Christmas present. We would prefer a time when DD is off school (we go year round with many breaks Sept, Christmas, March and June) but DFIL farms and his season doesn't allow him to get away until around November, and Dh and I want to have another Dbaby which if things go well would be due early next year- not really excited about going pregnant (possibly) but - When would you go? Is the beginning of December a good time or should I try for something else?

 

[wld]

We love this time of year. Lower crowds, beautiful weather, decorated parks, MVMCP, Candlelight Processional.......usually pretty good airfare. I would jump on early December as in the first 2 weeks.

 

[pearlieq]

I think I'm going to be in the minority here, but we went during the first full week of December this past year and weren't really thrilled with it.

Here's why:

1.) Crowds! Apparently the word is out about early December! We found crowds to be no different than our usual early May trips. We were expecting the place to be nearly deserted, but that was SO not the case!

2.) Weather: It was rainy and rather chilly the whole time we were there. December is just a little too hit-or-miss in the weather department.

3.) All Christmas, All the Time: We were Christmas-ed out by the end of the first day. It's everywhere and every single speaker plays Christmas music only. Part of what I love about WDW and the sights and sounds and songs unique to the parks and resorts. With the omni-present Christmas musak, I felt like I was at the mall for a week.

4.) Pop Warner: This actually wasn't too bad for us, and we actually had a nice time one day going to WWoS to check out their games, but sometimes the roving packs of loosely chaperoned kids were a problem. Also, there were a couple of early closures during the week to accomodate their events.

 

[TheresaNY]

We went this past December 2 - 10th. We usually go every 4th of July so it was quite different. I agree with a lot of what Pearlieq wrote:

1. "Crowds".....I didn't think they were bad, but like I said, we usually go in July and it is real BAD in July ! Don't know what December is usually like.

2. "Weather".....WOW ! I was so unpleasantly surprised at how cold and unpredictable the weather was. It was down right cold in the morning and at night ! We had heavy coats, hats and gloves at MVMCP ! We didn't do any water rides or water parks since it was so chilly !!

3. "All Christmas All the Time".....I actually thought there would be more decorations then there were ! The longer we stayed, the more decorations that would pop up !

4. "Pop Warner"......ooooh...touchy subject for me. They were HORRIBLE at ASMusic. I will spare you my ranting. Suffice to say, stay away from value resorts and POR during Pop Warner.

Additionally......It was cool to be there for the taping of the Christmas parade with Regis and Kelly. It was nice to see MK decorated one way, then change after the filming, the tree moved, and more decorations up. Osbourne Lights at MGM are not to be missed. The decorations are really worth it everywhere. It is a totally different place in December than the summer......but it was really cold this past December IMO.

 

[paladin]

We were there this past December from the 4th to the 17th. We always go at this time of year and feel it can't be beat. Crowds have picked up (especially compared to 2001 - 2003), but we never waited long for anything. I didn't find the weather nearly as cold as the previous posters, we did have some rain, but I also spent quite a lot of time on our balcony enjoying the view and the weather (the day we left to go home was in the 60's, I believe and it was 9 in Chicago, so that was fine with us!) Weather on our previous trips has ranged from 40's to 80's so you have to be ready with layered clothes. We love the decorations and holiday entertainment, especially the Candlelight Processional and the holiday Illuminations.

 

[Quinn222]

I love the first week in December. The weather is nice, crowds are small, everything is decorated and there are fun special events.

 

[Sunkissed]

I'll have to add my agreement to most of the other posts. We love early December and are planning another trip for that time period for this year (11/30-12/10). It is our favourite!

Crowds are much better than at other times I've experienced. We did not feel Christmas-ed out (and I'm not Christian), but felt that the holiday festivities added an extra element of magic to an otherwise magical place ("snow" on Main St., MVMCP and parade, etc). We did not have any issues with Pop Warner, but this could have been merely luck. Also, we stayed at a Mod and I'm not sure if any of them were at our resort. Weather can be hit-or-miss, but we enjoyed it. It was pleasant during the day and cool enough for a sweatshirt in the evening. We had maybe a 1/2 hour of rain the entire week.

You'll enjoy the trip no later when you go, so I wouldn't stress too much. Have a great time!!

 

[HappyLawyer]

we go that time every other year and we love it

 

[LBKMAMA]

We've been the past two years from Nov. 28th - Dec. 4/5th...the first year we hit Pop Warner at CBR. This past year it was coming in when we left (airport was crazy).

We are actually changing it up this year to take advantage of free dining and much warmer weather....not to say I wouldn't go back the first week of December, but I do agree that people have figured it out and its not deserted like some would have you believe. The decorations are beautiful, but by day 3 my husband has had enough Christmas music (and he loves it)!
This past year it was downright cold at night and my kids only swam a few times in the afternoon. The weather is hit or miss (we never had rain) but like I said it was chilly.

I personally think Disney is advertising at least in our NY market much more than ever before and offering things to get families down there. It seems like they are doing a pretty good job. If you have a plan and ADR's I think you'll be fine no matter when you go. I think there is something to be said that anytime kids are in school - there will be slightly less crowds.

Hope this helps...

 

[byoung]

Mid Dec seems to be the best time to go for me, the crowdes are low.

 

[jann1033]

can't comment on crowds cause it's been a while since we went in early Dec for a winter trip and evidently it has gotten lots busier.. we used to walk on most rides, maybe a 10-15 min wait mid afternoon for something like tot

i think the weather is better than early Jan by far( husband needs to go winter also due to work). my kids usually swam ( in the heated pools,) in early Dec and we often camped. it was cool some days but usually by mid morning we could wear shorts, tees, needed sweat shirts or jackets early am ( remember we were camping, our kids stayed in the tent with sleeping bags and didn't freeze) and late at night. but you do need to expect anything from 60s to 90s during the day and maybe can get down to low 40 at night( only happened once i can recall but it can happen).

stuff is decorated and the shows were the christmas ones

 

[Vickie46]

I think its the best time of year to go!!! Have fun!

 

[shellybaxter]

We went from December 2nd through December 13th last year and thought it was great!! I didn't think the crowds were bad at all but I didn't go expecting to be the only person in Fantasyland either. There were people there but the ride lines were pretty manageable. Our last morning we got to MK at the nine o'clock opening and rode everything in Fantasyland, the Haunted Mansion and BTM railroad before we had to leave at 11 and we did some last minute shopping. Not bad I'd say.

The weather was iffy, but not terrible. We had some very nice shorts weather and a couple of days we were in pants and rain ponchos. But I've been lots of different months and rain is always an issue for some part of our trip.

The Christmas decorations are great as are the special festivities. If you don't like Christmas then this isn't the time of year for you to go. I was feeling kind of bah-humbugy before we went and came back very in the spirit of things.

Pop Warner - I thought they were fine too. We stayed at CBR and the GF. I heard they might be at CBR but never noticed them or were distrubed by them. They were not at the GF. In the parks there were groups of girls (and football boys too) walking around. Sometimes they were loud but they didn't bother us.

December turned out to be a hard time for me to be away from work so we are going in early Janauary next year. But if it worked for us to go again in early December I'd go in a heartbeat