for those who go 1st 2 wks DEC

[paults]

How crowded does it get?
What are the XMAS parade tickets for if you can get there earily to be included without one?
How cold is it?

 

[TAKitty]

We were there last year around Dec. 8. I think we just missed the POP Warner groups. We got to the parks at opening and I was shocked by how few people were there. We still had to use Fastpass for the big attractions. We rode Spash in the morning and were the first group to ride. It is truly magical to be in the parks when it isn't crowded. We did the Fantasmic Dinner package and didn't really need it. There was plenty of room to sit.

It did get cold! We could only wear shorts one day. THe rest of the time I was in pants and at night long johns!

 

[OKW Lover]

The crowd levels then usually aren't bad. With the way all the parks are decorated for the holidays, its very festive.

As far as temperatures go, you need to be prepared for everything. We've got pictures from other years where on one day we're in shorts and polo shirts, and a couple of days later we're wearing winter coats. The key is to bring layers.

 

[byoung]

The crowds have been some of the lowest for us in mid Dec.

 

[Chuck S]

Are you talking about the tickets for the parade TV taping, or MVMCP tickets?

The parade taping tickets will give you access to a "special area" I think, and may increase your chances of being seen on camera. The MVMCP tickets are for an after hours party that include most of the attractions, special show times for the Christmas shows, the Christmas Parade and special Wishes fireworks.

 

[keishashadow]

We were @ WL last year from 12/10 for 5 nights; dec. were beautiful.

We had a cold snap but, still managed to swim in the afternoon a few days.

Even w/EMH the parks were far more crowded that I thought they'd be, especially MVMCP.

Still, an absolutely fantastic time to go, IMO certainly not as crowded as the summer or even Oct. or Feb around the holidays.

 

[owtrbnks]

We've been going around Dec. 10 - 14th for past several years. We swim as long as there's no ice formed on top of the pool. Last year at CP at Epcot it was near 50 degrees! My experience is, that was atypical. Usually 70's and few crowds.
It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

 

[OKWMom]

We have been in December for the last three years (once during the first week and twice during the second week) and although the crowd levels have increased each year, it is still quite pleasant. Like another posted stated, if you go early in the mornings at park opening, you may be surprised at how empty the park is.

The weather is another story altogether. We have worn shorts one day and gloves the next. Invariably, we have at least one really cold day during our week long stay, but the vast majority of the days are comfortable and around the mid 70’s. The evenings tend to be a good bit colder, and if you plan on touring in the evenings, I suggest that you bring some cold weather gear. I always pack a pair of stretchy gloves because as one member of our party stated, “those $8 gloves are the very same one’s you can get at W***mart for $0.96 and they don’t even have a Mickey Mouse on them.”

All in all, we love going in December. We love the decorations and can no longer imagine a Christmas season without going to Disney.

 

[loveswdw]

We are going on our first December trip in a few days! Woo hoo! Everyone says how uncrowded everything is but just for fun I logged onto the WDW web site and punched in our dates. Everything (deluxes, moderates and DVCs) came up unavailable. We are 2 adults and a child under 3. Nothing available at any of them. Now that was for our whole stay, not just one night at a time.

But that still makes me think its gonna be full.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We leave Saturday for yet another early December trip. This time we will be there the 2-12. Our experience is that the first week often can be a bit crowded with Pop Warner kids, but the next week is usually very quiet. We have also found the first week usually colder than the second week. Go figure. Just go prepared for all kinds of wseather, and you will be fine. We take things to layer, and also throw in a pair of gloves just in case it's a rainy cool day. We have had temps cold and rainy and also temps in the 90's, so it is a total gamble in the weather department.