the world in december

[michmouse]

We are planning a trip for December 4-8 with dh, dgm, dd6, dd4, ds2, and ds2 (yes there are two 2 year olds). My last trip was May 03. Any information on weather, park crowds, etc. would be great. We are staying at WL, I have heard the Christmas decorations are the best there.

 

[mport]

We were there last year from 12/6-12/14
not that crowded except the filming of the Christmas parade the weekend when we got there. I remeber hearing something about the Magic Kingdom being filled to capacity, it was a mess. We left and went to the other parks and it was quiet and not overly crowded. Temps were in the mid 70's a few days it was low 80's.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

It is a great time to go, BUT be prepared for any kind of weather. Not sure what Texas weather is like, but compared to Northern Ill. its still a lot warmer than up here. Doesn't usually rain much, but I was in anything from sleveless to sweat shirt's during the day and jeans at nite. It can get windy there too. The crowds are worth caring the extra luggage !

Mky

 

[2MuchOhana]

We went the week before and of Christmas last year. I didn't find the crowds to be too bad. Obviously the crowds pick up the closer you get to Christmas. I hear that it is not as slow as it use to be; but we didn't find the wait times to be very long for anything. Personally, I love it there in December. It was a little cooler. I would say it was about an average mid to upper 70's during the day. Some were hotter and others cooler. The nights were on the cool side. So, if you want to go swimming with the kids I suggest doing it during the day. We hardly had any rain; and when it did it was while we were sleeping. The exception being the night we went to MVMCP, of course. But it wasn't enough to ruin our good time.

I suggest going to the party if you can. It was great! We are going back again this year; but will be leaving the day you arrive.

Have a Great Trip!

 

[Mickey4Me]

Early Dec is my favorite time for visiting the World! Great weather and low crowds PLUS the holiday decorations. WL will be beautiful! Enjoy your trip!

 

[erinz]

You have picked the best time to go! And the best resort to stay in during December (In my opinion). We stayed in the WL Dec 1999. When you first walk in you will be blown away by the tree and all the beautiful decorations!

The weather can be totally unpredictable. Days could range from like 50 to 85. Nights can be COLD! If you bring some clothes for every temperature you should be fine. Layers are good. I brought a very light nylon jacket which I got alot of use out of. It's supposed to be one of the dryest (sp?) times of the year, although I heard that Dec 2002 was nothing but rain....

The crowds are really low. You will love just walking onto rides!

Are you going to MVMCP? You MUST!!! We went two times last year and had a fantastic time!!! Try to go on either a Sunday or a Tues when the crowds will be lower. Fridays, it can get really crowded.

Also, try to eat a meal at The Whispering Canyon Cafe in WL. I think the dinners might be more fun than the lunches....but I'm not sure. The kids will love it.

Have a FANTASTIC time!!

 

[michmouse]

We are going to MVMCP on Sunday, Dec. 5. We also love the Whipering Canyon, we ate there twice on our last trip in May 03. We stayed at the WL also and I will have a hard time trying somewhere else.

I am really concerned with the line waits with 4 little ones. There will be 3 adults to hanle them, but I am still a little worried. Hopefully, this time of year there won't be any lines.

Any word on new discount codes for December?

P.S. Thanks for all your responses.

 

[TexasErin]

Hi, from a fellow Texan! We were there December 6-13 last year. Bring winter clothes!!! We left our gloves at our room when we went to the Candlelight Processional and we were very sorry! It was our first night and we did not realize how cold it would get after the sun went down. We tried to get our 1 year old to keep his hat and gloves on the rest of the days, but he wouldn't do it. His gloves got in the way of sucking his thumb- LOL. It was really cold in the mornings and at night. I mean, you don't need parkas or anything, but make sure to bring jackets and gloves- maybe hats to cover the little ones' ears if you have kids. My 7 year old DD insisted she did not need her gloves, but I sure wore mine.
Have fun and enjoy the WL! We stayed there for the last part of our trip and it was beautiful! The sleigh ride that leaves from there is a lot of fun, too (unless your kids have seen too much X-Files- don't ask ). It is a sleigh ride pulled by a horse through the woods around the WL. We refilled our mugs with hot chocolate and drank it on the sleigh ride. If you're interested, just keep your eyes open on the theme parks board and someone will post when it can start being booked.

 

[TexasErin]

I hate to tell you this but there are some lines. Just try to make the best use of fastpasses. We always go to Fantasyland first thing during Extra magic hour since lines are shorter (and a lot of the times nonexistent) first thing. We never waited in any line more than 20 minutes, but we did try to use FP whenever possible. Our 7 year old did okay and I knew she would- this was her 3rd trip. I was more worried about how our 13-month-old would do- he is a HANDFUL to say the least. The lines weren't so bad that we had a hard or bad time with him. They were manageable, but everything was not a walk-on, like I had incorrectly assumed from reading these boards. Like a previous poster said, the crowds have started picking up in December and from what I've heard aren't as light as they were in past years. You will have fun anyway- I just wanted to give you a heads up so you weren't disappointed.

 

[erinz]

TexasErin is right. There are going to be lines. I just meant that when there are no lines, you will love it. It seemed that in the MK, FantasyLand got the most crowded as the day went on, so you might want to go there first thing, or last thing (if you stay till closing). MGM also got pretty crowded toward the afternoon/evening we were there (Thursday). MK got crowded Friday afternoon. And ofcourse Sat. at MK is almost always crowded.

It was actually MVMCP that had the most "walk right on" rides.



Have fun!

 

[yecats]

I have done several vacations the first two weeks of December and it is really a wonderful time to go. If your heading there the 1st weekend of December, Disney usually films its holiday parade in the MK that weekend and it will really be crowded in MK on that Saturday. WL is wonderful to see during the holidays - really brings on that Northwest winter feel for x-mas. As for the weather, I agree with above posters, pack for everything. I have been there in December right when a cold front headed out and the temps reached in the 80's and I have also been there when the cold front moved in (like 2002) and it was 38 degrees at night. We saw families who had children in shorts and you could tell they were freezing (they bought them sweatshirts but didn't buy any pants). It can be from one extreme to the next. Good thing is that you generally don't get a lot of rain at that time of the year. Enjoy your trip.