Tell me... When, Where and Why.

[Rylee]

We have visited WDW many, many times in February and April, as well as once in May and once in July. We have decided we'd like to visit either, the week before or the week of Thanksgiving, or, the second week of December. (We are open to other times during the holidays, too, but not including Christmas day... hubby insist as long as one of the kids "believes", they have to wake up in their own beds, with their own tree, on xmas morning.) For those who have traveled during these times, please advise... crowds, weather, holiday specials and decorations, etc.

Also, which resort would you recommend? We have stayed at deluxe and value resorts. (Never a mod, but for no particular reason, other than depending on how many of us are going and how many rooms we need.) As we were discussing this, I said... a value resort since being unsure of the weather, I didn't know if we would have the chance to enjoy the pools, beach, etc. Hubby said... a deluxe since we'd probably spend more time there due to shorter park hours. (What's wrong with me... who am I to argue with him and why would I? hehe) Anyway, do you find the decorations better or more holiday spirit at one resort over another? For value, I'm leaning towards Pop, for deluxe, either Wilderness Lodge or Poly. We are open to other resorts, and I'm especially interested in trying POFQ... sometime.

So, please tell me when and where you would recommend, and why. Thanks.


Oh, one more thing... when traveling during the holidays, how much more chaos does it add to your home-life responsibilities? (Holiday prep... shopping, baking, decorating, etc.)

 

[dzneelvr]

Since you need to be home at Christmas, I'd forgo the December trip and go in November. The decorations are up and most of the events are going, so it's the best of both worlds. We've used the trip close to Christmas AS our holiday, and our family celebration was moved forward to February at home. I personally don't want to cram everything into one month (December) and have to live by a list of "to dos" for the entire time just to get through it Book your WDW trip when you can concentrate only on that--it's too much to make it just one more event during a very busy month (school, work, parties, shopping, baking, decorating, etc.). Our goal is to one day celebrate Christmas AT wdw, but for now, that would upset too many family members. There's always time to build new traditions As far as the where, we'd want to continue to enjoy a "northern" christmas, so would opt for WL over say the Poly. The values would be another excellent choice is price was an issue.

 

[HGD24]

My first trip to WDW was during Thanksgiving week with my parents and you couldn't pay me to go back during that week! My husband and took our first trip together the week before Thanksgiving and loved it! We left late on the Saturday before the holiday and you could tell that many families had arrived that day...there was a big difference in the crowds both at the resort and at the park that day. I say go the week before Thanksgiving....and have a great time!

 

[Rylee]

Thanks for responding and you touched on a sensitive topic at my house...

<< "Our goal is to one day celebrate Christmas AT wdw, but for now, that would upset too many family members. There's always time to build new traditions." >>

Sadly, I think a small part of my desire to visit during Dec., is to avoid all the demands and pressure from my SIL's. However, you're probably right, going the second week of December will probably add to the stress. BUT... we love xmas as much as Disney, so...

...about November, when are the decorations definitely up by and how are the crowds around Thanksgiving?

 

[Rylee]

I say go the week before Thanksgiving....and have a great time!

Is it decorated that early?

 

[Taja]

The second week of December is my favourite time to visit WDW! Partly due to my job (accounting), it's difficult to be away at the end or beginning of a month.

The deluxe resorts are decorated much more lavishly than the mods, the mods a bit more so than the values, and the lobbies in the values are very nicely decorated. I've stayed at all three (and visited all of the deluxe resorts) during the holidays, and they have the same services as they do at any other time.

BTW, the park hours this December are quite extended. We'll be at WDW December 7th through the 17th (have to be home for an open house the Saturday before Christmas--600 guests!), and MK is open until midnight the two Saturdays we are there, EMH for EPCOT on two Friday nights, EMH for DHS on two Sunday nights and EMH for MK on one Monday night. Whew! We're going to be busy! Good thing we're a bunch of night owls!

MK closes early four nights each week for MVMCP, but the other nights have pretty normal hours. EPCOT closes at 9:30 p.m., DHS at 8 or 9 p.m.. I'm not sure about AK--regular closing time is 5:00 p.m., due to the nature of the park. There is evening EMH one night, but I doubt we'll be there.

