Week before X-Mas or 2nd week of January & MVMCP Y or N?

[chrisn]

Ok, need your advice. We've been to WDW 5 times and always at end of February/First of March except once when we went at the end of January first of February. DD graduates in June and will be continuing with the rest of her generals in the Fall so the February thing is not going to work anymore. I'm starting the planning stages for our next WDW trip and with her breaks we would have the option of the week before X-mas or 1st-2nd week of Jan. I'd love to see the parks in all their glory for the holidays but will that week before be total gridlock? And is there a huge difference in weather between December/Jan?

Is MVMCP a must if we decide on December? I know nothing of this at all. We are not parade people AT ALL. I know most people love them but really we just get bored. Is it all about a parade or is it much more then that?

And if you would be so kind as to indulge me, fill me in on Candlelight Processional (I think that's what it's called) at EPCOT? Thanks so much!

 

[nativetxn]

MVMCP is more than parades but if I were going to have to choose between the week before Christmas and after January 1st, I would choose the time after the new year.

The crowds are much more manageable after Christmas. The week before Christmas is the busiest week they have at WDW.

Katholyn

 

[danny1649]

Week before Christmas,to see all the parks and resorts decorated for the holidays is awesome.The crowds will be a little heavier each day closer to Christmas but still not the huge crowds you would encounter Christmas week.The MVMCP is a great party that we have attended at least once each year since 1992.Going this year on Dec 6th and 8th.Snow on Main Street the Christmas Parade and the wonderfil live shows make this a holiday tradition for us.The CP is a trditional reading of Christmas Story by a guest narrator.With a massed choir singing some great Christmas songs.Many do the CP Dinner Package for a set price you get a great dinner at a Epcot and reserved seating for a performance of the CP.There is no charge you can see CP without dinner package but be prepared to que up 1 and a half hours before performance to get seat.Plus don't forget to check out Osborne Lights at MGM.Hope this helps you some.

 

[luvsdiznee]

The week between Christmas and NYE is the busiest week at WDW - not the week before Christmas.

We went the 12/18 - 12/26 last year. We found the parks managable. The best advice is to get up early! We did not do EMH but were at the parks for opening. Christmas is my favorite time to go. We have been the beginning of Dec 2 times but it no longer works out for us because the kids are older and harder to miss school. Luckily our schools get out the week before so we do not have to go Christmas week which I hear is a nightmare. We also went one time Jan 9 - 15/2000. That was definately the least crowded trip we have ever had. No Christmas decorations though. Have been in Oct and Nov also which compares to the week before Christmas for crowds IMHO but is more humid and warmer.

As for weather - we froze a couple of times last year! Had our winter coats, gloves and hats on. I'll take that any day over sweating though! Christmas day rained the entire day too! Our Jan trip had nice weather. Went swimming a couple of times. So I guess it can be a toss up for weather - can be cold or warm.

We are going again this year 12/16 - 12/21 and hoping for warmer weather! I hope to make the week before Chrismas an annual trip!

We went to MVMCP a few years ago. It was fun. They have the Christmas parade which we saw during the day last year - It is not starting during the day until after we leave this year. There are also several shows going on around MK too. You can go on the rides too. There is a special holiday fireworks display. There are a couple of MVMCP this year while we will be there and we have not decided if we want to go or not.

The CP at EPCOT is not to be missed for us! It is a very moving experience and we do not want to miss it. The music and telling of the Christmas story is beautiful. The holiday version of illuminations is not to be missed also. It is one of the reasons we are going back this year. It rained Christmas day and we did not get to see it again - I think they had a showing of it but we were soaked and tired and couldn't hang!

Hope this helps!

 

[jwfla422]

Thanks for the input luvzdiznee... we'll be there those dates as well. We've never gone that close to the holidays because I was always afraid it would be soooo crowded. We usually go earlier in December (as this is our favorite time to go).

But, I decided on those dates for the same reason. Figured we could do an extended trip and not worry about dd missing much school (she'll miss a day and a half right before break). Plus it'll give us something to do that week

Last year we went the week before and it was so wonderful, the crowds were so minimal just before we left. I figure they will increase that week before the holiday but like you said it's not full blown holiday crowds yet.

I have to agree also, I love walking around with gloves and hats (particularly our Minnie's Santa hats ) during that time of year, hopefully it'll be cool enough. It's a real trip for us South Floridians And, it really "makes" the holiday cheery!

 

[luvsdiznee]

jwfla422 - just had to comment - see you are from philly and living in south fl.
I grew up in Naples, FL then moved to the Philly area (south jersey - right over the walt whitman bridge) and lived there for 17 years. We are back in the south - moved to SC a year ago - love it here!