'04 Holiday Resv???

[KathyR]

I am tentatively planning a trip next X-mas ('04). The dates would be Dec 26-Jan 9 (Sunday-Sunday). We have only travelled to WDW Sept/Oct/Nov, so I really have no idea what to expect.

What I would like to know is how hard is it to get reservations at the 7 month window at OKW (1 bedroom) the week after X-mas and/or the first week of Jan? I am hoping to get a portion of my stay there. I of course will reserve at my home resorts as a back up no matter what.

So, experienced holiday travelers please speak up!

How have your reservations gone for this time of year?

Do I need to do any day by day calling at the 11 month window to ensure a room?

Anyone switched resorts at the 7 month window w/or w/o success?

I am assumming that Dec 26 and 31 will be the most difficult, but I could be wrong. I also think my chances for some time at OKW should be pretty good for the Jan 2-9 portion of my trip???

Thanks for any help/comments!

 

[Caskbill]

Normally the NewYear's eve night (Dec 31st) is very hard to get as that is an extremely popular time for everyone. We'll be doing our 5th NYE at DVC this year.

However, next year, Dec 31, 2004 falls on a Friday making it not just Premier season, but also a weekend, so a 1-B/R will be 73 points for that one night and Jan 1st, even though it's Adventure season, is a Saturday at 40 pts/night. We for one are not going next year (2004 NYE) for that reason, but will be going right after New Year's, in January beginning Jan 2nd, when it's only 16 points/night. (We'll be making our reservations at the 11-month window)

Also, for Christmas, Dec 24th and Dec 25 are again both in Premier season and a weekend so the points are higher than they would be had the holidays fallen mid-week. This may mean that some who would have gone for Christmas might not next year because of the higher point costs. However the 26th begins the week as a Sunday again so that may be a popular day for those booking a 5-day stay Sun-Thurs Dec 26 through Dec 30th.

Normally your Jan 2-9 I would think would not be a problem, unless next year is different with people, (like myself) change their normal plans and go the 1st couple of weeks in January instead of the actual Holiday dates.

Hopefully you'll get what you want. If you get it, your 15 day vacation in a 1-B/R at OKW will cost you 439 points. (If you get BWV Standard it's 454 points, and if you get SSR it's 491 points, and finally BWV preferred, VWL, or BCV would all be 542 points.

Regardless of which resort you get, you'll love January. Right after NYE the crowds at the parks drop dramatically. But keep in mind that because it's both low crowds and low points, the 1st few weeks in January are a more popular time for DVC members.


Good Luck

 

[dianeschlicht]

Caskbill said it all. We usually go early January, and have never had trouble making ressies at OKW waiting until 11 months from the last check out day. The only time we use day by day ressies for this time is the GVs.

The only thing I would add, is that sometimes the weather can be very changeable. We have been there with highs in the 90s as well as lows down around 35. We even had frost one year. I usually pack a sweatshirt, jacket, gloves, hat and scarf just in case. When it is cold and damp and you are outdoors most of the time, it can be VERY chilling!