December 13-20 - Need Info

[tinawv]

Hello all. Our family (brother, sister, parents, and our children) are going to Walt Disney World during the period December 13 through the 20th. I am really excited, because this is the first time our family has all been together for vacation. I have two questions that I hope to get input from. The first one is the crowds. What kind of crowds will we be looking at during this time period? I was hoping that by going during this time frame we will beat the Christmas crowds. If attendance is low during this time period, will some of the popular rides be closed for rehab? Is there a site I can go to that tells you what rides will be closed and when? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I have learned so much from these forums. It is great that people are willing to share their experiences and expertise so that others can learn from them. Take care!

 

[Gary M]

We have gone to WDW during Dec., each year since 1992. Our trips have been earlier in the month, but I think you should experience manageable crowds during your trip. The weekends can be more crowded than during the week. We find that if we get to the parks when they first open, we can do alot of before the crowds show up at 10:30 to 11:00 am.

We have found very few attractions closed during this time. I'm sure someone can tell you where to look for closings. The park hours are cut back, but with the smaller crowds you should be OK.

Great time to go.

 

[Jackie H.]

You will LOVE this time of year. We have been twice and both times our dates fell just like yours - we were leaving as the crowds were arriving. I remember one visit, we were leaving on Dec 21 (it was the Saturday before Christmas that year). We were on the monorail and it looked like someone had opened the flood gates of people pouring into MK and all the resorts! The place had been seemingly empty until then.

The place will be as close to empty as you will ever see it. Still avoid MK on Saturdays (and maybe Mondays), but besides that you don't need to worry about it at all!

As for rides, I've never seen anything closed during this time. In fact, there seemed to be a lot of extra CMs during this time. We were told on one trip by a CM that Disney hired lots of extra temps for the Christmas rush. Those people are on the job by early December learning their jobs and getting ready for the rush. I would think that same logic would spill over into ride rehabs.

We have NEVER (yes, I literally mean never) waited in a line anywhere in WDW in early-mid December during regular park hours. (I am sure you won't believe that, but it is true. My kids don't even comprehend waiting in lines at Disney World.) One word of caution: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It is a wonderful thing, wouldn't miss it, but be careful what day you go (if you go). Tuesdays tend to be better than Saturdays. We did encounter crowds on a Saturday MVMCP once.

We walked into every restaurant we wanted without ressies. (BUT! You will still need Cindy's castle ressies if you want to do that.)

It is a GREAT time to visit! Not only are the decorations beautiful, the lack of crowds allows you to visit things at a much more leisurely pace. AND and many, many CMs allow for much more interaction and lots of extra things: once a Living Statue at Italy played with my kids, my hubby got called up to do the slap dance at Germany, my son was called on stage at Hoop Dee Doo, my daughter was called up to do the belly dance in Morrocco, a talking trash can literally chased us down in Tomorrowland, we had several times where we were the only people visiting a character, the list goes on and on. These things are more likely to happen then because there are less guests to chose from.

Have a great time!!

 

[tinawv]

Thank you Jackie and Gary for the great information. After reading your post Jackie, I can hardly wait to go. It has taken away all my fears about going this time of year. We will be sure to do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It sounds like a lot of fun. I am really looking forward to seeing the Christmas decorations at the parks and resorts. Once again, thank you.

 

[mickeysaver]

We will be there that week too! I chose it because it was during the "low season" when the crowds would be low and the Christmas decorations and festivities would be underway. I can't wait to get there. We are doing MVMCP on the 14th and Candlelight Processional on the 18th. We have a PS for the Mickey's Back Yard BBQ on the 16th and plans to go see the third Lord of the Rings movie on the 17th. My itinerary is set. I'm just waiting for the opportunity to make a few more PS's and then I can just kick back and wait for December. Mickey

 

[tinawv]

Wow mickeysaver, it sounds like you are on the ball. I need to get started. As of yet, I have no PS's. My biggest problem is getting family members to decide where they what to eat. If they don't make a decision soon, I will have to go ahead and make PS's for our family and they will have to take pot luck! LOL Seriously, I realize that since we are such a large group with different tastes that we will be eating at different places. I would like to do at least one PS where we are all together.

After reading Jackie's post, we are looking at doing MVMCP on Tuesday, December 16th. That is if it is offered on that date. Do you have to make reservations for the Candlelight Processional or just be there when it is going on?

Is the third Lord of the Rings showing in Downtown Disney? My son has seen all of them to date, and can't wait to see the third one. What better place to watch it then at Disney World. A big part of the fun for me is the planning and the anticipation of being in the World.

