First Visit Home

[Bowen9475]

We are preparing for our first visit "home" to a 2 BR at BCV from December 2 - 10. I have a few questions.
1. We visited WDW in December 1992. It was a great visit in terms of weather and crowds - the longest wait we had was 10 mins. How would crowds compare in more recent years?
2. Do you think we would be able to swim at this time of year? and if so, Does SAB have any age or height restrictions for the slide? I have a 4 1/2 year old who swims well and will be disappointed if she can't ride the slide.
3. I have read that people have sent packages ahead of time to themselves. How do you go about doing this? I am thinking of sending diapers and wipes, and some food stuffs. What other supplies would you suggest that we send or bring that we may not have thought about? Thanks so much!

 

[Lew]

We're going to be at WDW December 3-10. In all the years we have visited, we've never seen the Christmas decorations.

To answer your questions...

• Crowds during the first couple weeks of December are some of the lowest of the year.
  
• Weather for swimming at that time of year will be hit-or-miss. If we get to swim, we'll count it as a big bonus.
  
• Address the package to yourself c/o the resort. In the address indicate your arrival date after your name: John Doe (guest arriving 12/2/03).

Have a great trip!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I would also put your confirmation # on the outside and say DVC Member...make sure to track the package and request a signature so you will be able to tell Front desk who signed for the package.

The 4 year old may have to show the LG that she can swim unassisted no lifevest are allowed. Not sure about height requirment. All pools at WDW are heated...so when I wouldn't swim (Native Floridian) your famly might take to it like ducks...

 

[tjkraz]

Regarding swimming, all of the pools and water parks at WDW are heated. My personal threshhold is about 70 degrees for swimming. Anything below that and the air is just too cold.

Over 9 days at WDW, there are almost certain to be a handful of days on which the weather will be good for swimming. Check the local forecast when you arrive and set aside a couple of the nicer days for pool / water park time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We swam at AKL during that time period last year. We found the crowds were much smaller during the week, and Epcot was crowded in the evenings during the weekends. We didn't get to MK except for MVMCP and that wasn't too crowded and we enjoyed lots of rides, the parade and fireworks.

Bobbi

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

My family has been visiting Disney around that time of year for the last 30+ yrs. We have had an average of 75 degree temperatures and low crowds every time but a few. As a previous poster has said, you will most likely find a few days of good weather if not all them. On my 5 yr anniversary 6 yrs ago, it rained for 10 out of our 11 day vacation, but that was not normal. We find we are the ducks a previous poster from FLA has mentioned because we are from PA, but you can probably count on 70 degree days. Blizzard beach is really nice for the youngsters. It has smaller slides and and a play area for the younger kids and it's themed as a ski resort... appropriate for that time of year. Also another water activity they may enjoy are the little speedboats. Your DD would probably get a kick out of speeding around the waterways w/ you. They can be located at any of the MK resorts, ie. Contemporary, GF, WL, etc. or at Downtown Disney. They are a hoot. You might want to try those.

Another few suggestions....

Don't miss Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party (low crowds and awesome party w/ snow and fireworks and a parade on Main Street), the Osborne Light Display in MGM (a must see for parents and kids alike), the Spectromagic Parade in the MK is wonderful and kids LOVE it, and lastly, the Candlelight Processional is nice for all. The kids may not sit thru the whole show, but you can drop by to listen to the choir while sipping on Hot Chocolate. It is the nicest time of year to visit IMO. Hope this helps a bit and I hope you enjoy your trip. Let me know if I can answer any more questions regarding that time of year.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Regarding the sending of packages. I thought about that one year as well, but decided to take my packages on the plane w/ me (diapers, formula, baby rice cereal, many baby jars of food, and a stroller). We stayed for 10 days though and I ended up running out and had to go shopping for the formula. When you mentioned diapers and wet wipes I am assuming you have a younger child as well as your 4 &1/2 yr old DD. I found that the stroller was a must for me and we did not mail it. IMO and in many others, I have found that you can take your stroller w/ you and just check it w/ the ticket checker as you enter the plane. Then you have it in the airport when the kids are dragging their feet and tired. Also, bringing your own stroller helps when you need to get from the park to your resort w/ 2 tired kids. Otherwise, you'd have to leave the resort stroller at the entrance and carry them the whole way home. We were able to roll it onto the monorail and boats and fold it up for the bus ride home. It was wonderful.

