Day after X-Mas arrival?

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Has anyone ever arrived the day after X-Mas at WDW? Is it a bad day to check-in? We're thinking about starting our trip on this day so we can spend X-Mas with family at home.

Also, will it be really difficult to get a reservation at my home resort, even if I call day-by-day? I'm sure the BW view will probably be tricky.

Thanks!

 

[RobDoc]

That is a very busy week- thru New Year's Day.

If you're planning on an arrival on December 26, 2004 you'll have little difficulty making your reservations this coming January. If you are hoping for that week this year, you will probably be dependent on the waitlist. I'd call MS tomorrow if you want December 26, 2003.

Good Luck!

 

[tiberius]

Doc is so right; that is a busy time, but the parks are beatifully decorated.

I can't help you with resort reservation info, but I can tell you if you are staying into early January the crowds taper off a lot in a few days. We tend to travel in late December into the first week in January and enjoy it a lot.

You do take chances with the possibility of unseasonably cold weather at that time, but then again, any time of year can have weather issues.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The week of Christmas is busy, so you would definately have to call at the 11 month booking window. It sounds like BWV is your home resort, so I would call at the 11 month date day by day if you want a BW view. You don't say which size villa you are looking for.

Crowds will be awful the week of Christmas, but New Years Day they taper off and are very good through the end of the first week of January. We LOVE to be there for NYE and then stay that first week. That way you only pay the high points for one or two days instead of the whole trip.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Yep, looking at next year, not this year. We went one other time over the holiday, arriving on the 28th. We did get a perfect room at the CR, though.

We're looking at BWV, 2BR BW view. Has anyone had experience checking in on Dec 26? Do a lot of people check-out that day? I'm wondering what the chance of getting a "good" villa would be? (or, will I probably end up in the second floor handicap smoking villa?)

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think lots of folks book that week because of school holidays. The 26th will be a Sunday next year, so it might be a bigger check out day. I seem to remember seeing a poll around here not too long ago asking when people check in and out most. Can't remember for sure, but I thought Sunday was a big day for one of them!

 

[travelbug]

Well, last Christmas we didn't check into BWV until Dec. 28. So I can't answer about Dec. 26.

This year I'm checking in on Dec. 26, but it will be at the Dolphin. Then I'm moving over to BWV when the rest of the group arrives on Dec. 28. So I can post AFTER the holidays on how things look on the 26th, although it won't be check-in at a DVC resort that day.

As was mentioned, calling day-by-day for that time of year is vital when the 11-month window comes up. I'm still waiting for NYE to come through in a standard 2BR (waitlisted and took a preferred in the meantime) even though I got through to MS at 9:20 AM on the 11-mo. window day.

Good luck!

 

[djnrook]

Perhaps we were lucky - we called about a month ago on a whim, looking to arrive early in the AM on the 26th. We therefore asked for a room starting the 25th. They gave us a studio starting on the 25th at BCV, checking out on the 29th. We then waitlisted for the nights of the 29th and 30th, which have since come through over the past 3 weeks.

We decided not to even consider the 31st, since I would guess many folks want that night.

We have been this week before, and it does get crowded, but it is still WDW!

 

[Connears]

Last year we arrived on December 29and stayed to Jan 3 and this year we are arriving December 27-Jan 2. Its a great time, but make sure to make PS for NY eve right at 90 days (10/2) to make sure of dinner spot. Have fun.
Connears

 

[zurgswife]

Travel bug seems like we have the same itenerary...checking in the dolphin on the 26th and then returning to BWV after the weekend high points.....see on the boards...

 

[travelbug]

Hi, zurgswife. Cool that we have the same itinerary! I'm sure you're getting as excited as I am. I'll have my lime green ribbon on my backpack as usual, so do say hello if our paths happen to cross.