Second guessing myself...is Dec. a bad time to take my children?

[wrldpossibility]

Let me explain. I have young children, and have booked a 10 day trip (our first) for next Dec. 10-20. I'm very excited, and originally picked this time for the decorations, the cooler weather, the fewer crowds, and the fact that I can back it up to Christmas vacation, so my kids only have to take a few days off of school.

But now I'm starting to worry that I'm taking an already busy and exciting time for kids (Christmas season), and adding to their state of hyper-active frenzy. Not that they're usually like that, but it WILL be Christmas time and Disney time at the same time! For other parents of young kids...is it tough to do Disney when kids are already excited for Christmas? My kids are too young to go with the idea of having the Disney trip BE our Christmas gift (although we'll go light...they still believe in Santa and wouldn't understand that like older kids would). So on top of making an exciting time maybe TOO exciting, I'm making a busy time of year for ME busier. I'll try to have all Christmas-related shopping and planning done before the trip, but will it be very tiring to come home from a Disney trip and immediately get ready for Christmas in 5 days? Am I nuts?! Plus the kids will have lots of souvenirs; even going light on Christmas gifts, will I turn them into greedy little spoiled Disney brats?!

My only other choice is to wait and go in June (a year and a half away), which I hoped to avoid due to heat and crowds. Other times of year work for us but not my parents (both teachers) whom we're taking with us. The idea of going to Disney when nothing else (like Christmas) is going on sounds attractive.

I wish we could go in Jan. after Christmas...the kids will have had the holiday and be less excitable. But it's not an option...the week AFTER Christmas is too crowded for us, then the grandparents go back to teaching. So if you've gone this time of year, how do you deal with the holiday excitment? I've made my kids sound like animals, lol, but they're really just normal small kids!

 

[runwad]

We're planning a trip down for Christmas vacation too and I wasn't really concerned about getting the kids too hyped up. From everything I read it's a beautiful time to go to DW. We went this past October and I never thought it would be 90 and humid at that time of year but it was. That is not for us so no way would we do summer, I think before Christmas sounds perfect with the cooler temps and lower crowds (hopefully) and all the Christmas decorations. I'm sure the kids will be fine, yes they'll be excited but don't they get just as excited doing extra activities at Christmas time anyway? We do breakfasts with Santa, been on the Polar Express and lots of Holiday Parties I don't see where this is too much different from all that. I mean kids get excited at everything not just Disney, at least mine anyway. Go and have fun. I think it'll be a great time.

 

[zalansky]

No you're not nuts! December is one of my favorite times in Disney. My only concern for you would be if the kids wanted to go swimming, it will be too cold for that - but that's all you'll miss out on. Since we live in Fl, we always go for a long weekend in December, which depends on Candlelight Processional at Epcot. We've been the past two years and its great. You might want to look into Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party, if you haven't already. We have not done that, just because our kids aren't old enough yet. But I hear it is alot of fun. I agree with the pp, I don't see why the kids will get any mnore excited than they would any other time of year. The decorations are so pretty and being at Disney makes the holidays seem even more magical. You'll have a fantastic time!!!
June is wayyyyy to hot and crowded, I would never suggest going at that time of year unless you HAD to. Where will you be staying?

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

We went down the first week of December. It was wonderful. The decorations are wonderfull, no crowds, no heat (a little chilly), Candelight Processional. Learning how the different countries celebrate Christmas. It was just an awesome trip.

Coming back home to the stress of Christmas was not great. Shopping, decorating, cookies, etc. was very rushed. This Christmas I did feel that we were crossing things off the 'to do" list rather than enjoying the moment. Plus the homework! My kids were 10, 8,8,5 and 3 at the time, it took us all of Christmas Break to catch up.

I am *very* happy that we went to WDW before Christmas. For us it was a trip of a lifetime, because be won't be going back in December for many years. I think everyone should go to Disney in December atleast once.

 

[Disneyrsh]

For me, being rather nutty about christmas, going to disney for the first week of december was an excellent way to get me out of my own head (cookies, parties, wrapping, planning) and just enjoy the sheer spirit of christmas.

The girls weren't any more excited about Christmas that year than any other, and it's been our favorite trip in the 30+ times we've been. You just have to leave the material worries of christmas behind for those 10 days and just enjoy being there.

So, you don't get as much shopping, cooking, planning or partying done. Big deal! You won't miss it.

 

[wrldpossibility]

Keep them coming! You made me realize that it'll be GOOD that I get less "Christmas" stuff done...this year will be my excuse to simply do less during the holidays. I tend to go a little overboard making it "perfect".

And I know while in Disney I'll have the chance to just appriciate the holiday spirit. Zalansky, will we really not be able to swim?! We're staying at POR, and I thought the pools were heated. We're from cold, rainy Oregon...my kids will swim in the northern Pacific in Dec. if I'd let them! They're definitely excited about the pools. I know it depends on the weather, but in general? Just want to be prepared!

 

[kellyg403]

We went in Dec though my youngest was 9 and understood the less for christmas because the trip was part of their gift. I will say though, I agree with others. I didn't do alot of things I normally do for others, didn't do virtually any baking and since I knew when we were going early, shopped early and avoided alot of the crowds. So, it made christmas time a little more relaxing and FORCED me to ahead of myself for once! Enjoy. We loved the light crowds, the good cool weather and are already planning for 2007!

Kelly

 

[Nicolepa]

And I know while in Disney I'll have the chance to just appriciate the holiday spirit. Zalansky, will we really not be able to swim?! We're staying at POR, and I thought the pools were heated. We're from cold, rainy Oregon...my kids will swim in the northern Pacific in Dec. if I'd let them! They're definitely excited about the pools. I know it depends on the weather, but in general? Just want to be prepared!

From a fellow Northwesterner....

The weather will vary greatly. There have been some years that we have been able to swim and others when it just wasn't going to happen. (Coldest daytime temp was in the 30's, warmest was in the 90's.) Pack your suits and play it by ear. The pool will be warm but getting out may be very cold. Usually it is warm enough for a quick swim (60's).

 

[zalansky]

When we were there this past December it was too cold to swim, even for the northerners . I am originally from NY, but have been living in Florida 15 years now so swimming in even 70 degree weather is foreign to me. But, my nephews did it when they were here in november! Like the PP said, the weather can go many different ways. Bring your suits - if you're here 10 days hopefully you'll get a few days in to swim....even if you have to make a mad dash from the pool to your room!