First Week in Dec

[TinksGirl414]

Hi all,

Have any of you been to the world in early Dec? I'm trying to surprise my family with a trip down for a week to see all the holiday happenings. How are the crowds and weather?

Thanks!
Ryan

 

[wannab@dis]

The first couple of weeks in Dec are a wonderful time to visit. The decorations are up for Christmas and everything is decked out in holiday cheer! Quite honestly, the parks have been getting more and more crowded over the last 4 years. Keep in mind that Pop Warner takes place during the first week of Dec, but doesn't really have an impact on anything other than the value resorts and busses.

 

[bgraham34]

I am going Nov 29th thru the 4th. When I went last year it was 70 during the day and low 50's at night. Crowds were light. 20 minute waits on some rides.

 

[dflye]

Early December is a great time of the year to go to WDW; we have been down prior to the Christmas rush several times in the last few years, always like that time of year much better than the summer / early fall.

The daytime highs are usually in the low 70's, but could dip into the 60's, so throw in some cool weather clothes just in case. Lows are down around 50, so don't forgot to bring along a decent coat for nighttime activities. Layered clothing is the way to go that time of year, so you don't freeze at night in the outdoor areas, and then roast when you step inside.

Rainfall is minimal that time of year, none of those typical summer afternoon thunderstorms rolling through.

The crowds are very light that time of year.

Make sure to check out the holiday decorations in the deluxe resorts like the GF, WL or AKL, they are absolutely incredible!

 

[Aurora_25]

We will be there the first week in December and can't wait- you can get tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and the decorations will already be up (as said by wanab @ dis) You will have a great time if you go then.

 

[HunnyPot]

The very first of December was wonderful the last time we went! The weather was nice, not too hot. We wore jeans and tshirts during the day and a jacket or sweatshirt at night. It can be unpredictable at that time of year though, so you never know. Check weather.com the day before you go and see what they are calling for so you can pack accordingly. It's also so pretty with all the Christmas decorations. I love that time of year, especially Epcot. The lines weren't bad when we were there. We did everything at Epcot in the morning, monorailed over to MK and did everything, then headed to Epcot again in the evening for dinner and Illuminations. So, you should be able to do a lot! Have a safe and magical trip!

 

[sliberatore]

Yes, it is a wonderful time of year to go. The Christmas decorations go up over Thanksgiving weekend and so it really is a joyous atmosphere. I appreciate that WDW plays religious Christmas music over the loud speakers, and of course, the holiday spirit seems to imbue everyone (guests and cast members) with a sense of peace and gratitude. The pace also seems slower and more relaxed, probably because the crowds are more manageable.

We have gone the first full week of December every year since 1997. The crowds are generally light and if you manage your fast passes well you will spend a minimal amount of time in line. In 2001 (in the aftermath of 9/11), WDW was a virtual ghost town--we never waited in a line, but just walked onto every ride there was. In fact, my two daughters rode the ToonTown rollercoaster 5 times in a row without leaving their seats because the cast member/operator said there simply weren't enough people getting on to require them to get off (and she was right). In 2002, the crowd was a little bigger, but not much. The last two years the crowds have returned pretty much to normal (for that time of year). Last year we never waited longer than 15-20 minutes for rides, and most of the time much less, except for our last go at Rock 'N' Rollercoaster which had a 45 minute wait on Friday afternoon; the high schoolers (Pop Warner participants?) were all over the place.

The weather is generally cooperative. Last year was the best we have ever experienced with daytime temperatures in the high-70s/mid-80s and nary a raindrop. In 2002, there wasn't much rain but the temperature did not get above 70 or so, and that was just one day. The rest of the week it was overcast and the temperatures were in the high-50s/mid-60s.

Be prepared for rain and for heavy rain. However, only once in all these years has the rain been so bad that we stayed inside our hotel room, and that was for just the morning hours. But we have huddled under the umbrella in steady downpours to watch IllumiNations at Epcot and dodged rainstorms on other occasions. But for the most part the storms drop rain for 20-30 minutes, then move on, and it clears for a few hours until the next set of storm clouds arrives. Though there has been "bad" weather at times, the weather has NEVER ruined our stay or done worse then inconvenience us for a few hours.

