Early December - need your opinions!

[guyzmom]

What do you think is the best resort for early December, and why? This would be for a family of four (Mom, Dad, twin boys-would be turning 5 in a month). Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[bigsis1970]

We loved Dec 2001 !! went from the 1st to 15th - stayed off - site till the 9th then checked into the CBR .. I have an 8 yr old DD and a 5 yr old DS .. They loved the CBR w/ the slide and cannons.. took my son a few days to like the slide but swam round edge and played in the shallower area till he got up courage and then LOVED the slide !! food court is also good and loved the refillable mugs .. Weather was 75 and mostly sunny each day and only had ONE rain shower the entire length of stay in WDW.. I am currently planning a quick trip from 11/29 to Dec 4 but will be a budget trip and planning to stay at ASMo. unless they put out some great AP rates..
Hope this helps some .. Michelle

 

[Michelemouse]

Wilderness Lodge - without a doubt!

There is an enormous fireplace with rocking chairs in front of it and a Christmas Tree that stretches nearly 7 stories. Oh, and I'm not sure if they still do this but every evening there was some sort of holiday entertainment in the lobby.

Your boys would probably love the rubber duckie races and the Whispering Canyons restaurant (where the kids get to have stick-pony races around the dining room!).

The Wilderness Lodge is just so warm and cozy (IMO) that it practically screams "Christmas".

Hope this helps.

Michele

 

[slimplaw]

Ditto on WL. It is beautifully decorated for Christmas. It all depends on the theme you want. There is something for everyone at WDW. Also depends on how much money you want to spend. WL is also nice because everything is under one roof. It is the least expensive of all the deluxe resorts.

 

[glo]

For the best Chirstmas themeing in Dec I would say The WL, the GF and the Dolphin, in that order. I was very disappointed in the Poly(my fave Disney resort) and the Comteporary

I did not get to see the AKL, and would like to the next time I go. Good luck and have a blast, it is the best time of the year to go, I think after being there during the holidays nothing will compare.

 

[blanq]

I would say that anytime you get to go to Disney, and stay in any onsite resort you are bound to have a ball! That said, I would suggest a resort with some amenities for your boys. Weather in December can be hit or miss, and you might end up with some cold, rainy days where you want to take advantage of some indoor resort amenities. We went to DisneyWorld with our now 8 year old son in 12/01 (staying at the Swan), and in 12/99 (staying at WL). We have also stayed at CBR and OKW during winter months. We loved all of them, but for different reasons, and all provided us with plenty to do an see beyond the parks. If I had to pick our very favorite, I would have to go with the consensus here: WL. The pool and arcade are cool for kids, the Cubs Den would allow you to drop your boys off for an evening of fun while you and your spouse have a romantic dinner at Artist Point, there are good kid-friendly food options here, the Xmas decorations are awesome and when we were there Santa even made a visit, they have rooms with bunkbeds and kids love bunkbeds, the only way to get to the MK is by boat and that can be a fun adventure for kids. I suppose I could go on and on, but I have hit the hilights for you.

 

[guyzmom]

Thank you all so much for your responses! I know that WL is great - we just got back from there! Any 2nd choices, in case we want to try something different? Thanks again!

 

[bigsis1970]

i can't swing it this time ( our 2002 quickie trip ) but when i go in 2003 i am planning on the WL and AKL -- have you tried that one yet? how cool to wake up to animals feeding off your balcony !!! i would think boys would enjoy that beside the pool there looks great !!

 

[poppins50]

For the last two years we have gone with extended family during the first 2 weeks of Dec. Both times we stayed at the Dolphin. They have a beautiful pointsetta tree that stretches a few stories high. They also have a cool very large Dolphin train set going around the tree. And at night a piano player came to play music. My dd and her cousing loved it. Just going and hanging out an having drinks in the Dolphin lobby was an event, even for the kids. Everynight they had Santa for pictures at the enterance nearest the boats. People were so in the spirit they even decorated their balconies (ie: take a look at Ray Sharptons posts at this site) which was fun to come home to at night. With the easy access to Epcot we would stroll to Epcot and visit the different versians of Santa that met with the children. As well as easy access to Candlelight procession.

 

[MJames41]

With two 5 year olds, I would think one of the All Stars might make for a nice chage. The huge icons are made for little kids. When we were there in December 2000, I enjoyed the pool there more than the pool at the Contemporary. The Contemporary (or any monorail resort) would also be good - the MK just a short trip away. Or, if you kids like Christmas lights and such, how about one of the Epcot resorts? Epcot has several great Christmas shows, with different Santa's from different countries, and MGM and the Osbourne Lights is a quick boat ride away. Or, how about a split? Depending on how long you are going, then you could stay in the location of the theme park you are planning on visiting. Just my thoughts.

 

[GatorGirl]

We just got back (CSR) and I have decided that we need to go again because we didn't get to do or see nearly enough and DH took the Backstage Magic Tour and said that I would love all of the Christmas decorations.

Has anyone stayed at PO or Boardwalk during the holidays and was it nice?

How about crowds, I would think being December and the kids being out of school it would be busy but various places list it as value season?

Thanks -- I love this site!

 

[DebbieB]

Has anyone stayed at PO or Boardwalk during the holidays and was it nice?

We've stayed at BWV the first week of December the last 2 years. The lobby is beautiful. We like being able to go to Epcot for Candlelight Processional and walk back. Or go to MGM for Osborne Lights and take the boat back. This time of the year is great! We've gone the last 4 years (also staying at CBR and PO (Dixie)). 3 of the 4 years, the weather was perfect - around 80. One year (2000) it was only in the low 60's and cold at night. Planning BWV for the second week of December this year.

Crowds are not bad. Last year it was really empty, even though it was media, football player & cheerleader week.

 

[nuthut]

Why not try a DVC rental at the Beach Club? I have Decmeber 1, five nights in a studio confirmed and available. If interested:
nuthut@voyager.net

 

[Humphrey1227]

We also love the early december time! With the twins age's I would think magic kingdom is gonna be there favorite so, I would recommend mk resorts, & the cr preferably tower (mk view), if at all possible. Due to MVMCP you will want to have easy access to leave and not fight busing or even monorail lines cause it is only a short walk if your willing! If there is a mvmcp and you are not attending, the fireworks are unbelievable and from the tower you have an unparelled view! CR tower has a fast food area, great pool, with slide, boating, sandy beach, play area, a game room that is an attraction in its own right. Don't miss chef mickey's for breakfast or dinner. If the kids are in bed early or taking a nap, you have a great balcony to take a break. Remember the weather is very fickle this time of year, and can be 50 or 80 so we always pack for layering and love to peel off if we can! The last 2 years we have went for 2 weeks in early december and 2000 was cold , 2nd week. 2001 was great high 70's and low 80's, no rain either year!

 

[MzEeyore]

I will have to go with the Wilderness Lodge. We were there this past December and it was absolutely breathtaking. My whole family was awe struck by this resort. There isn't anywhere else now that we will stay. We are going back this December and we are staying in 2 courtyard view rooms at the Wilderness Lodge. It is "home" to us now. My 5 year old loved the pool and the ducks in the morning. My mom loved the hot tubs.