Planning to go in early December..Tips?

[DisneyBliss7]

I am already starting to plan our trip after this coming trip We are going with my cousin and her family, thinking about going early December 2014(leave on 11/30-12/7). I have never been to Disney or Florida in December. How are the crowds that time of month? The calendars I've looked at online don't seem that crowded except on weekends....And how's the weather that time of year? Will we be able to swim? I would love to see the xmas decorations they put up!!! Oh and is it extra to go to MVMCP? Thanks

 

[dzneelvr]

You will be amazed at WDW in it's full Christmas finery--nothing like it!Make some ADRs in the deluxe resorts so you can explore them as well as the parks. About 10 days before your trip, begin a daily watch of the weather forecast, as temps can range from the 80's to the 40's and you do want an idea of how to pack. Swimming will be answered by the weather you see. We've been able to swim and other year, not really. Definitely do the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT and the Osbourne Lights in DHS. We find the animals in AK to be so much more active and available in December, so plan a few safaris in your agenda. Since you've got awhile to plan, keep looking on the various forums around December. As far as resort discounts, I've been able to get one every December we've gone so far. They come late, so make your reservations well in advance and revise if the discounts come. We love love WDW in Early December and I know you will too

 

[DisneyBliss7]

You will be amazed at WDW in it's full Christmas finery--nothing like it!Make some ADRs in the deluxe resorts so you can explore them as well as the parks. About 10 days before your trip, begin a daily watch of the weather forecast, as temps can range from the 80's to the 40's and you do want an idea of how to pack. Swimming will be answered by the weather you see. We've been able to swim and other year, not really. Definitely do the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT and the Osbourne Lights in DHS. We find the animals in AK to be so much more active and available in December, so plan a few safaris in your agenda. Since you've got awhile to plan, keep looking on the various forums around December. As far as resort discounts, I've been able to get one every December we've gone so far. They come late, so make your reservations well in advance and revise if the discounts come. We love love WDW in Early December and I know you will too

Thanks! It's sounds wonderful to be there that time of year This will be the first time we surprise our kids that we are going to Disney. I have always wanted to do that, I'm not planning on telling them until the day we leave

 

[Barbydoll8]

You picked a good time for holiday at WDW. Crowds are a bit lower but it's still crowded but very managable.
Living in FL, Dec is a premium time to go. Weather can be hot or cold (well, cold to us FL peeps) so you probably will be able to swim since the pools are heated.
Plan on a light jacket to pack for night though.

Be sure to tour the hotels at holiday time. They are extra magical than normal. GF, BC, BW are some of my personal favs at holiday time.

If you can, MVMCP is worth it if you've never done it. It's crowded but special if you can get tix to go. Yes it's extra but it's special.

Have a wonderful time.

 

[GenGen22]

I am already starting to plan our trip after this coming trip We are going with my cousin and her family, thinking about going early December 2014(leave on 11/30-12/7). I have never been to Disney or Florida in December. How are the crowds that time of month? The calendars I've looked at online don't seem that crowded except on weekends....And how's the weather that time of year? Will we be able to swim? I would love to see the xmas decorations they put up!!! Oh and is it extra to go to MVMCP? Thanks

Yes, it does cost extra for MVMCP here's a link all about it w/last years prices so, you can get an idea about it: http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/mvmcp.htm

The weather isn't too bad but very unpredictable. One minute its hot the next it's raining. Bring a variety of things to wear and don't dress too heavy. It's easier to cover up than to dress down while at the parks. Bring ponchos as it has short spells of rain here and there.

The crowds are supposed to be light depending on what days you go we were there from 12/3-12/13 and the crowds were not bad at all even though Pop Warner was there...

 

[GenGen22]

You will be amazed at WDW in it's full Christmas finery--nothing like it!Make some ADRs in the deluxe resorts so you can explore them as well as the parks. About 10 days before your trip, begin a daily watch of the weather forecast, as temps can range from the 80's to the 40's and you do want an idea of how to pack. Swimming will be answered by the weather you see. We've been able to swim and other year, not really. Definitely do the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT and the Osbourne Lights in DHS. We find the animals in AK to be so much more active and available in December, so plan a few safaris in your agenda. Since you've got awhile to plan, keep looking on the various forums around December. As far as resort discounts, I've been able to get one every December we've gone so far. They come late, so make your reservations well in advance and revise if the discounts come. We love love WDW in Early December and I know you will too

I agree make ADR's at the deluxe resorts. I followed this advice and saw some really nice decorations. Like a life size gingerbread house etc. It was very festive.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

You picked the perfect time to go to WDW!! The Christmas decorations will be up for the most part! The Christmas parade taping for ABC is usually the first Saturday in December, so watch for that. Once the parade taping is done, the garlands will go up across main street, and the large tree will be put in place at MK.

MVMCP is an extra charge, but in my opinion it is well worth it. You get to see the Christmas parade, have free hot cocoa and cookies, snow on main street, and the park is just lovely! Special souvenirs are sold during MVMCP only, so if you are into pin collecting, there are limited pins available.

You should be able to swim in December. We were there 12/9 thru 12/16, and I did go swimming 3 or 4 times. Being from Wisconsin, Florida always seems warm! One night it was misting lightly, but I still went swimming. I was the only person in the entire pool at POFQ. I still remember when a man came into the pool after about 20 minutes, I was going to joke with him that it was getting too crowded, but he didn't look super friendly.

Enjoy your December planning, you picked a great time.