Those with December Experience

[Mary2816]

We've never been to WDW in December. We are soooo looking forward to it. My question is the crowds...light or heavy? We will be there from the 3rd thru the 10th. For those of you with experience from this time of year, please give me an idea of what to expect. Are there any days/times to avoid or see certain attractions/parades...etc. Thanks so much for any ideas/advice.

 

[JimFitz]

Tagging along.

 

[sorcerermick]

Tagging along here too...going to be there same week for the first time

 

[bobbiwoz]

We go a bit later because I'm in school, but we were very happy with the crowd size last year from the 18th to the 21st. It got heavier as we went along, but managable. We didn't go to any parks on the 22nd, we went around to look at all of the resorts. It was very chilly/cold in the evenings!
We did use the Fantasmic package so we didn't have to wait for that, and the Osborne lights really didn't have terrible crowds. We also did a Candlelight Processional dinner package, and had good seats, even though we were so surprised at the length of the line for CP even on "our" side, we were seated, towards the left as you face the stage, but not in a bad position. I would bring blankets for your legs, just in case you have the sort of weather we had. We will bring them next year for sure.

Bobbi

 

[JudithM]

A few thoughts come to mind -

Weather can be iffy - some days it can be warm with temps in the 70s & 80s, & you can go swimming. Other days have been cold, & we wore winter clothes.

Check the times schedule for parades, fireworks, etc. For example most Decembers we have been at the MK, Spectromagic only ran on two nights. If iit is a must see for you, then plan accordingly.

If you get a chance, & if you enjoy the Christmas holiday decorations, then try to resort hop & see how the different resorts decorate for Christmas.

 

[CarolMN]

Crowds are light - we never wait more than 5 - 10 minutes for anything. If the line is longer when we arrive at an attraction, we just do it later when there isn't a line, LOL! The parades and nighttime shows are crowded, though. Don't mind that.

We enjoy:

MVMCP (MK) - especially the shows and the Christmas parade.
Osborne Lights (MGM)
Candlelight Processional (EPCOT)
Holidays around the World (EPCOT)
Tree Lighting Ceremonies (all the parks & DTD, but especially at EPCOT, which has the Lights of Winter)
Resort decorations - at all the deluxe resorts, incl Swan/Dolphin
Holiday Tag after IllumiNations (Disney did this for the first time last year and it was simply awesome! Hope it becomes a tradition)!!!
Yuletide Fantasy Tour (OK, I think we'll enjoy it, we're doing it for the first time this year)

You are going to fall in love with this time of the year at WDW and see for yourself why reservations are so hard to get at the DVC resorts in early December. I first went at this time in 1998. Have been back every year since and so far, I just cannot bring myself to skip a year!

Best wishes -

 

[carol1231]

Holiday Tag after IllumiNations (Disney did this for the first time last year and it was simply awesome! Hope it becomes a tradition)!!!
-

What is this event? This will be our first December trip too, and I haven't heard of this. More info please....

 

[dianeschlicht]

We too love this time at WDW! Crowds at the parks are low for the most part, but you might want to stay away from MK and MGM on the weekends, as that's when the locals hit those. Epcot seems to be large enough that it doesn't matter on weekends.

We love the slower pace at this time as well as the decorations and special shows etc. Sure the parks close early, but we compensate for that by doing Epcot later in the day each day after the other parks close. Candle light processional is our favorite, and I love to watch the lights of winter. I could sit and watch that for hours if need be! Sure, the weather can be iffy, but never so bad as it is at home, so we don't mind that part. The advantage this time has over early January (another time when there are no lines), is that most things will be open and operating because of the holiday themes. In January, you can run into quite a few rehabs that might be closed.

 

[vettechick99]

I went the weekend before Xmas several years ago (it was like Dec 15-17 or something). The crowds were really, really manageable, but we could tell when we checked out that things were picking up.

I think the week you picked will be great but as far as weather, FL isn't so easy to predict. It's usually on the chilly side...I wear layers so that I can shed easily as it heats up. I do remember going in late December several years ago and it was so cold it had to be about 30 degrees (it was the year a cold front came in - it was awful!).

So in a nutshell, crowds will be manageable, decorations fantastic, and the weather good! Have fun!

 

[go cowboys]

You have chosen the best time to see WDW.

We go every year after Thanksgiving/first week of December. The resorts are great the decor is unbelievable and the crowds are manageable. Try to get the dates for Mickeys Christmas Party and buy tickets. It gives you extra time in MK without all the crowds and great parades. It even snow on main street. The parades are super! Pay attention to every sense you have as even the gingerbread cookies smell like gingerbread!

The candlelight processional is nice too. It is a neat way to hear the Christmas story, hear great carols and get in the Christmas spirit. If you buy ahead of time we gat priority seating at an Epcot restaurant and reserved seats so we did not have to get there early. Check the dates and see which celebrity will be narrarating. We had Gary Sinese our first year and Lavar Burton the next. We skipped it all last year.

Weather is hit and miss. One year we were buying wool at Norway and the next we would swim in the afternoon. Pack for both.

