Disney in December?

[ktmikelle]

We are traveling to Disney on December 1-8, 2012. We have never been this time of year and are curious about the crowd levels and weather. Will it be too cold for my 9 year old to swim? We usually go in October and the crowd levels are fairly low. Will it be the same for the first week of December? Thanks!

 

[reptar77]

We have gone the first week in DEC for the last 10 years. The crowds are small but the parade taping occurs then and pop warner. The temp can and will be very unpredictable. 40-80 degrees depending.
Have fun:wave:

 

[WDW_Firefighter]

We went to Disney the week after Thanksgiving last year, which also included the first couple days of December. This was our first trip, but were told by some cast members that they considered the crowd levels low. The pop warner then was the week after we left, which was the first full week in Dec. The weather was great, cool in the morning and warming through the day, then cool again at night. But never got what I would consider cold or real hot. It did rain the first day we got there, so don't forget the ponchos.

 

[coachwnh]

temps can be hit or miss. we have been swimming with temps in the 50s. as long as you stay under water youre fine. we have had daytime temps as warm as the mid 80s during that week when we have been there, and as cold as the low 40s during the day. we had to get gloves for the kids one year when we did MVMCP because they were so cold. either way, the crowds are smaller then, so it all works out

 

[skifreak76]

i was there the first wee of december 2011 and it was cold, 1 night in epcot it went down to 28 deg.. it was too cold to swim the water park was closed all week. and no one in our group brought enough warm clothes. but also i have been to the world 4 other times in december in 99,01,03,05 and a few other time i just cant remember but it was nice and warm. so its hit and miss for florida winters

 

[pcarathers]

we too have been that first week and our kids swam during the day, but there were kids swimming in the evenings! the weather was hit and miss...usually very cool in the morning/evening, but during the day was comfortable. the decorations are INCREDIBLE and we've never had any issues with the parade taping or the POP WARNER kids. Unless they are staying in the hotel you are, you probably won't even see them.

crowd levels are getting harder to tell these days. we just got back last week and while we walked onto most rides with little or no waits, there were LOTS of people and the TOUR GROUPS, but we never had any problems with them at all!

I think you'll love this time of year too. Have fun.

 

[disneygirl1]

We have been there several time during th 1st week in December and crowds are definitely managable. As far as the weather goes, it's a catch 22. It varies so much. One year it was in the 80's the whole trip, another year in the 40's. All I can say is pack for EVERY season!

 

[AndrewnPatricia]

First, congrats on scheduling the trip!
We've been down in Walt Disney World in 2008 for the first week of December; 2009 mid-December; and mid-Decmeber 2011. Everytime it's almost been the same. Upper 50's/Low 60's when you wake up and mid to upper 70's by afternoon, sometimes even low 80's. Most resort pools are heated but its the getting out in the cooler air that gets ya.
There's a thread under the WEATHER section on WDWMagic about December weather too. Take a look there.
Have fun!

 

[mrsdanalind]

We are traveling to Disney on December 1-8, 2012. We have never been this time of year and are curious about the crowd levels and weather. Will it be too cold for my 9 year old to swim? We usually go in October and the crowd levels are fairly low. Will it be the same for the first week of December? Thanks!

We always go down the either the last week in Nov.-!st week in December, or the entire 1st week in December. The crowds are lower than an average, and the room rates are cheaper. But be warned there are a lot of cheereleaders and pompom squads there this time of year. The Weather is variable, some times it's nice and warm, (mid 70's) and like last year it was just cold. ( high's upper 40's low 50's) bring a couple of sweatshirts as well as swimsuits. We always go to see the Osbourn Lights and usually it's crowded for the first hour or so, then it thins out. There may be a small wait line for some of the more popular rides but usually not more than 10-15 min. Depending on where you are staying, breakfast's can be really busy, so go earlier or later in the morning. ( usaually busiest between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.)
Hope this helps.
:wave:

 

[chmgreenwood]

We went for the last week in nov first week in dec 2010. We had a great time, we walked on most rides and found it really quiet. As others have said we had hot and cold days. We did go to the water parks although we were one of the only people there. The water is like a bath you just have to hurry up or take the lazy river to the different slides. Then on another day I had to buy a hat and gloves to watch the parade. I would say take layers just in case. A draw string bag is also useful for when you take your layer off mid day. You will have a great time what ever the weather