Going In December....

[disneygirl1024]

I will be graduating nursing school in December....thank goodness.....and for a graduation present we are going for a few days...

What are the must do's?
How warm/cool will it be? Never been in December before!
We will be missing the Mickeys Christmas party but we will be able to see the Osborne lights. Anything else?

 

[DVCPluto]

Congrats (a bit early) on graduating!! What a great way to celebrate!!

We're going in Dec as well and have heard that the Candlelight Processional is good. Honestly, I'm just looking forward to seeing all of the decorations in the parks and resorts. I'm not planning to do the party either, and for what it costs, I'm ok with that.

How many days are you going to be there? Staying on property?

There's also a trip club for Dec with links to park hours, referbs, etc for planning.

 

[disneygirl1024]

Congrats (a bit early) on graduating!! What a great way to celebrate!!

We're going in Dec as well and have heard that the Candlelight Processional is good. Honestly, I'm just looking forward to seeing all of the decorations in the parks and resorts. I'm not planning to do the party either, and for what it costs, I'm ok with that.

How many days are you going to be there? Staying on property?

There's also a trip club for Dec with links to park hours, referbs, etc for planning.

We are planning to stay at POR for 7-8 days. Haven't decided how many yet. Thanks for all the info!!!

 

[belledream]

It's been a while since I've been during December, but I do remember it was cold! Definitely wear sleeves/sweatshirt, especially at night. Maybe even pants.

If you have time, visit MK area resorts like Wilderness and Grand Floridian to see some amazing holiday decor and displays!

 

[Poofiesdream]

Living in Fl I can tell you the weather is hit or miss. Some years cold others warm. Usually warm days and cool nights. Be prepared and check the weather reports before you go. It is the dry season then so rain shouldn't be a problem.

 

[JillC LI]

How will you miss the Xmas Party is you are staying for 7 nights in December? Are you sure?
The Osborne Lights were amazing - try to catch it as they are first turned on for the night. And the chocolate carousel at Beach Club and the lifesize gingerbread house at Grand Floridian are really cool.

 

[Ariel484]

How will you miss the Xmas Party is you are staying for 7 nights in December? Are you sure?

They stop doing it on December 19, so maybe the OP is going in late December?

OP - Make sure to check out all of the Christmas decorations at the deluxe resorts. They're really nice!

 

[dreamfinder]

Check the weather as it gets closer, but pack for everything. Might be 40s, might be 70s. And you could easily see it be 50s in the AM and PM with 70s during the middle of the day. Bring layers, don't bother with thick/heavy things.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

My experience in December was mostly warm days, chilly nights. A few days were warm enough to swim, some were not. One day was chilly enough that we wore long sleeve shirts & jeans during the day. So very hit or miss. This was the first week of December.

Some fun things we did over the holidays
-Osbourne Lights
-Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which you've said you'll miss. If you get a chance to check it out, we really enjoyed it.
-Candlelight Processional
-Lots of pictures with characters in their holiday gear
-Visit several of the resorts with holiday decorations (Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Contemporary were the three that we saw.) Get some gingerbread cookies at Contemporary.
-Watch the Cinderella Holiday stage show
-Meet Santa
-Try some holiday foods

It's a great time of year to visit. Have fun!

 

[JillC LI]

They stop doing it on December 19, so maybe the OP is going in late December?

Good point.

 

[disneygirl1024]

They stop doing it on December 19, so maybe the OP is going in late December?

OP - Make sure to check out all of the Christmas decorations at the deluxe resorts. They're really nice!

yes leaving to arrive on December 20!

 

[SMS55]

If you go prior to about the 20th or when the kids let out of school for Christmas break you'll be fine. We've gone in December (going on the weekend of the 6th this year) and the crowds are manageable before Christmas break. Once the kids are out of school, the cross seem to grow exponentially by the day. Down her in South Florida school lets out on the 19th this year. Christmas time is the busiest time of the year. Pack some patience. The weather will be fine. Average morning temperature is in the 50's but if a strong front comes in it will easily go into the 40's and on rare occasion into the 30's. You'll have to see the forecast as you trip approaches. Our weather down here is always unpredictable. It shouldn't be rainy as the winter is our dry season.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We spent time utilizing the hot tubs in the evenings more than the pools. Carried a sweatshirt or light jacket in the evenings in case it was needed and wore shorts in the day, jeans in the late evening. Being from Maine we were used to the cold weather, found FL in December wonderful, but it was funny seeing the CMs bundled up in winter jackets and wearing gloves while we were just on the cool side.

 

[NYwdwfan]

Try to check out the lights on the RVs at Fort Wilderness Campground (or even do a carriage ride through the grounds). Some people decorate their RVs and completely cover them with lights, have inflatables on the grassy area and play Christmas music. It's really cool to see.

