Current Resort Availability

[larjani]

I've been watching Resort Availability lately. Thinking about upgrading from Port Orleans Riverside to Wilderness Lodge, as a surprise for the family. However, there aren't any rooms available for our early December trip. Is it because DW is booked up, or is something else going on?

 

[StageTek]

It's crazy, isn't it? I just wanted to change my room category at POFQ - and nothing.

 

[a1tinkfans]

They haven released yet… numbers are DOWN not up… making it Look lie like it’s busier… hmmmm

 

[RookieLady]

Also, people have reservations but the closer in time they get, they are releasing them. I upgraded my mid-October trip to AK because that was the only deluxe available. Now, I have several choices.

 

[patty57]

December is really difficult to book at WL. The Christmas decorations make it the most popular time of year for WL. My guess is that it really is sold out. Keep checking though. People change their plans all the time.

 

[larjani]

Cool, I'll keep an eye out. We haven't been to DW in 8 years, and probably won't go back anytime soon.

 

[MissionMouse]

Two of the most popular resort in the MK Area are the Wilderness and the Poly during the Christmas Holiday, so expect them to be sold out the closer you get to December (they already are from what it sounds like). Normally, expect to book very early around twelve (12) or months in advance if you want a room category. If that is not an issue about nine (9) months in advance.

Don't give up hope, but expect to work to find one. People do cancel their plans due to unexpected life events, make a reservation looking for a deal later that does not happen or their unable to make the final payment. So around between the 60-30 day mark from an arrival date you should see cancellations. Check before this range too. The only thing is they could go fast, so have strategy to check for these multiple times in the day. Also, when you are checking do not hesitate to secure it quickly. Not fun, not stress free, but if you get one it will make you happy. Just realize you may need to be flexible with your days to make it work...think about this ahead of time so you know what to do quickly. You might check-in with one of the certified Disney Travel agents (non-Disney) to see if they can help as they may have a strategy to get one as they have been doing it for years

 

[maryj11]

I have checked all of November and early December for rooms. It’s slim pickings! Not much at all available.

 

[focusondisney]

Not sure of your dates, but the first week of December has been slim pickings at any resort for months. Plus posters have been cancelling & rebooking for later this year for months now, hoping things will be better with the virus. You really just have to keep checking & get lucky.

 

[maryj11]

Not sure of your dates, but the first week of December has been slim pickings at any resort for months. Plus posters have been cancelling & rebooking for later this year for months now, hoping things will be better with the virus. You really just have to keep checking & get lucky.

I did manage to get a reservation. I just had to keep checking for a few weeks.

 

[cindyfan]

Honestly, I think Disney has been playing games!
I had to work like mad to get reservations for the end of Sept. When I first made them I had to manipulate the system and make 3 different reservations, then call to combine, then knock off days... it was nuts!! Did the same with our trip in Nov.
Now... I look at our dates in Sept and WIDE OPEN!! I can book any of the value or moderates.
Not opened up yet for November.... but I expect it will be as we get closer.
One thing is.... I do know lots of people cancelling due the Covid surge again.
And... I think maybe they were holding back due to their staffing issues! And now that they are getting people back to work and opening the remaining resorts... lots of rooms!

 

[jennib5426]

I also think WDW is holding back rooms for the fall and deciding if they will reopen the remaining resorts. I think they may decide to keep some All star and POR or POFQ closed and move those reservations to currently open resorts.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I think lots of UK visitors that usually travel this time of year have held reservations as long as they could hoping to be able to travel here. I think they give up hope late and cancel late. Same for Canadians. Fall is a big travel time for those out of the country.

 

[maryj11]

Honestly, I think Disney has been playing games!
I had to work like mad to get reservations for the end of Sept. When I first made them I had to manipulate the system and make 3 different reservations, then call to combine, then knock off days... it was nuts!! Did the same with our trip in Nov.
Now... I look at our dates in Sept and WIDE OPEN!! I can book any of the value or moderates.
Not opened up yet for November.... but I expect it will be as we get closer.
One thing is.... I do know lots of people cancelling due the Covid surge again.
And... I think maybe they were holding back due to their staffing issues! And now that they are getting people back to work and opening the remaining resorts... lots of rooms!

I did the same booking a couple reservations for the same resort to call and have them make it one reservation. That’s the only way I could get the days we wanted. This was the end of November into the first week of December.
I know there were a bunch of cancellations for September because of covid.

 

[sheilafri]

Pay particular attention to checking availablity in the days right before penalties for cancellation attach. 60 days out for packages and 5 days for room only IIRC.

 

[maryj11]

Pay particular attention to checking availablity in the days right before penalties for cancellation attach. 60 days out for packages and 5 days for room only IIRC.

Yes good idea.

 

[larjani]

Lots of good ideas. It's very interesting to see what's going on to say the least. We've been checking regularly even though our reservations for POR aren't until first week of December (6-12 Dec). We also keep checking Magic Band availability too. What got us thinking about upgrading was the cost of Merriest Christmas after hours party...We thought might as well put that money into a hotel upgrade.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Pay particular attention to checking availablity in the days right before penalties for cancellation attach. 60 days out for packages and 5 days for room only IIRC.

Looks like 30 days out for packages. At least that's what it says currently on the site when I went to double-check my reservations just now. IIRC they changed that when they reopened because so many people's plans were changing.

 

[jojomoore]

WL has limted rooms also because half of the rooms are DVC. From what i have heard, it is one of the more popular resorts to stay at in December. I think that the 50 th anniversary and many people not traveling last year could also be a factor but keep checkibg availability with covid cases rising things could open up.

 

[MarkS2112]

The 50th is a big factor as many are waiting for that so reservations have been booked full after the start. Plus WL is popular then.