So tell your DH to expect pretty normal park hours in December!

 

[Taja]

Just reread the original post.

Weather is variable. Day time temps average 70s with overnight lows high 40s to low 50s. Be prepared for colder temps if the jet stream dips down or a cold front blows in. Layers are your friend! *LOL* Apart from the fact that we don't own really cold weather clothing, it's much easier to add and subtract layers as needed.

Decorations in the parks and deluxe resorts are beautiful! MVMCP (hard ticket) is terrific if your young ones can stay awake (7 pm until midnight). The daytime parades have a holiday overlay.

I have no idea what to expect this year for our December visit. I'm hearing that crowds are larger than previous years (2003 and 2004), but quite manageable. Just don't expect to walk on to popular rides and be sure to make ADRs well in advance.

 

[spiceycat]

Thankgiving each year has become more and more crowded.

so either of your other two weeks will be fine.

this year the Castle icing was not done until after Thanksgiving. So the second week on Dec - despite family - would be better just because of that one thing for me. (okay might be on Thanksgiving)

stay - WL of course - it is so beautiful. AKL is nice too. but wl because you are so close to the MK!

 

[Rylee]

Just reread the original post.

Weather is variable. Day time temps average 70s with overnight lows high 40s to low 50s. Be prepared for colder temps if the jet stream dips down or a cold front blows in. Layers are your friend! *LOL* Apart from the fact that we don't own really cold weather clothing, it's much easier to add and subtract layers as needed.

Decorations in the parks and deluxe resorts are beautiful! MVMCP (hard ticket) is terrific if your young ones can stay awake (7 pm until midnight). The daytime parades have a holiday overlay.

I have no idea what to expect this year for our December visit. I'm hearing that crowds are larger than previous years (2003 and 2004), but quite manageable. Just don't expect to walk on to popular rides and be sure to make ADRs well in advance.

Thanks for responding.

DH really likes the idea of going in Dec., so he'll be glad to know about the extended parks hours. (I was secretly hoping they would be shorter... if there's 7 minutes left until closing, he thinks that's 7 minutes to get in another attraction.)

 

[Rylee]

Thankgiving each year has become more and more crowded.

so either of your other two weeks will be fine.

this year the Castle icing was not done until after Thanksgiving. So the second week on Dec - despite family - would be better just because of that one thing for me. (okay might be on Thanksgiving)

stay - WL of course - it is so beautiful. AKL is nice too. but wl because you are so close to the MK!

I am interested in WL, but I was reading another thread and others were saying the bus rides to various places are very long. Have you found this to be true?

 

[spiceycat]

not really - but I only go to MK and Epcot (okay sometimes Studios) - but mostly just MK and Epcot when staying at VWL/WL.

epcot is about a 10 minute bus ride.

AK would be far - but that is true of all the MK resorts.

the lobbies at both WL and VWL are so beautifully decorated - that makes it worth it for me.

plus the major christmas shows are at MK and Epcot - Studios has the lights - but the shows are at MK and Epcot.

 

[HGD24]

Is it decorated that early?

The Friday before Thanksgiving, we arrived at MGM and found the park and characters decorated/outfitted for Christmas. That was 10 years ago and from what I've read on the boards recently, the decorations are going up early and early every year. The best thing to do is do a search or post a question to those that were there early this November.

Another plus to November is the weather is a bit warmer...

 

[rainbowtoad]

The Friday before Thanksgiving, we arrived at MGM and found the park and characters decorated/outfitted for Christmas. That was 10 years ago and from what I've read on the boards recently, the decorations are going up early and early every year. The best thing to do is do a search or post a question to those that were there early this November.

Another plus to November is the weather is a bit warmer...

I went a few years ago the week of Thanksgiving and the first part of the week it was not crowded at all but as each day got closer to Thanksgiving more people were around.

I have also read that the Christmas decorations started going up November 1st this year!

I agree with your husband to stay at a deluxe hotel and I would go for the WL just because I think the Christmas decorations would be for me a reminder of home.