December

[Toesmom1]

Have 2 questions. Which resort best decorated for Christmas. My favorite time of year.

Also haven't gone in July yet DH said we could go week after Thanksgiving pull kids out school 3 days he heard it's not busy. Should we plan on Dec. 1 right after Thanksgiving or go for the next week. From what I've read maybe wait week. I want to make my ressies not sure what hotel. I know if I can't afford GF I can always take monorail over look at it. He said I can stay anywhere.

 

[Mandalou]

We've gone in early December in the past and are going this December, too, because -- we think -- it's the best time to go. No lines, BEAUTIFULLY decorated. . . all of the magic but you aren't elbow to elbow. As far as the best-decorated resort, so many of the resorts are beautifully decorated. My favorites are GF and AKL, but I don't want to say that the others aren't nice. If you ever have a chance to watch Samantha Brown's show on the Travel Channel, keep an eye out for her episode on WDW at the Holidays. It shows you all of the decorations at each resort and what goes on at each park. Have fun!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

Early December is a great time to go. All the resorts are great but my fav is WL.

 

[BobNed]

We were there last year, arriving the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was busy on Saturday, a little less busy on Sunday, and Monday through Friday it was VERY quiet.

All of the resorts and parks are fully decorated. Many people think WL is the most beautiful, but you won't go wrong with any of them.

Make sure you do MVMCP at MK and don't miss the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

 

[2MuchOhana]

We went last December, our first time there for the Holiday season, and hoping to go back again this year. Wish me lucky convincing DH!

If you have a little time try to do a little resort hopping. Take the monorail from MK to GF and you can also stop at the CR and POLY to see the decorations there, too. Boats and buses are also a great way to check out other resorts. Another tip would be to plan meals at different resorts. You can have a great meal and enjoy looking around at all the beautiful decorations before or after.

I wish we had gone to see more resorts while we were there. Of the ones we did go to see the GF and BW stand out in my mind. GF with the great big gingerbread house and BW with the the candy sculptures of a boardwalk.

Don't forget to check out the candlelight procession; and if you can the MVMCP was a lot of fun, too!

 

[disneyholic family]

you are sooooooooooooo lucky......that time is so perfect....
no crowds....no lines....beautiful decorations...everyone in a nice holiday mood.....unsurpassed.....

we've gone twice at that time....
once 16 years ago (DD was 3 years old, DS was 1)......and it was COLD.....i have pictures of the two of them wearing their ski jackets, hats and mittens on the ferry to the MK.....so be prepared....it could get cold...

on the other hand, the last time we went in december was 5 years ago (DD was in middle school, DS was in 6th grade....i pulled both of them out of school for 3 weeks....since they were both #1 in their class, no one cared....not the principals, not the teachers)....
we live overseas, so we headed home (to my sister's house) for thanksgiving......then flew on sunday of thanksgiving weekend to WDW (what WAS i thinking, having us fly on the sunday of thanksgiving weekend???????.....but it worked out fine)...
WDW was already basically empty by the time we checked in,even on that sunday....
we were there for two weeks and it was HOT....HOT HOT HOT....we went swimming every day......at the hotel pool and at the waterparks.....
absolutely perfect summer weather in december (and NO humidity!!!)......
so be sure to bring clothes for both possibilities....
it was so wonderful......the decorations are beautiful......and no lines....anywhere.....the CMs just let us stay on the attractions some of the time....not always, but sometimes....
(i specifically remember riding splash mountain 4 times in a row without getting off.....the CMs were laughing at us by the end....but most of the boats around us were empty....and there was no one in line....so they just let us stay on...)

you are going to LOVE being there then......and the decorations are amazing....i can't remember where we stayed on those two trips so i can't help you there....but everywhere was beautiful....

i am totally jealous....

i've been thinking about it and i just remembered.....5 years ago we stayed in several hotels, as we always do....but part of the time we were at the Beach Club.....the decorations were gorgeous.....oh wait.....another picture is coming into my head....i just remembered another one we stayed at on that trip (we were there for 3 weeks now that i think about it....we left just before the christmas crowd began arriving)....anyway, i remember staying at both the BC and Dixie Landings (port orleans riverside).....both had beautiful decorations, but as i recall, the BC was more breathtaking (at least to my taste...everyone's tastes are different).....i'm sure we stayed at another hotel as well, but those two popped into my head....we did visit the GF, where the decorations are stunning.....
i think if i were going now for an extended stay, i would stay at the GF, the WL and the YC.....

but i'm sure you can't go wrong wherever you stay....

