Dec 2005 vs. May 2006

[Merriwind]

Hi all-

I have an RCI exchange week I need to use before the end of May. We;re just going to head up to WDW since we've got APs and DDE. I've come up with two weeks we can travel, but am uncertain if one has a big advantage over the other.

One week is December 17-24. The other is May 26-June 2. I was 100% for the May week until I realized that it's Memorial Day weekend. According to the UG, that week will be much more crowded than December. I, however, am still leaning towards doing a quick, long weekend in December and saving the week for May. But I'm a little nervous...

The week in December, RCI has only one resort, Bryan's Spanish Cove, available to exchange. This resort is not on my top 10 list and hasn't been highly reviewed, nor is it a Gold Crown. The week in May has lots of RCI availability--16 resorts, including both Hilton Grand Vacation clubs, Sabal Palms, the Fountains, Vistana, Orange Lake, Celebration World, etc. I'm leaning toward Sabal Palms, which seems to have lots of activities for kids. I figure if it's too crowded, we can hit the parks at opening for an hour or two and then swim and do resort activities the rest of the time.

I am hopeful that the disparity in RCI availability means that the UG's numbers are wrong. But, that may be just wishful thinking. It's been a long time since we were at WDW in December and we were usually in early December.

Can anyone shed light on differences between the week before Christmas versus Memorial Day and the week after? Any thoughts on resorts would be appreciated too.

Thanks!

 

[Mcmouse]

I have been at Christmas (Dec19-29 2003) and have been over Memorial Day (2002). I vote for Memorial Day. My reasons...

1) Weather. We like to swim etc. The weather in December can be nice or it can be cold.
2) Crowds. While neither times are considered an Off Season, there were much larger crowds when we were there over Christmas. You would be leaving the day before so it may be a bit less crowded. When we went the crowds really got bad around the 22nd.

We preferred May so much over Christmas that we booked for this coming Memorial Day week.

Whichever you choose, have a great vacation.
Mike

 

[Merriwind]

Thanks, Mike. I'm glad to hear that May wasn't too terribly crowded. Now I've been reading about The Fountains--may be bumping Sabal Palms... You have a great trip too! Thanks again.

 

[disneymama73]

Well, I've never been the week before Christmas, but I have been the week of Memorial Day. In fact, that was our honeymoon. It was hot, but we had a fabulous time. We also found crowds to be very manageable.

I would prefer December for the cooler weather, but I think being that close to Christmas, you are going to have higher crowds.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[senecabeach]

I've done both Dec and May many times and I vote for MAY...absolutely!!!

Last Dec...it was freezing

I'm not whimpy and really DO enjoy the cold weather here in NJ...but...
...this IS my vacation and I want warmth, wear shorts and a T shirt, sun and water.

YES...WDW is decorated beautifully during the season and visiting the resorts to see the decorations is great...but..

Walking around WDW in a jacket, sweatshirt underneath and long sleeve shirt under that, hat (winter..not one with ears)..and.. some members of the family...needed to buy turtlenecks and gloves.

It was probably the worst WDW vacation I have had in the 34 yrs. (every yr.) of going there.

No...never again!!

 

[rkmassa]

Hi all-

I have an RCI exchange week I need to use before the end of May. We;re just going to head up to WDW since we've got APs and DDE. I've come up with two weeks we can travel, but am uncertain if one has a big advantage over the other.

One week is December 17-24. The other is May 26-June 2. I was 100% for the May week until I realized that it's Memorial Day weekend. According to the UG, that week will be much more crowded than December. I, however, am still leaning towards doing a quick, long weekend in December and saving the week for May. But I'm a little nervous...

The week in December, RCI has only one resort, Bryan's Spanish Cove, available to exchange. This resort is not on my top 10 list and hasn't been highly reviewed, nor is it a Gold Crown. The week in May has lots of RCI availability--16 resorts, including both Hilton Grand Vacation clubs, Sabal Palms, the Fountains, Vistana, Orange Lake, Celebration World, etc. I'm leaning toward Sabal Palms, which seems to have lots of activities for kids. I figure if it's too crowded, we can hit the parks at opening for an hour or two and then swim and do resort activities the rest of the time.

I am hopeful that the disparity in RCI availability means that the UG's numbers are wrong. But, that may be just wishful thinking. It's been a long time since we were at WDW in December and we were usually in early December.

Can anyone shed light on differences between the week before Christmas versus Memorial Day and the week after? Any thoughts on resorts would be appreciated too.

Thanks!

The Fountains would be my choice. It is a very short drive to the parks. The place is gorgeous. Very pretty pool area. Of course I am a little biased--we own with Bluegreen, and the Fountains is one of our resorts. We visited last December, and found it to be top on our list for future visits to Disney.

 

[senecabeach]

OH...BTW....

I too have an RCI timeshare and when I trade in Orlando for Disney I stay @ Cypress Point Grand Villa's.

Its 2 traffic lights from Disney's "hotel row" by DTD and 1 block from the Winn-Dixie store..

 

[LiteBrite]

We were there roughly that same week in late May/early June in 2004, and had a great time. It was a little crowded, but not unmanageable. With a little planning, getting there first thing when the parks open, and judicious use of Fast Pass, you should be fine. I think you'd find the crowds much worse in December, that close to Christmas. I vote for May.