December 2009 Trip...

[ADPiSpaz16]

This is my first time posting on the threads but I've been lurking a while. OK, I lied... just all day! Me and DH are obcessed with Disney... unfortunately, the last time we went was our honeymoon in June 2004. Now, we have a little munchkin... our miracle baby just turned one last week. Before he was even born, I was planning his first trip to Disney... December 5-12, 2009. Am I crazy for starting to plan this early? I LOVE to plan... I get so wrapped up in it!
The big thing right now for us is determining where to stay. We stayed at the Polynesian for our honeymoon and LOVE it but the price scares us a bit right now. So we're thinking... should we stay at an AS and save on money or should we go middle of the line at AKL or at the Contemporary (the monorail is a HUGE kicker for us). I keep reading about 30-40% off PINS and I want one sooo bad. But I'm scared I won't get one. I really really want to stay at the Poly or Contemporary but the price scares me.
That's the first decision for us... from there, it's easy! The food, the activities, that's all gravy to me! Is anyone else going around this time? Any recommendations for me?

Jess

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

We are planning to go at the same time. I don't have any advice about pins, but I would suggest that you don't stay at the AS during that time. I think Pop Warner will be there for some of your visit, and I have heard that they influence the quality of life at the All-Star hotels and a couple of the mods (POFQ and POR, I think).

I am already planning as well, so I certainly don't think you are crazy!

 

[vod2117]

Congratulations on the decision of your December 2009 trip and have a good time and a safe trip to and from Disney World.

 

[ADPiSpaz16]

Do have any idea how I can find out for sure if Pop Warner's going to be around at that time? I really rather stay away from AS but we'll have to see... thanks for the head's up.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

I think they are usually the first full week of December. This year, they will be there Dec. 7-13, so next year should be Dec. 6-12. From my understanding, they don't have much impact on the parks, but the hotels can be negatively affected.

 

[itchin2go]

The good news is that you're planning early. 09 rates haven't been released yet, so reservations should be wide open. PW will be the first full week of December. From most reports, it only disrupts the value resorts (and maybe some of the mods). If you're staying deluxe, most people say you won't notice the PW kids.

If you're a AAA member, you can get great discounts through AAA. If you're not a member, the discount you can receive may be in excess of the cost to join. For my trip last year, it would have saved me several $100 dollars, so well worth the price of membership.

I finally received a pin number this year. Here's what I did. Go to the Disneyworld website, and register. Research vacation options. Save one or more to your account. Do this for every email address you have. I have been told that the pin numbers are specific to a name and physical address (street number, street name, city, state, zip). Address is the key. If you have a work address, try registering with that as well. This year, I registered using my home address (and one email address), my work address (with another email address), and my parent's address (with another email address). I have never received an offer through my main address, but did receive pins for the other 2. Don't know why. Ultimately, I was not able to use the pins for my trip, because I opted to try it too late. If you get a pin, use it immediately!

You can also watch for public discount offers. I wouldn't count on that, though, because December 08 is booked up already - well in advance of when they would offer a public discount. I'm guessing December 09 will be the same. The moral - book quickly after the rates are released. If you get a pin number later, you can try to have it applied to your reservation. May work, may not.

Good luck.

 

[danny1649]

We have been first part of Decemeber each year since 1991.Going this year Dec 5th -12th and will will made reservations for next Decemeber during this years visit.It is most special time to visit WDW with all the holiday shows and decorations.Hvae fun planning a great trip to WDW. Danny

 

[Dawn68PA]

We have already begun planning our Dec '09 trip as well. So no, you're not crazy....unless we all are! We are planning to go from Dec 4-12 so we'll be there the same time as your family.

Good luck with your first family trip! It'll be magical!

 

[Disney_Angel]

We are planning for Sept and Dec 09 and we haven't taken this years trip yet!

36 days and counting!!!

 

[DisneyGuess]

We had decided on an Oct. 2009 trip but are definately rethinking it for a Dec. 2009 trip instead. I've always wanted to see WDW at Christmas time and our new little one will be 10 months old then. Just trying to decide on a week to go now.
Anyone know, is it all values that PW kids invade or just the All-Stars? We're wanting to do 2 rooms at a value since there will be 5 of us plus an infant. Do they affect POP as much as the All-Stars? We had thought of staying offsite to give us more room and a kitchen, etc. but I'm thinking with a 10 month old, onsite may be better for us this time around.
Not positive that will be our week, but you never know. We may do the 2nd full week instead. Either way, I can't wait to get back home and introduce our new member to the magic of Disney.

 

[suzi2]

We just booked our room only reservation for December 09 yesterday!!! I thought I was "ahead" of the game, but obviously not because the type of room we wanted were already booked. We are going 11/29-12/5 and this will be our third December trip. It is beautiful and I can think of no better way to get into the holiday spirit!! Glad to have someone to count down the days -- 485 day to go

 

[Disneydonnam]

We always go the first week of Dec and LOVE it. The crowds aren't bad and the weather is perfect. It is always pop warner week but they stay at the all star sports or the pop I believe.

 

[blondie219]

Just made our reservations for the week of December 5-12,2009 also. We are staying at one of the value resorts in the family suite. I have been reading this post, I have no idea what pop warner week is. Have I made a huge mistake in my resort selection/week to visit selection?

 

[RachaelA]

That's the most likely week they will be staying. If you can afford it, I'd change where you are staying unless you don't mind having hundreds of teenagers all over at all hours of the night.

We choose Pop for the week before Pop Warner week because its not one of the discounted hotels for the group.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We're already booked for the 2-9th of '09. I didn't want to wait until forever to book. I really wanted to stay at BWI on CL. We're treating my parents to their 1st ever WDW trip and really wanted it to be special. We've never stayed CL either so we're really excited. And we've also never been to WDW during the Christmas season so we are really looking forward to it.

As for suggestions I would probably stay at a moderate rather than a value. I've heard the walls are paper thing and with a youngster I would need better walls in order for mine to sleep and stay asleep. The idea of a monorail resort with a little one is really good too. The other thought is to rent DVC points and stay at a villa for the space.