Just Back!

[dmen]

Just back! Had a fantastic time despite some really average to really bad weather. Still the holiday decorations were amazing. And our vacation was absolutely magical. We stayed for 10 nights at Yacht Club, Royal Pacific (Universal) and Grand Floridian! Any questions??? I plan to write more in depth reviews under separate threads regarding my stay at each of the wdw hotels, all the restaurants where we ate, and a brief universal report. Thanks to all who helped me plan my trip and make it perfect over the past year! Also, we only saw one person wearing lime green ribbons. Of course, I shouldn't complain since I wasn't wearing them either!

 

[Muffy]

Welcome back!

 

[Misti]

Welcome back! It is so tough to predict the weather in Florida. Sorry to hear you had so-so conditions. I know they had a rainy spell for a bit there. Definately rare in December.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Welcome home! I was just curious what were the exact dates you were there and the usual question...how were the crowds? We are thinking of going down next year at the beginning of December. Thanks!

 

[dmen]

thank you! as sweet as it is for all of you to wish me a welcome home, i wish i were still there!!!!

anyway, i would DEFINITELY return in december. i can't even begin to put into words how gorgeous the decorations were and how special it felt to see the candlelight processional and osborne lights. my MVMCP was a disaster though, although someday i hope to experience it in all its glory.

we visited from 12/6-12/15. i had heard this was a great time for crowds and weather. i must say, i was slightly disappointed in both regards, but the holiday atmosphere definitely made up for it.

our weather ranged from 45 degrees on a few cold nights to 80 degrees on a warm day. but the average was about 60 at night and 68 during the day. we did use the hot tub about 5 days and the pool on 2 days. it was a little chilly but nice not to be in a crowded pool area. the biggest disappointment in terms of weather was the rain. A LOT OF IT! dec. is NOT rainy season at all and one of the dryest times of the year, which made it extra annoying. we had 4 days of what i would call several hours of MAJOR rain--think torrential buckets forcing you to walk through 3 inch puddles pretty much everywhere and tornado warning winds. luckily 1 of those days was at universal studios. another one of those days, it only lasted a few hours in the early morning. another day was slight rain all day, but the worst weather of all during our MVMCP--no fireworks, no parade, unbearable weather (but the lines were non-existent), and then the last day was the morning of tornado warnings when we stayed at the hotel until noon and then it cleared up, but we were especially disappointed that morning since it was the night of our CP package and the packages were booked for the rest of our trip (we just had the weekend left). luckily it cleared up!

as for crowds, they were there but not bad ones like you would experience in the summer or other times. universal was completely walk on with no waits at all, but disney was more crowded especially MK and MGM. however if you used the early morning and did all the good rides then and then went over to another park and used fast pass for the popular rides, you never had to wait long. and the shows always seemed to have plenty of room. definitely do the package if you want to see the candlelight processional.

i think dec. is a great time to visit and would recommend it!
good luck. i hope to return during this time again!

 

[lisajl]

Thanks for the info..we are leaving Friday. Good to know about it all ahead of time.

You know, we have only visited in Dec. I don't know what I would do if I could not see those beautiful Christmas decorations!

Thanks again!
Lisajl

 

[dmen]

have a great trip! hopefully, the rain will have moved on by now and you can have some clear weather. i do think dec. is the best time to visit!