December 2013 Pin Code Watch

[mlamanna1701]

They were holding a lot of their cheer and dance competition things at CSR because it is a convention center. They also hold events at ESPN

All I know is that after our stay there i knew I wanted avoid Pop Warner week at all cost.

I was trying to avoid Pop Warner week myself. When I booked, I didn't take into account how late Thanksgiving is. So of course my plans involve my family going when they arrive. When I found out, I made sure to avoid a moderate and changed to the CR (although it is more than I wanted to pay). I didn't have much of an issue at the parks in Dec 2011 when they were there, but I have read so any horror stories with Pop Warner at the resorts. I say no thank you...it isn't worth the risk of me picking a moderate that they will be staying at.

 

[Honeystar120608]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but historically, are there any deals ON or ending on Dec 25? It's going to pain me to consider paying rack rates, but I really really really want to surprise my kids for Christmas.

 

[tinkbyday]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but historically, are there any deals ON or ending on Dec 25? It's going to pain me to consider paying rack rates, but I really really really want to surprise my kids for Christmas.

Not that I could find - everything I have found ends on Christmas Eve at the latest. If you have AAA, you can use that for Christmas Day, however, they would have to set it up as a separate reservation if you have a different promotion on any other nights.

When I was going to go last Thanksgiving, I had three separate reservations because I used AAA for the first and last nights and a pin code for the middle. The risk was that they could technically ask me to check out, move rooms and check back in, but the CM said since my room type was identical and she noted it, that was not likely to occur.

 

[poohbear13]

Not that I could find - everything I have found ends on Christmas Eve at the latest. If you have AAA, you can use that for Christmas Day, however, they would have to set it up as a separate reservation if you have a different promotion on any other nights.

When I was going to go last Thanksgiving, I had three separate reservations because I used AAA for the first and last nights and a pin code for the middle. The risk was that they could technically ask me to check out, move rooms and check back in, but the CM said since my room type was identical and she noted it, that was not likely to occur.

great tip with the AAA discount Thank you!

 

[Honeystar120608]

Not that I could find - everything I have found ends on Christmas Eve at the latest. If you have AAA, you can use that for Christmas Day, however, they would have to set it up as a separate reservation if you have a different promotion on any other nights.

When I was going to go last Thanksgiving, I had three separate reservations because I used AAA for the first and last nights and a pin code for the middle. The risk was that they could technically ask me to check out, move rooms and check back in, but the CM said since my room type was identical and she noted it, that was not likely to occur.

So in my situation, arriving on Dec 25th, I'd have to hope for a discount to start after our arrival date (assuming there will be none during that first day or two) and then I'd try to apply (in Canada) CAA to the first 2 days and then switch reservations to the DW promo available.

I am starting to think that is a big IF! lol And I'd have to sign up for CAA, whatever the cost of that is, and weigh out if it is worth the extra cost one way or the other.

Me and my big ideas. lol

 

[bas71873]

So in my situation, arriving on Dec 25th, I'd have to hope for a discount to start after our arrival date (assuming there will be none during that first day or two) and then I'd try to apply (in Canada) CAA to the first 2 days and then switch reservations to the DW promo available.

I am starting to think that is a big IF! lol And I'd have to sign up for CAA, whatever the cost of that is, and weigh out if it is worth the extra cost one way or the other.

Me and my big ideas. lol

I'd be surprised if ANY discounts are offered between Christmas and New Years. Ive never checked because I have no desire to go then, but I always hear how crowded and expensive that time of year is. My guess is no discounts, other than AAA, until after Jan 1. Never say never though.

 

[Honeystar120608]

I'd be surprised if ANY discounts are offered between Christmas and New Years. Ive never checked because I have no desire to go then, but I always hear how crowded and expensive that time of year is. My guess is no discounts, other than AAA, until after Jan 1. Never say never though.

See this is where I'm torn. I want a discount, I want good weather, and low crowds. Now, are you telling me I can't get 2 out of the 3?

I did wonder about crowd levels. We've been the beginning of Dec and mid Dec. And then early October. THey've been great any of those times.

I LOVE going in October. I love the weather that time of year and everything. BUT if we decided to go then, how do I surprise the kids? kwim? My biggest thing is that I don't want to go at Halloween again. AND I want to surprise the kids in a big way. So in theory, we should try to go, hypothetically, a few days before Christmas to try and nab the tail end of whatever deal is being offered?

On another note, The first year we went was the 2nd week of Dec had good weather. Second year was beginning of Dec and weather was partly warm and partly rainy and cold (for Florida). I go to Florida to get away from cold and snow. kwim? ACK! I'm driving myself nuts.

 

[bas71873]

See this is where I'm torn. I want a discount, I want good weather, and low crowds. Now, are you telling me I can't get 2 out of the 3?

I did wonder about crowd levels. We've been the beginning of Dec and mid Dec. And then early October. THey've been great any of those times.

I LOVE going in October. I love the weather that time of year and everything. BUT if we decided to go then, how do I surprise the kids? kwim? My biggest thing is that I don't want to go at Halloween again. AND I want to surprise the kids in a big way. So in theory, we should try to go, hypothetically, a few days before Christmas to try and nab the tail end of whatever deal is being offered?

