Early December Trip Questions

[DisneyBound]

Im hoping that someone who just came back from disney can help me out. We are talking about taking a trip to disney the first &/or second week of December 2004. We have taken our annual trip each year in late September and loved the low crowds but really want to see the Christmas stuff this coming year. Here are some questions I have about an early Dec trip:

Crowd levels?
PS hard to get?
Weather & swimming?
Parade taping day...is it always the same each year and is that an aweful day at the parks?


Anything other info you can think of is appreciated as well

 

[Main Street USA]

Crowd levels --- Minimal.
PS hard to get?---Average.
Weather & swimming---You'd be lucky to get a day warm enough, unfortunately.
Parade taping day--I've never been on that particular day, but I can imagine it gets a little crowded then.

Hope that helps!

 

[WDW-Imagineer]

Re: Re: Early December Trip Questions

Originally posted by Main Street USA
Crowd levels --- Minimal.
PS hard to get?---Average.
Weather & swimming---You'd be lucky to get a day warm enough, unfortunately.
Parade taping day--I've never been on that particular day, but I can imagine it gets a little crowded then.

Hope that helps!

I agree. I almost always go in early December. WDW is not to be missed during the holiday season, and surprisingly just like the book says the week after Thanksgiving to the week before Christmas is one of the least crowded times of the year to go. Weather is in the 50-60s... being from the Northeast (outside of NYC), this is perfect weather for me; meanwhile the Floridians have winter coats & gloves on in this weather. Light jackets or sweatshirts will be needed at night though. I can't answer the parade question either.

 

[NemoRocks78]

Early December is the best time to visit. You'll find small waits along with small crowds. PS shouldn't be hard to get as well. As for the weather, well let's just say it's cold. I was up there the 10th and the 11th, and it was freezing, with temperatures dropping into the 40s and the temperature never passed the high 50s the entire day. Have a great time!

 

[Debbie]

Originally posted by DisneyBound
:

Crowd levels?
PS hard to get?
Weather & swimming?
Parade taping day...is it always the same each year and is that an aweful day at the parks?


Anything other info you can think of is appreciated as well

I just went from December 10 thru 15.
Crowd levels were nice as they always are for December.
Candlelight Processional was sold out for the lower tier packages, and instead of showing up 30 minutes before; we needed to go an hour + 15 minutes before to get in line. All other PS was easy to get; even though I booked the day of our arrival.
weather was: chilly in A.M. and warmed to short sleeve by 11, then a light jacket or sweatshirt was fine for the evening, with jeans. As far as swimming; I'm used to swimming to cool off after a 95 degree day, not gettting out of a pool into 45 degree weather.
As far as parade taping.....I believe it was done by the time we got there.
Any other: The Osborne Lights should be up next Christmas season, so that would be an additional treat! Remember that this year; the only discounts available for rooms were the annual passholders, and they were announced rather late; however patience can be a virtue. And if you get to go as planned; take a few hours in the evening, and visit the different resorts to see their decorations. Grand Floridian was absolutely gorgeous.

 

[SlusherGusher]

We were there 12/6-12/12.

Crowd levels were minimal, even less people than when we went in mid October. Wait times ranged generally from walk-on to 10 minutes, though there were occasional exceptions for the "thrill rides", for example- 30 minutes for ToT or 45 minures for RnRC but a half hour later they'd be walk-on.

Made our our PS as soon as the window of opportunity opened, 90 days ahead I believe, was always able to get first available seating times, but I don't think there would be a problem getting them no matter when you call. While at the restaraunts the hostess was telling walk-ups 15-20 minutes for a table if you didn't have PS.

Weather was generally low 70's, though there was a day of high 70's and a day of high 60's. Evening generally high 50's, but one night it was 39! MK was empty that night.

The pools are heated so swimming was enjoyable, though a little cool when you get out.

I highly recommend this time of year, low crowds, comfortable weather and the Holiday decorations make the World extra magical. Try to make time to tour the resorts to check out the decorations.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I was just there from the 3rd until the 7th. The parade taping was on the 5th. The weather was quite cool compared to all the other times that I have been there at that time of year. I missed the Jersey blizzard too! I missed it last year and this year. I just have to stop going away in December!

Pam