Are we too late for early December?

[jenifera2]

Or am I missing something?

We're Disney veterans, and I've never had frustration like this trying to plan a trip. We've been searching for nearly 2 weeks for December 2-10, staying preferably at a moderate. I figured there must be a glitch in the system when it would show absolutely no availability at any moderate (and ridiculously high rates at many of the deluxe resorts, like $2400/night) for a party of 4. I know we're a little later than we've planned in the past, but I'm still confused. Disney has confirmed by phone that there is no moderate availability during that time.

Historically that's been a reasonably low attendance period. We experienced that 2 years ago in early December. Touring Plans still shows medium to low attendance levels for those days. Is it realistic for every moderate resort to be booked to capacity and have the parks not be super busy? I understand that Pop Warner and Cheer will affect occupancy (and user experience) at the value resorts, but that's not causing the moderates to fill up, is it?

We can always change our dates or stay offsite, or wait for a moderate cancellation, but I'm feeling like something doesn't add up here. Does anyone have more insight? Thank you so much!

 

[hakepb]

I'm guessing that potentially fewer rooms in CSR https://www.disboards.com/threads/changes-coming-to-coronado-springs.3579372/
And I think CBR (Gondola project) are not helping.
And I think that usually a Pop Warner time of the year (they might be holding blocks of rooms)

FWIW, in the DVC side of things, early December is the most popular time of the year. For an ton of WDW vets, pleasant weather, low resort prices, lower theme park crowds, and Christmas decor are an irresistible combination.

 

[jenifera2]

The remodeling is probably a big factor. But it seems kind of funny to say that it's the most popular time of year because of the low crowds! I'm worried that because of all the other factors, it's no longer going to be lower crowds and maybe isn't when we should go, but it's so hard to know. Thanks. I guess at least we can keep watching for a cancellation and then decide.

 

[100acreHiker]

We go early December and learned to avoid the cheer groups, we really must book deluxe. In the past, some groups have stayed CSR and CBR. My guess is that some availability will pop up in the coming months, though. After 6 years of going early December, it's been very hit or miss: some years the crowds are reasonable, but we've had two years that have been surprisingly crowded. Maybe this will wind up being one of those years?

 

[100acreHiker]

Also, if you're looking for another comparable week, November 13-18 is a good option and one of our favorites. Low crowds and high probability of swimming, and MK is decorated for the holidays.

 

[hakepb]

The remodeling is probably a big factor. But it seems kind of funny to say that it's the most popular time of year because of the low crowds! I'm worried that because of all the other factors, it's no longer going to be lower crowds and maybe isn't when we should go, but it's so hard to know. Thanks. I guess at least we can keep watching for a cancellation and then decide.

It's popular among WDW vets, but not as popular with the general public that stays off site.

 

[loves to dive]

Have you tried the third party sites like Orbitz? We decided around Dec. 1 last year that we wanted to go the week before Christmas and had no problem getting both a moderate and an Epcot deluxe (split stay). I booked them through Orbitz with a discount and by booking the most expensive leg first, got Orbitz bucks that I used on the moderate so with it's discount it was something silly like $100/night.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It's important to remember that Disney resort availability isn't a good gauge of park attendance. Much more of the overall crowd level is based on off-site bookings; most Disney resorts book 80%+ any given day.

 

[KimBean]

For that time frame there has not been any moderates since February. CBR opened up briefly for about 10 days in Early march with a gift card offer and then promptly got booked up. Very few FD rooms were offered for Nov-Dec because when it dropped in late April there was already very little availability for value and mods. Deluxe are aplenty.

Edited to say that your situation is exactly what I have brought up over the last 6 weeks. What's going to happen when school is out and everyone starts planning their fall and winter trips just to see it is all booked up.

And edited again. I could say so much on this. Pop Warner starts 12/2 so if you an change check in day might help.

 

[mousehockey37]

Historically that's been a reasonably low attendance period. We experienced that 2 years ago in early December. Touring Plans still shows medium to low attendance levels for those days. Is it realistic for every moderate resort to be booked to capacity and have the parks not be super busy? I understand that Pop Warner and Cheer will affect occupancy (and user experience) at the value resorts, but that's not causing the moderates to fill up, is it?

Historically you are right. It USED to be a slower time. Those times are gone. More people can afford vacations again. More events are happening. Pop Warner is going on. Someone else pointed out there is a free dining promotion (maybe not for the dates you were looking for, but there's free dining out there). Reservations are harder to get if you don't plan further out.

FWIW, in the DVC side of things, early December is the most popular time of the year. For an ton of WDW vets, pleasant weather, low resort prices, lower theme park crowds, and Christmas decor are an irresistible combination.

