Crowds and weather in early December..?

[DisneyBliss7]

We have decided to push our next trip out 7 months. Instead of going at the end of spring break into the first week of May in 2019 we are planning the beginning of December 2019. Is there much of a difference between the first week of December and the second week with crowds? I heard early December is very low crowds and a great time to visit.

Also, how's the weather? We usually go late spring or early fall so its hot and I love it!! I know it will be cooler but I hope not too cold to swim. We love resort days by the pool

 

[JennyDrake]

I've been during this time for the past 11 years! The weather can be ANYTHING--I've seen it not get above 55 and I've seen it in the low 90's. Crowds are VERY manageable and the first week of December is markedly better than the second.

 

[matheke]

The first 2 weeks are about the same for crowds. We headed down the weekend of Thanksgiving one and found that most everybody left that Sunday. It was very quiet and calm.

Now the weather can be anything from High 80's in the day to under 30 at night. Layers, Layers, Layers!!!

 

[matheke]

I've been during this time for the past 11 years! The weather can be ANYTHING--I've seen it not get above 55 and I've seen it in the low 90's. Crowds are VERY manageable and the first week of December is markedly better than the second.

We have been going then also for at least 20 years. We may have run into each other several times over the years.

Dan

 

[memo10]

Crowds used to be low in early December. With the addition of tiered pricing and summer crowds thinning, I'm predicting that there will be an uptick in crowds in traditionally slow times. It will definitely be lower than spring crowds, but don't expect the crowds to be non-existent.

Weather could go either way. We had an unseasonably warm winter last year.

 

[westie55]

I went the first week of December of 2016. I found the crowds to be similar to the summer, honestly. It was not noticeably quieter IMO, so I think people who go expecting short waits might be disappointed. The weather was great. Upper 70s and no rain. However, I think it was a bit cold for swimming although some people, especially kids, aren't deterred by lack of hot weather. You needed a warm jacket at night and in the mornings. Shorts were fine during the middle of the day. I would go in December again for sure, but if I wanted to spend a lot of time at the resort pool or water parks, I would go another time of year to be sure it was warm enough to enjoy those things.

 

[CAS239]

Last few years it's been warm all December. Nowhere near as hot as summer, but still in the 80's.

 

[allsaintsatx]

We went early December 2016 and early April 2017 and it felt warmer in December. We would be in the resort pool til 10pm most nights, but in April I was freezing midday after about 20 minutes of pool time. What does it all mean? Beats me!

 

[bootlord9000]

We went mid-December last year and the weather was amazing. The crowds might have been higher than early October, but we didn't really notice since the weather was so dang nice. It made waiting in lines much easier.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

The post-Thanksgiving pre-Christmas week is the best time to go to WDW...the crowds are...well, there are still crowds...but during weekdays they are manageable...try to plan so you are not in Magic Kingdom on a Saturday.

The best thing is that you get the Christmas magic without he Christmas crowds...the decor and special events make this so much fun.

This is the one time of year where the weather is anyone's guess...April -October is pretty easy to pack for...December? First time we went it was 70-80s every day...Second time it got down to near freezing a couple of nights (made for a wonderful fog in the mornings along the river outside our room at POR.) The last time split the difference and was 50s at night 80s during the day.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Weather is all over the place. Our AK day was freezing but the rest of our days was mid 70s low 80s. Be prepared for any type of weather. Crowds always manageable but free dining does attract more people.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been going to WDW the first week in Dec for about 14 years now. The weather is all over the place. I've had days when it was so cold you could see your breath in the air. I've had days where I started sweating. But, generally speaking, the weather is pretty nice. I tend to bring capris, short sleeved shirts and a few sweatshirts. I fly in jeans and a turtleneck so I have them if it gets really chilly. And sometimes I bring a windbreaker.
As far as crowds go..it's gotten busier every year. This is a hugely popular time for DVC owners. And there are usually sports/cheer groups down for competitions. As they get bumped out of competition, they start heading to the parks. And because Disney gives them such good rates, they tend to draw the entire family down...sometimes even extended family!! I've found that by the end of that second week, things have calmed down a lot. The weekends tend to stay busy though.

 

[DekrRini]

I've gone the week after Thanksgiving for the last few years. As others have said, weather is unpredictable, but I've found it to be tending more towards the warmer side. At least for me. I wear jeans and a hoodie down, pack a couple of long sleeved t-shirts in addition to my usual shorts and t-shirts and I'm good to go. I doan't swim so I can't answer that part of your question

I've noticed the crowds have been getting heavier, but still manageable. Be prepared for only 3 non MVMCP nights at MK so those days are really crowded. The Christmas decorations are beautiful and worth taking at least one trip at this time of year. ADRs tend to be harder to get than for my May trips.

I love going this time of year and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as well.

 

[Micca]

Last few years it's been warm all December. Nowhere near as hot as summer, but still in the 80's.

While I agree that the temps will be unpredictable I feel like there's a greater chance that it will still be on the warm side than down in the 50s. I'm not local though, does it seem this way to you?

 

[CAS239]

While I agree that the temps will be unpredictable I feel like there's a greater chance that it will still be on the warm side than down in the 50s. I'm not local though, does it seem this way to you?

Definitely. Dec-Feb there's definitely more days where it's warm rather than cold. Could also be chilly by October, but won't know until like a week away from said date lol.

I'm hoping it's cold Dec-Feb

 

[Micca]

Definitely. Dec-Feb there's definitely more days where it's warm rather than cold. Could also be chilly by October, but won't know until like a week away from said date lol.

I'm hoping it's cold Dec-Feb

Thanks CAS! BTW, I think the parks are still a blast when it's chilly, you just gotta be prepared. I have been in the parks a couple of times over the years when it was waaaay too cold (like I was wearing gloves) but 50s & 60s can still be very comfortable...provided the sun is shining.

 

[TimR573]

I can promise you right now that if you forget to take a sweatshirt or jacket into the park with you because it's 80 that morning, you will be spending fifty bucks on a sweatshirt or jacket that night. Be prepared!

 

[Micca]

I can promise you right now that if you forget to take a sweatshirt or jacket into the park with you because it's 80 that morning, you will be spending fifty bucks on a sweatshirt or jacket that night. Be prepared!

Yeah but part of the fun is getting a new Disney sweatshirt on a trip!

 

[DisneyBliss7]

Thank you all for sharing! I love it hot but this trip includes my MIL/FIL and my sister and none of them can handle the heat. This sounds like a perfect time for us to go