First trip to WDW this december.... ? for y'all...

[kim31kim]

We are planning our first trip to WDW and have decided to go either the first or second week of December. Are either of those weeks preferable or should the crowds be about the same? I was wondering if there would be lingering Turkeyday crowds if we went the first week.

Also, how is the weather then? Is there any swimming around then?

Thanks so much!
Kim <-- Disney virgin

 

[gillis95]

We went the last 1/2 of 1st week into the fist 1/2 of 2nd week. CRowds were minimal. Weather was 50's - 70's...the averages for that time. It was down right cold 1st thing in the am so I wore 'Cuddleduds' silky long underwear top under my shirt and then went to the BR later when it warmed up and took it off and waded it up in my pack. I had a fleece jacket from Old Navy and also used my nylon rain jacket for warmth too. Everyone is wearing a Mickey Santa hat and they really kept us warm. we would take our hat off while stopped somewhere and then realize how cold it was...so a hat (Mickey or otherwise) is helpful. We did not swim but saw a couple people at the hotel pool in the aftrenoon..the pools are supposedly heated? The weather can be much colder or much warmer so watch the weather the days before and pack accodingly. It's probably been our favorite time of year to go so far. Have fun.

 

[jim&laura]

DW and I went the 1st week last December and there were little crowds. I remember walking on a lot of the rides. Weather was between 70's and 80's during the days and between 50's and 60's during the nights. Definitely get a Mickey or Minnie Santa hat, they will keep you warm.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've gone the first week and it's not bad crowd wise. I've heard that the second week is even less crowded.

The weather varies greatly. I always check the weather website before I leave for packing purposes. Sometimes you can swim and sometimes you can't.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by kim31kim
We are planning our first trip to WDW and have decided to go either the first or second week of December. Are either of those weeks preferable or should the crowds be about the same? I was wondering if there would be lingering Turkeyday crowds if we went the first week.

Either week will be fine in terms of the crowds. Most parents don't want to pull the kids from school between two major holiday breaks. As long as you're not planning on staying at any of the Disney Vacation Club resorts (i.e. Disney's timeshare) rooms on-site and off should be readily available and probably a good deal. (WDW DVC resorts are always busy in early December).

Also, how is the weather then? Is there any swimming around then?
Thanks so much!
Kim <-- Disney virgin

The weather can be very warm...or very cool. It's usually pretty dry in December, but the weather is the weather. Hotel pools are heated (on property anyway), but the water park that is typically open is Blizzard beach, where the pools are not heated.

Hope this helps,
Joe

 

[heart4dis]

I've done it once before but it was a long time ago (1991). We literally either walked on every ride or only waited about 10 minutes (except for Dumbo...that was 20 minutes! ). Anyway, our weather was wonderful (70's) but we wore pants most of the time.

I'm going to keep checking the weather as we get closer to departure. I already think I'll have to plan on packing more pants than I had planned.

Some folks who have gone recently said one year it rained and another was very cold. My plan: pack layers (t-shirts, sweatshirt, windbreaker).

 

[2cutekids]

We went last year during the first week of December and it is the only time I will consider going now! We're hoping to go back at the same time this year and I can't wait. Last year we were wearing short sleeves on Wednesday and Thursday and then Friday we had on jackets, gloves and hats. If you have room, pack for any kind of weather. It was so "magical" last year....Christmas decorations/music were everywhere, low crowds and (mostly) super weather.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

It all depends on what you think is cold weather for swimming. If you're from the mid or northern part of the country you're more likely to think its warm enough to swim - the resort pools are usually comfortably heated. It was cool last year during our stay (Dec 1-9) (we needed sweaters/sweats part of each day and jackets, gloves and hats in the evenings) and it rained one day. But I've been there in early Dec when its 75 and sunny during the day and low 60s at night - there's no telling. As others have recommended just keep a weather eye (those long range forecasts help), pack for changeable weather and have a wonderful time. The crowds should be low, the decorations and music are fantastic. Anytime you're at WDW is the perfect time as far as we're concerned, we always have a blast! But the parks decorated for Christmas make it even better

 

[pewing]

We have gone the first week in December twice...and it is awesome

No crowds (my boys complained b/c we never got to use FastPass ). Weather is great (although we did get a good bit of rain last year). Christmas decorations are wonderful. Epcot is awesome at Christmas!

Wish we could do it again this year, but we can't take a week out of school anymore. Last year was tough (1st and 3rd grade) and we won't do a whole week again. It's a shame...we think it is the perfect time.

Have an awesome time!!

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
It was cool last year during our stay (Dec 1-9) (we needed sweaters/sweats part of each day and jackets, gloves and hats in the evenings) and it rained one day.

"Cool" is such a relative term...we found it just perfect.

We were there with the in-laws during this time. Normally December is a drier month than most for central FLA, but on that one day it poured enough to beat the monthly average if I recall correctly. We just bought the yellow mickey ponchos and enjoyed the day. For the better part of 60-90 minutes we had Conservation station all but to ourselves...Rafiki, Pocahontas and Flick had so little do to they spent lots of time with the kids.
-Joe

 

[TammyC]

I have not been during this time of the year. I did read that the Pop Warner cheer/dance competitions will be in December (I think it was the 7th to 13th). Other threads have said that they won't impact park attendance much, but that you may see and hear a bit too much of them if you are staying at a value (and possibly even a moderate) resort.

 

[always quiet]

The cheerleaders were there when we were last year (couldn't miss all the vehicles when we were heading back home!! ) They really didn't seem to affect the crowds any. We HAD planned to make last Dec's trip and one time thing - we loved it so much, the weather (when it didn't rain last year!!) was beautiful (we had more CM's apologizing for the rain....don't think Disney controls that YET! ), the crowds were nonexistent and the decorations were breathtaking!! We are planning a trip next Dec for the same week...only staying a little longer next time!!