disney world, in December?

No offense to answer one, but Germs, especially air borne, exist over the entire planet. I worked for the mouse and got over theme parks after being here since 72, but Phobic about disease is a serious issue.

Early in the month, but not so close to ThanksGiving, or Christmas certainly is fine. This year, December was no exception, though FL Winter was less than Blissful, with less Sun and more rain than I've known in 36 years. The temps are usually moderate, but 12/25/07 was an ugly, chilly day.

The parks offer carts, like strollers, you might want to get when you come in, if not to carry the 4 year old all the time, at least to carry any personal belongings you have.

I also suggest getting a locker, let one adult be responsible for any money or means of payment, keep excess while in the parks, to a minimum. Save souvenier buying, if you can, until near time you're ready to leave.

Certainly get park maps, set up meeting points, especially given that the older KIDS may want time for themselves, and be somewhat flexible in rules as far as time to meet up again is concerned. It's not uncommon to wait 90 minutes for a 2 minute ride.

Crowding is relative, not seasonal. The Magic Kingdom parking lots holds no less than 75,000 vehicles, and has tour bus and taxi parking separate. It's a rare day when the parking lots don't fill, you can do the math,,,so you may want to go when the gates open, or at night.

Parade routes fill early, and manners are often forgotten. Knowing when the parades will happen, and planting yourself even early, will allow a better experience. Keep in mind too, that while this is an attraction, it isn't much different than a major City at Lunch hour, and you may be jostled, or have to be acrobatic in navigating. Backing up a min. to the stroller, if you choose one. It's usually the case that they must be left alone outside of a ride. Hoping that all people are honest, you should hope to find yours, with an ID tag on it, when the ride is finished, OR delegate that one person stays with the stroller. WDW might make a concession for a stolen/borrowed cart, if you had the numbered tag, but it's a very big world and that isn't a major priority.

Try to have a meal before you go, or plan one for after you leave. While many of the food service areas are similar to a MacDonalds in the method, they serve as many people in one day as MacDonalds might, in a year, so fast might not happen, hot might not be the case, and certainly Bargain food is unheard of. One example, It may be at Epcot??? A nice themed tavern restaurant, charged $8 for a burger.

Again a note about detail. Remember in any way you can, even if it's scribing your parking place into your hand with a knife, Where you parked your vehicle. Certainly there are entry ticket stubs that prove you paid the outrageous parking fee, but the trams will announce where they picked you up, and will likely drop you off. Security does patrol, but I've seen guests late at night, after park closings, still searching for their vehicles.

You will not be able to bring coolers into the park, picnic lunch style, though you can probably hide snacks and small drink bottles. It isn't like a strip search at Orlando Intl. Airport to get through the gate.

Depending on the length of your stay, and where you'll actually stay, you should probably buy a package/multipass deal. It will reduce individual prices a bit and with only minor restrictions, allow you access to those parks you select.

The 4 yr. old may be blown away by Magic Kingdom, bored to tears by Epcot, OK with MGM, and perhaps enjoy Animal Kingdom. Adults can enjoy all of them even if they compromise in having to ride Cartoon examples.

Steven Wolf

Just my two "sense"

First 2 weeks of December are great. Weather is nice & all of Disney is decked out for the holidays.

Make sure you make all dinner reservations up to 6 months in advance. You'll see real snow in Disney before you can get in without one. I reccommend eating in the park at more sit down type restaurants. The fast food places are only a little cheaper, but the quality is very different. I always plan our meals around what parks we will be in at the time (or vise-versa).

I live in Orlando.. the weather is going to be ultra nice!! Right now there is significantly less humidity and the evenings are getting cooler. It will be even better in December! You are probably going to need to bring a pair of jeans and a sweater or long sleeve t-shirt becasue it can get chilly! As far as the parks, I have an annual pass. The time you are going to be there is a great time to go to the parks. There significanly fewer people in the parks compared to the crowds in the summer months. The lines will not be bad at all, but you still may want to get a fast pass for the more popular rides. Have a great time!

I went Dec 19-22 2007 and it was great! The weather was nice and the parks are decorated beautifully! Don't miss Epcot's Candlelight Processional (try to get the dinner package) and Disney's Hollywood Studios Osborne Spectacle of lights. December is my favorite time to vist WDW

We went in late November. The crowds aren't as bad, but be careful about getting sick. Just about every illness known to man floats around Disney World, especially in December. Carry the hand gel for every ride.

A couple other points...the local water tastes nasty in Orlando, so drink bottled when you're there.

Finally, if you can, stay "on-site" if you haven't made the reservations off-site already. If you stay on-site, you get "early arrival" passes that let you in the parks before they 'officially' open and you can get on all the popular rides before the lines get too long.

Have fun!

It will depend on when you go. Over Christmas it will be very crowded. We have been there during the holidays and at other times and we always have a great time. The Christmas decorations are great. The best thing to do is to have a plan. We use a trip planning service that is great. It is

www.custommouseplans.com

They have planned several trips for us and we loved them. They did our itinerary and our park touring plans. Using their plans we never waited more than 10 minutes for any ride, even on New Year's Day!

Hot during the day and cold at night, be sure to pack a sweater and bring it with you to the park. I would also recommend taking advantage of the park specials, such as Mickey's christmas party, where you buy tickets for about $50 and get access to the park from about 7/8pm to 12midnight/1am. Although it is late it is sometimes very UN-crowded and the have a spectacular parade that you and your kids (if you bother to bring them along :) will enjoy!

December is my favorite time. Great weather, great decorations, manageable crowds. The parks are not open as late as they are during the summer months but again they are not as crowded.

We are going again this December!! We've gone in July, August, Oct, Nov, Dec beofre and Dec was my favorite!

Good Luck!

As long as you go at the beginning of the month you won't be fighting with holiday crowds. It's a very mild time as far as weather goes, so you may not want to swim at that time. Also, with a four year old, you may want to consider staying on-site for daily nap breaks.

It's really fun! They have the candlelight processional at epcot (my dad sings in it every year). They also have the christmas trees up and special stuff like that. I think they have some shows at magic kingdom, too