What to do Dec. 2 - Dec. 7

[rigsby25]

We are going in December for the first time. Help us plan what we can't miss. What do you do first week of December?

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Last year, we went 12/16 - 12/22. We had the best time!

Some things we really enjoyed:
* Being from IL (we're from OH), I hope it's nice enough for you to swim! I know this will be situational, but our weather was phenomenal! It was sunny and 80 the entire time we were there. We swam almost every evening, as the pools are heated!!!
* No matter what you do, make sure you get to Magic Kingdom. Instead of going during the day, we did Mickey's Magical Christmas and had a ball. The majority of the rides were open and we never waited in a line. The decorations were unbelievable. I would pay the $40 each and do this again, especially if you/your family can stay up late. Our kids are 12 and 5 and my 5 year-old was a trouper. She made it till midnight and we did the entire park plus the fireworks!
* Even our kids enjoyed visiting the various DVC resorts. The decorations were beautiful. We made ressies to eat at different places every night so we could tour the resort lobbies. The boardwalk was amazing and with the great weather, it was nice to walk around in the evenings.
* Rode the monorail. Was beautiful seeing the lights from up above!
* If you plan on eating on-sight, make sure you have reservations. My SIL/BIL have been DVC members for quite some time and she made ressies in MK for us during Mickey's Magical Christmas. Had they not, we would have been in BIG trouble! The restaurants were packed and it would have taken us forever to eat dinner!

You'll have a blast. It was a beautiful time to go and left us with very special Dis memories!!! I can't wait to go back for Christmas in the near future!

 

[owtrbnks]

We are going in December for the first time. Help us plan what we can't miss. What do you do first week of December?

We pack our bags and wait for all the Pop Warner Football players and cheerleaders to leave. Then we go the second week of December and enjoy one of the most uncrowded times of the year! Good Luck and be sure to ride on Soarin' at Epcot.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

From what I am hearing Pop Warner does not affect the DVC resorts and theyu have little effect on the parks

We are doing Mickey Very Merry Christmas party (MVMCP) at MK, Osbourne Lights at MGM, Candlelight processional at Epcot, plan to visit Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Polynesian and HOPEFULL Animal Kingdom Loge, we are staying at Beach Club.

We plan to swim if its nice enough, eat a lot of good food and JUST enjoy Christmas time. It may be crowded but who cares we will be in Disney

P.S. We will be tehr Dec 5-10

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone that week many times. Pop Warner was never an issue at BWV. The only time I remember it being a problem is when a cheerleader screamed all the way through Tower of Terror. Even the girl she was with told her to stop. She was just being dramatic, it started as soon as the doors closed.

My favorites:

MVMCP
Candlelight Processional
Tree Lightings (MK & Epcot)
Osborne Lights
Touring the resorts to see the decorations

 

[rigsby25]

We pack our bags and wait for all the Pop Warner Football players and cheerleaders to leave. Then we go the second week of December and enjoy one of the most uncrowded times of the year! Good Luck and be sure to ride on Soarin' at Epcot.

Oh no! I didn't realize that this week was Pop Warner. As a matter of fact, we picked this week because our 17 year old son's birthday is December 14, and he can't come with us this December because of being in a chorale group that sings at different places throughout December. But thanks everybody for the suggestions. I'm doing research and I don't want to miss anything. We do have tickets for MVMCP, we know about the Osborne lights, sort of, and the procession thing. Can anyone tell me anything else, or more details about the lights or the procession?

 

[bobbiwoz]

About the Osborne lights. The most crowded time we had there was when Fantasmic got out on a weekend. There were so many people that I didn't feel safe. I would get there, not at opening, because it may not be as dark as it could get, but while Fantasmic is on.

If you don't have a Candlelight Processional package for dinner and preferred entrance, I would go on a weekday, and try getting in for the first show. Our first time was on a Sunday, and we barely made it in for the last show after waiting in line a very long time. We liked the show so much that we called for a package for the next night, which was a Monday. No way did we need the package, there were empty seats galore. We hated having to wait until our assigned dinner time, but live and learn. Since then, we do book 2 Candlelight Packages each December. We can't get enough of the music, and we've been lucky in so far as we have friends whose daughter's school has been in the choir for each of the 3 years she has been in high school! Her high school happens to be there each year when we are...and they are not the same weeks every year!!! I wonder if our luck will hold out for next year

Bobbi

 

[disney54us]

We usually are there at the same time you are going (couldn't get in this yr). They will be taping the parade I believe MK daytime so go a take part, you may see yourself Xmas morning on TV. The night you are going to the MVMCP is a good day to save your energy, hang out and enjoy the pool (if the weathers good) go visit other resorts to check out the decorations. We love BW and the train display. The GF lobby is beautiful at Xmas, nice to go in the evening sit enjoy the huge tree and have a drink. DTD for shopping and lunch. Our favorite is the Candlelight Proccession. if you can purchase the package, you pick your place for dinner depending on the restaurant the pkg are different prices. you can go before or after the show. They have different celeb's guest, it changes every few days and basically it is the telling of the Nativity, told by the guest and beautiful music sung by a candlelight choir there are CM's in the choir and are school choirs. I'm not sure, if they did away with it but you use to be entitled to a shopping discount on all your purchases that night. It truly is something to see, even my teenager still looks forward to this. Osbourne the lights MGM oh you can't imangine, another must see. Illuminations, because they added to it for the holidays so just more of what we love. Enjoy, do a trip report when you get back

 

[Beca]

Also, do not forget that DVC does their special "member gatherings" outside the World Showcase entrance to Epcot. They have characters come for meet and greets (with really small crowds...my dd danced and danced with chip 'n dale two years ago). They give away DVC Christmas gifts (really nice silver engraved key rings that year). They have gourmet cookies and drinks, and also have a raffle for a gift basket. It was super fun, and should not be missed!!!

 

[rigsby25]

Also, do not forget that DVC does their special "member gatherings" outside the World Showcase entrance to Epcot.

Oh wow? Are there specific times? Can anyone give me more details?

 

[MEM]

Oh wow? Are there specific times? Can anyone give me more details?

Same Question, Thanks!!!