PM if you need any more specifics.




2005 WL
2004 GF concierege
2004 GF
2003 Gf
2003 GF, WL, DL
2002 DL
2001 Off site Peabody
2000 WL

 

[CarolMN]

What is this event? This will be our first December trip too, and I haven't heard of this. More info please....

The Holiday Tag was a special fireworks show that occurred right after IllumiNations. We were staying at the BWV and could actually feel the explosions in our room. The dispaly was so amazing - best I've seen at WDW to date - well best I've seen in person anywhere!!

Best wishes -

 

[twotoohappy]

We've never been to WDW in December. We are soooo looking forward to it. My question is the crowds...light or heavy? We will be there from the 3rd thru the 10th. For those of you with experience from this time of year, please give me an idea of what to expect. Are there any days/times to avoid or see certain attractions/parades...etc. Thanks so much for any ideas/advice.

It's a great time to meet other DVC'ers. This first week is sometimes tricky to get, but you'll have no problems at 11months out. Check out all the resorts, the decorations are great (esp. BC/WL)
This week can get a little busy in the parks because it's Pop Warner week. (boys football championships and girls cheerleading competition - do a search for more info). If one place gets too crazy with teenagers we just go to a different park. Usually MGM will close early that Fri. for a Pop Warner party.
MK closes early for MVMCP nights.
Definately do MVMCP. Tickets are on sale now. You can get your PS now too when you book your tickets. We eat at LTT because the characters dress up in "Christmas " clothes.
It's a beautiful time of year! (bring a sweatshirt/pants because some nights are very cold) Lots of resorts have Christmas activities going on too.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Mary,
As others have said - you have picked a great time to go, and my favorite. We go in the first weekend of December almost every year (this year we will be going later to accomodate schedules of other family members). The Thanksgiving crowds have gone and the Christmas/New Year crowds have not yet arrived. The weather can be cool/cold, but for me that adds to the atmosphere. You may even get to see them taping the Christmas parade in MK for ABC.
Mike

 

[Pinmaniac]

We have gone the week after Thanksgiving for the last two years. The first year was awesome - virtually no crowds. Last year was still great but the crowds were much higher than expected. That being said I have to agree with everyone else. This is the perfect time to visit. Weather is hit or miss (short sleeves last year, freezing the year before). The decorations are terrific. As new DVC'ers we are really looking forward to our VWL stay this Dec.

 

[Doug7856]

We have been during December about 5 times. The most recent was December 1 - 5, 2004. We found it to be more crowded than previous visits -- especially on the weekend and at MVMCP. The weather this past year was O.K. The Weather Channel forcast was for high 60's and low 70's, but it felt a lot colder on some of the days. We still enjoyed it and the cool was much better than 90's in the summer!

We loved all of the parks but Magic Kingdom and Epcot are our favorites at Christmas!

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

I went for the first time last year, 2nd week of December. The days I spent pre-Disney in Tampa were warm enough to sun bathe BUT the weekend at the parks was pretty cold at night...So packing for warm and cold weather is a must and then just HOPE.
All of the above were great fun. The only crowds were Osbourne Lights..but it was just 'walking' through, so it really didn't matter so much. And we did it after Fantasmic when everyone was doing it...so if you have time, do it DURING Fantasmic and then see Fantasmic another night!

The decorations are always so pretty and get you into the Xmas mood for when you go home! Stayed at the AKL for 2 nights and it was sold out for the weekend (Dec 11 and 12) but I really didn't feel that it, or the parks, were crowded.

 

[lllovell]

I get giddy like a little girl when I go during this time of year...so much that hubby says "SLOW DOWN" because I find myself wanting to run from ride to ride since there are minimal lines, etc. Its beautiful and you will love it!

The must do list was great. I really really liked the MVMCP, but we went the Sunday after Thanksgiving and it was very crowded, so I would try to go to a weeknight party if possible for the crowds to be more managable!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I get giddy like a little girl when I go during this time of year...

Oh, I TOTALLY agree! I absolutely LOVE the Christmas decorations and festivities. EB (DH) has never been to Disney during this time of year and I am so incredibly anxious to experience this with him...and of course our little princess! I'm already planning on where we'll get her picture taken!

I really do not mind the chilly nights...you just have to be prepared for them.

 

[ti2xgrr]

we were there the first week in December last year and had a great time. The only thing was that the pee wee superbowl and a cheerleading competition were that week so there were alot of kids (we don't have any so we notice). Make sure to go to Mickey's christmas party it was well worth the price. We usually go in January when it is really slow so it was somewhat busier than we are used to, but we enjoyed ourselves and all the Christmas decorations. Be sure to go see the decorations and the other hotels.

 

[CharlesTD]

We go the first 2 weeks of Dec and the crowds are very light we have never had anything longer than a 5 minute wait for any attraction or for a bus or boat and they are not ever very crowded. We love Dec it is so great all the decorations and the weather tends to be perfect whenever we have been there. You will love it have a great time.