November/December 2009

[SIMONRTAYLOR]

Hi

We normally visit in May (have doine for the last 4 years), looking for a change this year, and wanting to see the parks near christmas time, but looking fo rsome helpful advise, as i dont want to be that busy that you can not get on the attractions.
Can anyone help with the following -

Which 2 weeks in Nov/Dec would be the lightest in the parks?
What is the weather like??
We love Blizzrad Beach will that still be open and warm enough?


Any other information that you can give will help me plan my next trip.

Thanks for your help

Si
Does anyone have any pics that they can share of the parks around xmas

 

[kstella]

All the Christmas decoration won't be up until after Thanksgiving. Don't go over Thanksgiving, very busy. The first two weeks of December are probably your best bet. The parks will be open shorter hours and it will get chilly after sunset, but the smaller crowds mean shorter lines.:xmas:

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

We went the first week of Dec in 2006. It was nice weather wise but we didn't swim or go to a water park. I didn't think it was hot enough. Pop Warner football and cheerleaders were there that week but we didn't see them in the parks till evening. Lines weren't too bad. A lot better than when we had been in the summer. My daughter's friend went a week later and said that the lines were really great. I suggest that week if possible. The Christmas decorations are beautiful. Don't forget to save a day to resort hop to see the gingerbread house and other decorations. I love going at Christmas time. I hope to go back again some day.

 

[YankeeMouse]

We've gone at the end of the month in November, a few days after Thanksgiving, and that was always relatively uncrowded...didn't need a fastpass, not even for Soarin. Lately we have been going the first week in December when they film the Christmas Day Parade and there is a big jump in attendance, especially at the Magic Kingdom. But it is still less crowded than summer or as Christmas gets closer. Whatever crowds you face, the decorations and special events are amazing. It is becomes crowded, just soak up the ambience!

Oh, and the weather can be unpredictable. We had HIGH 80's first week in December in 2007, but wore sweatshirts in 2008.

 

[~msminniemouse~]

Christmas decorations are up before Thanksgiving, Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party starts on November 10, 2009. We have done that before, it was enjoyable. We are going this year for Thanksgiving, not a busy as Spring Break, thats for sure!!!!! We go the Saturday before and stay till the Friday after. Crowds are manageable..We have also gone the Friday after Thanksgiving till the first week of December and it was less crowded..We did Blizzard Beach and got sunburned...Nice days and cool nights. That was the best trip ever...We were there almost 2 weeks.Now kids are older and school is more demanding, so we have to go when we can.

 

[arctrixie]

We went the first 2 weeks of December last year (2008) and the crowds were AWFUL! It was worse than the year I went during Spring break. Although the Christmas decorations were beautiful and worth the visit, we won't be going at that time of the year again anytime soon. Between the Pop Warner people and every teenager from Venezuela (or just about), the wait times for all of the popular rides were well over an hour and FPs were gone very early in the day. We also went to the Very Merry Christmas Party for the first time. Very disappointing compared to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

 

[erstwo]

We went the week before Christmas last year. It was great! The crowds were low to mid size and we really enjoyed the parks.

 

[CatsMeow]

Early November is really nice and not too crowded, although there are a good many folks there for the Food & Wine Festival. On our last November visit in 2004 or 2005, it was warm and a bit humid and certainly swim weather! We were very lucky in that the Osborne Lights were operational and we enjoyed them very much without any crowds! If your heart is set on seeing them and other holiday decor, a later trip might be a good idea. Early December is fabulous, but because of Pop Warner and other groups, early reservations are an absolute must. Just about everything seems to book up quickly.

November/December weather can be changeable. We have visited when it was in the 70's and in the 30's, though not on the same trip! :animwink: Keep an eye on the weather as your trip nears and prepare accordingly. A jacket is always a good idea.

Swim weather is subjective, IMHO. We visited once in February when the weather was great, but too cold for pool-plunging. But lots of Canadian DVCers were in the pool and loving life! So, again, watch those temps and make up your mind as your trip nears.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I went the first week of December in 2006. The crowds were very small, we walked on most things pretty easily. The holiday decorations were all up, and were beautiful!

The weather for us most days was comfortably warm during the day, and a little bit chillier at night but we still wore short sleeves. A couple of the days got colder & we wore jeans/hoodies during the day. It's a tough trip to pack for because you have to bring things for warm & cold weather.

There were a few days on our trip hot enough to go to Blizzard Beach, and a few that weren't. It's very hit or miss with that time of year. You'd just have to play it by ear when you got there.

 

[pacochran]

We have for the last three years gone the week after Thanksgiving, and it isn't bad, it is hit or miss. Generally though I think the crowds are light. It really depends because we've gone to a park and found very light then the next day at another park busier, but not Spring break busy (at least from what my DW says as I have never been during that time). The only thing is that the first full week of December it the Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading tournaments, and if you are planning on staying at the All Star Sports avoid that week. The parks seem to pick up a little that time of year.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Another vote for the 1st 2 weeks of December :wave:

2008 was chilly - 60-70's during the day and 40-50's at night, but the crowds were light

 

[Tommye1078]

Booked

Just booked our trip yesterday. Will be going Nov. 30 - Dec. 9. It will be my son's first trip, he's 1 1/2. To help everyone stay excited every other weekend we will choose a Disney Character and make a DIY autograph/picture page for a custom autograph/photo album. We will be working on Pluto's page this weekend.

 

[disneygirl1]

have to agree with a lot of the other posters... We were there 12/6-12/12 and it was an absolute great time to go. Crowds were minimal and weather was beautiful. Some days we needed a light jacket but other then that, we had near record high temps for Dec (78 degrees). The decorations were amazing! You are going to have a great time!

 

[AGentlRose]

We were there Dec 14 to Dec 19, 2008 and I thought it was great. We went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot Candlelight Processional, saw the Osborne Family lights, and visited several resorts to see them decked out in their Christmas finery. I don't do morning EMH, just the evening ones, and we really didn't experience any long lines except for Toy Story Mania and Peter Pan. Some rides were basically walk on. We also lucked out with the weather, there were days when it was near 80º and sunny. I would go anytime between Dec. 1 and Dec. 21 in a heartbeat.