Can anyone tell me about Disney in December??

[DisneyMomma7]

I am BEYOND excited to be going to Disney World again this December! This place is my second home. I LOVE Disney World. It's so magical and makes me so happy Anyways, I'm afraid that it's gonna be 10x more crowded than when I normally go (In early March).. Is it worth going in December? I've never been in December but I heard it's beautiful around Christmas... but I'm afraid if it's too crowded, I won't be able to do anything.. is it better to plan for early 2015? It's been a while and I'm really hoping to have the best vacation!

Thanks in advance!

 

[MouseOfGold]

I think it depends on which week you are visiting in Dec.. I'm not sure what the crowds are like in early Mar. so I cannot compare the two. We visited during the 2nd week of Dec. this past year and it was busy but not unbearable. Using our FP's helped and also securing DR's well in advance. We didn't wait more than 45 mins for a ride when not using a FP but we also won't get in a line if it's more than an hour long wait for a ride/attraction.

I would recommend attending MVMCP during that time of year for sure. The Christmas décor throughout the parks and hotels is amazing. You could just spend the day visiting other resorts looking at the decorations. Visit the Grand Floridian and check out the giant gingerbread house. I personally enjoy WDW during that time of year.

 

[DisneyMomma7]

Oh, good! Thank you so much. It really does make me feel better. I'm so excited!! We're thinking about the 2nd week in December, and I was terribly concerned about unbearable crowds and not being able to ride anything. Is it generally warm down there in December? I have no idea what I should think about bringing!

 

[Nancy F]

We've been going the first week of Dec. since 05 and love the weather we've had. It's usually in the high 70s at least. I can recall only one year where we had to wear jackets. And the crowds aren't bad. Just remember that it is Disney and lots of people love it. LOL!
Nancy

 

[DisneyMomma7]

haha, very true!! I know we're gonna have a blast by just merely being in the parks! I feel like it's gonna take forever to get here.. but it's always over much too soon!! Thank you so much. Warm weather in December sounds perfect
Going to Disney World- best early Christmas gift ever!

 

[TowMater92]

Worst time of year to go, go in March

 

[maryu03disney]

Disney at Christmas sounds so magical. I would love to go in December.

 

[alicat8]

The week between Christmas and New Years is unbearable-and this is coming from a teacher. I always go when it's busy-like 8s and 9s on the crowd calendars for every trip. That week was more like a 14..it's taken 5 years to convince my husband to go back. I don't think the rest of December is that bad. The decorations are pretty, but the crowds are unreal. Only time I've ever been unhappy in Disney!!

 

[Kpskyman]

The first 2 weeks are slow to moderate crowds on weekdays and moderate to busy on weekends. It is considered off season so the parks are not open very late, and they may not run evening parades and fireworks at MK every night. We love going this time of year. Make sure you get a ticket to MVMCP. Also this may sound against a lot of what you read on here, but stay away from the extra magic hours this time of year. The parks are not usually crowded, but the parks with the magic hours get more people in them. Definitely also check out The Candlelight Procession at EPCOT. It is beautiful Christmas tradition. Also check out the different deluxe resorts and all of the Christmas decor they use. Finally, check out the Fort Wilderness Campground, many visitors go there every year at Christmas time for the sole purpose of over decorating their sites. It is really cool what some of these people do, and gives it a very homey feeling. I love going this time of year, and would not ever pass up a trip in early December

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Went to WDW for Christmas in 2002. One of the best trips we ever had. Got there a couple of days before Christmas and stayed a couple of days after, I believe probably an 8 or 9 day stay. Anyway, yes it's crowded but it didn't bother me terribly. Well worth it.

 

[DisneyMomma7]

Wow! Great advice! I would not know what to do different in Disney at Christmastime. Definitely gonna have to check all of that out. Even more excited now!!
Does anyone know any of the off season hours?? or when they would do the fireworks in MK? Definitely would love to see them again this time.

 

[sweetie1996]

We went the second week in December in 2011, it's was great! Everywhere you go you'll see Christmas decorations, our kids even got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus in EPCOT. The weather was great , highs were around 80. Crowds were low. Best trip ever!

 

[Kpskyman]

They will not have definite schedule of parks yet, but MK will usually close at 7-9 pm. There is a special holiday wishes fireworks in the mvmcp. Buy your tickets for this in advance. It is a limited ticket and does sell out. EPCOT remains 9-9 as slways. HS closes at 7-9 as well. This makes you pick either Fantasmic or TOFFOL. We alternate years on this or go twice. AK has no big Christmas celebration but also closes early. Usually at 7.

 

[pad406]

We did our first ever visit to WDW in December 2010. From 23rd through to Jan 7th, split stay between Poly and AKL. We loved it. yes, the crowds were like something that I'd never seen before. We didn't even go to a park on Christmas day, just toured the resorts, but that it itself was fantastic. But thanks to a lot of help and advice from the people here and a lot of planning on our part, we had a fantastic time and got to do loads of rides. I did a TR on it (man, seems so long ago now when I just re-read it) its http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2618645

Anyways, we're going again this December so I suppose that tells you all you need to know

 

[gaunce78]

We went the first weekend after Thanksgiving last year & stayed 10 days. The crowd was not bad at all! I can remember getting off rides and getting right back in the line, not having to wait hardly at all. The longest wait we would've had was for the Peter Pan ride, but even then we got a fast pass for it, so no biggie. Another 20-30 min wait was the Rocking Roller coaster, but agin we did a fast pass for it too. The longest we had to wait for anything seemed at Main Street, just trying to get through the crowds and into the park area. I enjoyed taking my girls to the Christmas party too, but I have to say our family likes the MNSSHP a bit better, they love dressing up The decorations are absolutely beautiful to look at and it really gets you in the Christmas spirit. The Osbourne lights are too awesome, so be sure not to miss them! Check out the crowd levels either at touringplans.com or easywdw. Regardless of when you go, it's Disney! It's all too cool & magical!

 

[scottj78]

We've been to WDW the last three years during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas and doing everything we can to make it back this year. It was PERFECT!! The decorations are amazing, the crowds are not overwhelming, and the weather is ideal. We like to book our hotel with extra days at the beginning and end of our trip so that we can tour all the resorts and their decorations as well. Definitely check out the Grand Floridian's tree and ginger bread house. Wow.

 

[pad406]

Worst time of year to go, go in March

Good try, but I'm sure we won't all change our plans!!!!

 

[songbird123]

We are trying our best to come up with the funds for a December 1-5 trip! We want to go at Christmas-time so bad! That and we haven't been in almost 10 years!!

 

[jezebel73]

We did the first week of December in 2010 for my daughter's birthday and it was super cold, only one day hit 70 and at night dropped to the 40's. We were slightly unprepared, as forecasts right before we left said much better, but we still had a FANTASTIC time. It's still Disney, no matter the weather!!! Just bring gloves and hats, despite the forecast.
And remember the pools are heated.

The decorations are so beautiful - we especially loved all the specifically themed trees at Animal Kingdom park (like one all Stitch, one all Pluto stuff).

And crowds were really manageable, no long waits past maybe 20-30 minutes for the major attractions and no wait at all for many rides.

 

[connie1042]

I was just there this pass Dec. First week. The weather was great! 75-80 we did not pack for the trip until the weekend before, waiting for the weather report. Got to partake in DisApoolza for my first time. Such a good time. Went to all 4 parks and the Christmas party. Worth every penny. The day of the Christmas Party we toured the resorts and arrived at MK at 4. After the parade you can walk on about anything. Park is open til midnight.