Disney World in December | Tips For Planning A Trip

Disney World in December is magical and one of the best times to visit! In this post, we’re sharing the average weather, crowds, events, and tips!

It is time to get holly jolly! From the merry decorations to the themed food and events, Disney knows how to celebrate the holidays. Let’s dig in to find out all the ins and outs of Walt Disney World in December!

December Weather at Walt Disney World

Expect to start feeling a chill when visiting Walt Disney World in December. Temperature averages will range from highs in the 70s° to lows in the 50s°. With temps like that, evenings may make you feel like you are in a winter wonderland!

As with November, Central Florida weather can be unpredictable with much hotter or cooler days than anticipated. It’s best to pack various clothing items. This way, you avoid frantically buying a new wardrobe while playing in the parks. And good news – hurricane season is officially over, which means less rain and humidity!

December Crowds at Walt Disney World

While there are some pockets of slower times, overall, we expect elevated crowds across Disney World in December. It shouldn’t be surprising that crowds will reach their highest peak the week of Christmas and New Year’s Day. After all, this is notoriously Disney’s most attended time of year!

If you are looking for the lowest crowds, try the first week of December. This year may be a little trickier as Thanksgiving falls later in November. However, the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas break are lovely because most families do not take off from work and school. You can enjoy all the merry Disney happenings with fewer December crowds—now, that is truly a gift!

Once the second half of the month hits, expect crowds to skyrocket. Although this seems like it would be stressful (and it can be!), with the correct mindset, it can be a lovely experience! All the decor and festivities happening put everyone in quite a merry spirit. I have found both guests and Cast Members to be more tolerant of the longer lines, crowded spaces, and wait times brought on by this time of year.

Disney World in December is busy, but the busiest time of the month, hands down, is New Year’s. However, this is one of my all-time favorite holidays to celebrate at Walt Disney World! Yes, it is crowded, and yes, it is more expensive, but there is nothing like ringing in the New Year at the parks.

December Events at Walt Disney World

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Dates: November 8th to December 20th, 2024
The aptly named “holly, jolly event” is returning this year! Celebrate the most magical time of year at The Most Magical Place on Earth! Enjoy unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, photo ops with characters dressed in their best holiday wear, and a festive parade and fireworks. This is one of the most popular moat events during Disney World in December!

Disney Jollywood Nights
Dates: November 9th to December 21st, 2024
Jollywood Nights is returning for a second year! Step into a shimmering holiday scene with glitz and glamour! This holiday extravaganza is a separately ticketed event held on select nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Enjoy exclusive entertainment, food offerings, specially-curated holiday beverages, and the return of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular. You can find more information and purchase tickets here.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Dates: November 29th to December 30th, 2024
Located throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase, guests can get extra festive by learning (and enjoying!) how other cultures celebrate the holidays! Enjoy savory and sweet treats (like a personal favorite of mine is the Holiday Cookie Stroll), storytelling from special visitors, and the ever-popular Candlelight Processional.

New Year Celebrations
Dates: December 30th and 31st, 2024
Celebrate 2024 with memory-making fireworks displays at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT! Although subject to change, Magic Kingdom typically hosts two nights of its celebratory show “Fantasy in the Sky.” As for EPCOT, expect several dance parties throughout the World Showcase on December 31st. Then, around five minutes before midnight, it is time to countdown to the New Year with “Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration.” Hollywood Studios also gets into the festivities with a DJ dance party that has guests grooving into the Near Year!

Events at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports:

Disney Junior Soccer Showcase (November 29th – December 1st, 2024)
Disney Boy Soccer Showcase (December 27th – December 30th, 2024)

Disney Trip Essentials
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Closures & Refurbishments At Walt Disney World

The following will be closed during December:

Parks:
EPCOT – Test Track (reopening date TBD)
Typhoon Lagoon (closes November 4th for its seasonal refurbishments – reopening date TBD)

Resorts:
Contemporary Resort – the Bay Lake Tower will undergo a year-long refurb (reopening September 2025)
Polynesian Village Resort – various areas under construction due to resort-wide renovations

Tips For Visiting Disney World In December

In years past, during the week of Christmas, Walt Disney World theme parks would reach capacity early in the morning. Remember this when trying to enter a park mid-morning/late afternoon. Also, capacity limits may impact your ability to hop freely from park to park. Historically, Magic Kingdom is the first park to reach capacity (max 90,000 people), with Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom following (each with a max of 60,000 people). If you want to hop this week, we suggest guests head to EPCOT, which has the highest capacity (max 110,000 people).

If the escalated crowd levels concern you, you can always stay and enjoy the amenities offered at your Walt Disney World resort. Most offer excellent restaurants, heated pools, and fun activities unique to that particular resort. We have seen guided art projects (for an additional fee), hosted pool games for kiddos, trivia and karaoke at the bars, and movies “under the stars.” Ask a Cast Member at your resort for more details!

Walt Disney World in December is an excellent time of year to dress in layers while visiting the theme parks. And don’t worry about what to do with your jacket, sweater, or hat while riding attractions. Disney does not make visitors place their items in lockers before boarding attractions (like other theme parks may), and most rides have large storage spots to stow belongings.

Don’t let December’s cooler weather scare you away from swimming – ALL of the pools at Walt Disney World resorts and parks are heated to 82 degrees! The hotels have many jacuzzis and hot tubs to soak in on those chilly December nights. If your family wants to swim for several hours, plan pool time during the middle of the day, as mornings and evenings will be significantly cooler.

I hope this is helpful, and we'd love to hear your favorite Disney tips! Please share in the comments below or tag me on Instagram, follow on Pinterest and Facebook, and join my email list so you don’t miss anything new. Thanks for being here, friends! 🙂