Best time to go in December

[MCRRBA]

My wife and I are now considering a trip in December before Christmas:xmas:. University finishes December 12th so we were thinking Tuesday Dec 15th to the 22nd. My Youngest Son's Birthday is Dec 21. What is the feeling out there of going that time of year, in reguards to crowds and weather?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

My wife and I are now considering a trip in December before Christmas:xmas:. University finishes December 12th so we were thinking Tuesday Dec 15th to the 22nd. My Youngest Son's Birthday is Dec 21. What is the feeling out there of going that time of year, in reguards to crowds and weather?

The crowds will be picking up around that time, but it's a beautiful time of year. The weather can be a little chilly, or it can be perfectly warm! You never know for sure that time of year, but it's usually a nice mix between the two.

The parks are just beautiful when they're decorated for the holidays. I think you'll love it!

 

[danpam1024]

Last year we went 11/30 thru Dec 12 and it was cold! Too cold for the pool and any ride that you could remotely get wet on, but beautiful for park hopping! We live in SW Florida though, so my cold may not be your cold:shrug:. We prefer the heat:fork::lol:

 

[Tinkyroo]

I see you live in Canada so it will definitely not be cold for you in December. You'll have to pack for cool and warm weather just in case. I have been there when I was sweating but mainly it is very comfortable - not cold.

 

[mickey7879]

I'd say, the earlier in December you go the better. We've been there in the 18-22nd before at the end of our trip and wished we would've left sooner. We usually go for 2 weeks and the end of it was so busy and crowded. Longer wait times and a lot more crowded than the begining of the month. If you still want to go then, just rememeber it's busier and will have to wait in lines longer.

 

[mickey7879]

Last year we went 11/30 thru Dec 12 and it was cold! Too cold for the pool and any ride that you could remotely get wet on, but beautiful for park hopping! We live in SW Florida though, so my cold may not be your cold:shrug:. We prefer the heat:fork::lol:

We were there then too and you are right, it was FREEZING! And we're from Maine! Maybe go into the 60's during the day and 30's at night. We were bundled up most of the time. Good thing we drove down, so we had all our winter clothes with us for the drive down. Didn't wear much summer clothes til the end of our trip.

 

[magiconmainstrt]

Disney in Dec

We go every year in Dec and we love it for the holiday decorations, shows, low crowds(we usually leave around the 6th-although this year, its the 4th!)
But as the others have said the weather can be both cold and warm.
Here's what I usually pack for my kids:
a few short sleeve shirts
3-4 sweatshirts
shorts
sweats/pants
1 long sleeve shirt.
Since it usually starts cool in the morning (were out of rooms by 7am) by afternoon it is warmer and then drops for the evening:
hence
your best friend will be a sweatshirt that can be removed.
(FYI: I always hide a scarf, hat and gloves for each of the kids in the suitcase......just in case...a couple of years ago at the Candlelight I was their best friend when I took them out of the purse! True Magic.

 

[disneygirl1]

Yep, I say the earlier you can go in December, the better crowd wise. We went the first into the second week in December this past year and it was great. We actually left the 15th to come home and I could definitely see the increase in the parks towards the end of the trip.

 

[heartodisney]

You just need to play it smart...watch weather channel...shorts and long tees during day...pants in evening with sweat shirt or pullover fleece...and most of all ENJOY! You are not home!

 

[MCRRBA]

We go every year in Dec and we love it for the holiday decorations, shows, low crowds(we usually leave around the 6th-although this year, its the 4th!)
But as the others have said the weather can be both cold and warm.
Here's what I usually pack for my kids:
a few short sleeve shirts
3-4 sweatshirts
shorts
sweats/pants
1 long sleeve shirt.
Since it usually starts cool in the morning (were out of rooms by 7am) by afternoon it is warmer and then drops for the evening:
hence
your best friend will be a sweatshirt that can be removed.
(FYI: I always hide a scarf, hat and gloves for each of the kids in the suitcase......just in case...a couple of years ago at the Candlelight I was their best friend when I took them out of the purse! True Magic.

My sons are 18 and 16 I can't get them to wear a hat and warm cloths in the middle of January when it is -20C. Considering that the last two years in Ottawa we have had snow on the ground and daily temps below 0C by Nov 20th I will be ready for Florida December weather.

 

[coltow]

We went 8-14 last year. The first few days were very nice, shorts and t-shirt weather. The last few days were quite chilly. We had to wear pants and sweatshirts. The kids needed their hats and mittens at night. The crowds were GREAT, I don't think we waited more than 10 mns for most stuff. We hardly even needed FPs. I think Test Track, Splash and Toy Story were the only ones we needed.

 

[MCRRBA]

What time do the parks usually close that time of year?

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

I've been the 3rd week of December the last 2 years (arrive Sunday-leave Friday). 2007 was a little chilly, 2008 was HOT! The kids swam every day. Anyway, crowds weren't too bad until the Friday we were leaving. Always make MK our last park, and we stay until noon. As we were leaving, Main Street was becoming wall to wall people.

 

[parksjae]

I went in 07 from the 12th - 18th (Wed - Tues). I would like to point out a few things.

First, there was definitely an increase the second part of our trip (15th - 18th). The crowds were still small, however it went from zero in the beginning to "normal" at the end. However I will say this: even though the crowds were manageable at the end of the week, a 30m wait for Splash on our last day seemed like forever when our first day was 5m.

Second, I know you said you'd like to go after university. When I went during these dates I too was in college. I had an exam the evening of the 11th and was on a 6AM flight the morning of the 12th. It was the greatest treat ever after a stressful week! If you could do your trip prior to the 18th or 19th, I think you'll be happy with crowds!