How busy is early Dec -- Really!

[erikthewise]

In another thread one member said that one should have little problem getting ressies in May, Sept, or early Dec with two months notice, while another said that early Dec is the busiest time of all at DVC, even OKW may be full.

As a prospective member who will go primarily in early Dec, I'm very interested in hearing more opinions. I will not be pleased if I join and then find I can't use my points this coming Dec, though I think that's very unlikely. If early Dec were truly very busy at DVC, wouldn't the point charts reflect that?!

[Debby7]

If you plan on vacationing in early December, you should plan on using the 11month window for your home resort. With the possible exception of BCV this year, yes, even OKW can be fully booked. I called two weeks into my 11 month window two years ago and could not get a studio for the second week of December @ OKW !

[Eeyore2U]

The way I understand it, since points are low more DVC'ers go. It makes sense that ressies might be more difficult at that time.

[fkj2]

Not only are the point requirements low, the weather is generally warm enough for shorts during the day and cooler at night.

The parks and resorts are fabulously decorated and while DVC is busy, the other hotels find a lower occupency rate so that the guests have fewer/smaller lines for the attractions.

When the charts were first designed, they reflected the general attendance of the resorts with fewer points required for "off" travel seasons. DVC can rearrange the points somewhat but have limited ability to significantly increase seasonal point requirements.

So, even if you're not entirely sure you'll be travelling then, it's easier to make a ressie and let it go if you find yourself unable to travel than to try and pick one up at the last minute.

[DebbieB]

We've gone the first or second week of December the past 4 years, the last 2 at BWV (+ this coming Dec). I made my BWV ressies at exactly 11 months. First year was preferred view and last year was standard view. I called on the 11 month mark of my final checkout day last year and got standard view but I heard others who called later that day didn't get some of the early days. So this year I called day by day for December 7 to 13 (standard 1 bedroom). This is a wonderful time to go - crowds are fairly low, the Christmas decorations and shows are in full swing and DVC points are the lowest. The DVC annual meetings are also held the first week. Weather is usually nice - 75 to 80 (except in 2000 it was only low 60's), no rain on any of our December trips.

May shouldn't be a problem - I got OKW for May at 7 months with no problem the past 3 years. I don't think September is that busy either.

[spiceycat]

Disney starts their Christmas immediately after Thanksgiving - so all the Christmas shows are going the first two weeks in December - but the crowds are low, the temperature is generally great (one year it was cold and I have been going since 1992) - and so it is a great time to go. Most DVC know this unlike regular disney visitors and take full advantage of it. So if you make your reservations at the 11th month time then no you shouldn't have any problems - but now - I can't say. I am on a wait list myself for December 5 I have a studio but I want a 1-bedroom at OKW - so there is a fairly good chance.

Just be glad that the points (so far) as based not on DVC visit but how busy the parks are - the summer season - almost the busiest season for the parks are not very busy at the DVC resorts - you can generally get a reservation for June, July and August without trouble (well I haven't had any).

DVC resorts use to have a wait list for Christmas thru New Year this is by far the busiest time in the parks - but since most DVC did not want to go then they did away with the list.

[Maistre Gracey]

The "theory" is that the current point allocation should level the demand for the different weeks/days. Of course, this is why DVC reserves the right to re-allocate points. If early December were TOO popular, you eventualy see re-allocation. Re-allocation is not taken lightly by DVC, and has only happened once or twice, but it is there for this exact purpose.

[Richyams]

Re-allocation has only happened once, back around '96. The lower months were raised a litle and the higher months were lowered a little.

Early December is the most difficult time to get a DVC reservation. If your travel plans will regularly include early December trips, you will need to buy where you want to stay and use the eleven month window.

[DebbieB]

I was looking at the point charts and the difference for Boardwalk standard between adventure & choice seasons is only 2 points for weeknights & 1 point for weekends. So it wouldn't make a huge difference if they moved early December to choice (they would have to change something somewhere else too).

[Richyams]

I don't think we will ever see another re-allocation.

While it is in DVD fiduciary responsibilities to change them if occupancy is heavily lopsided, I think availability even it out enough for them not to make any changes. I heard that they had terrible grief from the last re-allocation. Understandable too, they were selling the lowest weeks during the sales pitch, all of a sudden, a year or two later, you can't take the "ten day vacation" you were sold.

I know, we bought points, I know, we were told they could change, that doesn't change the fact that they got MAJOR grief over that re-allocation.

I do not think we will ever see another re-allocation.

[JudithM]

In addition to what other members have said about early December (low points, Christmas decorations, etc.), keep in mind that the DVC annual meetings usually take place at this time of the year. A few years ago at the OKW annual meeting a member asked about when the meeting is scheduled. A CM said it is usually scheduled for the Thursday after Thanksgiving. So last year it was November 29. This year it is December 5. During that same week in early December other DVC annual meetings are also scheduled.

[DVC Eeyore]

I have been to Disney the last 5 years during the 1st two weeks of December. I have noticed an increasing difficulty at getting a reservation by the 7 month point. I now make my ressies at the 11 month point and if I can switch to try another of the resorts then I do but at least I have my ressie. I am one of the lucky ones who has ressies for VWL this year--last year I didn't have much of a problem and called around the 10 month point but it hadn't sold out yet. This year I had heard it would be tight so I did the day-by-day calling and heard VWL was filling up. I would suggest you buy where you think you want to stay in Dec and book at the 11 month point then see what else is open to try at the 7 month point--you can always waitlist. The crowds are not bad though which is why I go at that time. I cannot recall waiting in line more than about 15 minutes. The resorts as stated previously are not crowded so it's a nice time to walk around looking at the different decorations.