Also being part of the DVC now, I thought I could call in an "order" of diapers and wipes and food and have it waiting for me in my room. You might want to check w/ the old timers, but I would think this would save you from mailing a heavy and expensive package to the resort. Hope this helps.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

3. I have read that people have sent packages ahead of time to themselves. How do you go about doing this? I am thinking of sending diapers and wipes, and some food stuffs. What other supplies would you suggest that we send or bring that we may not have thought about? Thanks so much! [/B][/QUOTE]

Regarding the sending of packages. I thought about that one year as well, but decided to take my packages on the plane w/ me (diapers, formula, baby rice cereal, many baby jars of food, and a stroller). We stayed for 10 days though and I ended up running out and had to go shopping for the formula. When you mentioned diapers and wet wipes I am assuming you have a younger child as well as your 4 &1/2 yr old DD. I found that the stroller was a must for me and we did not mail it. IMO and in many others, I have found that you can take your stroller w/ you and just check it w/ the ticket checker as you enter the plane. Then you have it in the airport when the kids are dragging their feet and tired. Also, bringing your own stroller helps when you need to get from the park to your resort w/ 2 tired kids. Otherwise, you'd have to leave the resort stroller at the entrance and carry them the whole way home. We were able to roll it onto the monorail and boats and fold it up for the bus ride home. It was wonderful.

Also being part of the DVC now, I thought I could call in an "order" of diapers and wipes and food and have it waiting for me in my room. You might want to check w/ the old timers, but I would think this would save you from mailing a heavy and expensive package to the resort. Hope this helps.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by Bowen9475
1. We visited WDW in December 1992. It was a great visit in terms of weather and crowds - the longest wait we had was 10 mins. How would crowds compare in more recent years?

Interesting. We started our annual pilgrimage to WDW in Dec 1992. We always went within the first 2 weeks. We also found the lines to be great back in 1992. Practically no waiting for rides. Well, while that time frame is a time of year that is slow, to me it is much more crowded in the past few years, and every year seems to be more crowded (except for 2001 )

I guess between low points at DVC and more people being aware of the Christmas decorations (maybe due to more info available on the internet), it is going to be different for you.

 

[JimC]

Enjoy your first trip home! Early December is a wonderful time to go -- WDW is wonderfully decorated, Candlelight processional, Weather is usually quite pleasant, warm days, cool evenings, low humidity and little rain. But it can get cold and wet, but that is not the norm.

While the crowds are light, DVC is very busy because it is Adventure season and so many of us enjoy to visit home at this time.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[pirateparrot]

Originally posted by Disney Enthusiast


Another few suggestions....

Don't miss Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party (low crowds and awesome party w/ snow and fireworks and a parade on Main Street), the Osborne Light Display in MGM (a must see for parents and kids alike), the Spectromagic Parade in the MK is wonderful and kids LOVE it, and lastly, the Candlelight Processional is nice for all. The kids may not sit thru the whole show, but you can drop by to listen to the choir while sipping on Hot Chocolate. It is the nicest time of year to visit IMO. Hope this helps a bit and I hope you enjoy your trip. Let me know if I can answer any more questions regarding that time of year.

FYI - No Osborne Light Display this year due to the destruction of residential street for new stunt show. From what I remember, it is expected to return in 2004.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Originally posted by pirateparrot
FYI - No Osborne Light Display this year due to the destruction of residential street for new stunt show. From what I remember, it is expected to return in 2004.

So sad about the Osborne lights. We just love sipping hot chocolate and strolling thru the display. But we'll probably be vacationing Dec 04 so it won't affect my family. But I am sorry for the families who won't be able to enjoy it this year. Thank you for the info.

 

[OKW91]

Just a tip for sending a package, make sure you send it UPS or FedX, directly to your resort! What ever you do don't use the postal system! I am not knocking the mail, but what happens is that the package will be sent to the WDW mail room and it may sit there for a week before it is delivered! This happened to friends of ours, they received there package the last day they where there!! My daughter sends stuff ahead all the time and she uses UPS it usually is there in 5 days and she can track it through the system.
I hope you enjoy your first visit, and have many more happy ones!