From hearing the DVC side, there's not too much available there either for that time. That particular time frame is heavy for DVC bookings, but lighter on the crowds in the park. So DVC isn't gonna give probably any better results.

This is a recurring theme. Due to social media and advertising places, the "slow times" are gone. Everyone has figured out when they are and parents are willing to pull kids out of school to go then. The economy, even with how things in the future are looking, is getting better and more people can afford Disney vacations again. These boards are a blessing and a curse honestly. They're great because you can talk with people, get ideas, see what's actually going on in the parks in real time. It's bad because everyone is reading the reports and seeing about when things are good and bad.

It's starting to get to the point that - when everyone knows it's a slow time to go, it won't be slow anymore.

So yes, I'd have to say that you're a little too late at this point for what you're looking for. It's not an impossible task, but certainly, I'd be queuing up the back up plans as they may be the better options.

 

[Pennstate6411]

If you are willing to change your weeks to a few weeks earlier there is open availability in most resorts Nov 11-18- this is supposed to be a down week as 100acre stated above

 

[Pennstate6411]

Your week currently cheapest options

1. AKL 437/night pool view
2. AoA 335/night
3. Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas 463/night
4. Boardwalk 439/night

 

[570traveler]

12/3-12/9 shows availability at some values. If you are willing to drop days and stay in a value. There may also be availability for just 12/2 and 12/10 for single nights at the same resort. We couldn't get the first night for our reservation added on so I'm thinking of just adding a single night stay with the hope they will keep us in the same room.

 

[momto4obkids]

Yep, all the construction on CBR has knocked out over 500 rooms. People where being switched from CBR to POR when the construction was first announced, so I think that has affected some of POR's availability.

But, there is availabilty for Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter on cheaptickets.com right now 12-2 to 12-10. They have coupon codes as well. The current one is SUNSCREEN for 16% off (max 150.00 discount)

 

[jenifera2]

Thanks everyone. I think we've been convinced that this shortage of moderate rooms doesn't mean a huge influx of people to the parks, so we're tentatively going forth with our vacation plans. We've got 3 adults and 2 kids after all (plus possibly a guest or two for a night or two) so we're planning to book a Cars suite. We're looking forward to trying a new-to-us resort and hoping for the best in the parks.

 

[Nancyg56]

The remodeling is probably a big factor. But it seems kind of funny to say that it's the most popular time of year because of the low crowds! I'm worried that because of all the other factors, it's no longer going to be lower crowds and maybe isn't when we should go, but it's so hard to know. Thanks. I guess at least we can keep watching for a cancellation and then decide.

I love early December. The crowds are unpredictable IMO though. Some years we had easy breezy park days, other years the parks we chose were more crowded. The resort issue you see is in part due to all of the construction going on in CBR and CSR. These resorts are also used as overflow for the POP Warner cheer groups, so in regards to occupancy I bet the mods are pretty much filled as are the values.

I never worry about the resorts when I plan a trip though. AS others have explained, attendance is generally lower even though the resorts are booked.

 

[Timothy02359]

That week in December is the cheer and dance championships at ESPN WWOS.

 

[jmw33]

We are booked Dec 2nd-10th. My 180 day was this past Monday to book ADR's and there was hardly anything available. I also thought it was a glitch but with hotels almost full as well it does look like park attendance will be high that week.

 

[Redheadedsongbird]

12/3-12/9 shows availability at some values. If you are willing to drop days and stay in a value. There may also be availability for just 12/2 and 12/10 for single nights at the same resort. We couldn't get the first night for our reservation added on so I'm thinking of just adding a single night stay with the hope they will keep us in the same room.

Hi there, I think the issue is that 1) the secret has gotten out that the first two weeks in December are a gold mine for less crowds and still can get the Christmas decorations, 2) Unfortunately, you are going right smack in the middle of the FREE DISNEY DINING PLAN! That is why it is booked. The free dining plan was offered the third Monday of April and every since then NO ONE has been able to get those times in December unless you already had a trip planned prior to April 24 ( Like I did) or got a lucky break and someone cancelled at the exact time your were booking. I hope this helps and you can still get your arrangements. Good luck!

 

[Pennstate6411]

That's such a shame its getting so busy. We went December 4-11 in 2010- IT WAS EMPTY- This was the winter after Harry Potter opened up at Universal. 1. The longest line at any Disney park was 10 minutes max and I believe that was for space mountain, splash mountain, and BTMR- we had NO LINE for Soarin or Dinosaur or essentially any other ride at all. We took 1 day in the middle of the week for universal- lines so low we covered BOTH of universals parks in 1 day and was at dinner back at WDW by 6:30- HP had minimal line- road it 2x in under 15 minutes. Sounds like minimal crowd days are no longer a thing.