Thank you once again for the great posts.

 

[mickeysaver]

For more detailed info on MVMCP and CP, I suggest that you take a look at http://www.wdwig.com/holiday.htm

12/14, 12/16, 12/18, 12/19 are the only MVMCP's during our stay. We chose to go the first night.

As for CP, you can certainly go without a dinner reservation, but you are going to be in for about a 2 hour wait for any of the 3 nightly shows from what I understand. Also, if you have any desire to eat at the nicer sit down restaurants at Epcot for dinner, you might as well make the PS as a CP dinner package.

As for the Lord of the Rings movie, it debuts on the 17th, which is a Wednesday. You can buy tickets for movies off of http://www.amctheatres.com/ 1-2 weeks in advance, depending on the movie. I promised my honey that we would go to the final movie the day it came out, so I had to include it in the itinerary or else. lol

I understand about trying to get a group to make decisions. I had 2 occasions during our last trip that totally cemented it in my mind that I never want to tour WDW with a group again. I like to have things planned out to a certain extent. I like knowing what my options are and have the ability to troubleshoot any problems that come up with confidence. I just about had to hurt myself to keep from telling my honey's friends that they should have allowed me to make a dinner PS at RFC at DTD a week in advance, but nope. Well, they were shocked to find a 2 hour wait for a table for a party of 8. I just wanted to smack them all. But, that won't happen again! lol

I hope things work out much better for you! Mickey

 

[tinawv]

Once again mickeysaver great advice and info. Since they are not having the Osbourne Lights this year, I really would like to attend the CP and the dinner package sounds like the best way to go. Now the hard part convincing the rest of the group. lol

I am really looking forward being at WDW with my whole family, but realize that it is going to be impossible for us to be together for everything.

Thank you and I hope you have a fantastic trip.

 

[swilphil]

Tina--You didn't say where you were staying. We stayed at the Dolphin, and the concierage desk made several PS's for us during our stay right before July 4th. I, too, had a family that couldn't make up their mind where they wanted to eat. I did make some PS's before we left, but we didn't use all of them. Remember it's called PS because it's priority seating, not exactly a reservation. If you don't show up, it really doesn't hurt anybody, except the other people trying to make PS's.

 

[ead79]

I have been the last three Decembers in a row near the dates of your trip (December 16-20 of 2000, December 16-21 of 2001 and December 3-8 of 2002). I have always found the crowds to be VERY light. I have had no problem with ride lines at all, and many of the lines have been walk-ons. Plus, it's a great time of year to visit with all the neat Christmas events and decorations. As a matter of fact, I like Christmas in WDW so much that I'm having my wedding there this December. Have a terrific trip!

 

[tinawv]

Hi swilphil. We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think I will take your advice and make some PS's using my best judgment. If all of the family members don't want to go, I can reduce the number when we get to the World. That way we won't be completely out of luck. Congratulations ead79. I can't think of a better place to have a wedding than in Walt Disney World.

Thanks again everyone for sharing.

 

[tinawv]

Sorry Sherri and Elisabeth for not using your names. I didn't see your names until I reread my post. I prefer using people's names rather than the User ID's whenever possible.

Have a wonderful day!

 

[SalandJeff]

We went in December for the 1st time last year. It was so wonderful. Crowds were low and everything was so beautiful. You should definitely do MVMCP during the week. The weekends have a lot of Floridians coming in just for the weekend and you definitely see larger crowds.

Also, you definitely should do a PS when you want to go to the Candlelight Processional. We did not do this and the line was so long an hour before the early show, that they were starting the line for the late show - a wait of several hours. We left and made a PS for another night and went back. It is so beautiful and the music is beautiful. Just do not miss it.

Also, try to see the parks, both in the daytime and after dark. The decorations are wonderful and you need to see them before and after to appreciate them. If you have any time, make a dinner ressie at some of the hotels so you can see the decorations there also. The Grand Floridian is the best.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

 

[tinawv]

Thanks SalandJeff. I feeling better all the time about going in December after reading all the great posts. I know my sister and mother especially would love the Candlelight Processional, and the priority seating for a dinner sounds like the best way to go. I also love your advice about viewing the decorations in other hotels, and what better way than to have a dinner there. It sounds like MVMCP is also a must for our agenda.

Again, thank you for the great advice.

 

[southernwingz]

We are also going at this time (Dec. 17 - 22) and REALLY looking forward to it. It's encouraging to hear about the light lines.

