Disney World Dec. 11-16, 2011

[frugalfanny]

This will be our 3rd trip to Disney, but 1st at Christmas time! Can't wait to take in all the Christmas Magic! Looking for any info about this week ~ will it be crazy busy already? According to crowd level charts, it's suppose to be among the best, if not the best, week to travel to Disney. Is Mickey's Christmas Party worth the extra money? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[John's Mom]

December 11-16 is a great time to visit WDW. We have never had a problem with crowds in December. A fews days before Christmas the parks start to get crowded.

Be prepared for cold and warm weather. Most people dress in layers.

If you have young children, then you might consider Mickey's Christmas Party. You need to get to the Magic Kingdom early and expect large crowds.

Don't forget to check out the Osborne Lights at DHS. If you have the time, visit the deluxe resorts to see the Christmas decorations.

Hope you have a magical time at WDW!

 

[Loodlow]

My DH and I will be there at the same time, cannot wait!

 

[ancestry]

We will be there for those exact same dates! It isn't supposed to be very crowded.

 

[klmall]

From our experience in the past and everything I've read, the crowds will be low/moderate those dates and increase a little each day.

 

[supernova]

I'll be there that same week. Well, minus a day. From there, I drive down to Ft. Lauderdale to check on my property on the 15. But I'll be around! Villas Wilderness Lodge, 11-15.

 

[ncbunnie]

We went the same week last year and are going the same week again this year- it's a great week! The longest we waited for anything was about 10-15 minutes. The decorations are fabulous. We skipped the Christmas party because of the money, and when we left MK on a night of the party (at 7:00) the "snow" was already going, the hot cocoa was out and the crowds had increased from about a 2 to a 10. Considering we got to see the snow (it was the same effect they used at HS's Spectacle of Lights) and the crowds, I'm personally glad we didn't shell out the cash for the Christmas party. If I had the extra money, it'd be great, but WDW is the only vacation we get and I have to save up all year for it.

Make sure you do the holiday storytellers in Epcot- they are wonderful! The Jingle Jungle parade in AK is great, you can visit with Santa and Mrs Claus in the American Experience at Epcot (and get great pics!), and of course the lights at HS.

Beware the weather though- last year it was COLD and we ended up buying gloves and hats and carrying in extra blankets and tons of layers to stay warm. By mid-day the weather was tolerable but you definitely need lots of layers at rope drop! Hope we ALL have a great December trip!

 

[frugalfanny]

Oh ~ thanks so much for this info! It makes me more calm about going this week! I've been reading else where that the crowds are terrible, even during this week. We did decide to Mickey's Magical Christmas Party ~ want to get in all the magic we can!

 

[frugalfanny]

Now about the meet and greets. Is it possible to see all the characters and enjoy the party in the 5 hours? Is there a special plan of attack? Or should we focus on the rare ones?

 

[teresa kay]

This is by far our favorite time to go so we can see all the decorations. It's always fun to go to the other resorts and see the decorations too. Dress in layers and the most we have ever needed was a heavy sweatshirt. The crowds aren't bad at all, but you will notice them picking up as you are heading out. Enjoy

 

[kwdw]

Definitely check the weather forecast! Dressing in layers is key as the temperature will vary over the course of the day.

Don't underestimate how cold you can get when it's 50 degrees outside, dark, and windy. That can feel alot colder over several hours of being outdoors.

Don't be afraid to use a locker to store the extra clothing you might start or end a day with. Those few dollars could be well-spent in terms of your comfort.

Go to GF to see their gingerbread house.

 

[hthrbells]

My Husband and I will be there from the 11-15 I can not wait!! Its us without the kids this time and we will be hitting the party. We love this time of year and I really recomend the party. We have taken our kids to it and it is worth it alone to watch their faces during the parade. Our count down is on!!! WOOT WOOT!!! You are never going to want to go back any other time of year!!

 

[frugalfanny]

? about "characterpalooza" ~ I've been trying to read up on this. The whole week we are there Fantasmic is shown at 6:30pm. Does this mean that there is no chance of characterpalooza happening? My son is going to be very disappointed ~ he was really hoping to see Captain Hook.

