What's it like in December...

[nikki7680]

Hi ya pals! Looking for any input on Disney in December. Looking to go December 3, 2011 for 6 nights/7 days. Looking for information on the following:

1. crowd levels
2. weather (jeans and sweaters or shorts and tshirts)
3. pools - is it ever warm enough for a dip in the pool?
4. Pop Warner - I've heard that Pop Warner is usually there around this time. We are planning on staying at POR so will we even notice the Pop Warner kids?

We were also looking at going November 12, 2011 for 6 nights/7 days. I realize that the weather might be better then but we want to experience the entire "Disney Christmas". What would we miss by going in November?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

1. That time of December crowds are usually low to moderate. It has gotten busier and busier every year (thanks travel channel for advertising that low crowd time to see the Christmas decor). I would say on a 10 point scale you can expect in the 5-7 range.
2. We have been a few times that week in December, mostly jeans and 3/4tshirts for days, jeans and sweatshirts for nights. But everytime we have went there has been a cold snap at least for a day or two that required sweatshirts at night.
3. We have never thought so, but have seen people in the pools all times of year. We were there last Feb and it flurried snow at night and there were still kids in the pools during the day. The pools are heated and are often like luke warm bathwater but I can't imagine the run from the pool to the room in the crisp air.
4. POR is an overflow resort for Pop Warner, you will see the kids at the resort and on the busses often. Food courts will also be busy at traditional eating times w/ Pop Warner families around. We have been a few times w/ Pop Warner kids staying at the same resort and not, we really havn't had any issues with them, but did stay at POFQ one year and they were at POR, so we often saw them on the busses.

 

[RMulieri]

That time frame is more average crowds than low anymore. It used to be dead low crowds and each year it has gotten busier and busier.In fact next year it is no longer considered value season, but fall season.The weather is mostly warm in the daytime, but chilly-cold in the early am and evenings so layers are key.We did swim in Decmber, but some years it was too cold..Even with the pools being heated.POP warner stays at POR as well as Allstars.I am not really going to say much more about it since I didn't have the best experience with them, but lots of people have had no issues.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

We stayed the week after Pop Warner in 2009. The crowds were reasonable except for Saturday/Sunday. The weather was shorts/t-shirts during the day and jeans/t-shirt with option of sweatshirt at night. The kids swam, I didn't. The pool was warm but the air felt cool to me for swimming. We had great weather and a great time overall!!

 

[DisneyMom]

We've gone early to mid-December a number of times and have noticed that crowds are heavier now than maybe ten years ago but still manageable. Weather varies - been chilly enough for jackets during the day and then another year, hot enough for shorts! Pools are heated so if it's not chilly, swimming is a nice way to relax after a busy day in the parks and the hot tubs are always nice!!

I'll be there from 12/13 - 12/18 at ASMovies this year with my grandson who will be almost 15 months old then. Hoping my DD gets vacation from her busy job to join us and my DS#1 and DIL will be staying at POR 12/11 - 12/18. Only one missing is DS#2 who will be in Afghanistan but with us in spirit!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi ya pals! Looking for any input on Disney in December. Looking to go December 3, 2011 for 6 nights/7 days. Looking for information on the following:

1. crowd levels
2. weather (jeans and sweaters or shorts and tshirts)
3. pools - is it ever warm enough for a dip in the pool?
4. Pop Warner - I've heard that Pop Warner is usually there around this time. We are planning on staying at POR so will we even notice the Pop Warner kids?

We were also looking at going November 12, 2011 for 6 nights/7 days. I realize that the weather might be better then but we want to experience the entire "Disney Christmas". What would we miss by going in November?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I'm heading down to WDW for my 7th year in a row at this time...actually arrive on the 6th this year. So, with that in mind.....

