December vs. January

[Mom2Kids2003]

So we have never been to Disney in December, but we have visited in January. Trying to decide between December 12, 2018 arrival or January 30, 2019. Is it insane in December? Is it still really hot? We would be staying at the same resort for either trip so that isn't a deciding factor and price difference was minimal. I really want to see the Christmas decorations, but hubby is concerned wait times will be crazy in December. We've visited multiple times in September, February and January and once in October.

 

[StacyStrong]

It depends how long you're staying. The first two weeks of December won't be anything like the Christmas crowds.

 

[focusondisney]

So we have never been to Disney in December, but we have visited in January. Trying to decide between December 12, 2018 arrival or January 30, 2019. Is it insane in December? Is it still really hot? We would be staying at the same resort for either trip so that isn't a deciding factor and price difference was minimal. I really want to see the Christmas decorations, but hubby is concerned wait times will be crazy in December. We've visited multiple times in September, February and January and once in October.

We have been that week in December several times. It is crowded but not holiday week crazy. We went the last week in January for the first time this year & were surprised how crowded it was. There is no guarantee it will be slow the last week in January either. If you haven’t been at Christmas, that would be my choice. I wouldn’t let the crowds scare you away.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Sounds like you have never been during Christmas season. If that is true I would go with December recognizing crowds will be heavy but nothing like Christmas/NYE week. The parks and resorts at Christmas time are worth the crowds in my opinion. You will have to deal with shortened hours because of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at MK. Being frequent visitors you should have no problem planning the appropriate way to best enjoy the visit even with the crowds although you are coming very late to the game and many ADRs will already be gone.

 

[Mom2Kids2003]

It depends how long you're staying. The first two weeks of December won't be anything like the Christmas crowds.

We would be staying for a week, so heading home the 18th.

 

[Mom2Kids2003]

Sounds like you have never been during Christmas season. If that is true I would go with December recognizing crowds will be heavy but nothing like Christmas/NYE week. The parks and resorts at Christmas time are worth the crowds in my opinion. You will have to deal with shortened hours because of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at MK. Being frequent visitors you should have no problem planning the appropriate way to best enjoy the visit even with the crowds although you are coming very late to the game and many ADRs will already be gone.

Thanks! This would be the first trip where we are only doing quick-service dining so ADRs aren't a big deal Have you ever done the Christmas Party?

 

[Gehrig1B]

We visit during NYE week usually and have never done the Christmas Party as it is no longer available.

General views are crowds are much lower at MK on those days because non-party goers stay away from the park (early closure). Perfect day to go though if you have hopper tickets, then hop to another park. Consensus is if you get a MVMCP ticket skip the park that day and only attend the party, saving your ticket for a full day at one of the parks. Again, this is second hand information but seems to make a lot of sense. I am sure others will come along with first hand experience.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Thanks! This would be the first trip where we are only doing quick-service dining so ADRs aren't a big deal Have you ever done the Christmas Party?

We have done the Christmas Party many times. I would suggest going to party early in the week as the crowds would be lower. I would also focus on all of the holiday specific stuff. Focus some time in Epcot for the International Festival of the Holidays and the Candlelight Processional. The wait times shouldn't be too bad when you are there. The weather will be hit or miss. I would pack in layers. Some years it has been highs in the low 80s with nighttime temps in the 70s and other times, the weather never got above 55-60 degrees, so it just depends. If you focus on all of the holiday stuff, I think you will see the wait times aren't as bad because there is plenty of stuff to do.

 

[KyleAfterAWhile]

We like early January. Christmas decorations are still up, but the crowds are so much lower.

 

[cleophus12]

Early January doesn't appear to be one of the options. While December 12-18 will be crowded, the real crowds will move in after that. If you want to see the Christmas decorations, go in December. Make your FPs and ADRs, and consider everything else a bonus. Have fun. Merry Christmas.

 

[JessicaW1234]

We are thinking of going December 20-24th? Anyone have experience with days just before the Christmas/New Years week? How many Christmas parties generally happened during those days leading up? Is it every day?

 

[hakepb]

We are thinking of going December 20-24th? Anyone have experience with days just before the Christmas/New Years week? How many Christmas parties generally happened during those days leading up? Is it every day?

The last MVMCP is December 21

But the Christmas parade should be running every day during normal park hours (for “free”) and MVMCP’s Holiday Wishes is currently scheduled for Dec 23-29
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_GB/entertainment/magic-kingdom/holiday-wishes-fireworks/
So there’s there’s no reason to pay more for the main MVMCP benefits.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

You can have a great visit in December. Weather is not as humid and sunset is at 530pm. This helps with temps. You don't sound like novices so i think you will do fine. You should miss pop warner week and crowds don't get crazy until the weekend before Christmas. Utilize rope drop and add schedule fastpasses later in the day when crowds pick up.