any advice for a Christmastime stay?

[theycallmewinnie]

My family which usually travels in June/July has decided to try Christmas 2004. We will have various ages/sized families attending. I've only experienced All Star Movies on-site, so I'm wondering if any properties would be affordable at this time, as well as accomodating to our large group. I think we'd prefer to stay on-site as we will probably fly in from Wisconsin, but am open to a variety of ideas. Any help from seasoned holiday veterans would be appreciated!

 

[hannahryan]

I've been twice right before Christmas. What are your travel dates? I would try to stay onsite so you can use EE , Disney transportation and experience more "magic". Is it possible for you to arrive on 12/19?...you would then receive value rates your entire length of stay. The value resorts are $77 through 12/19 and $114 12/20-12/31. The moderates are $133 through 12/19 and $184 12/20-12/31.

This is what I would do:
1. stay 12/19-12/26 (value rate entire stay and much lower crowds than the week of Christmas).
2. stay at POFQ (just refurbished & IMO the best moderate). You will really appreciate the hot tub this time of year (value resorts don't have them). We've never been able to use the pools at Christmas due to the cool weather.
3. I would book the rooms with a AAA discount. I would watch for AP codes and if and when they come out for December, buy at least one. You can book up to 3 room with one AP. This could save you as much as 40% off the room rate. If you can't afford a moderate, stay at POP Century. My kids loved this resort too.

 

[hellokitty]

Dont miss
MVMCP (mickey's very merry christmas party)

I dont know the dates, but it was a blast!!

 

[PamOKW]

Traditionally, there weren't any discounts offered once Holiday Season began (the suggestion to start your stay before that kicks in is a good one). With the drop in tourism, there have been some discounts in recent years. Last year, the WDW resorts were packed so it's hard to say what will happen in the coming year.

Try to firm up your plans as soon as possible. Make your hotel reservations, plane reservations and car rental plans also as early as you can. You can sometimes get a good deal on the planes if you book early (like now). If rates are high, you can play a waiting game but just don't wait until too late. Florida is a very popular Christmas destination.

Weather is a wild card. You could have summer weather or it could be really cold or it could be everything during the course of your trip.

If you are truly going during Christmas Week, the MVMCP will be over. This is done to boost crowds in the pre-Christmas lull. Christmas at WDW is wonderful and if you can do it with the family it is even more special.

 

[CamColt]

We were there from 12/20-12/29 this year. I agree with Pam who said weather is the wild card. We had 1 night where we were in winter coats and mittens and we were still freezing, but we also had a days where we were swimming and sipping frozen drinks by the pool. Pack everything!

Crowds were so bad in the beginning of our stay, and even at the end by arriving to the parks early, we still did very well, but the MK was mobbed(barely walkable) a few days toward the end of our stay.

As for discounts, we were able to get great AP rates. We stayed the first 4 nights at the Swan and the last 5 at the Poly. Ironically during "holiday" season this was the lowest we have ever paid at the Poly.

 

[WDWLVR]

We've done WDW in early December for the last 2 years. The big change from our usual touring is that we tend to sleep late, hit the parks mid-morning, then relax in the afternoon. Since so many great things happen at night (MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, and Osborne Lights (which didn't run last year) it left us rested to enjoy them).

If you can afford it I think the Contemporary is a place to stay for the holiday season. It was so nice to be able to just walk back after MVMCP!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We went a couple years ago, and stayed at the Contemporary. Had a very nice time, and enjoyed the quick walk to/from the Magic Kingdom. We're going back this year, and staying at the BoardWalk Villas.

Have a great time!

 

[theycallmewinnie]

Thanks for all the input so far, everyone! Because school schedules are not all firm at this point, and because we have so many different types of job schedules, I think anytime from the 24th to the 30th is the most likely time we'll be looking at.

Do any of the resorts seems to cater more to big family group? Such as adjoining rooms, or at least rooms near one another?

 

[cyndibelle]

we are planning on going from december 16-22...will the crowds be too bad then?? and i am looking at airline flights right now and i am thinking that 203 per person is high...am i wrong in thinking that....is that good for that time of year???