First weekend in December - crowds, MVMCP, parade?

[sharona]

Thinking of a 4 day trip to see the parks all decked out for the holidays. We have never been during that time period and are very interested in enjoying the holiday atmosphere. It would be either the first weekend in December 5th-8th or the 19th-22nd. We would have 3 full and 1 half park day. Depending on DDs school schedule next year, we may add one more day... We'll be staying at the Swan.

Which weekend will be less crazy crowded? I seem to recall reading something about them filming the parade that first weekend... What exactly does that entail? Is that a good thing or a stay away from MK thing? I'd prefer to travel earlier in the month so that we don't get too far behind in our own holiday activities but if it's significantly more crowded that first weekend then I would definitely consider the 19th...

On a party night, do you recommend being in MK that day or is it more practical to use our tickets somewhere else and then show up to MK for the party? I doubt we'll spring for hoppers with the new FP+ system so we'll basically be spending 1.5 days MK + party, 1 day EP and 1 day DHS. We'll be skipping AK for such a short trip...

TIA for your advice!

 

[Robo]

Thinking of a 4 day trip to see the parks all decked out for the holidays. We have never been during that time period and are very interested in enjoying the holiday atmosphere. It would be either the first weekend in December 5th-8th or the 19th-22nd. We would have 3 full and 1 half park day. Depending on DDs school schedule next year, we may add one more day... We'll be staying at the Swan.



1. Which weekend will be less crazy crowded?

I seem to recall reading something about them filming the parade that first weekend...
What exactly does that entail?

2. Is that a good thing or a stay away from MK thing? I'd prefer to travel earlier in the month so that we don't get too far behind in our own holiday activities but if it's significantly more crowded that first weekend then I would definitely consider the 19th...

3. On a party night, do you recommend being in MK that day or is it more practical to use our tickets somewhere else and then show up to MK for the party?

I doubt we'll spring for hoppers with the new FP+ system so we'll basically be spending 1.5 days MK + party, 1 day EP and 1 day DHS. We'll be skipping AK for such a short trip...

TIA for your advice!

1. December 5th-8th.
2. I'd go to a different park on MK parade-taping days.
3. If you want that much MK (at the expense of the other parks) that's up to you.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm arriving December 5th! Last year the parade taping was moved to Monday-Tuesday so who knows what day it will be (or even if it will be, it has been going downhill). I've gone this time before, MK does tend to be much more crowded on non-party days, especially Saturday. I always plan for MK on party days and then hop somewhere else at night. Epcot will be busy with the Candlelight Processional on the weekend. Weekdays will be fine. I noticed a pattern that DHS tends to be more crowded on party days, I guess people shift there instead of MK.

 

[sharona]

What is the Candlelight Processional? I've seen it mentioned numerous times but not sure I totally get what it is.

 

[Minniekins]

Thinking of a 4 day trip to see the parks all decked out for the holidays. We have never been during that time period and are very interested in enjoying the holiday atmosphere. It would be either the first weekend in December 5th-8th or the 19th-22nd. We would have 3 full and 1 half park day. Depending on DDs school schedule next year, we may add one more day... We'll be staying at the Swan.

Which weekend will be less crazy crowded? I seem to recall reading something about them filming the parade that first weekend... What exactly does that entail? Is that a good thing or a stay away from MK thing? I'd prefer to travel earlier in the month so that we don't get too far behind in our own holiday activities but if it's significantly more crowded that first weekend then I would definitely consider the 19th...

On a party night, do you recommend being in MK that day or is it more practical to use our tickets somewhere else and then show up to MK for the party? I doubt we'll spring for hoppers with the new FP+ system so we'll basically be spending 1.5 days MK + party, 1 day EP and 1 day DHS. We'll be skipping AK for such a short trip...

TIA for your advice!

I think Dec 5-8 will be much lower crowds, not necessarily super low, but lower than the 19-22 days. People will be pouring in getting ready to spend the Christmas week at WDW that later week. I hear you on the doing the trip earlier so you don' t get behind in your own Christmas at home. I've been late a couple times and that was a pain!

The cool thing about a party day, you can use your park ticket at any park, and then enter MK anytime after
4 p.m., with the party starting at 7 p.m, and it's sorta like having a hopper for that day, lol. If you do go to MK during the day, it's usually a bit less crowded than other days without parties cause people don't wanna have to leave at 7, so you can look at it that way too. Then concentrate on the shows, and character m&g's, and Holiday Wishes and the Xmas parade, since you got your rides in earlier. Then if you are staying late, you can hit a few more rides after Wishes if you want. Have a great time!

 

[DebbieB]

What is the Candlelight Processional? I've seen it mentioned numerous times but not sure I totally get what it is.

It's in the American Gardens Theater at Epcot, 3 shows a night. It's a telling of the Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator with Christmas songs in between each passage.

 

[sharona]

1. December 5th-8th.
2. I'd go to a different park on MK parade-taping days.
3. If you want that much MK (at the expense of the other parks) that's up to you.

Any idea how/when I would know what the parade taping days are going to be? Will I know at 60 days out?

I'm arriving December 5th! Last year the parade taping was moved to Monday-Tuesday so who knows what day it will be (or even if it will be, it has been going downhill). I've gone this time before, MK does tend to be much more crowded on non-party days, especially Saturday. I always plan for MK on party days and then hop somewhere else at night. Epcot will be busy with the Candlelight Processional on the weekend. Weekdays will be fine. I noticed a pattern that DHS tends to be more crowded on party days, I guess people shift there instead of MK.

Thank you!

