Visiting in early December and have a few questions

[Joey128]

We are planning on going to WDW in early December. I understand it's one of the least crowded times of the year. The park hours will be shorter, and I'm wondering if that will be a problem? I assume that since the parks won't be as crowded then maybe the shorter hours won't be a problem. Also, is the weather too cool to consider swimming at the resort pool? And the last thing my DD is worrying about is whether all the Christmas decorations and lights will be up at that time of year? Thanks for any info!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have gone the first week of December. The lights were all up. The weather was nice. It did get chilly in the evenings. A light jacket and/or a sweatshirt was fine. We did swim only once or twice as it wasn't super hot out. There were many people swimming though. The crowds were not bad. They were filming the Kelly and Regis Christmas Parade when we were there. It still didn't cause any problems for us. Overall we had a great trip. We even went to the MVMCP. That was very crowded but we went on a Friday or Saturday so that was poor planning on our part. Make sure you see the Osborne Lights at DHS. They bring tears to your eyes. You will have a great trip!

 

[Vility]

we are loosely planning a December 2010 trip to disney the first week of december and were wonder the same things

 

[LovePug]

Early December is my favorite time to go. The decorations and atmosphere are beautiful. During our first trip, it got downright cold at night, but the daytime hours were wonderful. The second trip, the nights didn't get nearly as cold and I was comfortable in a hoodie/sweatshirt and a light jacket. Dressing in layers is key for this time of year (forget about packing light). I've gotten very lucky with the weather at this time of year, but I have read that the temperature can really vary from year to year.

I haven't found that the shorter hours have been any problem at all. I've always gotten more done during off-season trips with shorter hours than other times with longer hours. I've pretty much walked on everything during off-season, even when I read trip reports from others that it was crowded for them when they were there at the same time as I. I can only attribute that to the fact that I avoid EMH like the plague and go to the park that had EMH the night before. This has worked perfectly for me every time.

I'd be going back again this year in early December if I could, but my vacation time doesn't replenish until January.

 

[DISNEYNV]

Yes, the lights and décor is up and it's beautiful! We were there early December last year and when we arrived it was cold and when we left it was near 80! We swam in the pool and wore winter hats all in one week! I packed for every occassion. Mostly wore shorts during the day but at night needed jeans and a jacket. Definately check out the other resorts during your stay. The GF and Wilderness Lodge are awesome

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

It's also our most favorite time to visit (but I like to visit anytime of the year). Anyway, Lights are up, hotel decorations are up, smaller crowds, weather to me is perfect... Just a few negatives though...
- Like someone said earlier temps will vary from one end of the spectrum to the other (but most pools are heated so you could still go if you so choose)
- Hours are shorter
- Spectromagic isn't shown every night so, check the schedules closely if you want to see it
- In addition to the hours being shorter, if it is a MVMCP, the hours are even shorter at MK, if you plan on being there and not going to MVMCP.
- The Xmas parade is usually taped first week in December, so that could be a good thing, but it does create crowds and traffic jams (people traffic jams) along mainstreet and in front of the castle.

But all these things can be worked around. It's a different WDW at this time and it's super magical. Gets you in the holiday spirits too. Have fun!
-Virginia

 

[micheleq]

December at WDW was great!

Temps. so vary, but we had 80's a few days and swam with no problem - I think all the pools are heated.

Bring layers, a rain coat/poncho, just be prepared for anything.

Check the hours before -- the great schedule here on wdwinfo was so helpful to me -- with MVMCP you have to check and see what's going on the other nights -- Spectro, Wishes, etc. A little planning helps.

My kids are small, so shorter park hours weren't an issue for us. But, there's always a park open late for EMH.

If you go the second week of December, just check for the Pop Warner schedule, they have a party one night at HS so you'll want to avoid that.

It was so magical! The Jingle Jungle Parade at AK was excellent, and my kids got to meet many characters in holiday costumes. And we had a great picture for our Christmas card last year. Enjoy!!

 

[RMulieri]

The parks are LESS crowded.Not dead. You will still have waits, just not awful waits. The weather is variable. I have had 80 degree days and 50 degree days in the same week.

