Going early December

[NataliaVal]

Hello to all! I'm fairly new to this forum (I've read but never post anything), and I'll be going to Disney with my family this December after 10 years without going. I have found here lots of tips and advices!

I will be there the first week of December , and I would love to know some tips, like weather, crowd levels, waiting time for biggest attractions, etc.

Thanks to all in advance!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Our first trip in December was the second week of December 2001. It was like a ghost town (I'm assuming because it was only a few months after 9/11). EVERY ride was a walk on and there was hardly anyone walking around. It felt very strange. We've gone several times in December (varying from the week after Thanksgiving to the second week of December) since and it's definitely more crowded every time we go. However, it's not Summer or Christmas week crowds. Rides are generally 15 min.-40 min. (of course, rides like Toy Story Mania and Soarin' can be 1-2 hours), with some occasional walk-ons.

Weather is a different story. We've had beautiful weeks of vacations in December where it's 70-80 degrees and sunny the entire time. Then we've had weeks that were 45-55 degrees and cloudy/rainy/drizzly pretty much the whole time. It really is just a chance you take to see the Christmas decorations and festivities, unfortunately. We're going December 3-14th this year and I'm praying not to have the horrible cold weather they had last December! I'm trying to leave that behind! Packing can be difficult during this time as it seems like whenever I just pack 1-2 pairs of jeans and a sweater or 2, it's cold/chilly every day and I want to wear jeans and sweaters every day.

We're going to 2 MVMCP's this time. While we do enjoy the Christmas parades and events, we generally use this time to get to be in MK at night and most of the rides are walk-ons. That's one of my biggest complaints about going in early December is that during the week, even with EMH, hardly any parks are open past 9 p.m. (which I guess is fine if you have little kids or don't have a desire to be at the parks anyways until 11 p.m. or later).

One of our favorite Christmas activities is to go to Epcot and get some drinks or snacks and wander around World Showcase listening to the Santas Around the World. They generally "perform" every 15 minutes or so (the times guide when you enter the park will have that info) and it's neat to learn about Christmas in different cultures/countries.

We used to the Candlelight Processional and I believe everyone should try it at least once, but we're not huge fans. We typically avoid it on subsequent trips (unless someone we REALLY like is presenting the story). If you do go, be sure to bring something to sit on (even if it's just a sweater or jacket). The seats are metal (which means cold in the evening!) and uncomfortable.

No matter what, I'm sure you'll have a great time! I read people's trip reports from last early December and even though they have scarves wrapped around their heads, thick winter coats, and gloves, they still had smiles on their faces .

 

[kwdw]

Number one tip - check the weather forecast AND believe it when folks tell you that 50 degrees in Florida can feel alot cooler than you think.

Other than that - don't underestimate the crowds either. Couple days I was there mid-Dec last year - you could not do a walk-up at a TS restaurant. Depending upon whether they are offering free dining may influence that, but I would make your ADR's for the places you really want to go.

Plan time to go see the resorts all decked out for the holidays. I think they were more impressive than the parks.

 

[NataliaVal]

We used to the Candlelight Processional and I believe everyone should try it at least once, but we're not huge fans. We typically avoid it on subsequent trips (unless someone we REALLY like is presenting the story). If you do go, be sure to bring something to sit on (even if it's just a sweater or jacket). The seats are metal (which means cold in the evening!) and uncomfortable..

Thanks a lot for the info! Just a question... was it necesary for you to buy the Candlelight Processional Package (dinner and seat revervations) or you could watch it without it?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We've done both. Going without the CP package you should get in line 45 min. to an hour before the show time (although you may get lucky and get a seat even if you get in line a few minutes before they let you in, we've done that a couple of times, of course these aren't the best seats but since there's not a whole lot going on action wise [I mean, the people are just standing there singing and the speaker stands at a podium so there's not a lot you would really have to be close to the action for], they served their purpose). It's usually easier to do this on CP's that are during the week and not on a Fri., Sat., or Sun.

The CP package, I believe, still just gives a designated section of seats to CP package holders. Sometimes there's a line for this as well, but you really don't have to get there early if you're not trying to get the best seats. When we went with the CP package we got there right as they were letting the CP package people in so we just filed in with everyone else and still got decent seats.

If there's a huge group of you, you may want to get there early to make sure you're all sat together (if that's important to you). People have a tendency to just spread out randomly leaving a few open spaces here or there on the benches.

I don't recommend this for a first time CP experience, but what we do now is when we're walking through the U.S. pavilion and the CP is going on, we stop and watch it from the back for 10-15 minutes. Standing along the outside you get generally the same view (just no seat ).

 

[carlbarry]

I've been three times in the first week of December. Each time there was at least 1 day warm enough to use the pool comfortably. However, it also can get quite cold. Last year when I went to Magic Kingdom, it was very comfortable during the day, and people dressed like it was Summer. However, when night came, I saw a LOT of freezing people. Some bought throws and towels and walked around wrapped in them. I got a good laugh when one woman wrapped in a throw was being yelled at by her pre-teen kids, "We TOLD you to dress warmly!"

 

[CruiseBoundnKY]

We are from KY and we're quite used to cold weather. With that said last year we went in early December and I have pics of us in front of the castle I had on thermal underwear, a sweater, a winter jacket and hat. DH was dressed just like he was at home the day we left plus thermals.

It was sooooo cold!!! They turned the jets off on Splash Mountain. We were the only 2 nuts in the boat. In our pic, you don't even see me because I'm under my jacket. That was the brief period of time when they were actually in operation, it was closed for awhile.

Swimming...not an option.

FYI, not all Wal-Marts in Florida sale thermals.

It was crazy, but fun. Memories!!! We made lots of memories. Cuddling up on the TTA was very cozy

Lesson to be learned...check the weather forecast and dress in layers.

 

[CariAnn]

Whether it's Disneyland or World, I almost always go the first half of November or December. What I have found, it's very very rarely "dead" because the lighter the crowds, the shorter the hours, less parades/fireworks and less ride vehicles in operation. That being said, there is noticeably less people there, during that time I don't think I've ever waited in line for an attraction for more than 20 minutes and we only use fastpasses at peak times of the day for top attractions. You will have a blast seeing all the Christmas decorations/festivities without the holiday crowds. If you have a chance, I also recommend the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Being on Main Street while Disney magic makes it snow, is worth the price of the ticket IMO.

 

[NataliaVal]

If you have a chance, I also recommend the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Being on Main Street while Disney magic makes it snow, is worth the price of the ticket IMO.

Thanks for the advice! I'm now a proud member of 3 MVMCP Tickets! Going December 6th! Can't wait to see the snow on MK *how do they do it??*

 

[Ro Z]

I agree with others watch the weather. It was very cold last year the 1st week in Dec. I thought I was prepared for cold BUT I didn't expect it to be colder than home (MA). Days were 50's and 60's. A few 70's and nites got down into the high 30's and 40's we woke up to freezing temps a couple days. But we had a great time. The decorations are beautiful. Don't forget the Osborne Lights. They have snow too. It was so cold the nite we went I think the snow might have been real!

 

[carlbarry]

Thanks for the advice! I'm now a proud member of 3 MVMCP Tickets! Going December 6th! Can't wait to see the snow on MK *how do they do it??*

It's not really snow. It is soap bubbles, from machines atop the light poles. I think it only looks like snow to people who haven't had the real experience LOL. And by the way, it all disappears well before hitting the ground. So it is kind of like a light snow flurry when the weather is too warm to allow the snow to "stick."