Are you planning a vacation to Disney World in December? Find out everything you’ll need to know to have a great time. From weather and crowd sizes to what to pack!

All About Disney World in December

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Contents

Tips for Disney World in December

How Crowded is Disney World in December?

Special Events at Disney World in December

Tips for Crowded Days at Disney World in December

Weather at Walt Disney World in December

Disney World Hours in December

Ride Closures at Walt Disney World in December

What to Pack for Disney World in December

What to Wear at Disney World in December

How to Save Money on Disney World Tickets and Hotels

Disney Christmas Recipes You Can Make at Home!

Best Days to Go to Disney World (Crowd Calendar)

So you’re thinking of going to Disney World in December? I think that’s a great idea! If you plan strategically and know what to expect, you are going to have an amazing time.

And that’s what this post is here for, to help you know what to expect at Disney World in December!

Check out my Disney World Planning Guide Here!

Tips for Disney World in December

Tower of Terror during the Holidays — Photo Credit: Disney

How Crowded is Disney World in December?

As you can see from the Disney World crowd calendar below, December has a mix of super crowded and not so crowded days.

Disney World December Crowd Calendar

Crowds at the beginning of the month are great, with more people visiting on the weekends. But as you get closer to Christmas, the crowd situation definitely changes.

The weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year’s are the most crowded times of the entire year. There is no way around it.

Jingle Cruse instead of Jungle Cruise at Disney World — Photo Credit: Disney

But, that being said, if you are prepared and know what to expect, it can be amazing to spend the most wonderful time of the year at the Most Magical Place on Earth!

Although it will be crowded, I have some tips down below that will help you beat the crowds at Disney World in December!

Special Events at Disney World in December

Toy Soldiers at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade — Photo Credit: Disney

If you plan to travel to Disney World in December, here are a few special events that you can experience:

Tips for Crowded Days at Disney World in December

FastPass + System

Disney know that there will be crowds at Disney World and has come up with ways to help you spend less time waiting in line.

Get Discount Disney World Tickets Now!

The FastPass+ System is available to all park guests free of charge. It allows you to “skip to the front of the line” at many attractions with a little pre-planning.

Guests staying at one of the many Disney World resort hotels are able to make FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance of their vacation.

Splash Mountain Fast Passes at Disneyland

Park guests who are planning to stay at a hotel off-site can make reservations 30 days in advance of their vacation.

You can make these reservations online HERE or through the My Disney Experience app.

Advanced Dining Reservations

Table service restaurants at Disney World can fill up fast and it is rare that you can just show up and expect to get a table.

What are the Best Character Meals at Disney World?

Disney allows anyone, whether staying on property or not, to make dining reservations 180 days before travel.

These reservations are called Advance Dining Reservations or ADR’s.

Is the Disney Dining Plan Worth the Money?

Planning ahead and making your dining reservations as soon as you can, will help you enjoy your favorite meals and beat the crowds!

Tusker House Restaurant Character Dining at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Find out more information about dining reservations HERE.

Tips for Getting Reservations at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Rider Switch

Another way to beat the crowds at Disney World is to use Rider Switch if you are traveling with small children.

Rider Switch is designed for guests who are visiting with a child who is too small or may not want to ride certain attractions.

One adult can sit out with that child while the other adult goes on the ride.

When the adult who rode the ride is done, the other adult can then ride with up to two guests without waiting in the stand-by line!

A toy-like roller coaster at Disney World called Slinky Dog Dash.

Rider Switch Attractions

Magic Kingdom Park

Epcot

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Weather at Walt Disney World in December

The weather at Disney World in December is really pleasant. The high temperatures are usually in the mid 60s – mid 70s and lows are in the mid 50s.

The Orlando weather forecast for December shows a mix of partly cloudy days as well as scattered thunderstorms and some rain.

For up to date weather information in Orlando click here.

Disney World Hours in December

Here are the hours for the theme parks of Walt Disney World in December. As always, hours are subject to change so check Disney’s website for current information.

Cinderella's Castle at Disney World for the Holidays

Magic Kingdom

December 1 (9 am – 6 pm, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 2 (9 am – 4:30 pm)
December 3 (9 am – 6 pm, Early Morning Magic 7:45 am – 9 am, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 4 (9 am – 10 pm, Extra Magic 10 pm – 12 am)
December 5 (9 am – 6 pm, Early Morning Magic 7:45 am – 9 am, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 6 (9 am – 6 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am(
December 7 (8 am – 12 am)
December 8 (9 am – 6 pm, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 9 (9 am – 9pm, Early Morning 7:45 am – 9 am, After Hours 10 pm – 1 am)
December 10 (9 am – 6 pm, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 11 (9 am – 9 pm, Early Morning 7:45 am – 9 am, Extra Magic 9 pm – 11 pm)
December 12 (9 am – 6 pm, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 13 (9 am – 6 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 14 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 15 (9 am – 6 pm, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 16 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 17 (9 am – 6 pm, Early Morning 7:45 am – 9 am, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 18 (9 am – 9 pm, Extra Magic 9 pm -11 pm)
December 19 (9 am – 6 pm, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 20 (9 am – 6 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 21 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 22 (9 am – 6 pm, Christmas Party 7 pm – 12 am)
December 23 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 24 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 25 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 26 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 27 (9 am – 10 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 28 (9 am – 10 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 29 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 30 (9 am – 12 am)
December 31 (9 am – 1 am, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)