 

[DemoBri1]

I would say anytime the first two weeks of December are a good bet. All of the decorations are usually up in advance of Thanksgiving, so you won't miss anything.

I was down this past December from the 1-9, and it was a bit more crowded than I remember say in the middle of November, but nothing that wasn't manageable.

The closer you start getting to Christmas, however, the more crowded it will begin to get. Looking at this year's calendar you will probably be "safe" anytime between Dec 1-16, that Friday the 17th may be the beginning of the Christmas "rush" period, as well as probably the last day of MVMCP.

Good Luck and Have Fun!!

Brian

 

[Eeyore2003]

Last December we stayed at the BWI. It was really lovely, and since the other parks closed early, we liked being close to Epcot. As far as decorations go, the AK lodge and WL are both stunning!!! We didn't go into the GF, so I can't compare that one. BTW, we are going again the 5 through the 10 of December and renting points from a DVC owner for a one bedroom at the BWV. As far as taking the kids out of school??? After going now in August and December, I would have definitely taken my kids out of school if they were in grade school. We always went in August precisely because of school and the holiday is just SO nice and you get SO much more out of your tickets with the shorter lines and things like MVMCP. If it will not put them behind in classes, it's definitely more relaxing, cooler, shorter lines and decorated absolutely lovely!!!

 

[Pattymouse]

I am going to the Poly 11-28-04 thru 12-05-04. I know that the weather fluctuates in December, but as you can see we are going in the very beginning of the month. Any chance we will actually be hot? We will be staying LVC for our 7 night stay. I am thinking of adding on 2 more nights. My DH has always wanted to stay at the GF, but I was thinking more AKL. After staying "next door" to the GF for a week, we will surely be visiting the resort. To move next door for the additional 2 nights just does not seem special. I am considering the AKL Concierge.

BTW, my DH thinks we are staying Poly non-concierge garden view. This is a total suprise for him for our 25th wedding anniversary. I would love to let him know, but hopefully his face will be beaming when he sees where we are staying. He is very much a "view" kind of guy. This trip will just be the 2 of us. Yeah!
Kids are grown, and the grandkids are just babies...too young...but we are just right for a grand time at Disney!

 

[Gary M]

We have stayed at WDW in early Dec. each year since 1992 and will be back this year. We like the WL and GF decorations the best. We really enjoy going to each resort to see the Christmas decorations.

While the crowds are very manageable, they seem to be getting larger each year.

 

[Toesmom1]

Pattymouse it sounds like you have a great Anniversary planned & I bet the look of your DH's face will be well worth it. Have a great time. Disney by yourselves sounds great can't wait till we can do that. As of now we plan on being their 11/30-12/5 maybe we'll run into you. My dream is to stay at GF not sure about those prices though. Going next month to CR our first stay their. I have a feeling staying on monorail hotel with a 2 year old will spoil me.

 

[ead79]

As the other posters have said, December is a wonderful time to visit WDW. I absolutely love going then, it just has such an extra festive atmosphere. My picks for the most elaborately decorated resorts are the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. My 2nd tier of best decorated resorts would be the BoardWalk, Yacht Club, and Beach Club. I would say that if you are looking for elaborate decorations, then the Contemporary and the Polynesian would probably not be the best choices (though I have stayed at the Poly in December several times and had a great time). Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Taja]

Most posts I have seen here and on other sites seem to favor WL for holiday decorations. My choice depends on my budget at the time, so I resort hop. I spent most of my time at the EPCOT resorts last year, and of the 3 WDW resorts, preferred the Beach Club over Yacht Club (my favorite resort) and the Boardwalk. I loved the chocolate tableau at the Boardwalk, though! The decorations at the Yacht Club were more elegant, with deeper tones.

I was staying at CSR (very nice decorations) and also checked out the new PC resort. Quite honestly, nothing to complain about at any of them!

I was there in mid-December and the weather varied from quite warm to down right cold (my night at MVMCP, of course!). I would suggest layers that you can add and remove throughout the day and evening. If you live in a warm climate, as I do, be sure to take a very warm jacket, gloves and a scarf, just in case! You also might want one or two pullover sweaters or sweatshirts. I only have one pullover sweater and didn't think to take it! I ended up wearing a long-sleeved shirt, a light-weight jacket and a reversible fleece/water repellant jacket and lined leather gloves. I was wishing for a scarf before the night was over!

The holidays are a terrific time to visit WDW. I'll be going again this year, probably beginning of December.


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Taja