We are going to MVMCP on the 18th, have already made PS for the Spirit of Aloha Luau on the 20th, and are waiting until middle of August to make at least two more PS(Chef Mickey & Donald's Breakfastosaurus). Everything we've planned so far has been based solely on recommendations from the great people of this board, otherwise, we'd be completely in the dark. I'm totally hooked on y'all!

 

[tinawv]

I will second that!

 

[disneymania]

week that you are going in December with my entire family (15 in all). Since I was the only planner in the bunch, I sent an email to everyone listing out certain events & meals & asking which they had an interest in seeing. Really didn't hear back about much & I think they needed to be there to understand how fun these events would be soooo I took it upon myself to make PS arrangements for at least one meal a day while we were there. I also made PS arrangements for my immediate family (DH & 3 little kiddies). Then, if people weren't interested in doing whatever was on plan for the day, at least we had something special to do.

I totally regret not going to the MVMCP & would do it again on our next DEC. visit. Problem for us was that the night we had planned to go, it was very cold & rainy & we just felt like putting on our pj's & warming up. The night we were in EPCOT, we walked by the Candlelight Processional & there were so many empty rows that CM asked if we would like to go in & sit down. We did but didn't stay the entire time because we had lots of small children & it was hard for them to sit quietly for so long (which was the reason that we didn't do the dinner package after long consideration). It seemed very good though!!!

My few tips would be, bring as many winter clothes as you do summer clothes. It was unseasonably cold & even though we were all from northern areas of the US (it was warmer back home while we were there) it was very chilly at night for everyone. I'm glad I brought my kids winter coats. Everyone had to buy sweatshirts & we basically have the same outfits on every picture because I just didn't pack more than 1 or 2 pair of pants for everyone.

Also, we had heard so many group tour horror stories that we really tried hard to give each other alone family time. We might meet at bus stop & head to parks together for first couple of hours (we got tons done at MK during EMH) & then split up until dinner time. We usually met back at hotel for dinner or at a PS. Rule was though, if you were late, no big deal but we were leaving without you after a few minutes. YOu can't get anything done if you are constantly waiting for people who are always late. we all tried so hard to give the otehr families their alone time that my Mom & I said that we felt like we didn't get to spend enough time together over the week. I would definately do a big family trip again. It made such great memories for the kids & they look at all of the pictures & laugh about funny things that happened with grandparents, uncles, aunts & cousins.

Have a great time. In my opinion, it is by far the best time of the year to go. The Christmas music blaring through the park while you are on a ride brought tears to my eyes.

Oh, if I went in December again, I would buy one of the crazy Christmas hats that they sell in the park the first day we were there. After a few days, when I decided to buy one, I figured I wouldn't get my moneys worth & have since regretted not getting one. (Santa hats with Pooh, Minnie, Mickie, Tigger etc ears & they have this tree hat with ornaments hanging from it that is a riot.)

Have fun!!!!

 

[helenk]

We went last year from 12/14 to 12/19 and it is a good time of year to go. We missed the rain from the week before but Saturday through Tuesday were chilly, especially at night. We found that if we were going to be near water, like the WS in Epcot for Illuminations, our winter jacket was necessary. But as the week went on it got warmer.
Saturday at MK was crowded, we got there about 12:30 in the afternoon and it was packed, we ate a Casey's and could not find a table or bench to sit on. We ended up sitting on a curb. We did a few rides and left. We went back later that evening to see the second Spectro Parade and by then the crowds were light.
During the week the crowds were minimal, we had at most 15 to 20 minute waits on the most popular rides, ie Test Track, RNR coaster Alien Encounter.
We went to MVMCP at that is well worth the money. We did not the the Candle Light Processional this year as my son was not interested in it. But in 2001 my daughter and I went and we really enjoyed it. We went without the dinner package, we went to the first show and lined up about 45 minutes before it started and we got a great seat.
The holiday season in WDW is a wonderful time to go. You will really be glad you went.

 

[tinawv]

Thank you disneymania and helenk for the information. I picked up a lot of tips reading your posts. We will have 12 in our group with a diversity of ages. My sister's kids are grown and my brother and his wife have no children. Also, my parents ages 73 and 74 will also be there. I have a child who is 13 and a granddaugher 3. Based on this, I think we will have a more successful trip if we realize that we will not be able to be together all the time. I wouldn't want to tie down my brother and sister-in-law who have no children. Disneymania - I like your idea about starting out together and then meeting again in the evening for dinner. I also like your idea about making one PS for the group and one separate for your family in case the group PS falls through. I would have never though of that. This is why I love these boards.

Thank you.