Early December ?

[ljsmom]

My DH and I are considering a trip the first week of December. Any feedback on this time of year would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[BriarRose59]

My family has gone the first week of December and really enjoyed it. One thing I would do is go on the Disney site and check the calendar there for any events going on at that time. The next week, Dec. 7-10 or so, is a cheer and dance competition so there will be a few hundred cheerleaders and their families there. We went with our daughter's drill team in February and the parks were definitely full of teenage girls. They were not unruly, its just a little more crowded when there are special events like that going on.

 

[DaveH]

We usually go the week after Thanksgiving. We love it. The crowds are small. The parks close between 6PM(MK) and 9:30PM(EPCOT). WDW is decorated for the holidays. They have the Candleight Processional in EPCOT. Candlelight Processional is a mass choir and they have guest celebertties read the story of Christ intermixed with music. They have Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. MVMCP is a special ticket event in the MK with all the holiday shows and parade. They also have the holiday fireworks, snowing on Main Street and such. The weather is usually nice, but can be cold and hot. I have stayed at the All Stars when thhe cheerleading and midget footbal events going on and hardly noticed them. Unless they put you in thier area and they usually don't do that, you want see them too much. I have had more problem with the Brazilian tour groups and you just go another direction adn not see them any more. Feel free to ask any questions you have.

 

[Tink]

We've gone the first week of December into the second week twice. The weather is generally good (we did hit a cold patch last year) and the crowds are very manageable. The holiday decorations are beautiful and the music playing in each park really gets you into the spirit of Christmas.

Last year we were there during the cheerleader thing but it didn't seem to ompact the crowds that much. We really didn't have long waits for anything, including Dumbo, which always has a line and DD insists on riding it over and over!

 

[ljsmom]

Thanks for the feedback. Would you say you can go in the pools at that time of year?

 

[ricka47]

We didn't go last year, but for the two years previous we flew down the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I agree with all that's been said about the decorations and the crowds.

We have been able to use the pools every time. But, that time of year can bring some cool weather as well. All-in all, it's a great time of year to go and we're doing it again this year!

 

[DaveH]

Last year was the only time I would not have considered using a pool. Last year was the coldest for a week I have ever had during that time. I have had a cold day or 2 and the rest you could swim very easily.

 

[ruvidu]

We will arrive at WL on 12/1 for a 4 night stay. This is the second time we have made this ealrly Dec trip. In 2001 we went swimming at WL as soon as we arrived. It was great. As previous posters have stated the parks and resorts are decorated, MVMCP and Candlelight Processional are not to be missed. World Showcase has a Santa for each country. The Santas come out all dressed up telling you about Christmas in their country.
By the way, we are a mid 50s couple traveling without any children.
The parks were not crowded and we had a ball.

Russ and Miss Vivian

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'll be there, 5th year in a row, for week and a half, first week in Dec. Best time of the year, IMO. Low crowds, decorations, great weather (though you need a variety of clothing usually), decorations, great rates, decorations, a very happy time of the year, and oh, did I say, decorations!!!! I love it at WDW in early Dec.

 

[FloridaCat]

I could not agree more. Living in FL has many advantages, but the one I miss the most from my home in IL is the seasoal changes and more impotant at Christmas time. It has been our "tradition" to go to MGM for the Osborns lights. They are cancelled for this year, so we will do the resort tourand Mk.

Having snow hit your face, man made, and driking HC puts us in the spirit. Yes the Decorations, but the Christmas Carols, who has better sound systems then Disney?

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I've already had EIGHT early Decembers in a row at WDW. It's the very best time to go. One evening last year I needed my hooded sweatshirt and really needed to use the hood on it, too.

You won't need a *coat* but you might need to layer dress with a sweatshirt.

I remember one MVMCP it was so hot all evening, too.

If you are planning on *THIS* December, and staying on-site, you should have had your ressies months ago.

I will arrive at the Swan Dec. 5th this year.

 

[Belle041281]

We love going the first week in December. The weather isn't too hot and the crowds are small. No one hour wait times for the rides. MVMCP is alot of fun and the decorations are unbelievable. That is when we're going this year. IMO once you go in December, you won't want to go any other time of the year. Last year we went in June (WHAT A BIG MISTAKE on a personal level) and it just seemed as though something were missing.

 

[wdwnutze]

We will be at WDW from 11/26-12/5. It is the 3rd early December trip for us. We have also gone in Oct. and Aug. and prefer December. The decorations are amazing. If you chhose to go then, make sure you go to the different resorts to check out the decorations.