Help for a December trip!!

[janer03]

Okay, We finally decided to pick Dec. over Nov. for our trip. We are pretty sure on the 8th-16th and we will stay at ASMovies - hopefully in the Buzz and Woody building. (picking that for our twin boy's who will be 5 in Aug.) There will be 4 adults and 3 children going. (our DD will turn 10 on Dec. 13th) So, she would like to go to Chef Mickey's for dinner. Other than that, what are the "Must Do's"? Do we really need to do the MVMCP? My in-law's say that the Candlelight Processional is beautiful but, would probably be boring for the boy's. What else? I just don't want to over plan the trip but I don't want to miss out on the important things for the children! Also, for all you Dec. experts, how are the crowds this week? I wanted to miss Thanksgiving crowds, the pop warner week, the taping of Regis and Kelly Christmas Parade! (need to consider the crowd level in the planning, too). Thanks

 

[mla2177]

I went around that week years ago, and I didn't think the crowds were too bad! Hopefully, that hasn't changed!!!!!!!

 

[laceemouse]

You need to be aware of the fact that PRIOR to the last MVMCP you will NOT be able to see the Christmas parade or fireworks. You will see the usual stuff at MK unless you go to the party. We skipped the party when our kids were younger because we felt we would not get our $$$$ worth not being able to stay until the end. Our last trip, last December, our youngest was 8 and we did the party and had a GREAT time! There are lots of special shows and stuff as well as the Christmas parade and fireworks. So, it really just depends on if you really want to see that stuff or not. We have done the CP twice, and even when our kids were much younger we all enjoyed it. It is beautiful, and I would hate for you to miss it. I have to say that our kids are used to sitting in church so it was no biggy for them to sit though, although comparing it to church is not really fair because it is much more grand and beautiful. Only you can decide it your kids will like it. There are still plenty of other Christmas things you can do if you skip MVMCP and CP, like OSL, but you would be missing two of the main things people go to WDW at Christmas for. If you plan to go again at Christmas soon I guess you should wait until the twins are older, if not I would personally hate to miss those things KWIM? We also had fun touring all of the deluxe resorts to see the decorations, going to DTD, and stuff like that. Really depends on your kids likes/dislikes. HTH!

 

[laceemouse]

Crowds should be moderate because schools are not out yet, but I imagine it will be heavier than it was if you went many years ago. There is hardly a "slow" time at WDW anymore. We went the week after that last year and still had a great time, just plan for crowds, use FP, get ADRs, ect....

 

[BraveMom3]

My three children and I just changed our ressies from Thanksgiving to Dec 16-Dec 22. We decided that it would be less hectic than at Thanksgiving due to rushing back to school, plus we can stay at least one night longer! I'm also curious about how the crowds will be compared to Thanksgiving week.

 

[Princess Amy]

Thanksgiving is a crowded time to visit Disney..but then again now a days anytime you visit Disney it is crowded. We went the first week of December 2004 thinking it would not be crowded. Well at least that is what the boards and the travel planning books had said. I was amazed that it WAS crowded. Now I am not talking wall to wall people but the popular rides still were 1-2 hour wait. The good thing about going in December is that it is not hot, so standing in line isn't half as bad. Also the decorations are up. They would not be up for Thanksgiving. So to answer your question...honestly...yes I think it will be crowded, but not to where you will be pulling your hair out and yelling at your children

 

[inloveindisney]

Yes, you really need to do MVMCP! Especially if you have kids!
I went the first week of december last year and it was PERFECT! Not many crowds at all. It was crowded at Magic Kingdom on the days they were taping the parade, but that was about it. Oh, and we were in the middle of the street when they turned on the osbourne lights and it was really very crowded then. It took us forever to get out of there. HINT to everyone: don't take your stroller to the osbourne lights. I felt really bad for those people. some were just stuck in one place unable to move for a very long time.

 

[janer03]

bump....

 

[Terk-1]

I found the MK to be a bit more crowded on the weekends than during the week (more locals). I'd pass on the party, where they are still pretty little. They will most likely be showing the parade during the afternoon (instead of the magical moments one). The Candlelight Processional is beautiful, but the little one's may not want to sit through it. If you can do the kids club at the Beach Club for the little one's, this would be really lovely to see for you and your husband. I would take some time to check out the resorts in the MK area (specifically the Grand Floridian and the Wilderness Lodge), as well as the Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk. All of them are decorated beautifully and have wonderful gingerbread displays. I would also take advantage of the AM EMH, especially at the MK. We did this and had all of Fantasyland and most of Tomorrowland done before the rest of the park opened.