On another note, The first year we went was the 2nd week of Dec had good weather. Second year was beginning of Dec and weather was partly warm and partly rainy and cold (for Florida). I go to Florida to get away from cold and snow. kwim? ACK! I'm driving myself nuts.

There are tons of threads on Christmas crowds, even with pictures. Try a search for them. I've looked at a few and there is no way in heck I could tolerate those crowds, which is why we chose the first week of December. We liked October too and have been twice during that time, but we've never seem the holiday decorations, hence this years trip.

I'm guessing with Christmas being on a Tuesday this year, the week leading up to it might not be too bad. I'm guessing most schools will let out on Friday so that weekend before is when the big crowds will start to roll in.

How old are your kids? Old enough to understand an early Christmas gift/surprise?

 

[Honeystar120608]

There are tons of threads on Christmas crowds, even with pictures. Try a search for them. I've looked at a few and there is no way in heck I could tolerate those crowds, which is why we chose the first week of December. We liked October too and have been twice during that time, but we've never seem the holiday decorations, hence this years trip.

I'm guessing with Christmas being on a Tuesday this year, the week leading up to it might not be too bad. I'm guessing most schools will let out on Friday so that weekend before is when the big crowds will start to roll in.

How old are your kids? Old enough to understand an early Christmas gift/surprise?

Oh yes, definitely old enough, 7 and 8. I just had it pictured in my head to surprise them Christmas Eve, but I'm seeing now that the trip itself might not be as fun.

I will have to think about that one... hummm... I will go check out the pictures at Christmas.

 

[jdcthree]

See this is where I'm torn. I want a discount, I want good weather, and low crowds. Now, are you telling me I can't get 2 out of the 3?

I did wonder about crowd levels. We've been the beginning of Dec and mid Dec. And then early October. THey've been great any of those times.

If you want low crowds, you don't want to go from Christmas to New Year's. It's the most crowded time at Walt Disney World. Crazy doesn't even begin to describe it.

 

[3Leafs]

If you want low crowds, you don't want to go from Christmas to New Year's. It's the most crowded time at Walt Disney World. Crazy doesn't even begin to describe it.

You described it perfectly I was following the crowds on twitter and just about every day at some point MK was closed due to capacity!

 

[su_A_ve]

We ARE spending Xmas at WDW this year. We've done it a couple of times, and both times it was manageable until the afternoon of the 25th, when it got packed.

At this point, we are looking at CSR from 12/19 to 12/26. Last couple of times, this was with FD, but don't count on it this year - hope for some type of discount though for DVR or general public - We NEVER get PIN codes.

Have not made a reservation yet though...

 

[tinkbyday]

So in my situation, arriving on Dec 25th, I'd have to hope for a discount to start after our arrival date (assuming there will be none during that first day or two) and then I'd try to apply (in Canada) CAA to the first 2 days and then switch reservations to the DW promo available.

I am starting to think that is a big IF! lol And I'd have to sign up for CAA, whatever the cost of that is, and weigh out if it is worth the extra cost one way or the other.

Me and my big ideas. lol

As another poster said, I would be shocked if any discounts were offered the week between Christmas and New Year - this is the most crowded and most expensive week of the year often closing parks due to capacity. You could use CAA for the whole week - that is most likely the best discount you will be able to get that week.

I can't speak for CAA, but I have AAA and it has paid for itself every year - especially because you can get discounts on other things besides hotel - but the hotel discounts alone have paid for the membership.

 

[tinkbyday]

We ARE spending Xmas at WDW this year. We've done it a couple of times, and both times it was manageable until the afternoon of the 25th, when it got packed.

At this point, we are looking at CSR from 12/19 to 12/26. Last couple of times, this was with FD, but don't count on it this year - hope for some type of discount though for DVR or general public - We NEVER get PIN codes.

Have not made a reservation yet though...

Great to know! We are planning to check out on Christmas Day and head home, so it sounds like it may work out with the crowds.

 

[ama223]

Count us in! We're planning for Sat 12/7 to Sun 12/15

Most likely staying offsite at Bonnet Creek, unless an awesome deal comes along of course

 

[dsnydaddy]

Sounds like I'll be there during the thick of things. Dec 26-Jan2. Always wanted to do WDW during the holidays so here we come. I'm extremely doubtful that there'll be discounts during my dates though.

 

[cndnchicky]

We are also going December 12 to 20! Count us in

 

[carrie1626]

*

please add me
11/29 thru 12/8
I hoping for a great room only discount this time around:woohoo.

 

[tinkbyday]

Count us in! We're planning for Sat 12/7 to Sun 12/15

Most likely staying offsite at Bonnet Creek, unless an awesome deal comes along of course

Sounds like I'll be there during the thick of things. Dec 26-Jan2. Always wanted to do WDW during the holidays so here we come. I'm extremely doubtful that there'll be discounts during my dates though.

We are also going December 12 to 20! Count us in

please add me
11/29 thru 12/8
I hoping for a great room only discount this time around:woohoo.

 

[blfbrat]

12 OF us going day after thanksgiving and staying through the next weekend, hoping for a nice discount this is the two Grandmother's Christmas gift to 4 grandchildren and their parents.

This is a wonderful open adoption family situation. Birth grandma and adoptive grandmother work together to take everyone.