Disney in December?!

[rastika]

Hi again Dis friends.

I've always wanted to see the World at Christmas time. This year my MIL gifted me her timeshare in Orlando. However, I don't know anything about going in December ( only been during "value" season in September, and I haven't been at all since 2012!!!! Yiiiikes.) I've also never stayed off property before. I'm effectively a newbie for this (potential) trip.

Is it going to be awful? Is it so crowded you can't move? How do I get ride reservations if I'm staying offsite? I know not to even bother with resturants since we won't be able to get in. We're really just looking to see the Magic Kingdom and maybe EPCOT. I'd like to shop the Springs and look at the decor at the Grand Floridian.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Oh, my party would be 6 adults 3 kids one of whom uses a wheelchair full time and cannot transfer out of it.

 

[KimBean]

When in December? Makes a lot of difference.

If you purchase your tickets you can make FPs 30 days out.

Depends on where you want to go at. I'm sure you can get some dining reservations. 9 people does make it more difficult.

 

[bashuck]

Hi again Dis friends.

I've always wanted to see the World at Christmas time. This year my MIL gifted me her timeshare in Orlando. However, I don't know anything about going in December ( only been during "value" season in September, and I haven't been at all since 2012!!!! Yiiiikes.) I've also never stayed off property before. I'm effectively a newbie for this (potential) trip.

Is it going to be awful? Is it so crowded you can't move? How do I get ride reservations if I'm staying offsite? I know not to even bother with resturants since we won't be able to get in. We're really just looking to see the Magic Kingdom and maybe EPCOT. I'd like to shop the Springs and look at the decor at the Grand Floridian.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Oh, my party would be 6 adults 3 kids one of whom uses a wheelchair full time and cannot transfer out of it.

You say you are going in December, that entire month is not peak season, some of it is relatively slow. Assuming you are during the busiest time of Christmas-New Years you can still get dining reservations (but that booking window is already open so if you know when you are going do that now). You get ride reservations - (fast passes) at the 30 day mark when staying offsite. You will need your park tickets already linked to your MDE account to book them. There are plenty of threads on these subjects that you should look into and then ask follow up questions.

 

[rastika]

Thank you so much Kimbean and bashuck!

Is early December better than late?

 

[deedubb]

Thank you so much Kimbean and bashuck!

Is early December better than late?

Yes. Once school is out for the holidays, it's game over. You will have difficulty getting fastpasses for the popular rides with only a 30 day window but this is mainly 7 dwarfs, Frozen Ever After, Flights of Passage. I think you should still be good for most rides. As for ADR's, there are still lots available so book now if you know what you want.

 

[Tonberry]

The weekdays in the first 2 weeks of December are great. While not considered slow, it's not crowded at all. When we went to MK December 1st, several rides were walk on such as the Haunted mansion, Tea cups, Barnstormer, Dumbo and the Carousel (which only ran half full). 7DMT usually ran at about 45 minutes.
The weekends are pretty busy no matter what time of December you go.
December mid to late teens, crowds pick up quite noticeably, both weekdays and especially weekends.
By the 21st through the new year, the place is packed.

 

[bashuck]

Thank you so much Kimbean and bashuck!

Is early December better than late?

If you are free to chose between early and late December, pick early for the reasons mentioned. I have to ask about the reference to only going to MK and EPCOT, is this just a few day trip? If so fine, otherwise consider visiting the other parks. You mentioned the Grand Floridian decor, the Wilderness Lodge is also a great hotel to visit during the Christmas season.

 

[rastika]

If you are free to chose between early and late December, pick early for the reasons mentioned. I have to ask about the reference to only going to MK and EPCOT, is this just a few day trip? If so fine, otherwise consider visiting the other parks. You mentioned the Grand Floridian decor, the Wilderness Lodge is also a great hotel to visit during the Christmas season.

I think that we would only visit one or two parks due to budget constraints.