December at WDW: How is it different?

[Golden Rose]

Over the years, I've been at WDW at a lot of different times of year. I have never been during the month of December, however, as we have a tendency to be very busy all month with family and friends. I keep reading about how much people love to do the holidays there, and I just wondered if it really is that different from the rest of the year.

We're certainly not going this year, but we have thought about trying it out next year or the year after. Is it worth it?

 

[Tara]

Over the years, I've been at WDW at a lot of different times of year. I have never been during the month of December, however, as we have a tendency to be very busy all month with family and friends. I keep reading about how much people love to do the holidays there, and I just wondered if it really is that different from the rest of the year.

We're certainly not going this year, but we have thought about trying it out next year or the year after. Is it worth it?

It's lovely - the decorations are something else and there are a lot of neat holiday touches and shows. I really like the stories at the Epcot countries - Pere Noel, Father Christmas, etc. It's usually less crowded in early December but the weather can often be very mild and pleasant.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

It's amazing. We've only been once in December, and I'm chomping at the bit to go back. If you can travel the week before Christmas (we traveled 12/15 - 12/21) or earlier in the month, it's less crowded, and you get to enjoy the decorations. Just like with everything else, Disney goes the extra mile to make this time of year feel special.

We paid to go to MVMCP, and it was so much fun. Our daughter, who was 4 at the time, was such a trouper. She made it till 11:30, and by that time, we were ready to go. The park wasn't crowded, and we could almost walk on anything.

Here's a link with a little more info just to give you an idea of what MVMCP is like.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ickeysVeryMerryChristmasPartySpecialEventPage

 

[bwvBound]

I really like the stories at the Epcot countries - Pere Noel, Father Christmas, etc.

Ditto! We also love the Candlelight Processional.

 

[owensamo]

We went for Thanksgiving last year, and while it was *packed*, we still thought it was just more magical with all the holiday decorations. I'm dying to go back! I'm trying to talk DH into taking DD out of school the last week before the holidays next year to go, but DD will probably be in the school Christmas production (required for 2nd graders) so I don't know when we'll be able to leave.

I would say it's worth it to make a point of going at least once during the holiday season.

Amanda

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love going in December! I'd reccomend doing the first two weeks. You get all the benefits of the extra shows and decorations with lower crowds. We went the week of Thanksgiving last year and it was a LOT more crowded than the first two weeks of December. We are hoping to do December again next year. We might even do Christmas! Now that my dad is gone and it wont be our year to have the grandkids...!

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

The month of december is much different then every other time of year at wdw. We have been 6 times during the first couple weeks of december and it is incredible. It is our absolute favorite time to go wdw.

The decorations are amazing and really get you in the christmas spirit. The parks and resorts are decorated to the hilt. WLV is the most amazing place when decorated for the holidays - it is worth a trip over there even ifnot staying there. The themed music every where boosts your christmas spirit. Watching it snow (fake snow) on main st in the evenings is a real treat. The candlelight procession is a must see. The osbourne family lights at studios is a must see. The 3d glasses they give out at studios which makes all lights appear as snow flakes are also neat. The holiday shows are festive and fun. The lighting of the tree in Epcot is another must see. The christmas carollers at all parks are fun and enjoyable. The concert series at Epcot is always exciting and joyous.

The crowds are fairly low the first couple of weeks overall but it is high occupancy time for dvc as the points are low. I would recommend planning this out at the 11 month mark if you want to go during this time. The closer you get to the 25th the more the crowds increase at both dvc and the parks. Visiting wdw around the holidays is something every true wdw lover should experience as it is truly the most wonderful and magical time of year.

 

[Coach81]

My wife has been hoping to go during Christmas time for several years. With our DVC we are now planning on attending next Christmas! We are both very excited

We have heard all about the shows, lights, etc. and we can't wait to experience it for ourselves!

 

[spiceycat]

see for yourself
http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/christmas_world.htm

but the real thing is even better!

 

[hakepb]

DW (Who has been to WDW basically every year of her life) said MVMCP was the current WDW experience most like her childhood WDW memories.

The much longer parade, and fireworks displays, the decorations and parade snow make WDW more magical than normal.

For me, it is the DHS Osborne lights. Not just the lights/music/snow. Watch the other guests. They enter "Streets of America", just wantering through a Florida theme park in the evening. Suddenly they are inserted into a crazy big christmas lights scene,but guests still look like they are thinking "It's not
Christmas. It's still Florida" Then Disney starts up the music and show, "IT's still not christmas" Then Disney fires up the snow machines. Watch the guests eyes, as they start to see the snowflakes, as if to say, "Disney did it! is IS Christmas!!!"


Overall, I think It's easier for an adult to become a kid during the Christmas experience.

 

[bunny]

Not to be a Scrooge, but I went once in December and probably will never go again at that time. I much prefer October. I didn't like touring after dark or when it was cold. I live where it snows 4 to 5 months a year and is basically cold for 6 months. When I go to Florida, I like it to be hot. The weather in December can be really dicey. We had to wear winter coats to MVMCP. It was freezing and miserable. Now you may get lucky with the weather, but walking around in 40 degree temps isn't fun especially after dark.