A Christmas Tree with Spaceship Earth — Photo Credit: Disney

Epcot

December 1 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 2 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 3 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm)
December 4 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 5 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 6 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 7 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 8 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 9 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 10 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm)
December 11 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 12 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 13 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 14 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 15 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 16 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 17 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm)
December 18 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 19 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 20 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 21 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 22 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 23 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 24 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 9:30 – 11:30 pm)
December 25 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 26 (9 am – 9:30 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9am)
December 27 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 28 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 29 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 30 (9 am – 9:30 pm)
December 31 (8 am – 1 am)

Woody, Jessie, and Buzz — Photo Credit: Disney

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

December 1 (8 am – 10 pm, Extra Magic 7 am – 8 am)
December 2 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 3 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 4 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 5 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 6 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 7 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 8 (9 am – 9 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 9 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 10 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 11 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 12 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 13 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 14 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 15 (9 am – 9 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 16 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 17 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 18 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 19 (9 am – 9 pm)
December 20 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 21 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 22 (9 am – 10 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 23 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 24 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 25 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 26 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 27 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 28 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 29 (9 am – 10 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 30 (9 am – 10 pm)
December 31 (9 am – 12 am)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

December 1 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 2 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 3 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 4 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 5 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 6 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 7 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am, After Hours 9 pm – 12 am)
December 8 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 9 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 10 (9 am – 6 pm)
December 11 (9 am – 6 pm)
December 12 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 13 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 14 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am, After Hours 9 pm – 12 am)
December 15 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 16 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 17 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 18 (9 am – 8 pm, After Hours 9 pm – 12 am)
December 19 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 20 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 21 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 22 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 23 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 24 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 25 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 26 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 27 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 28 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 29 (9 am – 8 pm)
December 30 (9 am – 8 pm, Extra Magic 8 am – 9 am)
December 31 (9 am – 12 am)

Star Wars Land

Ride Closures at Walt Disney World in December

Disney is great at keeping their rides and attractions in top notch form. That is one of the reasons that I will spend more money to visit their theme parks.

For an updated list of what rides will be closed in December, visit Disney World’s website.

What to Pack for Disney World in December

Get this Minnie Mouse suitcase on Amazon HERE

Are you wondering what to pack when you take a vacation to Disney World in December? You don’t want to be underprepared and end up using your vacation budget on things that could have easily been brought from home.

Check out How Amazon Can Save You Money at Disney and 10 Items you Need in your Disney Backpack to make sure you have everything you need.

Here are a few things you might want to consider packing if you’ll be traveling to Disney World in December.

Pack an Umbrella, Poncho, and Stroller Protection

How fun is this Light Saber Umbrella? Get one HERE on Amazon!

The weather in Orlando can be very unpredictable. Rain storms can form and dissipate quickly.

Be prepared with an umbrella or a disposable rain poncho.

I love these Disney-themed ponchos on Amazon

Ponchos can also come in handy to wear on rides like Kali River Rapids or Splash Mountain to keep your clothes nice and dry.

If you will have a stroller with you at Disney World, you’ll want to protect it from the rain. This can be done by purchasing a universal stroller cover from Amazon, or bring a plastic shower curtain liner from the dollar store.

Click HERE to check out this inexpensive stroller cover

Secure the shower curtain liner over the stroller with clothes pins and your stroller will stay dry while you are watching a show or riding and attraction. Works like a champ!

Pack Sun Protection

Even in the winter months, the Florida sun can be brutal! Be prepared for the UV rays by packing some sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses!

Sunscreen

Also, make sure your kids are protected too. Nothing ruins a magical vacation like a sunburn!

Pack a Travel Blanket

I like to bring along a travel blanket to Disney World in December. I use it to cover my son’s stroller while napping.

Check out this fun Christmas blanket HERE!

It can also be used to sit on while watching a parade or fireworks show!

What to Wear at Disney World in December

I love being comfortable at Disney World, so my favorite thing to wear during the day is leggings and a cute Disney t-shirt.

My favorite leggings to wear at Disney!

In the early morning and evenings, low temperatures will be in the mid 50s in December. Make sure to bring along a cute hoodie or jacket to stay warm!

Pack Cute Disney Apparel

Jane.com

If you’re looking for cute Disney apparel that won’t break the bank, check out Jane.com! I always look there before I go on a Disney vacation to pick up cute t-shirts for my whole family for about $13.99!

Two Disney-themed shirts — Photo Credit: Jane.com

Just head to Jane.com and type character or vacation in the search bar and all of the cute items will appear.

Act fast though, because the deals from Jane change daily. Follow @MommyMouseClubhouse on Instagram to stay up to date on all of the amazing Disney-themed merchandise!

For more detailed info on how to order from Jane, check out my post Where I Buy My Cute Disney Shirts!

shopDisney

I’ve also had really good luck taking advantage of sales from the Disney Store. If you can catch a sale, you can save so much money over what you would pay for the same items at the parks.

Click HERE and search “Christmas Spirit Jersey” to see this adorable shirt!

Click the shopDisney button below to see what’s new and on sale right now! I am loving all of the cute spirit jersey’s!

Amazon

Amazon has tons of cute Disney apparel for the whole family! You can find everything from matching family Disney t-shirts, to Minnie Ears and autograph books!

Check out the cute Christmas-themed items I found below:

Get this Peppermint Mickey Football Jersey HERE

Here are some matching family Christmas Disney t-shirts

Mickey Christmas Joy T-shirt

Get these Christmas Minnie Ears HERE

How to Save Money on Disney World Tickets and Hotels

When booking your next Disney World vacation, make sure to check out Get Away Today! I can confidently recommend them to help you plan your magical vacation because my family has been booking our Disney vacations through them since I was in junior high!

Disney World Magic Bands

They are an authorized Disney partner that offers DISCOUNT DISNEY WORLD TICKETS and they often offer deals like discounts on rooms, free dining, and more when you book a vacation package.

Disney World Planning Tips