Holidays at WDW

[Wizzard419]

I've been mulling over possibly going to WDW sometime during the end of November (not Thanksgiving) or early December. I've heard that the week before thanksgiving week is the best because the crowds are low but the holiday stuff is in full swing. Any other suggestions?


Also, is there anything special during illuminations during the holidays?

[boilerbabe]

I thought it was the week right after Turkey Day that was the slowest? We love going in Dec. The weather is nice and the crowds aren't bad! Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is awesome along with Osborne Family Lights! Also, Illuminations are spectacular for the holidays!!!

[Amy]

It looks like most holiday themed events start around 11/8 so you should be covered whether you choose to go before or after Thanksgiving. I always thought it was less crowded between Thanksgiving and a few weeks before Christmas, but I think it is becoming busier all year long.

[Wizzard419]

Good to know.

With the weather, anyone know how cool it gets in Florida? Just for a guage, anything below 65 is dead of winter for me.

[Amy]

Good to know.

With the weather, anyone know how cool it gets in Florida? Just for a guage, anything below 65 is dead of winter for me.

Spoiled by that Cali weather aren't you?! Well then, welcome to the dead of winter!
Florida weather is as fickle as anywhere else but it can and does get down into the 30's (and sometimes lower) in the fall and winter there. I think it is mostly in the 70's during the day and upper 40's or 50's at night though. Here are November and December's averages for you...these numbers look heavenly to us Midwesterners!! I'm wearing shorts the whole time this December

November
Average high temperature: 78.5
Average low temperature: 57.5
Average precipitation: 2.30
Average humidity (1pm): 56
Record high (1980): 89
Record low (1981): 35

December
Average high temperature: 72.9
Average low temperature: 51.3
Average precipitation: 2.15
Average humidity (1pm): 57
Record high (1978): 90
Record low (1983): 20

[99Soulz]

For November and December, the lowest crowd weeks are the 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. It used to be the two weeks after Thanksgiving but now that Pop Warner football games take place that has made the first week of December busier. Chernabog can attest to this as he went 2 yeas ago during that time and was surpised with the crowds and wait times.

[Amy]

For November and December, the lowest crowd weeks are the 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. It used to be the two weeks after Thanksgiving but now that Pop Warner football games take place that has made the first week of December busier. Chernabog can attest to this as he went 2 yeas ago during that time and was surpised with the crowds and wait times.

Shoot! I didn't know that

[Jacca5660]

We've been to WDW the week before Christmas and the parks were empty. Most of the attractions were walk on. The weather was warm during the day (and by Florida standards) cool in the evening. It made it feel like Christmas.

[Mousekedude]

Wizzard, a bunch of us are meeting up in December there. Here's a thread on it if you want to get in on the action.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=6347

[theBIGyowski]

Apparently...there is almost no one in the parks during the first and second week in December...from what I have heard.

[NaCler]

Apparently...there is almost no one in the parks during the first and second week in December...from what I have heard.

Whoo hooo... I'm counting on this. Especially since we are only there for three days... compared to the long sabbaticals some OTHERS are planning!

[Wizzard419]

Hmmm I'll have to think about that, thanks for the info on the meet up as well.

The one thing I always hate though about going to WDW/Orlando is that the flights out of John Wayne (as well as taxi/magical express) still won't get you to the hotel until dinnertime so you more or less burn up a day of fun. Minor gripe but still always bugs me. Redeyes aren't usually available out of John Wayne for Orlando, and even then I go borderline psychotic towards the end of day as I can't seem to sleep on planes. (You should have seen me at JFK while coming back from London, I was up for roughly 27 hours so I could break the circadian rhythm faster and not end up with a week of jet lag)

[Amy]

Apparently...there is almost no one in the parks during the first and second week in December...from what I have heard.

Whoo hooo... I'm counting on this. Especially since we are only there for three days... compared to the long sabbaticals some OTHERS are planning!

Less people = more room for mayhem
Hopefully you can overlap the meet-up by at least a day Wizzard so we can meet you

[dalton30720]

We've been 4 times in December. 3 of those was the week after Christmas & New Year's (crowded to capacity). The best December trip (most relaxing and enjoyable) was Dec 15-23. Very light crowds meant short lines and getting to enjoy all the Christmas decorations & activities without the mobs of people.

[Wizzard419]

I might, if I can get everything together, try for after thanksgiving since then it wouldn't feel too early for christmas stuff. Originally I was thinking the week before thanksgiving because travel would be at a low and all that, but I would need to be back home and free of jet lag by saturday so I could go get a christmas tree (it's a farm and we always are there crazy early to get a tree).