December 2005 Info, Code, Dining, & Special Package Watch! :)

[jennibug]

What's the best hotel to stay at during the holiday season??

 

[boswellnakia]

I guess we are in the minority; we will be staying Dec 26-31. I guess it will be REALLY crowded, right?

What would be some suggestions of things to do that might not be so crowded?

 

[J and R's mom]

What's the best hotel to stay at during the holiday season??

I personally LOVE the WL during the Christmas season. It's gorgeous.

The Grand Floridian, however, will have your jaw on the floor when you walk in and see their decorations. You have to see the gingerbread houses that they create. There's a lifesize one in the lobby and a doll house type one on the upper floor...by the doors to the monorail I believe.

Even if you don't stay at either of these resorts, be sure to take the time to go over there and check them out. It will be well worth the trip.

 

[cobbler]

I guess we are in the minority; we will be staying Dec 26-31. I guess it will be REALLY crowded, right?

What would be some suggestions of things to do that might not be so crowded?

YEP!! My family went over Xmas in 98 and it was BUSY!! A few times parks closed to capacity.

There really isn't a whole lot that you can do where you won't feel an impact of the crowds. Resorts even tend to completely sell out.

 

[BunnieGene]

I personally LOVE the WL during the Christmas season. It's gorgeous.

The Grand Floridian, however, will have your jaw on the floor when you walk in and see their decorations. You have to see the gingerbread houses that they create. There's a lifesize one in the lobby and a doll house type one on the upper floor...by the doors to the monorail I believe.

Even if you don't stay at either of these resorts, be sure to take the time to go over there and check them out. It will be well worth the trip.

I agree...the GF is our absolute favorite during the Christmas holiday season.

 

[GONETODISNEY]

Although Wilderness Lodge would be my first choice, AKL is a wonderful choice for Christmas. The lobbby smells like Christmas and the atrium is filled with the tallest CHristmas tree. These are my favorites!

 

[PrincessMo]

Hi everyone!!! Can I join the Watch? I am going to WDW for my very own Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. The Wedding Date is actually December 7th, 2005 but we are arriving in WDW on December 5th and leaving on December 18th. 2 whole weeks....YIPEE!!!!!! I am also right now supposed to stay at the Grand Floridian. I have always wanted to stay there and am finally gonna get my wish (as it looks right now). I hope that AP rates come out soon. With all the wedding expenses, an AP discount will really help!! I am so very excited about this trip. Nice to see so many people excited about going in December. It really is magical down there this time of year!!!

Have A Disney Day Everyone!!!!!

 

[ninahbear]

Hi everyone!!! Can I join the Watch? I am going to WDW for my very own Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. The Wedding Date is actually December 7th, 2005 but we are arriving in WDW on December 5th and leaving on December 18th. 2 whole weeks....YIPEE!!!!!! I am also right now supposed to stay at the Grand Floridian. I have always wanted to stay there and am finally gonna get my wish (as it looks right now). I hope that AP rates come out soon. With all the wedding expenses, an AP discount will really help!! I am so very excited about this trip. Nice to see so many people excited about going in December. It really is magical down there this time of year!!!

Have A Disney Day Everyone!!!!!

Congratulations! We will be there from the 7-11th I will look for a Snow White look-alike with bride and groom ears.

 

[PrincessMo]

Thanks so much Ninahbear!! I will definetly have my ears on. Nice to see another Pennsylvanian. I am from Pennsylvania too! Very exciting. It really is a small world after all!!!

Have A Disney Day!!!!

 

[barb45]

Does anyone know where we can look up last year's AP rates for December? I would be curious to know what I could hope for.

 

[hockey mom]

Does anyone know where we can look up last year's AP rates for December? I would be curious to know what I could hope for.

I tried to do this also because Mousesavers used to have a "Historical Trend" chart but now I can't seem to find it.

Anyone know if that still exists?

 

[mom2cinderella]

I am going to WDW for my very own Disney Fairy Tale Wedding.

Oh congratulations! What a wonderful place and time of year to have a wedding!

Michele

 

[mom2cinderella]

Is this it? MouseSavers Code Trends . It only goes back to 2003.

Michele

 

[PrincessMo]

Oh congratulations! What a wonderful place and time of year to have a wedding!

Michele

Thanks so much. I am very much excited. Every day I become more and more like those obsessed brides (not bridezillas) that is thinking of the wedding almost all the time.

Have A Disney Day!

 

[mom_rules]

barb45 and hockeymom-sent you a PM

 

[cobbler]

Does anyone know where we can look up last year's AP rates for December? I would be curious to know what I could hope for.

This year they are a flat dollar amount off and last year they were a percentage. If you are going during value season expect the prices to be around the same as the current AP codes out for the end of Aug - Oct 4th.

They were 18 off value, 45 off moderates and 70-75 off deluxe.

 

[20yrs&counting]

Does anyone know where we can look up last year's AP rates for December? I would be curious to know what I could hope for.

The info is available somewhere because I have in my notes the AP rate for the Cabins for 9/30/04 to 12/12/04 Value Season at $139.00 and 11/28/03 to 12/26/03 Value Season for $134.00. I am working on recreating how and where I got this info. I have been on Deb's and mousesavers and can't find it but I will keep looking. Hope I can help.

 

[wilsonjen]

Count us in!! Great thread--I subscribed immediately.
So good to hear from others going in December!

We're staying at the Dolphin Dec 17-21. DH & I are traveling with best friends and their kids (4 & 6 ) who have never seen Disney World! Soooo excited about Disney at Christmas!
Flights are booked & we're looking into discount Park Hopper passes from AAA.

When I reserved our two rooms, the CM said Dolphin's value rates end on the 21st, so we planned it just right. DH has a teacher's certificate , so we got a great rate: $149/night. BUT, if a better one comes along, I'll grab it.

Dining Package
I doubt we'll get a dining package, because I don't think the Dolphin counts as a "Disney Resort" for dining purposes. I am planning to get Advanced Reservations (formerly PS) for a couple Character meals and the Dinner packages (Fantasmic, Candlelight Processional).

MVMCP
I think we'll pass. It's on 12/20 during our stay, but the price seems hefty and I've read mixed reviews on allears. From what I understand, a lot of the holiday magic will be going on at each park daily anyway.

Question: Do you think the MK will be busier than usual during the day on Tues, 12/20 due to MVMCP that night? I know the park closes early to get ready for it, but that was the day we were planning to visit MK.

Keep those posts coming!

 

[GONETODISNEY]

I highly recommend the Candlelight Processional! It made our last Christmas trip and I know we'll be there this year too. Does anyone know when we can start booking the CP package?

Thanks

 

[Wendy*Darling]

Does anyone know where we can look up last year's AP rates for December?

www.magicalmemoriestravel.com/HistoricalRates.html