 

[sharonabe]

Now about the meet and greets. Is it possible to see all the characters and enjoy the party in the 5 hours? Is there a special plan of attack? Or should we focus on the rare ones?

Check out the blogs on easywdw.com He recently went to the MVMCP and wrote up a "how to" guide on that blog. It might give you some ideas.

 

[denisela29]

We'll be there 11-18th and I had always heard that was one of the best times to go, but now I'm hearing that it will start getting crowded around midweek, so I'm nervous!

 

[stashf]

This is my favorite time to go to WDW. We have been doing this since my daughters 4th birthday (11th of Dec) and my sons 3rd (dec 13th). Its a beautiful time, the Christmas decorations and special events are the best. The weather is great for park touring all day. Its rarely too hot, layering is best. We have encountered cold, so I usually pack jackets and some light mitts. I usually pack shorts/capris for day, jeans and sweatshirts for nights. I have never found the crowds bad, have noticed the last few years its a little busier but not unbearable at all. You will notice it starts to steadily get busier the closer you get to the 20th, so around the 18th you will start to see more crowds. Its the best time of year, you will love it! We cannot wait!!

 

[carye1]

My family and I will be there the week prior, the 6th - the 13th (less than 3 weeks till we jet away!!!!!).

The last time I was there during this time of year was about 10 years ago, and for the most part, rides were walk-on, in every park. Back then, December was WDWs best kept secret. But I am nervous about the crowds this year, as it seems the secret is out. I went last year in early September, and the parks were busier than I had ever seen them.

I have checked Undercover Tourist, and it says crowd levels are 4, but I haven't used it before, so I guess I really dont know what that means. Part of my anxiety has come from not being able to get ADRs at some of the restaurants, the popular ones seem to be full.

Can someone tell me realistically, what kinds of crowds will we be seeing and what will the wait times for rides and eats be?

Also, right now, we arent planning on going to the MVMCCP, but can we purchase party tix at the gate if we decide we want to go while we are in the parks, or do we need to have them before-hand?

 

[supernova]

My family and I will be there the week prior, the 6th - the 13th (less than 3 weeks till we jet away!!!!!).

The last time I was there during this time of year was about 10 years ago, and for the most part, rides were walk-on, in every park. Back then, December was WDWs best kept secret. But I am nervous about the crowds this year, as it seems the secret is out. I went last year in early September, and the parks were busier than I had ever seen them.

I have checked Undercover Tourist, and it says crowd levels are 4, but I haven't used it before, so I guess I really dont know what that means. Part of my anxiety has come from not being able to get ADRs at some of the restaurants, the popular ones seem to be full.

Can someone tell me realistically, what kinds of crowds will we be seeing and what will the wait times for rides and eats be?

Also, right now, we arent planning on going to the MVMCCP, but can we purchase party tix at the gate if we decide we want to go while we are in the parks, or do we need to have them before-hand?

I switched and went that year about two (or three?) years ago and I probably won't to it again. You're right in saying that Dec USED TO BE a wonderful time to visit, but more and more, the place is filling up a bit too much for my liking. Now I keep my second week in Dec, Sun through Thurs. The first week/weekend was fairly crowded. There was a cheerleading competition going on (I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw them all at my local airport) and one of these Disney-based forum sites must have had a meet that time, too. Overall, the entire month is getting pretty bad as far as crowds go. I, too, miss the walk-up-and-ride crowd levels.

One time, I thought I'd try the week directly AFTER Thanksgiving, hoping parents would be responsible enough to not take their kids out of school since they were just off for Thanksgiving week. Turns out parents are not as responsible as they should be, and the place was packed.

 

[Disney Granny 2006]

We're going the same dates and hoping for warm weather! But we'll be prepared for cool, just NO RAIN please!!

 

[Disney Granny 2006]

From our experience in the past and everything I've read, the crowds will be low/moderate those dates and increase a little each day.

REALLY hope you are right