Last year the locals told us that the weather was so great because of all the hurricanes (4) that had hit the area last summer/fall. So Katrina and now Rita may mean that December's weather will be mild and perhaps even more mild than usual.

Have a great time!

 

[wdwpooh1027]

Yes I have...My boyfriend and I went last dec 10-14th...I guess that would be the second...but it wasn't crowded at all. The weather was chilly...at night it got to be around 39 but during the day the lowest was middle to upper 60's.

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

Anyone have any problems with the Pop Warner kids? I heard they fill up all the value resorts.. all starts and pop century? LOL.. i picked the first week of december for a more quiet and less crowded time of year.. did i make a mistake?

 

[wannab@dis]

Anyone have any problems with the Pop Warner kids? I heard they fill up all the value resorts.. all starts and pop century? LOL.. i picked the first week of december for a more quiet and less crowded time of year.. did i make a mistake?

We've been there twice with the PW crowds and while it can be more noisy in the evenings at the resort, it's not REAL bad overall. The food courts can be VERY crowded if you happen to dine on their schedule.

The problems are more apparent on the busses or in the lines at attractions. They have a tendency to be rather loud, chanting, and sometimes complete jerks in confined areas. The worse is the chanting and cheers in line.

Some are well behaved and we've enjoyed talking to them on the bus trips. Others, you just want to give a swift kick and tell them to grow up. :lol:

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

We've been there twice with the PW crowds and while it can be more noisy in the evenings at the resort, it's not REAL bad overall. The food courts can be VERY crowded if you happen to dine on their schedule.

The problems are more apparent on the busses or in the lines at attractions. They have a tendency to be rather loud, chanting, and sometimes complete jerks in confined areas. The worse is the chanting and cheers in line.

Some are well behaved and we've enjoyed talking to them on the bus trips. Others, you just want to give a swift kick and tell them to grow up. :lol:

I feel like giving a swift kick to every website that said the first 2 weeks of december is a great time to visit Disney World without saying "except for the 15,000 unsupervised teens."

 

[wannab@dis]

I feel like giving a swift kick to every website that said the first 2 weeks of december is a great time to visit Disney World without saying "except for the 15,000 unsupervised teens."

Honestly, it's not that bad. For the most part, you won't know they are there since they have their games over at the WWoS. The evenings can be a little more crowded. They don't affect the overall crowd levels in the parks very much at all.

 

[fjm777]

I feel like giving a swift kick to every website that said the first 2 weeks of december is a great time to visit Disney World without saying "except for the 15,000 unsupervised teens."

My family has been twice in December - Right after Thanksgiving and during the third week. At no time did I run into groups of teens or children. However, I am not crazy enough to go during Pop Warner week.

So, I can say that when I was there it was a <b>GREAT</b> time to go.

 

[TTATraveler]

The first week of December is an excellent time to go. Last year it was in the upper 70s to low 80s during the day with no rain. The crowds will be at their best for December.

Be sure to check out MVMCP, which will require a separate ticket. I stayed at CBR and had no problems with any large teen groups over there.

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

The first week of December is an excellent time to go. Last year it was in the upper 70s to low 80s during the day with no rain. The crowds will be at their best for December.

Be sure to check out MVMCP, which will require a separate ticket. I stayed at CBR and had no problems with any large teen groups over there.

Did you have any problems with large groups of teens in the parks during your week?

 

[TTATraveler]

Did you have any problems with large groups of teens in the parks during your week?

Actually I was in line for POTC in front of some cheerleaders who fealt the need to sing and to their routine while waiting in line, a bit annoying. Other than that, I don't think there were any issues.

 

[wdwpooh1027]

Yes...last year when we went it really wasn't to bad. I was a cheerleader myself and the competitions/games are usually early in the morning and last almost all day. The only time you might see them is when the championship games are over and they are in the parks for about 2 days. Nothing really major to worry about.

 

[clairevfm]

So does anyone have any idea when those two days that they are let loose is so that I can avoid the parks on those days???