 

[ILIKEWDW]

Does anybody know when holidays decoration, parties, festivities start?

Is it at the first week of December or the last of November?

I don´t like crowds!!!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Does anybody know when holidays decoration, parties, festivities start?

Is it at the first week of December or the last of November?

I don´t like crowds!!!

We were just there the week of Thanksgiving. It was REALLY crowded!!! While the parks were decorated, they didn't really start their Christmas type of events. Epcot's Holidays Around The World started on Friday 11/28 and the lights between World Showcase and Future World weren't lit until that day. Also, the Osborne Lights at HS weren't scheduled to start until 11/28 as well. Although I didn't get to see them (again ), I heard there were "soft openings" for them Thanksgiving week.

We stayed at AKV and the Christmas decorations weren't up until the day before Thanksgiving.

I've been a bunch of times the first 2 weeks of December, and this was my first Thanksgiving trip. I think I will go back to December. Just to be sure ALL of the decorations are up and all of the holiday festivities are going on! There is NOTHING more magical than WDW at Christmas time.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[hakepb]

Does anybody know when holidays decoration, parties, festivities start?

Is it at the first week of December or the last of November?

I don´t like crowds!!!

I think due to cost cutting this year, that now they are or were comtemplating not being 100% decorated/running Christmas until after Thanksgiving.

I did 2 years in a row of the week before Thanksgiving week, and it was wonderful (not too busy)

I do understand the weather concern. my first year was well below normal, mostly low 40 high 60, which is cold when you are outside all day, and difficult to dress because 60 and sunny still feels rather warm down in Florida. (had actual snow fluries officially reported in Orlando one evening) last year was near-perfect, by any time of the year standards, low 60 high 80. Without Christmas, I'd never do it again. I've done February and never want to do that again, too cool when I expect Florida to be "shorts and t-shirt" warm. At least with Christmas, the cold fits the decorations and snow machines....

 

[bobbiwoz]

We never knew that Disney did anything for Christmas, so we would traditionally go to areas that we knew did, like Opryland (when it existed) and Dollywood. In '01, we happened to be in WDW the weekend before Thanksgiving and we saw some decorations going up, so we inquired about just what WDW offered in December. Wow, to think they have done the CP for years and years and we hadn't a clue. We go back every year in December now. It's definitely "worth" it to us. Dollywood is still a "must do" for us at Christmastime too, we're going there in 2 weeks!

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

yea MVMCP has been at the MK since 92 (might be 91)- someone say that CP was there too - but did not do it until it went to Epcot - I think in 95?

 

[ILIKEWDW]

We were just there the week of Thanksgiving. It was REALLY crowded!!! While the parks were decorated, they didn't really start their Christmas type of events. Epcot's Holidays Around The World started on Friday 11/28 and the lights between World Showcase and Future World weren't lit until that day. Also, the Osborne Lights at HS weren't scheduled to start until 11/28 as well. Although I didn't get to see them (again ), I heard there were "soft openings" for them Thanksgiving week.

We stayed at AKV and the Christmas decorations weren't up until the day before Thanksgiving.

I've been a bunch of times the first 2 weeks of December, and this was my first Thanksgiving trip. I think I will go back to December. Just to be sure ALL of the decorations are up and all of the holiday festivities are going on! There is NOTHING more magical than WDW at Christmas time.

Good luck with your decision!

Thanks so much for your advice, I would definitely choose the first or second week.

 

[Golden Rose]

Y'all are definitely tempting us to try a December trip. I'm only sorry I'm likely to have to book so far in advance to get the rooms we'd want that it might not make sense for us. That is a drawback of DVC that I hadn't considered before we bought. Our late November / early December always ends up so busy with Christmas parties and luncheons, and I won't know the timing of them until much later in the year. (Seriously, it's ridiculous. I've been to three Holiday luncheons in the last couple of weeks, and we're headed to a Christmas dinner/dance this weekend.)

So are all these added events on a schedule they hand out, or do you just wander around and hope you happen to be somewhere the Christmas magic is happening?

 

[gingermouse17]

I've been to Disney in July, October and December. I would say October is my favorite weather but December has the best decorations, atmosphere, everyone seems sooo happy. In Epcot and Magic Kindgom many people are walking around with Mickey Holiday Hats singing Christmas Carols. And the MMVMCP is GREAT (snow on Main St.). We are not going this year and I am missing WDW Christmas soooo so much.

Also the giant Gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian, the bell music at the VFW, the Christmas celebration at Germany during dinner, the lights at Hollywood Studios.....

I could go on forever. It's just beautiful

 

[lilpnutmama]

ack - I am so excited to be leaving in three days after reading this thread!

gingermouse - what is the Christmas thing in Germany at dinner? We are eating in biergarten our first night.