 

[Joey128]

Oh! Thank you all so much for responding so quickly! I am very relieved to hear you all thought it was a great time to go. I had read that, and it is a good time for our schedule, but I just had those few nagging doubts. I'm happy I asked because now I can feel so much more positive about our decision to go in the 'off season' without missing out too much on the experience! We went about 6 years ago the week after Christmas and my one daughter couldn't join us and ever since we've wanted to take her back to experience the beauty of Disney at Christmas, however; we did not want to deal with those crowds again so this seemed like a good compromise. I will make sure we pack in layers (great hint!) and hope for the best with the weather, but I'm sure it's worth the risk. It sure will make DH happy not to deal with the heat and the enormous crowds! Thanks again. Joey

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I LOVE early December!!! My favortie time to go!! We have been many times in early December.

As many have posted the weather is all over the place. We've had trips when it was HOT, trips when it was freezing, and trips with hot days and cold days all in the same week. This is the one bad thing about traveling during this time, you have to pack for everything. Even if the forcast says it's going to be hot pack for cold weather as well and vice-versa.

Crowds are lower than peek season but I have noticed a bit of crowd pick up over the last few years.

We love Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. I enjoy the atmosphere of the party. Ride lines are also usually very short at the parties. Sometimes we will do the party twice in a trip. Once to enjoy all that the party has and the other to just ride the rides as much as we want. My daughter's favorite ride is Peter Pan and "usually" at the MVMCP we can just walk right on over and over again. That sure beats a 30-60 minute wait during park hours. So it's woth it for us to do that so that we can enjoy the rides to our hearts content.

Have fun!!!!

 

[kupperman]

I LOVE early December!!! My favortie time to go!! We have been many times in early December.

As many have posted the weather is all over the place. We've had trips when it was HOT, trips when it was freezing, and trips with hot days and cold days all in the same week. This is the one bad thing about traveling during this time, you have to pack for everything. Even if the forcast says it's going to be hot pack for cold weather as well and vice-versa.

Crowds are lower than peek season but I have noticed a bit of crowd pick up over the last few years.

We love Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. I enjoy the atmosphere of the party. Ride lines are also usually very short at the parties. Sometimes we will do the party twice in a trip. Once to enjoy all that the party has and the other to just ride the rides as much as we want. My daughter's favorite ride is Peter Pan and "usually" at the MVMCP we can just walk right on over and over again. That sure beats a 30-60 minute wait during park hours. So it's woth it for us to do that so that we can enjoy the rides to our hearts content.

Have fun!!!!

I agree that the crowds have started to pick up at that time of year. I guess the secret is out. But if you plan correctly, it will be fine. We're going back this year around that time too.

 

[rw_hadley]

I LOVE early December as a time to visit!
I'd go every year at that time if I could!

I do want to underscore what some others have said:
you need to be ready for any kind of weather.
We were last there in December, 2006, and we were able to swim outside comfortably with no problem.
Yet, one night we were on a boat launch to the MK (I think), and the wind blowing off the water was COLD.
(I live in Minnesota, so I think I can speak to cold. )
I was only wearing a light jacket though.

On the other hand, cool weather can work to your benefit: one of our last days, the weather was a bit cool by FL standards (but fine for Minnesotans), and the Magic Kingdom was practically empty!

Enjoy your visit. (Do try to get around to see the decorations at the various resorts. Oh, and Epcot is just gorgeous! And the Osborne Spectacle of Lights! And... I could go on for quite some time!)

 

[TikiGoddess]

We too are planning a trip for Dec. 2010. It's a trip for 26, and I, the Disney geek, am trying to get everyone on board to not go Christmas week, but instead go the first or second week of Dec.
Give me an idea of what the crowds are like then. We've been at the end of January (my fave time to go) so we're familiar w/the chillier weather. My real ace in hole would be crowds. Can you give me an idea of wait times at that time of the year? Also I'd like an idea of #s at MVMCP. We've done all the other parties and would like to try this one out as well.
Thanks in advance!

 

[DisneyBrat]

We too are planning a trip for Dec. 2010. It's a trip for 26, and I, the Disney geek, am trying to get everyone on board to not go Christmas week, but instead go the first or second week of Dec.
Give me an idea of what the crowds are like then. We've been at the end of January (my fave time to go) so we're familiar w/the chillier weather. My real ace in hole would be crowds. Can you give me an idea of wait times at that time of the year? Also I'd like an idea of #s at MVMCP. We've done all the other parties and would like to try this one out as well.
Thanks in advance!

I think the second week of Dec is Pop Warner week now. From reading many post its very BUSY with that event. Maybe check with others that have been there during Pop Warner. Good luck on planning such a huge undertaking with 26!!!!! You're a VERY brave person LOL

 

[Flesner]

I just read on the Pop Warner website that this year it's the week of Dec 7 - 11.