Disney in December

[Cinderella822]

I'm planning my next trip for this year and I'm trying to pick the best time to go. I hate hot weather and crowds. I do prefer the off season. I'd like to try going the first week in December. Can anyone tell me what the weather and crowds are like at that time? Thanks.

 

[flowerfairy]

I've been the past two years, staying the week before Christmas both times (Dec. 12-29), and I can tell you that we thought it was wonderful.

Everything was all decked out with decorations and then there's the MVMCP going on as well.

The parks don't seem crowed at all. I believe the longest we waited for anything was about 15 minutes. Most rides like POTC, Splash, Buzz, and HM were walk ons. Even bigger rides like Space, BTMR, ToT, and Rockin RC were only 5 to 10 minute waits.

The reason we chose this time was because of school. Our kids only go 3 1/2 days that week and it usually consists of Christmas activities. So I don't think they miss alot of work. It also gives them the rest of the break to recover.

The only down side about going at this time is probably the weather unpredictability. You just never know how it's going to be. One day we're in shorts, the next you've got on coats and gloves. Just be prepared for any and everything.

 

[Cinderella822]

It does sound like a nice time to go. I'd rather be in a coat than sweating in 100 degrees! I was wondering about the MVMCP. I don't know much about it. I understand its a separate ticketed event in the evening. Is it similar to E-ride night with some rides being open or is it only Christmas festivities?

 

[blondepixieduster25]

We went the first week in dec 2002 and it was wonderful!! we waited no longer than 20 minutes for anything!! and the weather was between 65-75 during the day. We had a few chilly nights that was it. The decorations are beautiful also. I would recommend december!! Also no rain at all while we were there. happy planning!!!


Tracy

 

[flowerfairy]

I believe all the rides are running for the Christmas party. There are also several Christmas shows going on as well. Since we've only been the two times, we usually spend most of the time riding and re-riding all of our favorite rides.

There are two parades and a special presentation of the Wishes fireworks. Wow, Wishes is unbelievable at the MVMCP. Fireworks go off all around you.

Also, you can have your family's photo made along with cocoa and cookies for *free! That's right totally free. Well, it's included in the admission price.

Tina

 

[blondepixieduster25]

Hi flower fairy,

I heard the firworks were great but the night I went in 2002 both shows were canceled due to electrical problems and there were hour long waits for the rides and the parade started 1 1/2 hours late!! i tried to get my money back but they refused I guess this is not typical of the MVMCP? Otherwise we had a magical trip.

Tracy

 

[Cinderella822]

Wow - hour long waits for the rides! Is that typical? I've been to E-ride nights and never had a wait at all for the rides. I thought the whole idea behind these events was to spare you the wait. That's a shame you had such a bad experince.

 

[blondepixieduster25]

It was so crowded you couldn't move the lines just to get a drink were at least 30 minutes. I had heard such great things about the MVMCP i was so excited and it was a big let down we waited until this night to see the fireworks and nothing.

But all in all we had a great time in December and would defitly go again around this time. It was so strange to be in shorts with christmas music playing lol.

Being there with all the christmas things going on just added to the magic plus no waits!!!

Where are you staying?

 

[Cinderella822]

We haven't decided where we're staying but we're leaning toward Coronado Springs. Have you ever stayed there?

 

[rjjr]

Just wondering...which week in December were you there for the MVMCP when it was so crowded?

 

[blondepixieduster25]

It was December 6th, 2002. I thought only a certain amount of tickets were sold but i guess I was wrong. It was just a horrible night for me. But others have raved about it. to me it was a serious waste of amost 100 bucks to stand in lines, not see the fireworks and push thorugh crowds. But thats just my opinion. There are other people that go every year and have a ball.

Tracy

 

[flowerfairy]

Sorry to hear about that. There is a set amount of tickets that they are supposed to sell for MVMCP. We were thinking of going two nights on this trip, but the last night of our stay was sold out.

I was wondering if you attended on a Friday? I've heard that alot of locals come out for the Friday parties. We've only been to the middle of the week ones. What you experienced is probably not the norm. You should definately try again.

Tina

 

[Cinderella822]

Tina -

You seem to have had a better experience with the MVMCP. How would you describe the crowds when you went. Did you have to wait in lines? I was so discouraged to hear about the hour-long waits. I really want to attend and was thinking it may be better during the mid week rather than on a weekend.

 

[Cinderella822]

Tina -

You seem to have had a better experience with the MVMCP. How would you describe the crowds when you went. Did you have to wait in lines? I was so discouraged to hear about the hour-long waits. I really want to attend and was thinking it may be better during the mid week rather than on a weekend.

 

[flowerfairy]

We really love the Christmas party. Since all but Epcot closes so early at that time of year, we get to really enjoy the rides and atmosphere at MK for the whole day and most of the night. So I could not imagine going without attending MVMCP.

As far as waits for the rides, I honestly don't remember a wait. We rode Space Mountain, no lie, 7 times in a row. We moved constantly through the line to board. We walked on practically everything.

Now for the pictures, there seemed to be a line at every place that we saw taking them. So maybe that's where all the people were.

Also, one tip that worked for us, we rode rides during the first parade and waited to see the 2nd one. I think lots of people watch the first one so that may be why the rides seemed so empty also.

Tina

 

[tmq2766]

Hi there,
We have been to the world the first week in December in 2000,2001 and 2002 and I cannot think of a better time of year to go! We were there November of 2003 and while watching the parade on Christmas morning it took everything I had not to start bawling because I had missed it.
Don't get me wrong we had a great ime in November but it just wasn't the same there were 45 minute waits for some rides and the atmosphere just wasn't the same.
We have been to MVMCP 3 times and I would not want to miss it again. We are booked this year for December 3rd-11th and planning on going back to MVMCP.
We have always experienced temps of 65-75 during the day and high 50's low 60's at night. In 2002 it was warm enough to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove.

 

[wilderness01]

December 6, 2002 was a Friday night.

 

[blondepixieduster25]

YES IVE HEARD MORE GOOD THAN BAD EXPERIENCE'S WITH THIS THAN BAD SO DONT LET MY EXPERIENCE DISCOURAGE YOU!! THEIR ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WILL NOT MISS THIS FOR ANYTHING SO THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING TO IT.

TRACY

 

[Cinderella822]

I'm so glad to hear that its so nice to go in December. I'm getting really excited now! I think I will plan to go the week of December 4 and attend MVMCP. Thanks everyone for all of your help in my decision making.

Tmq2766 - since you've been there so many times in December, can you recommend anything else besides MVMCP that I should check out specifically geared toward Christmas? How was Discovery Cove. I've been wanting to try it, but probably won't on this trip.

Flowerfairy - thanks for the advice on the parades. I think I may try that.

 

[tmq2766]

There are story tellers in Epcot with Santa from that county telling about how they celebrate Christmas.
The Grand Floridian has a life size gingerbread house.
There are horse drawn carriage rides at POR.
A carosel made of spun sugar at I think it was the boardwalk.
Just visiting the different resorts to see the decorations is worth going for!
Discovery Cove was incredible!!!!!! We swam with Latoya the dolphin and my DD who was 8 at the time has not stopped talking about it. Along with swimming with the dolphin we also swam with tropical fish and sting rays. In the area with the tropical fish they have a plexiglass wall with huge barricuda behind it and when you are snorkling it appears like they are right there because you cannot see the glass.
For us it was worth EVERY penny.