Advice from Dec Travelers...

[Coamfo]

This is our first year as DVC members so I have a question for seasoned December travelers. In years past, we visited during the Free Dining promo. We found that the first week of Dec had the Pop Warner kids which made for a loud and busy week. We started going in November after that. Well, currently I have Dec 9-18 booked at AKL. I just saw a story on a Disney FB page that said there was a glitch in the system on a Disney travel agencies site (that was removed quickly) that showed the Free Dining dates which includes Dec 10-21.

My question is....from past history, is it less busy with POP Warner the first week of Dec or with Free Dining the second week? Thanks so much!

 

[bwvBound]

Personally, I've found things more pleasant in the first week of Dec ... but our touring pattern may be different than yours. We rarely visit MK and spent most of our time at: Epcot, AK and Studios, in that priority.

Edited to add: For holiday trips we also spend a good amount of time at the various resorts enjoying the gingerbread creations, decorations, live chorus presentations, etc. So again, our touring style is likely different than 'typical'??

 

[Coamfo]

Personally, I've found things more pleasant in the first week of Dec ... but our touring pattern may be different than yours. We rarely visit MK and spent most of our time at: Epcot, AK and Studios, in that priority.

Edited to add: For holiday trips we also spend a good amount of time at the various resorts enjoying the gingerbread creations, decorations, live chorus presentations, etc. So again, our touring style is likely different than 'typical'??

We usually do just the parks but think instead of a second day at HS this year, we will spend it checking out some resorts.

I'm so torn...I wish I had the Free Dining dates from Disney and not a rumored site.

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, I would be surprised to see Free Dining in December this year. The parks are crowded and unless the non-DVC resorts are not filling up as quickly as Disney expected, there won't be a need to offer it. If they do, the quantity of rooms elegible will surely be less than in past years. JMHO. YMMV

That said, we often go during Pop Warner and since they stay at the values or one of the moderates, we barely notice them. The don't seem to be in the parks all that much during the day.

If it were me, I'd go for the second week - it's a bit easier to get a DVC villa that week compared to the first week.

 

[Coamfo]

FWIW, I would be surprised to see Free Dining in December this year. The parks are crowded and unless the non-DVC resorts are not filling up as quickly as Disney expected, there won't be a need to offer it. If they do, the quantity of rooms elegible will surely be less than in past years. JMHO. YMMV

That said, we often go during Pop Warner and since they stay at the values or one of the moderates, we barely notice them. The don't seem to be in the parks all that much during the day.

If it were me, I'd go for the second week - it's a bit easier to get a DVC villa that week compared to the first week.

We already have Dec 9-18 booked in a 2 bedroom at Kidani but OKW seems to be wide open the first week. We love it there so I won't be sad to switch. I think I'll wait until Disney announces and decide then. I really hope they don't offer it in December.