I think Dec 5-8 will be much lower crowds, not necessarily super low, but lower than the 19-22 days. People will be pouring in getting ready to spend the Christmas week at WDW that later week. I hear you on the doing the trip earlier so you don' t get behind in your own Christmas at home. I've been late a couple times and that was a pain!

The cool thing about a party day, you can use your park ticket at any park, and then enter MK anytime after
4 p.m., with the party starting at 7 p.m, and it's sorta like having a hopper for that day, lol. If you do go to MK during the day, it's usually a bit less crowded than other days without parties cause people don't wanna have to leave at 7, so you can look at it that way too. Then concentrate on the shows, and character m&g's, and Holiday Wishes and the Xmas parade, since you got your rides in earlier. Then if you are staying late, you can hit a few more rides after Wishes if you want. Have a great time!

I like the idea of using the party ticket to have a hopper for that one day. Thanks!

It's in the American Gardens Theater at Epcot, 3 shows a night. It's a telling of the Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator with Christmas songs in between each passage.

Sounds like something we would love. Is it a FP thing or a special ticket $ thing?

 

[sharonabe]

The Candlelight Processional is free, BUT, depending on the narrator, you may want to get a CP Dining Pkg that guarantees you get into the theater. It's an open air theater, and you can stand in the back or sit at the tables at the American QS across the way, but you won't be able to see everything if you sit. Without a dining package (or the other two less desirable options), you have to stand in line waiting to see if you get in for at least one hour before the first show, and sometimes most of the afternoon. Last year, they did a wristband thing for the first show for some of the narrators. They would set up at the line around noon and give out wristbands to those wanting the first show. Narrators will not be announced until late in the summer.

As to the parade taping over in MK. We should know the dates on that before your 60 day, but I don't remember when they changed it to Monday last year. The change last year was due to one of the performers being on Broadway and they had to make it on a day she wasn't on stage.

 

[sharona]

Thanks so much for the info, very helpful.

The CP dining package is like the Fantasmic package? We enjoyed the F! package. I'll look into that.

 

[Minniekins]

...

I like the idea of using the party ticket to have a hopper for that one day. Thanks!
...

You're welcome! It's something we did when we didn't have hoppers and it worked out great! It also works where if you are short on tickets, say you have a five day ticket, and a party ticket, and are there actually 6 days, you still have enough tickets for 6 days, with the party day ticket having time for relaxing and pool time for the morning and afternoon and then getting in with the party ticket as early as 4 p.m.

And, yeah the CP package is like the Fantasmic package, getting to dine first and having a reserved ticket for the CP show. Have a great trip!

 

[sharonabe]

One thing that is different for the CP package: If you are on the DDP and plan on using credits, the CP package takes TWO credits at all restaurants at all times.

 

[sharona]

We won't be on the dining plan but thanks for the tip!

 

[DavidNYC]

5-8th definitely. Would advise hoppers as with all the xmas decorations, xmas parties, shows that aren't every night, parades, etc the flexibility is very good especially with a 4 day trip. One of my favorite times to go. Also - if you don't want to pay for the candlelight package or wait for hours - you can stand outside at top of theater and hear it perfectly. Nice to sit but definitely go by and listen a little even if you don't "officially" do it.

MK is fine on parade days to do rides but you'll want to go on a non parade day if you just enjoy wandering and want to see the park.

Just make sure you see Wishes, Illuminations (the Christmas ending is nice) and DEFINITELY the Osborne lights!

 

[sharona]

Great tips, thanks everyone!

We'll probably fly in on Friday afternoon and we'll have a car. We'll be staying at the Swan.
I'm thinking our plan might be something like this (but not necessarily in this order depending on park hours, EMH, show and parade schedules):


If we don't hop:
Friday night MK (we like to start at MK because walking down Main St. toward the castle says "we're here" to us)
Saturday EP RD - maybe DTD in the afternoon then back to EP
Sunday MK for RD-then a nice break before heading back to MK for the party
Monday DHS in the morning, tour some monorail resorts in the afternoon, then back to DHS for Osbourne lights
Tuesday MK for last look around and a few favorite rides
head to airport around 3

If we hop:
Friday night MK
Saturday bus to MK RD monorail to EP afternoon - close
Sunday DHS RD- nap - MK for party
Monday EP RD , tour resorts, DHS for lights
Tuesday -MK for last look around and a few favorite rides
head to airport around 3

Suggestions/comments/advice welcome!

 

[lustergirl]

I have enjoyed the first week of December at Disney several times. The weather is great. I just avoided MK on taping day. We did go to MVMCP one year but wouldn't spend the money again. I thought the parade was the best part.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We did the first week of December in 2014. We left on the 5th, though. For the CP, there are 3 show times. If you book the lunch CP it is less expensive. The early Processional time is 5 pm. The last is 8 pm. I think the middle is 6:45. We were there November 28 - Dec. 5. Very busy at MK.

 

[sharona]

Was that Thanksgiving weekend? We will be going the weekend after if we go 12/5-8.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Was that Thanksgiving weekend? We will be going the weekend after if we go 12/5-8.

Yes, that was Thanksgiving weekend. The rest of the week wasn't bad (except at MK) and the best night for MVMCP was that Tuesday. I believe the Thursday one was sold out and I've heard the weekends are crazy busy for the party.

 

[sharonabe]

That Friday night (the 4th) is MVMCP at MK, so you won't be able to get into MK after 7 p.m. without a ticket.

 

[sharona]

Thanks for pointing that out. Hmmmm, we would not want to do the party our first night unless we get in very early that afternoon. It will all depend on DD's school work load and Southwest's schedule!