Lunch was a nightmare – had to wait a long time for a table by which time our dinner was cold. Although I think the policy for that has changed and the staff now guide to tables and stop families sitting down while other family members get food.

As you live there I would go at the start of Dec so that you get the best atmosphere and can actually see everything.

Have a great time.

don’t get me wrong its still extremely fun but you will have outrageously long lines. and the cast members will literally be “directing traffic” with light wands.

its gonna feel like you are standing in a line where ever you walk.

since you leave in the area now you should consider going earlier in the month. the first half of dec is noted to be literally the least crowded time of the entire year cuz its between 2 holidays that kids have off of school for. the crowds that went over thanks giving break are back in school and the rest of the families are waiting until xmas break so they don’t have to pull the kids out of school when they just had off and will have off again in a couple weeks.

and the xmas season for disney world starts on nov 10th and runs through jan 3rd this year so the xmas season will be in full swing in early dec with decorations, lights, music, xmas themed attractions, and even “snow”.
plus mickey’s very merry xmas party only runs until dec 18th in case you were interested in attending that so if you go on dec 24th you’d miss out on the opportunity. it does require a seperate event ticket. here’s the info if you’d like to take a look:
http://tickets.disney.go.com/buy/TicketTrans

i’m sure you’ll have fun no matter when you go but it will be less hectic if you go earlier in the month.