All value resorts full on dec 3rd? something going on?

[erikthewise]

It's Pop Warner that sold out the value resorts, not MouseFest.
Re Swan & Dolphin, call the resorts directly to see if they have rooms. And don't forget the Downtown Disney hotels. They aren't Disney, but they are (technically) on site. At the Hilton you still get EMH. The Doubletree has huge rooms (600 sq ft). They're both better than staying home (but rent a car).

 

[daisy_77]

I just checked online at Disneyworld.com and December 3 is booked, but during the week there is availability at pretty much most of the resorts. It might be b/c it is a Saturday and Mousefest is going on. There are rumors floating around that it will be crowded the beginning of December...I hope not.

 

[TDC Nala]

All the stuff that's going on December 3:

1) Pop Warner kids' football/cheerleading tournaments. They book most of the value resorts and some moderates. They'll be at Wide World of Sports competing most of the time, but if you're staying in a value (like I am) the food courts and buses will most likely be inundated with mobs of kids. Some of the kids (and parents) are polite and some are not, usually what you get with any big group. There'll be one night where MGM closes early for a private Pop Warner party.

2) Mousefest, the yearly inundation of Disney diehards. It isn't as huge as it sounds but those of us who attend do book rooms, usually for the week. For me, it's just a long weekend, and I booked late so I have 3 different resorts and was very excited to be able to get the Swan at a discount for the 3rd. Many of the mousefesters are leaving on the 4th to take the Disney cruise, which will contribute to the lack of rooms at WDW on the 3rd. When I was booking, I noticed a good bit of availability opened up on the 4th.

3) The Christmas parade yearly taping is at the MK on December 3. Regis and whatsherface will be there, I think they're taping some of their show, too.

4) The first week of December is extremely popular with DVC members. There's a big waitlist for DVC resorts that week for those booking with points. I didn't even try since I was way past even the 7 month booking window. I have points to use, but will use them 2 weeks later rather than attempt that particular week.

 

[erikthewise]

All the stuff that's going on December 3:

1) Pop Warner kids' football/cheerleading tournaments. They book most of the value resorts and some moderates. They'll be at Wide World of Sports competing most of the time, but if you're staying in a value (like I am) the food courts and buses will most likely be inundated with mobs of kids. Some of the kids (and parents) are polite and some are not, usually what you get with any big group. There'll be one night where MGM closes early for a private Pop Warner party.

...

So that's who it was! We took an Illuminations Cruise last year, on Friday night of Pop Warner week, and the boat goes down to the MGM dock before turning around and coming back. MGM was "closed" at the time, but there was obviously a big, noisy party going on. Somebody was having a lot of fun!

 

[mgpan]

A convention pretty much has it booked solid during the time you're talking about as well.

 

[wildzootv]

we couldnt stay at the Shades of Green because of that date too - they could book us for the other dates but we'd have to put down two deposits and I didnt want to have to "move" during our vacation. I guess we got one of the few slots left (only sports and music) was availble.

 

[TheDogbots]

Well procrastinating, now the 4th is booked at the value resorts...

so there goes that plan lol.

I am thinking of staying at the grosvenor in DTD. anyone ever stayed there? it is about 20 dollars more a day then I want to pay, but I am hoping i can get extra money to pay for trip... so far the rental car and the flight took up a good amount of what they are giving me and i still have a conference fee to pay!

Here is a question, i know they provide shuttles at these DTD resorts, but are they worth it? also is it possible if they are next to DTD to catch a disney bus from DTD and go to TTC or one of the parks instead? I know there is a transportation schedule somewhere in my bookmarks i just cant find it

thanks all who have helped me with this so far

as for visiting the parks, i think I am going to by a 10 day ticket PH and non expiring, and try to use only a couple days (My G/f's family won a trip down at the end of the month, so I am "supposed" to save up and go at that time too, this way it would be cheaper to buy tickets for that trip also. I want to spend the majority of my free time at one or two parks and the AC on pleasure island!

I really wish i could stay on property for EMH, but looks like that will be unafordable, unless someone knows of a discount or something on the more expensive resorts that are not booked? (i know everyone is saying check swan and dolphin, but i just dont have the money for those...)

 

[erikthewise]

I've heard not-so-good things about the DTD hotel shuttles. And there are no direct buses from DTD to the parks. I'd recommend a rental car if you can possibly afford one. The only way to get EMH through a non-Disney hotel is at Swan-Dolphin or the DTD Hilton, but you say you can't afford those. Of course if you do have a rental car, you can go a little further afield and get reasonable rates, e.g. the Buena Vista Suites or Radisson Resort Parkway. Before you give up on Swan-Dolphin call direct and ask for any discounts that are available. (e.g government, nurse, teacher if they apply)

 

[TammiMcMan]

Well procrastinating, now the 4th is booked at the value resorts...

so there goes that plan lol.

You obviously need a plan now, but I would still continue to check daily. As I said before, I wouldn't be surprised to see something open up around 11/30. Any chance of talking a friend into going down with you to split the cost of the room and car?

I am thinking of staying at the grosvenor in DTD. anyone ever stayed there? Here is a question, i know they provide shuttles at these DTD resorts, but are they worth it? also is it possible if they are next to DTD to catch a disney bus from DTD and go to TTC or one of the parks instead? I know there is a transportation schedule somewhere in my bookmarks i just cant find it :

My neighbors stayed at the Grosvenor last year and really liked it. While you can't catch a DTD Disney bus directly to a park, you could definitely take it to a resort that's nearby. For example, if visiting MK, take the Poly, GF, or CR resort bus. For MGM or Epcot, you've got the Boardwalk, BC or YC that are within walking distance, or take the resort boat which is about a 10 minute ride.

 

[dizneycc]

I don't think I have seen this mentioned yet so I'll add my two cents:

There is an area just on the other side of I4 from the DTD hotels called Little Lake Bryan. There are three Marriot hotels there. DH and I spent a couple nights at the Courtyard a few years ago and it was clean and reasonable. The area is also gated so that was a plus. Not that it is in a bad area. They did have shuttles, but we didn't use them, so I have no idea how often they ran.

If you are staying at a DTD hotel, you could walk to Downtown in about 10-15 minutes. Also, you could probably get a taxi for just a couple bucks if walking was an issue.

Good Luck!

 

[TheDogbots]

look at me with all these questions! lol sorry, you guys must be getting sick of reading them all! thanks again.


It is 9 dollars a day to park on disney property now? I thought I remember reading that, or has that gone up? Also, is there some sort of parking pass you can buy for a couple days to save some money? (I will have the rental car anyway, i might as well drive)

 

[twocat]

I was there on Sunday and paid $9 to park. Good for all day and would allow me to go park my car at another park for no additional charge. Figure that into an on property vs. off stay.

And like everyone says, keep trying!!

 

[TheDogbots]

Update, for anyone who cares

I called disney and got a pop century reservation for 4th-7th! the nice lady told me to keep calling back and try to get a reservation for the 3rd at another resort... so i will do that, and worse comes to worse I will stay offsite for the day... though that was the day I was going to get to spend the most time in the parks it looks like this will work out after all tho! thankyou for all the help!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Great! At least you got the 4th after all! Enjoy POP!!

 

[TheDogbots]

woo hoo leaving in a couple days!

I ended up calling yesterday and they had room in the port orleans for the 3rd, so i decided not to wait and take my chances and just booked. I hope port orleans is nice... will stink that i down grade ot a value for the last three nights but atleast i am staying on property!