DVC Eeyore

[erikthewise]

Thanks for all your comments!

Just when we thought we had made up our minds to join DVC!:rolleyes:
I have a very rigid work schedule. This is just about the only time of year when it's practical for us to go for a week or longer.

Now I'm faced with this choice: Do I join, and then have to scratch and claw my way through hordes of rabid DVC members just to get a ressie?:eek: Or do I not join, and pick and choose among bargain-basement rates at Deluxe resorts with plenty of room?:cool:

Not that I expect an objective answer, of course!:D

[DebbieB]

Make the reservation at 11 months, you can always cancel it if your work schedule does not work out. Watch your use year - you may want to get December so that you have the maximum amount of time to bank.

[dianeschlicht]

While it is busy at DVC in early December, you should have NO touble if you make your reservation at 11 months out. We have always done our ressies as soon as possible and have never been dissapointed.

[Richyams]

Not only 'no problem', but actually even less of a problem than that.

As long as you make your reservations near eleven months out, there is no problem at all. You don't even have to call day by day for most reservations. There are only three rooms that you have to call day by day for, GV at either OKW or BWV and the standard view at BWV, other than those, you will not have the slightest problem calling once to msake the entire reservation.

I expect this to remain true for a long time.

[fireplug]

We booked a 1 br at WLV for Dec. 8-12 and then a 1 br at BCV for the 15th and 16th at the 7 month mark and there was no problem.

I agree though if you want to travel in dec get a dec use year and book at the elven month window you should be fine.

Steve

[chris1gill]

Erikthewise, actually, I don't think you have a problem AT ALL... it's actually very good that you know that you want to travel the first two weeks of December!! Since you know it, you can plan on calling every January for reservations... if you need to adjust days OFF the ressie later on, you'll have no trouble & you'll have your reservation for your preferred timeframe!

[jmminarik]

Just some random thoughts on this topic:

1) I don't see DVC upping the points during early December. By having a lower point cost, they are guaranteeing the member side of the house being full. That does two things...brings in a 'guaranteed' population to WDW who will be spending their money on tickets, food and stuff (D in DVC is still Disney). It also means that the DVC 'owned' points and those points which members give up in exchange for things like Hotel reservations and adventurer collection vacations can be used to reserve rooms for rent by DVC during the more popular (and higher rack rate) seasons of the year.

2) Most of our points are at Vero. Maybe I'm just the anomoly which upsets the theory, but so far we've not had any problems getting rooms at 7 months on property. Last year, we got a studio NYE Weekend (though not on NYE) at BWV about 5 months out. This year we were able to get a 2BR and two studios at OKW 7 months out during early December. Of course, OKW and BCV were all that was left when I called, but that was fine by me..didn't have enough points left over to stay anywhere but OKW. :)

3) Weather can be an issue if your vacation must include pool time or days at the water parks. Even if the weather is warm, the water park(s) may be mobbed even if the main parks aren't. Off the top of my head I don't know what the maintenance schedule for Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon are, but if one is down for repairs, the other will invariably be packed if the weather is warm.

-Joe

[Laurabearz]

We prefer to travel in May and Early December too. I just called MS(a day before the 7 month window opened up) for this Dec 9-15th and got 2-two bedrooms villas at OKW, no problem. I was really freaking about it. I should of asked if there were any stuidos availble, just ot share with you folks..... sorry. I also didnt check avaiblity at any other resorts....

We are not concerned about getting ressies for the dates we want........ If BWV is booked, we will try BCV.... Cant get in at VWL, then we'll try OKW. If we cant get a two bedroom, we will deal with a one bedroom. If we have to waitlist... so be it. If we need to split our stay between to resorts, all the better.... Standard view gone... then we can do prefered..... and as a last ditch fail safe.... we can always stay in the Disney collection for a night or two to fill in the blanks(on points) or ASResorts with $$$.

The key is to be flexable in where you stay. (Oh and booking the trips as soon as you think of them helps a lot too) And dont sweat being waitlisted(that is if yu even are waitlisted....) at the 11th month window for December. When the 7th month window opens up a lot of ressies are swicthed around...... (people booking at their home resorts at the 11 month window then switching at the 7th month window) From what I have read most waitlists come through..... :D

We have most of our points in a December UY. It works nicely for us.

Have fun deciding..... I know how hard it can be.....

[wdwendyd]

I have had very good success with waitlists in early Dec. As long as you are booking either before the 7 month window or right at the 7 month window, I have found the waitlists come through as others switch their reservations around. I would say you should not let this be the reason you don't buy DVC. (double negative, but you get the idea :) )

[Mouse Ears]

Are the park hours shorter in early December? If so, do they still have evening fireworks at MK, Fantasmic, Illuminations, etc.?

:earsboy: M.E.

[LoveRafiki]

I too am an Early December vacationer -- I just joined last year - I made reservations for VWL for first week in Dec. without a problem and it was well beyond the 11 month window. This year I made them again without a problem.

As far a park hours go -- the times are shortened up a bit. I don't have exact hours -- I think MK closes at 6 or 7pm during the week. Fantasmic still ran each night 2 shows. E-Ticket nights don't happen in Dec. -- mostly because they have the special Christmas evening events. I dont think AK hours changed (they used to open at 8am and now at 9am, but that change seems to be here for good) The shortened hours don't cause a problem...

[His_Lordship]

Is your only concern is having trouble using DVC this year? It is true that if you buy now, you may have trouble getting into a DVC resort in early December. You can use your points at one of the other disney resorts. We did this at Easter this year, which is also very busy.

We booked at the 11 month window for the 2nd week of December. I tried to change it to the first week about a month ago and BWV had no openings.