Isn't pre x-mas december supposed to be less crowded?

[st_claire]

I planned my whole trip out and planned to go the week before x-mas so that it was value season, not peak. I called and they said that the 18 of december is sold out at all all stars and the 19 is sold out also at all star movies. Grrr. I said I thought it wasn't supposed to be busy, and she said that this year it's going to be really crowded. This really upsets my plans, I was hoping to have short waits and stuff. Also, all the discounts are sold out, like AAA. They said they have no more discounts for that time at all. Poor me, looks like it's offsite (I so wanted to have 24 hour magic) :( I thought 5 months would be pleanty of time to book early, but I guess next time I'll have to plan a few years in advance.

Thanks for letting me rant ;)

[webray]

Just keep checking back for the rooms/prices you want on disney property, keep checking mousesavers. Remember, rooms are sometimes blocked at certain rates and then released if not all sold out. That is why it always pays to call back and check every week or so.

Go ahead and book off-site if you need to, just to make sure you have a place to stay, make sure of the cancellation policy so you don't lose any money, and then just keep checking with Disney.

Good luck!

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Early Dec is not crowded, but once schools let out(around the 19th here), things really pick up! Good luck. Do keep calling, many people will cancel.

[milmore104]

st-claire, I know where your coming from I thought the same thing. I wanted to go at x-mas but didn't want the crowds of the wait. It did seem to be that there were more people but we didn't wait more than 25 min. for a ride. Until we got to the 21st of Dec. from then on we never went back into a park the rest of the trip.
We also ran into the problem with the resorts being full. We wanted ASM but it was booked and we had to stay at ASSp. But when we got there there were plenty of rooms avalible at ASM. So I say keep on trying.

[Jasmine13]

Actually, it is the 1st TWO weeks of December that are less crowded. Once you hit the 17th to 18th of December, the crowds increase masively. Could you switch your vacation to a week earlier? It would definitely be worth it!

[erikthewise]

A simple way to tell what will be the least crowded times are to go by what Disney designates as Value season. These are the times when Disney expects things to be slow and gives lower rates at the resorts.

In 2002, Value season ends on Dec 19. Immediately following is Holiday season, the busiest time of the year. So expect attendance to explode between the 18th and 21st. Up until then it should be pretty quiet, though picking up somewhat on the 15th-17th. Keep in mind that AS Movies is always popular and may be hard to get at any time of year.

[DisneyKidds]

Keep checking for discounts at WDW resorts. They may not have any discounted rooms available now (AAA, DC). However, most discounts that might apply for that period probably haven't been established yet (codes, AP rates, etc.).

[tinkerbelle30]

expedia has room/ticket pkgs for that time

[GEM]

We were there last year from Dec. 7th through 18th. It was empty at first. No lines, no waits at restaurants, nobody in the Wilderness Lodge pool, etc. It was great! However, on the 17th of last year, that changed. The crowds really started arriving that day. All of sudden, there were lots of people in lines, in the pool, etc. It didn't bother us, since we were leaving the 18th. It definately starts to pick up about a week before Christmas, though.

[Greg K.]

Maybe things are heating up because people want to catch the 100 Years of Magic shindig before it goes away.

Dunno.

But I can report that when WE were at WDW in '99, from Dec 12 - Dec 21, it was great...until the last day or two. HORDES of people started piling into the GF, with Christmas gifts in tow.

But the first week was blissful and beautiful and we just WALKED on to almost every ride :)

[yasuern]

If you can change your vacation dates to fall btwn nov30th-dec15th - I bet you will get a reservation. And you will still be ABLE to enjoy all the christmas/holiday activities. We were ther last dec for 9 nights and had the most wonderful time. I would highly recommend you purchase tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - held on certain nights during the holiday season - it is fantastic and worth the extra money!!! You can just go to WDW website and order tickets on line. Hope you get your ressies and have a wonderful/magical time

[st_claire]

unfortunatly, the dates can't be moved any earlier. University doesn't let out till the 13th. I found a nice place offsite though, but can only book it for a week. The question now is do I return after 7 days, or go onsite for 3 more and come home on the 24th...hmmm. Rooms will cost a lot due to the peak season, and the parks will be crowded, but I'd get 3 nights onsite. decisions decisions...

[bumcat]

St. claire - I booked my reservations on line this morning for AKL and CS. I plugged in your dates 12/18 and check out 12/20 for all star movies and it is available to book on line. You need a credit or debit card and the deposit is for one night.

Another way to try if you call back ask for dates 12/16 - 12/20 and then later call back and only cancel what you don't need. I read this on the boards when someone else had trouble booking just two days.

I booked on line thru walt disney world.

[bumcat]

Forgot to mention I booked mine for 12/15 - 12/20.

[PamOKW]

The on-site Disney resorts tends to fill up in early December but offsite there is usually plenty of availability. This means the parks are not very crowded but there can be "no room at the Inn" because many people take advantage of this slow time to see the holiday decorations at WDW and stay on-site.

Starting roughly around 12/20 (or whenever WDW starts their Holiday season pricing each year), the offsite hotels will start to be totally booked as well. This is when you hit "critical mass" at WDW and the parks are jammed.

[MJames41]

I wouldn't give up hope for staying on-site for the entire stay you want. Don't forget, there is a new code coming out, so I am sure some rooms have been reserved for that. Check the Disney World site on Sunday (and Monday) to see if the new codes have come out.