December

December Pros:

  • Beautiful holiday decorations found througout the parks and resorts!
  • Low chances of rainfall.

December Cons:

  • The last two weeks are one of the busiest times of the year!

December Weather:

  • Average temperature is about 73° (high)/54° (low).
  • Low chances of rainfall.

Packing Tips:

  • Layers are the best!
    • Plan on cool mornings and evenings with mostly pleasant afternoons.
  • Swimsuits!
    • All Disney parks and resort pools are heated year round to 82°!
  • Ponchos!
    • Even though December is not “rainy season” it is nice to have when your kids make you go on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids (assuming they are not under refurbishment)!
  • Sunscreen is always a must in Florida even with cooler temperatures!
  • Chapstick with SPF and Lotion can come in pretty handy.
    • It can get quite windy occasionally.  Clown lips and alligator skin are not appealing!
  • A Small Towel to wipe down seats on water rides, benches or chairs outside at quick service tables.
    • It is not uncommon to see rain in Florida no matter what month!
  • Hand Sanitizer and Wet Ones Hand Wipes!
    • December is still flu season and it will seem like your kids literally touch everything in site!
    • I even pack travel size Clorox Wipes for the plane seats and tray tables, hotel room light switches, door knobs, phone, remote control, etc...
  • Adult and children Cold Medicine. Tis the season no matter where you are!
    • Sudafed (the kind you have to show your ID at the pharmacy for) is helpful for the ear congestion on the plane as well as sinus headaches you may get when vacationing in a different climate than you are used to.
    • Ibuprofen or Tylenol for any kinds of aches and pains!  Plan on LOTS of walking!
    • I have been known to dose up on Echinacea the week before and during vacation to give the ol’ immune system a booster! It can’t hurt!
    • Adult and children Pepto Bismol for possible upset tummies after all those yummy treats!

December 2018 Holidays and Events:

  • December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
  • November 30 - December 8: Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships
    • Expect Moderate Crowds.
  • December 3 - 10: Hanukkah
    • Expect Moderate Crowds.
  • December 25:  Christmas!
    • Expect VERY HIGH Crowds December 19 - 31!
  • December 31: New Year's Eve!
    • Expect VERY HIGH Crowds until about January 5th!

December 2019 Holidays and Events:

  • First week of November - the Week Before Christmas: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
    • Typically starts the 1st week of November through the week before Christmas.
    • Dates not released yet for 2019.
  • Early December: Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships
    • Expect Moderate Crowds.
    • Dates not released for 2019.
  • December 22 - 30: Hanukkah
    • Expect Moderate Crowds.
  • December 25: Christmas!
    • Expect VERY HIGH Crowds December 19 - 31!
  • December 31: New Year's Eve!
    • Expect VERY HIGH Crowds until about January 5th!

December 2018 & 2019 Refurbishments:

  • January, 2017 - 2019:  Coronado Springs will be undergoing many refurbishments through 2019.
  • September 4, 2018 - December 12, 2018:  Coronado Springs Siestas Cantina, La Marina, Dig Site Spa, Lost City of Cibola Kiddie Pool, Lost City of Cibola Pool, Jaguar Slide and Iguana will be closed. Siestas Cantina will remain closed until 1/5/2019.
  • February 1, 2017 - 2019: Caribbean Beach Resort - Barbados and Martinique sections demolished to later become Disney's Riviera Resort.
  • July 27, 2017 - TBD:  Caribbean Beach Resort - Disney Skyliner Construction underway.
  • August, 2017 - December 31, 2019:  Art of Animation will be undergoing constuction for a new gondala system called the "Disney Skyliner".

IF IT WAS MY VACATION (2018)... 

  • I would plan the week of December 1 - 7, 2018 to beat the Christmas crowd, enjoy the holiday decorations and hit a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
  • Too early to plan this portion of the trip for 2019!
  • What my week would look like:
    • 12/1/18:  Arrival Day; Tour and enjoy resort activities!
    • 12/2/18:  Magic Kingdom Day #1
    • 12/3/18:  Epcot
    • 12/4/18:  Animal Kingdom
    • 12/5/18:  Hollywood Studios
    • 12/6/18:  Magic Kingdom Day #2 OR Resort/Disney Springs Day!
    • 12/7/18:  Departure Day; Check baggage at Airline Check-In on property (if staying at Disney Resort) and enjoy resort activities/pool until Magic Express picks us up!