Camping in December...opinions?

[Westcoastwild]

so, I've done fort Wilderness in August as a tent camper. Loved everything about it, except, well, the August part.

Thinking of going before Christmas this year for the holiday stuff. Or maybe next year if this year is impractical. Has anyone done this as a tent camper? How was it? Are the pools open? Is transit the same- ferries and busses? Did you enjoy it and would you do it again? How far in advance would you recommend reserving? What week did you go? How were the crowds? Weather? Anything else I have not thought of? Thanks!

 

[G719]

so, I've done fort Wilderness in August as a tent camper. Loved everything about it, except, well, the August part.

Thinking of going before Christmas this year for the holiday stuff. Or maybe next year if this year is impractical. Has anyone done this as a tent camper? How was it? Are the pools open? Is transit the same- ferries and busses? Did you enjoy it and would you do it again? How far in advance would you recommend reserving? What week did you go? How were the crowds? Weather? Anything else I have not thought of? Thanks!

The pools are open year round and heated. Transportation runs the same all year. Everything will be decorated for Christmas. We love all the Christmas decorations.

Crowds will be OK most of December but will grow over the actual week of Christmas and from Christmas to New Years is crazy busy. It's not a super slow time as November and December have become more popular because people want to experience the Christmas party and Christmas atmosphere. It is still a good time to travel but don't go in expecting to have the place to yourself.

We've declared Novmber to be our favorite time to visit Disney because the weather is just glorious. It doesn't rain much and the humidity is low. Most days are sunny and warm. Sometimes you need a hoodie after dark. I would definitely tent camp in that weather. December is on average a little cooler than November but still probably very nice to tent camp. Maybe you would want to pack a little electric heater.

Disclaimer: We've never actually tent camped at Disney but have stayed at the cabins. We have camped though and I would not hesitate to tent camp in November or December. I would never ever do a tent in the summer in Florida.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Thanks! Very helpful. Nope, wasn't expecting it to be uncrowded. I've heard that about Nov, but the only time I could go then is Thanksgiving and I'm going to guess that's not a great week to choose.

 

[bama_ed]

Early December is an absolutely FANTABUOUS time to go!

Avoid Thanksgiving week but the following two weeks after (any time in there) is a great time to tent camp and to enjoy the park and Fort Christmas decorations. It used to be uncrowded but Free Dining has been offered the last few years in that time frame. Everything is open and running.

Weekends might be tough to get because they fill up WAY early with "locals" coming in for the weekend but it's moderate weather and a wonderful time.

If you wait past the first two weeks of December, depending on how the calendar rolls, you might encounter the Christmas rates/crowds/etc. but I would definitely go in the first two weeks if you can swing it.

Bama Ed

 

[Westcoastwild]

Thanks, bama ed! So...by first two weeks, do you mean dec 1-8 or dec 1-16? Because I usually cannot get time off until the 10th. But I'm thinking that I'd only want 5 days- because of weekend prices and because I'm guessing waterparks won't be open then? Is one of the main parks very holiday like and worth 2 days? (Other than MK?) Because I was thinking that I'd do Mk for 2 days and then the rest of the parks one day each.

 

[bama_ed]

Waterparks are open according to published schedules. They usually close one for a month for annual maintenance and the other operates, then flip flop and close the other the next month while the other one opens (for the same reason). I forget which one is closed first but you might search back to last year and I bet they keep the same schedule this year.

All I'm saying is I put together a rate view for 2016 and you might want to avoid the high rate/crowded times. See post #12.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/fort-wilderness-resort-information-a-work-in-progress.3502095/

This is stickied/pinned at the top of the Camping Board.

This says high rates kick in on Dec 15, 2017. If you can visit before the "Peak" rates kick in (but after the "Thanksgiving" rates kick in) that's the sweet spot to try to hit. You might be able to get dates after 12/15 but you'll pay more and it will be more crowded.

Here are the Weather.com temps for averages and 2016: https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/USFL0610:1:US Pools and waterparks are supposedly heated to 80F.

Bama Ed

 

[Westcoastwild]

Thanks, that is super useful. I knew about the rates chart but it hadn't occurred to me to use it as a crowd checker. duh. And I remembered there being a lot of debate on the forums over whether or not it was swimming weather. 80 degree water would be just fine, too hot in fact. Just wasn't sure if the parks were shut down because of refurb or weather.

 

[G719]

The last 3 years blizzard beach has been closed and typhoon lagoon open in November and December. We go swimming and went to typhoon lagoon this past november. The waterpark was pretty empty. We hardly waited for any slide. Disney will close the waterpark for a day or so if the weather is forecasted to be really cold on a given day.

You should visit some of the resorts for their decorations too. The wilderness lodge is beautiful with a huge tree in the lobby. The grand floridian has the giant gingerbread house and the contemporary has a gingerbread display too.

 

[North of Mouse]

so, I've done fort Wilderness in August as a tent camper. Loved everything about it, except, well, the August part.

Thinking of going before Christmas this year for the holiday stuff. Or maybe next year if this year is impractical. Has anyone done this as a tent camper? How was it? Are the pools open? Is transit the same- ferries and busses? Did you enjoy it and would you do it again? How far in advance would you recommend reserving? What week did you go? How were the crowds? Weather? Anything else I have not thought of? Thanks!

Have not tent camped in Dec. but have stayed in mh there two different times first of Dec. One time the weather was perfect, the other time it was horrible. Dec'10 the few nights we were there were high 20's (flowers were either covered or frozen) and the days were windy and in the 40's!! So, as for most months there, the weather can be great - or not!! Just remember to pack for cold, rainy, or nice!

 

[peg110]

We have done late November/Early December several times (in a TT). You need to have clothes for all types of weather. Warm (even Hot) weather as well as Cool and downright COLD weather. I love that time of year at the fort and mostly it's tolerable. If you are okay with tenting in the cooler weather, you would be fine I think. (Of course I have camped where I got buried in Snow and didn't mind so take it for what it's worth)

 

[Beth from Tennessee]

We are tent camping late November/beginning of December this year and I have also wondered about weather. Not sure if heaters are safe in a tent or if electric blankets are OK on an air mattress. Anyone have any experience?

 

[peg110]

The heater would depend on what kind. Those that have the glowing wire (Nichrome) are probably LESS safe. Using an "Oil Filled" or an "Infra-red" heater is probably safer. I am sure it would go without saying that you should not direct them towards the tent material itself nor should it be touching the tent sides if at all possible.

An electric blanket on an Air mattress should be no issue either. They don't get that hot. Typically you would expect that one would not get hotter than 98.6 degrees as that would be EXTREMELY uncomfortable for most folks, That of course is the normal body temperature. I would be more concerned about "Moisture" or overloading a circuit then anything else in regards to the electric blanket. (Make sure you use an adequate extension cord for it)

 

[jknezek]

We went the first week of last Dec, 3-10th. Not in a tent, but the weather was glorious. People were in the pools. The boats all run, and the crowds were, well I don't know. The Fort was packed, as you'd assume. We didn't see a single open spot in any of the preferred loops overnight. But, using all the tools of the FP+ and MDE app, we didn't stand in a line for more than 20 minutes for anything in any of the parks. And we did just about all of it. Was it crowded? Sure seemed like it, especially in threadbare DHS. But we did rope drop to dinner most days and I can't say I ever really felt jammed in anywhere they way I have in summer months.

 

[North of Mouse]

Just shows that the same weeks in different years can vary so much in temps, rain, etc.
So nice when the weather 'does' cooperate with our vacation dates though!!

 

[bianca]

We camp in December. We just have electric blankets for each person. Now is a good time to pick them up clearanced if you need them.