First week of December a good time to go?

[HollyJoy]

Wondering if anyone has been to Disney the first week in December.. How are the crowds? We had planned to go over Thanksgiving of 2004, but are now reconsidering that time due to numerous people telling me that it's very crowded. So, we're looking at the first week of December. Any thoughts?

 

[zurgswife]

the crowds are less but it has become a very popular time to go.....It is low season as far as room rates and the internet groups tend to have their gatherings that first weekend.....

I did it 2 years ago and we will be part of the masses this year in 2004...can't wait....you also get all the Christmas decorations and party too...

 

[dvcfamily41801]

We went this past December 6-12 and it was AWESOME. The best Disney vacation we have ever had.

It is a bit stressful for us to go away in December, we had bad weather the day we were supposed to leave so ended up getting out on an earlier flight and then you get home and we had to right away finish wrapping, baking, decorating and all other holiday stuff. But the being away part was super!!

 

[higgin704]

We went Dec 8 - 13 last year and it was absolutely vacant. We had so so weather (lots of rain) but could walk on to a ton of stuff.
angie

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Well...I will be there on my solo trip this year the same time as you.
Somewhere within the first 2 weeks of Dec. is truly the very best time to go. I hope to go to WDW, at that time, every year, for the rest of my life! That's how strongly I feel about it.

You just can't beat the decorations,
all the Christmas shows, MVMCP on selected nights, etc.

You should be prepared for all kinds of weather. Layer dressing is the key. Bring along a zip-up, hooded sweatshirt for the chilly nights.
One year the evenings were so chilly that I even needed to tie the hood of my sweatshirt tight over my head.
I had another year when it was too hot in the evening for my long sleeve polyester shirt. The temperatures change quickly when the sun goes down.

In recent years, I have found the parks to be VERY busy on the weekends, but very light crowds on the week days.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We were there during that week this past December and did indeed have a wonderful time. We found pros and cons to this week however. In the past we had gone in January and the crowds did not exist at all. In December there were A LOT more people. With fast pass, and EE and getting to parks early, lines were never bad, but there were a lot more people to deal with everywhere. We loved all the Christmas activites and did MVMCP, and the CP, we were however gone two week-ends from home and missed a lot of Christmas parties and activities that have become treasured traditions to us. Even though early December is value season, we could not find any codes or deals and could not even get a standard room at the WL.( We were so glad however that we ended up with Courtyard and now we can never go back to standard .) We had a great time and are so glad we went this week, but not sure what we will do next time.


Jordan's mom

 

[Randall50000]

Went during the first week of December five years ago and had a great time. The weather was a little cold but still had a great time. Walked on almost every ride. Great time to go with very few lines and all the Christmas decorations that were out.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We went Dec. 9-16 2003 and loved it. It is really the best time of year to go but as DVCfamily mentioned it is a bit stressful to get away that time of year.

That said I would do it again!!

 

[2cutekids]

It's a WONDERFUL time to go!!!!! We've been the last two years during the first week of December. The weather was great most of the time and even though this past December there seemed to quite a bit more people we still never had to wait very long for any of the attractions. I would go every year if my DH would go for it. If you go then, you may want to try the MVMCP. If you're not already in the Christmas spirit, you will be after that! I'm hoping we may try the Halloween party this year.

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by 2cutekids
If you go then, you may want to try the MVMCP. If you're not already in the Christmas spirit, you will be after that!

What is the "MVMCP" ?

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by HollyJoy
What is the "MVMCP" ?

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It's a hard-ticketed event that takes place on several nights in December after the MK closes.

Look here for additional details:

http://allearsnet.com/tp/holiday.htm

 

[dmonroe]

Early December is our favorite time to go too! This December will be our 4th early Dec. trip! We love that the crowds are lower and seeing all the Christmas decorations. MVMCP is also high on our list of favorites!

 

[HollyJoy]

Thanks for the link about MIckey's Very Merry Christmas Party! I think that would be a great thing to do! Do you know when they update the schedule for 2004?

 

[js]

We are going November 27 through December 4. Arriving the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Although I expect the weekend to be crowded, after researching on this board, it looks like the crowds clear right after Thanksgiving weekend We too thought were were going to go over Thanksgiving but also changed after reading on the boards how crowded it it.
We will be going to MVMCP during the week (maybe on Tuesday ) We have been to Disney many times but never during this time of year and can't wait to see the decorations and the characters in their Christmas outfits!!!!

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by HollyJoy
Thanks for the link about MIckey's Very Merry Christmas Party! I think that would be a great thing to do! Do you know when they update the schedule for 2004?

I believe the dates were released in April last year.

Most of the reports I've read indicate that only the weekend dates will sell-out well in advance. If you're going to be there for a week or more, you're better off waiting until you arrive to gage the weather and purchase tickets for the day with the best forecast.

In the event of poor weather (rain, cold), the Party will go on but individual events may be scaled-back or eliminated if the weather will not allow.

 

[Eeyore2003]

We went this last first week of December and it was absolutely WONDERFUL!!!

 

[kathymc]

We've been within the first two weeks of december the last 4 times (1998, 2000, 2001, and 2003) and we will probably always go at this time. Crowds are minimal - weather is generally been nice (we've had days as hot as 90 and as cool as 45 - but mostly in the 70s). I do agree that in the years we go, Xmas is rushed and almost seems a let down with all the ecitement at Disney during the holidays.

have a ball - you will love it!

 

[Carrieberry]

We went 12/5-12/12 in 2000 and we went 12/1-12/6 in 2002. Both trips were amazing! You just can't beat the decorations ad overall feeling you get at WDW with the holidays. This year we will do exactly what we did 2 years ago and arrive the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but we won't do any parks until the next day, Monday. We foubnd this works out great since it really slows down as everyone heads home after the holiday. We found light crowds that entire week, not empty, but I don;t think we waited longer than 10 minutes for anything. Of course, MK is always crowded and for some reason even though there was no wait for anything else, Tower of Terror was also always packed! Anyway, we just love the first week of Dec and will go around tis time every year from now on!

 

[HollyJoy]

We will be driving down, so we were thinking of leaving on a Friday afternoon (after the kids are out of school), then driving through the night, putting us in Disney Sometime Saturday morning/early afternoon. Then, we'd spend Saturday just resting and DH sleeping! LOL The kids can hang by the pool, and we can check out Downtown Disney/shopping, etc... whatever we have enough energy for. Just an easy day. Then our adventure would begin on Sunday. As for exactly which time to go, well the first week in December is a split week.. half Nov., and half Dec. That's the weekend after Thanksgiving, so we may wait until the following FULL week of December.

 

[mariessas_mom]

Great time to go! We were there Dec. 7-13 in 2001. Beautiful decorations, MVMCP and virtually no lines at attractions. I wish we could go that week again but my DD is in school now, so we have to plan around that so we will be there the 18th-27th. Have a great trip. We love going in December! There's no place like WDW for the holidays!