Disney in December My first time- Any advice?

[aarmando20]

I usually go the last 2 weeks in June. As a surprise we are going from December 14th to the 19th. We have tickets to the MVMCP. Any advice from anyone who has been there around this time would be great. What should we look for? the crowds? the weather? Anything worth seeing?

 

[micmacmissy]

You will never go any other time of the year ever again!

We went Dec. 5-10 last time and it was fantastic. It was beautiful weather (50's-70's) and there were NO crowds. We walked on to literally every ride. It was great. (I checked the unofficial guide crowd calendar for your dates--and you are good to go!)

We saw some people (Florida people, I suppose) wearing winter parkas and fleece gloves. We're New Englanders, so we were fine with jeans and hooded sweatshirts. One afternoon it got up to 75 degrees.

The only drawback is you have no desire to swim in that cool weather.....but the low crowds and cool weather in the parks more than makes up for it, in my mind.

 

[Merman]

Great time to go. We went three years ago during the second week in December and doing it again this year from 12/12-12/19. Weather is perfect. Crowds were low. MVMCP was great and not to be missed (we're going again this year). We went to the Candlelight Processional last time and had a very nice time ... worth doing at least once. Decorations in the parks and resorts not to be missed. This year we're also going to Cirque du Soliel which I understand is great. Check out the tours ... there are a ton to do and have heard great things about them all ... my son just got PADI certified so we're doing DiveQuest. Have fun!

 

[MaryD73]

I went last year for the first time and I am going back this year. The crowds are just about non-existen. You will feel like the only people in the park at times. I barely scratched the surface of all there is to see, but here is what I took away.

1) Pack for a little bit of everything. I was there Dec 6-12 last year and I wore everything from a sweater and a light jacket to shorts.
2) Osborne famliy lights at Disney Studios is a must.
3) Tour the hotels to look at the decorations and the many gingerbread houses.
4) The Deluxes trypicaly have nightly entertainment (bells, choir, brass ensemble, etc.) in the lobby that gets you in the spirit. They say each hotel listed a schedule but I usually lucked upon them between 5 and 6 pm.

That was from last year. So it only scratches the surface. This year I am looking forward to Candleight Processionals, EPCOT WS Storytellers, touring the campgrounds after dark, etc. etc.

Can you tell I am excited? You will love it!

 

[Marc A.]

Hey guys, just a question. Is it too cool to go in the pool in December (for the kids)????
Thinking of going in December in 2009.
Thanks

 

[MaryD73]

I think I saw someone else post a comment like 'kids never think it is too cold to go swimming'. The pools are heated and I saw people in them everyday. Only a couple of days (high in the 50's) would I have thought twice about it. Most days it was in the high 70's/low 80's.

 

[ccigliano]

You will absolutely love it. And as another post said - you may never go any other time of the year. Candlelight Processional is a must - guest narrator reads from the Gospel according to Luke(Christmas Story), 400 member chior, 50 piece orchestra - need I say its incredible, Silent Night, Hallelujah Chorus to name a couple. Christmas around the World at EPCOT - you get to see how each country celebrates Christmas, Mexico, Norway, America etc. Obsorne Family Spectacle of Lights (MGM) - they were up to 5 million lights last year. They also have Christmas Tree lightings with characters at every park around 6PM. They were not there last year, but years prior they have had this great group with a Carolon which is a medieval instrument of bells. The Christmas music was a cross between rock and classical and theri rendition of Carol of the Bells was great. Check out my signature - I've been to Disney every year at Christmastime for the last 10 years. I LOVE IT!!!

 

[Michael623]

My wife and I (also New Englanders) went swimming one year at HRH at Universal in January. It was at night and it was no warmer than 50 degrees. The water was so nice but getting out was the problem. We literally got out grabbed out towels and sprinted to our room. I don't think I've ever shivered that much. I think you'd be fine to swim during the day but I'd pass on an evening dip.

 

[WDW1979]

Hey guys, just a question. Is it too cool to go in the pool in December (for the kids)????
Thinking of going in December in 2009.
Thanks

Hi Marc A.,

When it comes to swimming in WDW in the Dec/Jan timeframe, it is really hit and miss. The weather varies. For us, with little kids (6 and under) who lose body heat very fast due to their smallness, we decline to swim outside unless the temp is 75 or above (if your kids are bigger, maybe they could handle lower temps). You may get temps in the 60's all through your trip, or in the mid to high 70's your whole trip, or a mixture of 60's and 70's (note that I'm talking daily highs, because in the mornings in Dec and Jan it is almost always cold, cold, cold - so even if the Weather Channel says it will be 72 degrees that day, if you head to the parks for a 9am open it may feel very cold at that early hour so you may need an extra layer or even some hats/gloves for the little ones until it warms up later in the day).

 

[rlduvall]

I took my DS (then 6) to Disney the 2nd week of December, 2005. I PROMISED him we would go swimming. It was like mid-50s our entire time. I told him if it hit 60 degrees, we would do it. OUCH!! I did it, but literally kept my butt on top of the heated water coming out of the spout in the swimming pool. The Lifeguard thought it was hilarious. And, yes, getting out was the worst part.

I went with a friend the year before in December (2004) and we had incredible weather - mid 80s.

Going again this year, 2nd week of December. Wish me luck.

 

[pilferk]

I usually go the last 2 weeks in June. As a surprise we are going from December 14th to the 19th. We have tickets to the MVMCP. Any advice from anyone who has been there around this time would be great. What should we look for? the crowds? the weather? Anything worth seeing?

Book one of the Candlelight processional dinner packages (or just try to attend without one). It's REALLY a "neat" night.

Definitely make sure you take some time touring the different hotels and checking out their decorations. That, to us, was as much fun as any of the attractions...especially if you're a WDW "regular".

Make sure you see the Osbourne Family lights at MGM. They were NOT doing the music synchro when we last saw them, and I've heard they're even better with it.

Crowds in early december will be light, and will grow the closer you get to X-mas....with the days just before Xmas (like the 22nd-ish) leading up to and through New years being practically gridlock. The plus side is, if you're not "attraction commandos", there's LOTS of other neat stuff (shows, parades, street performers, etc) going on that's worth the price of admission to the parks anyway. Looking at your dates, though, you should be fine: Pretty to VERY light crowds.

The weather is typically in the mid to upper 70's, with cool nights. You can have some MUCH colder days (mid 50's) and some MUCH warmer days (mid 80's) so pack for pretty much anything. It IS typically pretty dry that time of year.

 

[tgropp]

Most things to do have been said. I enjoy watching the tree lighting ceremonies at the parks, especially Epcot, tour the deluxe resorts, see the Candlelight Processional, watch the Christmas parade at MVMCP and the evening entertainment at the resorts. Christmas time is the only time to go. Have fun

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Where is the candlelight procession, is it Epcot? Thanks

 

[SereneOne]

We went last year from Dec 8th to the 15th and I packed both warm and cold clothes. It would be cold in the morning and get warmer as the day passed and then of course, colder at night. We love going at this time. No crowds and all the Christmas decorations are up...wonderful!

 

[pilferk]

Where is the candlelight procession, is it Epcot? Thanks

Yup.