December....

[alibeau]

Hi guys,

It's been a while......

We have not been to Florida this year as we moved house last year and needed to spend on the house. However, I have been looking at the prices of flights and am starting to wonder if we could afford a 'quick trip' in December. I haven't visited in December for a very long time, can't remember what it's like and the kids (11 & 8) never have....

My fear is, our last trips have all been for 3 or 4 weeks and we can only squeeze in 10/12 nights in December, dates would be approx 11th to 22nd.

So my question is, rather than hitting the parks every day for full days and the holiday flying by could we cherry pick the best Christmassy bits? What would these be? Where would you visit if you 'only' had 10 days in December? We would be staying offsite and hiring a car....

It's all just hypothetical at the mo but there's no harm in dreaming!!! If we don't manage December we will probably wait until August next year when we have a provisional villa booking.

Thanks and hope everyone is keeping well.

Ali x

 

[flortlebap]

I can't answer about December as I've never been! But when you say "only" ten or twelve days, if you've even to WDW a few times then it's plenty. Last year we did 7 days and got more done than the year before when we were there for 14, as we really hit the ground running.

This year we are doing 9 days and I don't feel like it's a short trip at all

 

[Elise79]

We have done 10 days pre-Christmas for the last 2 years and have booked to go again from 13-23 December.

We find 10 days in December fine as you can stay out all day as the weather is so nice for walking around. Water parks are out as its too cold - at least for us.

We love the parks at Christmas: Osbourne Lights at DHS, parade and fireworks at MK (after the last MVMCP they are the daytime parade and daily fireworks).

All the deluxe resorts have gingerbread displays which are worth seeing too

 

[eeyorefanuk]

We did a last minute for nine nights last December and loved it

Weather was lovely but not humid so not so tired

We went purposely for seeing all the christmas decs, shows, MVMCP, gingerbread house, choc carousel etc

We then did the rides which had opened since last there

Hoping to go again this year

 

[alibeau]

Thanks for your replies, we can't make a decision for a month or two so it will be a last minute booking if we do manage to go....

Thanks again.

Ali.

 

[scoobydooby]

I've been in December. If you are used to summer then 9 or 10 days will give you as much equivalent park time as you can easily stay all day without a break. It's really worth seeing all the Christmas stuff at least once, we loved that. I wouldn't do it again I a hurry as the weather was highly variable. We swam a couple if days and needed wooly hats and gloves for others it was mad. It was unusually cold that year though. I know people moan about the heat but I prefer it to been cold. That said I repeat, it's very much worth doing Christmas at least once. Christmas week is bonkers busy though. Unlike any other week of the year. If you haven't seen it you would not believe it. Either be prepared to hit the parks when they open at 7am or be prepared not to do much.

 

[alibeau]

Thanks again.

I've just had a quick look on touring plans and the crowd levels seem great right up until the 20th....

I think we would give Universal a miss and just stick with the Disney parks for this trip (should it happen!)...

Ali

 

[saintrob]

We go both summer and Christmas and I easily prefer Christmas. In the summer we stay for about 16 nights but only 10/12 at Christmas. The weather is so much more pleasant and with the advent of FP+ we found that we could actually get more rides done than in the heat of summer! We did experience one Christmas (2010) which was really cold and we had to go to the Mall to buy fleeces and gloves but usually we're in shorts and T shirts.

It's worth visiting alone just to see the Christmas celebrations such as the Holiday Storytellers in Epcot, Osborne Lights and the resort decorations. It's a fabulous time to be there and with careful planning the crowds are manageable. Christmas week is busy but I'd sooner be in the crowds in WDW than in the middle of the crowds in my local supermarket!