December Tips!

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

I am going on my very first Disney vacation this december and would love to hear any tips or advice that any of you have! I've heard many horror stories about this time of the year and I am honestly a little bit nervous so I am all ears for whatever you have to tell me!

Thank you!

 

[jillgunter]

We go every December, and love that time of year. We are usually there the last week of their slow season for December(11 th thru 17th). The weather can be iffy, we had some wicked cold weather last year. But the year before it was really warm half our trip. Basically pack some of everything! We have started out in shorts and ended in winter coats.

We found MK was less crowded on days when they had the Christmas party. So if you have park hoppers, you can go to another park when they close early for the party.

December is a great time to go, dont worry to much!

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

I've been wondering about the weather in december...all those extra clothes will make for a huge baggage fee.

 

[jillgunter]

I am a overpacker and we got by with one checked bag this last trip, and I packed pretty much all winter clothes! I packed DDs clothes in a carry on.

 

[Snickals]

I went in the first two weeks of December last year and it was lovely! The lines for rides and buses weren't too long and it wasn't that crowded. But it was freeeezing! But well worth it to see all the beautiful Christmas decorations

 

[Havana]

It is extra magical with the decorations and Christmas music!
The weather is very unpredictable. Some years it's warm, others it is totally freezing!
The crowds build as you get closer to Christmas. The Epcot Candlelight Processional is a highlight of our trip every year! And the dancing lights at HS.
The Deluxe hotels put up some beautiful displays in their lobbies.

 

[sharonabe]

From your siggy, it looks like you're going to be there Christmas Week.

My best advice is to get up EARLY! Make sure you know what time the park is opening and be there 30 min before opening. You will get a lot done in those first few hours, and then the crowds will descend.

MK usually has early EMH almost every morning that week, so take advantage of it if you are staying onsite.

Learn how to use Fastpass and then use it!

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

I'm glad I know a little about Dec florida weather now. I wasnt sure what to expect!

We will be there 12/24-1/1 This is the only time it could fit into our schedules but I really think we'll have a great time regardless.

Thanks for your EMH tips. Thats something I havent really given alot of thought with all the other things I've been trying to plan and take care of right now!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Well, I was going to say it's a great time to go as long as you're out before Christmas week. Oops!

Just go in with the expectation that you may only get to do half of what's on your list. Pick a couple must-dos, and get those out of the way first. Then everything else is a bonus! As long as you know what you're getting into, you'll still be able to have a good time. It's those poor saps who have no clue about "that week" at WDW that are having meltdowns in the magic.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

It's those poor saps who have no clue about "that week" at WDW that are having meltdowns in the magic.

I am trying to prepare myself as best as I can so I am NOT one of those people!

 

[katrina1122]

My sister was there for new years and swears she'll never do it again. The parks would get so full you couldn't get in if you weren't there before noon or so. On NYE they wanted to go early, go take a nap for the kids and come back for dinner and the early fireworks. They were told not to leave or they wouldn't get back in. They got on 3 rides the whole day. Were there at rope drop and only managed to get 1 fastpass which they didn't end up using because they were litterally trapped in the Seas becasue there were so many people in there they couldn't move.

She said she loved it though for the atmosphere, decorations and to say she did it, but was so greatful it wasn't her first visit.

Plan, plan, plan for that week.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

She said she loved it though for the atmosphere, decorations and to say she did it, but was so greatful it wasn't her first visit.

ohh. i am hoping and praying it turns out to be good. it is the only time we can manage to go! there is absolutely no other time. at least I'll be mentally prepared for the crowds....ugh...hopefully.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I am going on my very first Disney vacation this december and would love to hear any tips or advice that any of you have! I've heard many horror stories about this time of the year and I am honestly a little bit nervous so I am all ears for whatever you have to tell me!

Thank you!

Depends on your dates. The horror stories are usually the week of Christmas into New Years. The first three weeks of December are low to moderate crowds and not too many horror stories.

As for weather, there's no way to know at this point. We have been in mid December when it's been 80 degrees everyday and we were sweating. Last year we went in mid-December and it was freezing - literally freezing. The highs on three of the days we were were there were in the upper 30s.

Editing to add after seeing your last post: Since you will be there during the busiest week of the entire year, you will have to prepare for the crowds. Historically, that week has capacity closures, especially at MK. You will need to get to the parks at opening and utilize the Fastpass to the best of your ability. The best touring tip I have EVER received here on the Dis is that FASTPASSES TO NOT EXPIRE UNTIL THE END OF THE PARK DAY. The best thing to do is get a Fastpass everytime your FP window is open and then use them later in the afternoon and evening when all the Fastpasses have run out or when the crowd are worse.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I am trying to prepare myself as best as I can so I am NOT one of those people!

That's why the DIS is here!

 

[3mickeymom]

was cold, so we wore our fleece jackets. Bring a pair of those stretchy gloves and plan to buy a winter hat as your park souveneir -they had lots of really cool ones. LOTS of people wore holiday type accessories like necklaces and shirts so if you or your family likes that stuff I would pack some. We were there before Christmas and only for the weekend so we didn't experience the huge crowds. Definitely plan to tour the hotels to see the decorations and the Gingerbread houses. They looked and smelled delicious. I dream of spending Christmas at Disney. What could be more Magical!

 

[cmac609]

Definitely be prepared for cold and warm weather. In the past 3 years the crowds have gotten more heavy in December. Mainly watch out for the weekends especially closer to Christmas with all the locals coming to see the decorations.

The week between Christmas and NYE has the worst crowds and most parks close by noon and you aren't allowed in anymore. So beware.

 

[magicalmoments]

Hello...
I have been taking my family to WDW over Christmas for the past 10 years. There is better 'magical' way to spend time with loved ones then there. Yes, the crowds are huge and the lines are long. BUT the atmosphere is one I cant describe! Utilize the fast passes and take in the scenes! Only Disney can do a holiday up so magical.

Try to hit some key rides at parade times. People line up 2 hours before! The crowd could be a bit better late afternoon.

If you take time to get lost in the moments....it will be magical no matter how crowded!

Enjoy. Feel free to private PM me if you have a question
Stacy
A proud DVC member!

 

[3mickeymom]

I don't know if you are considering before or after Christmas, but when we went, they were filming the Christmas parade on Main Street. When we entered the Magic Kingdom, we couldn't walk down Main street.We were directed by CM's through backlots into Tomorrowland. It was not at Park opening but later in the morning, but it would have been nicer to walk down Main Street. We did get to see some cool floats etc. We were only at Disney for a few days so we did not watch the parade.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I don't know if you are considering before or after Christmas, but when we went, they were filming the Christmas parade on Main Street. When we entered the Magic Kingdom, we couldn't walk down Main street.We were directed by CM's through backlots into Tomorrowland. It was not at Park opening but later in the morning, but it would have been nicer to walk down Main Street. We did get to see some cool floats etc. We were only at Disney for a few days so we did not watch the parade.

That is the filming of the ABC Christmas Parade which is pre-taped at the Magic Kingdom every year during the first weekend of December. The OP said they are going Christmas week.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

So if the weather is unpredictable, what do you recommend wearing? I'm assuming layers.