1st visit in December

[EHR21]

Greetings, I've been t the parks over 18 times, but this year it would be my first visit in the month of December :xmas:. We'll be there from December 1-10 staying at the Pop Century (1st time there also). I'll like to know if the Mickey's Christmas party is really a "can't miss", any specific day of the week is better?, also, since we are from Puerto Rico and anything below 75 would be considered "cold" for us, what's your experience with the climate around that first couple of weeks of December? How are the crowds? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I want to plan early so that we don't get any surprises later. Any other comments or suggestions are welcomed!

 

[Master Yoda]

If you have never done MVMCP I would recommend attending at least once. As a general rule the dates during the week tend to be less crowded. December's weather in Florida can really be a mixed bag of tricks. It can be 80 one day and 30 the next so you have to plan for it all. If you check the weather reports a couple of days prior to your trip you should be able to get a goof feel for what will happen. Crowds should be pretty light.

There are numerous Christmas events going on in the parks and at the resorts. Some of the do not miss activities would be the Osbourne lights at DHS, Holidays around the world in Epcot, the candlelight processional at Epcot, and the deluxe resorts are decked out with great decorations and mammoth ginger bread houses and sculptures.

 

[coltow]

We just did our 1st December trip. We were there the week after the week you are going. The weather the first couple of days was nice 80's in the afternoons and very sunny. Then it rained for a whole day and after that got cold. We needed sweatshirts and the kids needed their winter hats and gloves at night.

The Christmas party was great. Don't miss the parade and fireworks. Also if you have kids make sure to hit the dance parties, they're fun.

EPCOT has some great things too all around World Showcase. You can even meet Santa in America.

DHS has the Osborne lights which are not to be missed.

We also took a few hours one day (while it was raining) to tour some resorts to see their decrations (WL, GF and AKL, have great lobbies). We skipped AK on this trip but I hard they have a nice Christmas parade.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Great time of year and great week to enjoy the offerings.
As Master Yoda said, you will need shorts, sweatshirts and gloves as weather can fluctuate a fair amount, particularly in the evenings. (although the last few years, Easter week was colder than early December.

I agree that MVMCP is something to experience at least once, I also suggest getting a dining package for Candlelight Processional.

Read up on the many offerings as described on WDWMagic as there are some very nice "small" things that you should not miss. Many of the hotels, particularly deluxes have great displays and the decorations are worth visiting.

You will be there for a nice time to allow for leisurely exploration. I might see you there!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Greetings, I've been t the parks over 18 times, but this year it would be my first visit in the month of December :xmas:. We'll be there from December 1-10 staying at the Pop Century (1st time there also). I'll like to know if the Mickey's Christmas party is really a "can't miss", any specific day of the week is better?, also, since we are from Puerto Rico and anything below 75 would be considered "cold" for us, what's your experience with the climate around that first couple of weeks of December? How are the crowds? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I want to plan early so that we don't get any surprises later. Any other comments or suggestions are welcomed!

Hi there.

I have never done MVMCP so I cannot speak for that, but I have been that time of year and it is a beautiful, great time to go!!

When we went, the weather was nice. Cool, rainy one day, but good for the most part. The crowds were ideal...very manageable.

Have a great trip!! Hope you enjoy POP.

 

[pacochran]

We've gone a couple of times during this time of year and it is great, though you can have some days that are cool, more chance of evening being cool.

As to the Christmas Party we've done it twice and both times did it during the week, like a Tuesday night. Towards the Weekend they sell out more, as more locals go during that time.

The decorations will be great, try and plan to tour some of the resorts so you can see the decorations, like the Grand Floridian and the Beach Club Resort.

 

[tumelo]

The beginning of December is my favorite time to go! When we were there in 2008, the weather got pretty cool at night. We needed a winter jacket because it was in the high 30's a night. The Christmas party is a must do. The fireworks are great, and the castle lighting is spectacular. I love to see all the resorts and theme parks decorated.

The weather in December is a nice change from the hot and humid weather during other times. It's more comfortable to walk around.

