1st week of May occ. levels - seems full to me

[Vermin]

I just checked occupancy using online system for May 3 - May 10, which is when we are going. There didn't seem to be much availability to me, but this is my 1st time giong, so what do I know. Please look at this and give your 2 cents as to whether this seems full...

Value - all available
Moderate - None available (Not surprising, given PO news)
Deluxe --
AKL - only Savannah Deluxe available
BC - only concierge available
BW - Water/pool view, and std. concierge avail
CR - only Tower concierge avail
GF - None available
Poly - Lagoon, and Lagoon concierge available
WL - none available
YC - Only Garden concierge available
Home Away From Home
FW - Cabins available
BWV, OKW, WLV, BCV - None available

 

[gonga]

Well that's good news........maybe they will change the park hours in our favor........maybe even an E-Ride!

 

[BrianD]

Wow, this seems very full for the first week of May. Either, the POFQ is affecting this, or people are really starting to book Disney World trips.

 

[shelly3girls]

We took a last minute trip 2 years ago during the second week of May. When I called a week in advance, every deluxe resort was completely sold out except for a 1 br suite at the GF. We were worried about crowds because of this. Once we arrived, the lines were minimal. We were also able to make PS for pretty much the times we needed including Chef Mickey. Hopefully we will find the same when we arrive 5/2!

 

[abt426]

We will also be in WDW the first week of May so I am interested in this. Did a little checking and Expedia seems to have rooms available at all resorts other than WL, BWV, BCV, and VWL. Also I do not believe that the computer system has access to all rooms. Especially with all the different codes out there. Last year for our trip in May the WDW computer reservation didn't show availability at BWV but when I called CRO we had no problem getting a 2 bedroom. I really hope things aren't that full.

Alena

 

[AWilliams]

We booked about two months ago and when I looked on WDW.com there was no availability for AKL concierge, but when I called they said they had plenty of rooms available.

-Amy

 

[polkadotminnie]

We went the first week of May last year and it was great. Schools aren't out yet and colleges are getting ready for exams. The longest line was TOT at 20 min. We will be there May 2-9 this year at RPH and AKL. Where are ya'll staying? Shelly3girls - How old are your DD's? (Mine are 1,4, and 6.) Hope to see you there.

 

[shelly3girls]

polkadotminnie
My DD's are 2 and 4 and I am girl #3! We will be there 5/2 - 5/11. Your DD's will love AKL, we stayed there last Dec. and the kids loved it!

 

[yyum168]

I am puzzled by this same situation too. You see I have an opportunity to go to WDW last week of April, and first week of May. I want very much to stay at CBR. But the WDW online system says it is booked very full, but expedia is able to give me the 9 days of Std view. Now, why would WDW give Expedia priority in booking their rooms over customers that book directly with them ?!
Second, I am also concerned that first 10 - 15 days when all the discount codes kicks in, it will be so full in the parks and hotels that it is no longer the slower time as I have experienced previously. DH is also not sure what it is like to be at 2000 room hotel near capacity. May be we will have to postponed the trip to Fall.
Thanks!

 

[jaysue]

Did you check via the regular link on upper right or through the vacation specials link?

Also, with a longer period such as 7 nights it might be harder to find consecutive nights at hotels - if the stay was broken into segments there might be more hotels available on any given portion of the stay.

Thanks
Jason

 

[Michelemouse]

And remember...when you put in your dates to check availability all it takes is one night of being sold out for that request to come up as "unavailable". So even though you are checking for a week, it may only be one night that is sold out.

 

[debden]

yyum168,I also went to the Disney website and put in April 29-May 2nd and it showed no availability.Then I put in April 29-May 1
and it showed rooms available.Did May 1-2 and showed rooms available for the Caribbean Beach Resort. Why?....It did not take the dates together but it did seperately...mmmmm,can't figure that one out?!!!

 

[jaysue]

It is probably a Disney plot to get people hooked onto certain rates for a night or two and then pay closer to rack for other nights or a hook to get them to taste for a couple of nights and want to come back for more.

Or it could be a plain old case of a not very good on line booking system

thanks
Jason

 

[margaritabnl]

Actually, you are all sort of close to the answer. I am an outside sales travel agent and booked myself to CSR May3-10. I tried to upgrade through WDW Travel Co. who I booked with, to a DLX resort for more amenities since the parks are closing earlier. As mentioned earlier, WDW online has all MOD's booked (thanks POFQ!) and a scattering of availability for DLX resorts (high end room categories) that I wasn't interested in. So I am staying put.....for now If I purchashed the cancel insurance (which I should know better to do!) I would have cancelled after I learned of all the changes and rebooked for a better timeframe.

What you need to realize is that all the different reservation departments within WDW (WDW Travel Co. & CRO) have their own room inventory. This is the same with any major travel website or supplier (such as Travelocity, Delta, USAir Vacations etc.).

So don't despair if you can't get a room through CRO or WDW Travel Co. There are MANY other travel companies with inventory that MAY have the resort you want. It could be a little tight since POFQ has been closed.

Just a little caveat to the travel agent statement so I don't get flamed...When I travel, I do not ask for any special pricing or treatment since I am a travel agent. I paid what any person booking through WDW Travel Co. paid. I firmly believe by doing this I can objectively critique a resort. I have no incentive to be extra nice or overlook things since I was given a huge discount or a better room over someone else. This is how I can sell a vacations without feeling like a Snake Oil Salesperson!

 

[n2mm]

We will be there May 3-17--A/S Music.

My husband's coworker will be there with her family, May 3-10--A/S Music

My good friend and her husband May 3-11 POR, her family, and other friends.

So that's 5 families right here coming down.

We go every May/April (10 years now) and it has never been slow during that timeframe. It's not busy like Easter or Christmas, but is pretty full, especially with locals and school groups.

 

[CarolA]

I am going to throw another wrench into this. Expedia has told me they have inventory in the past- All the way until the last step in booking and then it comes back not available. So... what Expedia shows you when you do an inquiry may not always be available when you actually hit book my room!

 

[d-r]

just two cents here, fwiw-

We've been in May when it wasn't very crowded, and the on-line reservations things were booked just as much, or more, that what was reported in this thread -

ymmv-
DR

 

[polkadotminnie]

Rates are cheaper than usual with war... Maybe more are staying on-site.

 

[GSRDPM]

I'll be at AKL with my DW, DS (7) and DD (4) from May 3rd to May 10th. We can't wait!