1. The crowds used to be low. Each year they have gotten a bit larger. Now, I would put them at average to moderate.
2. I usually wear capris and a long sleeved shirt during the day...sweatshirt on top at night. I find it can get chilly when out of the sun.
3. The pools are always warm enough to swim in. The issue is getting out...into the sometimes very chilly air.
4. Pop Warner could very well stay at POR...that has been the case in past years. They don't tend to impact the parks very much during the day. They are kept pretty busy with competitions and practice during the daytime. But at night they come out in groups. I haven't had a huge issue with them, but others have. They should arrive on the 4th. That is also the parade taping day at MK...which really makes MK a good park to avoid on that day.

Actually, I would consider going on the Nov dates. The Christmas party will be running at that time, a lot of the Christmas stuff should be up in the resorts. And the crowd levels should be less.

 

[brianheather]

I too am heading to Disney in Mid Dec. 10th-17th. When you say that the crowds are moderate, would you say that they are the same or less busy then Presidents weekend in Feb. We were there in Feb and you could not even breath....

 

[Coach81]

1. That time of December crowds are usually low to moderate. It has gotten busier and busier every year (thanks travel channel for advertising that low crowd time to see the Christmas decor). I would say on a 10 point scale you can expect in the 5-7 range.
2. We have been a few times that week in December, mostly jeans and 3/4tshirts for days, jeans and sweatshirts for nights. But everytime we have went there has been a cold snap at least for a day or two that required sweatshirts at night.
3. We have never thought so, but have seen people in the pools all times of year. We were there last Feb and it flurried snow at night and there were still kids in the pools during the day. The pools are heated and are often like luke warm bathwater but I can't imagine the run from the pool to the room in the crisp air.
4. POR is an overflow resort for Pop Warner, you will see the kids at the resort and on the busses often. Food courts will also be busy at traditional eating times w/ Pop Warner families around. We have been a few times w/ Pop Warner kids staying at the same resort and not, we really havn't had any issues with them, but did stay at POFQ one year and they were at POR, so we often saw them on the busses.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I go every other year in Mid December and I'm acutally going the same week as you OP and I will be there until the 11th. It has gotten more crowded during this time of year as everyone now knows this is the time to go, but of course its nowhere near as bad as summer or xmas week.

Prepare for any weather. Some days we wished we had shorts on while others we had coats on.

I think all the pools are heated.

Pop Warner is there but they stay at value resorts and they really didn't bother me at all even in the parks or make it more crowded.

Tip: Don't go to MK on the day they do the parade taping and try to avoid weekends at MK alltogether if you can.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I'm going Dec 3-11,
Need to know what to wear too, I do understand the layering part.
Do you think its necessary to pack turtle necks and a few sweat shirts (we are attending 2 MVMCP, candle light procession and want to see the Lights at HS). We are bring coats.

 

[gypsymama]

I will be in Disney for Dec 1-6. How do I figure out when the parade day is?
When have been before in November and the weather got really cold one nite only other than that it was tshirt and pants/ capris for us.

 

[HebeJebe]

Layering is key! We go the 1st week of december and it is usually jeans and a tee during the day then a sweatshirt when the sun sets then a wind breaker as it gets later in the evening. Maybe I'm a wimp but I also bring a scarf and gloves.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We have been at that time in December.

crowds - sometimes it felt like there were a lot of people in the parks, BUT we never waited for rides more than 10 min. It's almost like there were people just walking around not riding anything! We had no problem riding anything we wanted to.

weather - we had hot days (tank tops and shorts) and cool days (pants and sweatshirt all day). We had a rainy day in there too. It was a mix of everything. We just made sure we had a hoodie with us in the mornings - by lunchtime it was usually quite nice.

pools - the pools were always a very nice temperature

POP - we overlapped with POP Warner a few days, but didn't notice them one bit (we stayed at POP Century).

I would go back at that time of year in a heartbeat! It was a great time to go!

 

[KermitFrog2]

Crowd levels do pick up gradually, but the atmosphere is wonderful! A good time to go would be early December, late November

 

[Raenstoirm]

I will be in Disney for Dec 1-6. How do I figure out when the parade day is?

All the MK taping in 2010 will be from the 2nd to the 5th of december.

