First week in December About This Page:

[Kayce]

What are the parks like the first week in December? Crowded? Comfortable?

How is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?

[moneyhappy]

It may not be busy. I went from Dec 8th - 16th before and it was dead, no lines at all. LOVE IT!!!

[ilovedisney247]

First week of Dec is pretty slow--it picks up a little for the weekend of the 11th this year--lots of us Disney Nerds in town!

[roaminggnome]

We go the first week of December and love it. Hardly any line except Soarin'(I think that will always have a long line.) We haven't done the Merry Christmas party but have talked to people who have and they seem to enjoy it.

[Griffin]

We've been in the first week of Dec the last two years. We must have gone to all the wrong parks on all the wrong days. Cause it was pretty busy everywhere we went...

[omd]

I was there last year at that time and it was great. We did not have long lines and had a wonderful time. I love MVMCP!!!!!!!! This will be my third year. If you can afford it I think it is worth it.

[chezp]

We've been a few times at that time of year and have always found it to be very quiet in the parks. However, it's a very busy time of year for DVC members to visit, so if you're planning on staying anywhere outside your home resort, be prepared to call at the seven month mark and potentially to go on the wait list.

[DVCBird941]

While I have not been to WDW in Dec, I have been there in late Nov and attended many MVMCP. They are a great evening at MK, the different shows, parade, fireworks, and dont forget FREE cookies and hot chocolate

[jimmymac]

We usually go the first week of December and love it. Crowd levels are very manageable. MVMCP used to be great, but we've vbeen very disappointed the last two times and won't be attending any more. Too crowded, too expensive

[aliceinwdw]

While I have not been to WDW in Dec

It obviously wasn't that memorable as we have gone in December, like December 2007 with all the cheerleaders?!

Ugh, husbands.

Anyway, we have gone in early December and we found it to be quieter than October, but IMO, it was still rather "busy," as we weren't walking on any rides and had lines for almost everything.

However, again, this is a popular time for DVC members and as that membership keeps growing, I'm certain the attendance during this time will too -- but Disney is pretty amazing with all the decorations and events, like MVMCP (which is totally worth attending at least once; you never know!).

[spiceypj]

the Christmas party that is taped and shown on TV is the first weekend in Dec - so avoid MK.

unless you like be surrounded by thousand of people - and being told you can't leave......

[tjkraz]

Originally Posted by Griffin

We've been in the first week of Dec the last two years. We must have gone to all the wrong parks on all the wrong days. Cause it was pretty busy everywhere we went...

That's pretty much my take on things. There really aren't any "slow" times anymore. Disney pulls out all the stops to fill its 30,000 hotel rooms every night of the year.

Early-December does tend to be a bit slower because they don't draw as many off-site guests or locals during the week. But you'll never walk into a park where all of the rides have <5 minute wait times.

Crowds can also vary from one park to the next on individual days. Some websites will publish their "best days" for each theme park. Whether you want to go out of your way to follow such advice--or even if it works or not--is in the eye of the beholder.

Weather is also very uncertain that time of year. You could get 70s during the day or it could be in the upper 40s. I've seen both and everything in between. If you definitely want comfortable swimming weather and a guarantee of wearing shorts during the day, December is not the time to visit.

As a passholder, I'm not a big fan of MVMCP. It keeps getting more expensive, crowds get larger and the benefits get smaller. Last time we went was about 5 years ago. At least back then they would give you a "free" family photo and the price was about $20 less than it is today. Used to offer free strollers, too, but that perk has also been eliminated.

If you're using Magic Your Way tickets the economics are a little better. You can get into the MK at 4pm so just spend the early part of your day doing something else and don't bother burning a day on the MYW pass. As a Passholder it's extremely difficult to justify paying $50+ per person for the event when my MK admission for the day is already paid for.

IMHO, the Osborne Lights at DHS are a MUCH more enjoyable event...even before you factor in the cost. Those lights do a much better job of putting me in the holiday spirit than waiting 45 minutes on a curb to see wooden soldiers march by. YMMV.