 

[lighteningqueen]

A very must if this is your first time in Dec. Go on a Tuesday... We did last year and it was so packed we couldn't move around the castle after the fireworks. But Tuesday is the best usually. The parade is the best and different than the off days parade. The toy soldiers are in this one and my favorite of all. They have a stage show over at the galaxy theater by COP that was really good. Only on those party nights as well. They also have the stage show at the castle that is so good and it snows while you watch that as well. There are cocoa and cookies (free) they say, but I think not, really after all it cost over $52.00 each to do this. In 2007 it was 42.00 per person, last year it was 48.00 per person and I see this year it will be 52.00. I think we will skip it this year. Lots of ride time during that night. This is only at MK not at the other parks. The candlelight is over at Epcot on certain nights, lines are forever long to see that. You stand for a couple of hours to get in and if you have a package it still is a stand for awhile. DHS has the Osborne lights every night. It is great and the music puts you in the Christmas mood.Your going to love that time. We will be there Dec 8-17th this time. It will be POP Warner week as well as Cheerleading competition but we never had any problems with that.Weatther for that time... We had only one rainy day and it cleared off by lunch or so. One cooler day and we only had shorts for the day. This time I will bring pants just in case and a light jacket.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Be prepared for much cooler evenings - take a change of clothes or plan to return to your resort before hitting the parks at night

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I went the same exact time in 2006. It's such a great time of year to visit.

Crowds will be small, it's wonderful! Schools aren't out for break yet, so it's better to go early in December than later.

I wouldn't miss any of the holiday events, because it's really the only time to see them. MVMCP is really fun. All the characters are out in their holiday gear, it "snows" on Main Street, you get free cocoa & cookies around the park - it's truly magical.

Also don't miss the Spectacle of Lights at DHS, that was our favorite thing. It's amazing. The Candlelight Processional & tree lighting at Epcot is a must see too.

As for weather, it's definitely lower than 75 in evenings. We had some 80 degree days during the day - other days it was cooler. Evenings were always chilly though. Have a wonderful trip :wave:

 

[disneygirl1]

You are going to absolutely love it in Disney in December. We were there the first, into the second week of December and had a blast! The weather was perfect temp during the day was anywhere from 65 to 85 during the day and at night, it got chilly, need to bring a jacket or sweatshirt. I morning we woke up and actually saw frost!

MVMCP is a must see as well as Osbourne Spectacle of Lights at DHS. I highly reccommend booking the Candlelight Processional dinner package at Epcot. The show is incredible and the fact that you get reserved seats with the dinner package is a plus. We did it and were very happy with it.

I agree, if you have the time to explore the deluxe resorts do! The decorations are truly amazing!

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[coltow]

Let me just add that when we did MVMCP we went on a Thursday (11th). It was empty. We had seen that Tuesday's party was sold out and were at MK that evening. As we were leaving at about 7pm the crowds of people coming in made me so happy that we picked Thursday night. After reading posts when we got home we found out that Tuesdays were DVC and Annual Passholder discount nights. I'd advise you to stay away from Tuesdays & weekends if you can.

 

[MichRX7]

We usually go the first full week of December and being from Michigan we are probably a bit less susceptible to the cold weather. We have been there years when it was 80+ all week long and then last year where it was low 70's and one day upper 60's. One night last year it was in the 30's for a low (and we were in a tent...brr...even for us, lol)

I highly recommend doing MVMCP at least once and also visiting the premium resorts to see the Christmas decorations (especially the gingerbread house in GF). Make sure you visit DHS and are on New York street at dusk for the lighting ceremony on the Osborne lights (I still don't think my video camera has recovered from the initial flash).

Also, take a trip inside of FW. The campers always decorate to the hilt for Christmas and some of them are quite amazing.

We arrive this year on 11/28 and stay until 12/6.

 

[EHR21]

Thanks so much guys for all the tips. I'm traveling with my wife and in-laws so no kids (at least in age :lookaroun ) on my party. It seems we'll do the party on a Thursday then and keep those warm jackets handy. Keep 'em coming!!

 

[mickey7879]

When we were there in Dec multiple years, it would be between 60-80 during the day and down to 30's at night. We're from Maine, so it didn't bother us as much as it would other people, but even in the 30's we were getting pretty cold. Once we didn't prepare for it, so we ended up buying sweatshirts, hats and gloves from the shops in the parks. Some places were even selling out of the hats and gloves! The last time we were there, we were a little more prepared, bringing our own winter jackets, gloves/mittens and warmer long sleeved shirts. Dress in layers if you'll be gone all day or rent a locker and put your warmer clothes in there and get them out if you need them. The colder it was, the fewer people that were there. Plus no one wanted to go on the faster rides since it would make them colder.

We always book at least one MVMCP during our stay. Since there will be no kids, stay til the end. We've been in the back of the park near Splash Mountain walking through Frontierland and as far as we could see ahead and behind us, there wasn't another person there! It was like we were the only ones in the park! Plus you can get in as early as 4 pm on that ticket. Besides the sugar cookies and hot chocolate, you can also get apple juice and apple slices.

Another not miss is the Candlelight Processional Dinner package. Don't miss the Osborne Lights either.

When we get our picture taken in MK, we always have them take our pic towards the castle and then turn around and have one taken down Main Street so we get all the decorations in our pics.