 

[khertz]

Based on our December '09 trip (4th-14th)...

1. Crowds We found the parks sometimes felt crowded, but wait times were rarely bad. Using FP when needed, we never waited more than 10-15 minutes for anything. We followed the TP suggestions for parks to visit and parks to avoid, and it worked out perfectly for us. The one day we purposely decided to visit a park to avoid (MK for Spectro & Wishes), the difference was noticeable.
2. Weather Be prepared for literally everything. Over ten days in WDW and USO, we had days we were layered up and shivering, days it was in the 80s and we were starting to sweat in shorts & t-shirts, rain, perfect days where we were comfortable in t-shirts and capris, etc. It changed drastically from one day to the next!
3. Pools The last few days of our trip were definitely appropriate swimming weather. I would bring your swimsuits just in case if that is something you'd like to do. It may end up being cold all week, but you may have some really sunny days where a dip in the pool would be a relief!
4. Pop Warner As others have said, POR is sometimes the overflow resort for Pop Warner groups. I have never experienced them in the resorts, so I can't answer to that. But we had absolutely ZERO issues with them in the parks. If some groups had not been wearing matching t-shirts that stated they were associated with Pop Warner, I never would have even known they were there. They do usually rent out DHS for a private party one night during the week they are there, so I would plan to be in a different park that day.

 

[Chicago Mo]

i hear your taking some crazy friends with you who have a lot of kids..
AND who can't deal with large crowds... i get nervous with my kids...
would like to go when the crowds are low, the lights are up and shining, we can attend the Christmas PARTY! , Possible pool, is the weather humid at this time? like it is in Sept?

 

[maryj11]

Im going the 12th to the 15th and cant seem to get dining reservations for the places I want. So Im wondering if it may be going to be crowded when we are there.

 

[exwdwcm]

I'm going Dec 3-11,
Need to know what to wear too, I do understand the layering part.
Do you think its necessary to pack turtle necks and a few sweat shirts (we are attending 2 MVMCP, candle light procession and want to see the Lights at HS). We are bring coats.

i have never taken a turtleneck or a full blown coat. We usually just layer long sleeves at night with a hoodie or sweatshirt over it. I usually do have a lightweight type rain jacket i could throw on too if cold. But we've only had it really cold once on our 2 Dec trips that would have necessitated an actual coat. layering should be good enough - we did have scarves and mittens though and that helps too- we just don't wnat to carry around or pack a heavy coat.

for POP- we did stay at POR during POP week a few years back and it was really crowded. Check in was long lines- so i recommend online check in. also, the food court and pool were always crowded. We did have to call security one night when the girls were running around at all hours of the night screaming and playing chase (midnight). We had ZERO problem with any pop kids in the park, only at the resort. I would stay away from their resorts if you can. it might be just fine, but our experience was it did impact the resort a lot and made for longer breakfast lines and less seating available in the food court.

we are heading back this year during POP too, but staying at BLT, so hopefully we won't see them much. Really at the resort (POR) was the only time we ever saw them. they have their private party usually that wednesday at the studios and it usually closes an hour or two earlier for that. Rumors are flying around that some are attending a certain MVMCP too (12/5 or 12/7????).

 

[madcam]

I am going from Dec 6 - Dec 13 this year and I plan to bring jeans for everyone. Even if it gets warm, I can't imagine that it will be sweltering. Not sure what all I am packing for me and DH yet but for my girls, I am bringing mostly short sleeve t-shirts (most have some kind of Disney character on them) paired with long sleeve solid t-shirts/thermals for underneath. That way they can wear both shirts (with a jacket if really chilly) and if it warms up they can just ditch the jacket and long sleeve undershirt. I also plan to bring them each a sweatshirt or two, each a pair of gloves, a couple of pairs of warm socks, tights to wear under the jeans if there is a particularly cold night and a each a hat/scarf set. (And each a swimsuit just in case but not really planning on using the pool if I can help it.) I will let you know if this works out for us!