 

[awheartsdw]

We were there just after Christmas through the new year in 2012/2013 and my DD and I wore jeans but carried lightweight hoodies with us for the early mornings. DH was okay in shorts, but had a hoodie for later. There were a few particulary cold nights while we were there, that we had to purchase hats to keep warm. We were not prepared with a few warmer items, specifically a sweater or two. We did purchase inexpensive gloves prior to our trip, which I suggest doing. We did get some really great pictures though in front of the castle and the Osborne Family Lights with our Florida 'winter' gear on. Do expect it to be crowded. I believe that two of the days while we were there Magic Kingdom and Epcot closed for a bit. I don't remember what phase the closing was, but the lines were long, the people were plentiful, but the atmosphere was amazing.

 

[Ariel484]

yes leaving to arrive on December 20!

We were there 12/28/2013 - 1/4/2014. It took some planning but we had a great trip.

I tried to work in stuff outside of the parks like I said earlier - going around to the deluxe resorts to see their decorations one morning, hanging out at our resort, taking advantage of resort dining, scheduling a wine tasting at Jiko, etc. Fastpass+ was really helpful too.

As others have said, definitely bring layers. In looking at pictures from that trip we're in jeans and sweatshirts/long-sleeved shirts in the evenings, but earlier in the day we're in shorts and short-sleeved shirts. The weather felt great to us but we're from Ohio, sooo...

Have your ADRs and FP+ ready to go.

I know Epcot has "storytellers" around the World Showcase - I believe it's in each country (we didn't get a chance to do this but I have heard about it) and they talk about what the holiday traditions are for their country. In the Studios Osborne Lights will be going, like someone else said, as will the Christmas parade and Holiday Wishes at Magic Kingdom. With the removal of the Jammin' Jungle Parade and Camp Minnie Mickey from Animal Kingdom I am not totally sure what will be at that park in terms of holiday stuff...don't miss the tree out front though (would be tough to as it's huge) - it's my favorite park tree.

Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

 

[Dafid Duck]

yes leaving to arrive on December 20!

We are too! Our anniversary is the 19th and this will be our third Christmas in the World.

After the last MVMCP they tend to use the Christmas parade for the regular 3:00 parade. I'm not sure if they are doing that this year though. The events calender still shows Festival of Fantasy for late December.

With free dining, it is a great chance to eat in the deluxe resorts are see all of their decorations. The gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian is a must see. This year we are teaming that with 1900 Park Fare for dinner, which I've heard so many good things about. Every deluxe has something special and every park has a giant Christmas tree. Nothing beats walking up Main Street with all of its decorations any day in December. The Osbourne Lights in Hollywood Studios is another must see. Our tradition is seeing the holiday narrators and the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT on Christmas day because the Magic Kingdom will be too crowded to move. It will be crowded everywhere. Just be patient and enjoy yourself.

 

[disneygirl1024]

We were there 12/28/2013 - 1/4/2014. It took some planning but we had a great trip.

I tried to work in stuff outside of the parks like I said earlier - going around to the deluxe resorts to see their decorations one morning, hanging out at our resort, taking advantage of resort dining, scheduling a wine tasting at Jiko, etc. Fastpass+ was really helpful too.

As others have said, definitely bring layers. In looking at pictures from that trip we're in jeans and sweatshirts/long-sleeved shirts in the evenings, but earlier in the day we're in shorts and short-sleeved shirts. The weather felt great to us but we're from Ohio, sooo...

Have your ADRs and FP+ ready to go.

I know Epcot has "storytellers" around the World Showcase - I believe it's in each country (we didn't get a chance to do this but I have heard about it) and they talk about what the holiday traditions are for their country. In the Studios Osborne Lights will be going, like someone else said, as will the Christmas parade and Holiday Wishes at Magic Kingdom. With the removal of the Jammin' Jungle Parade and Camp Minnie Mickey from Animal Kingdom I am not totally sure what will be at that park in terms of holiday stuff...don't miss the tree out front though (would be tough to as it's huge) - it's my favorite park tree.

Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

Thanks!!

 

[bee]

Congrats on your graduation!! Everything at WDW is extra magical around Christmas so you really can't go wrong. That said, Epcot is especially fun during this time of year. They have Holidays Around the World throughout WS as someone mentioned, which now include holiday food booths much like a mini Food and Wine Festival. Last year I was there on my birthday (December 22) and a CM at one of the booths gave me a free gingerbread cookie! The Candlelight Processional is also quite popular and if you decide to go I would advise doing the dinner/show package so you can get guaranteed seating. Seeing the decorations at the various resorts is fun. I like to take a trip around the Monorail to see GF, Polynesian, and Contemporary. As others have said, the weather can vary wildly so keep an eye on the forecast closer to your trip and bring layers.