December 2013: We just booked!

[houstonmama]

Howdy everyone

We just took our 1st Disney trip this December (8th-16th) split stay GF/AKL and had such a great time I booked for 2013 with a bounce back offer! The discount dates for the time of year I was interested in were 11/30-12/4 then 12/15-12/19. I wanted to go around the 2nd week of December but it was blacked out. I've read some threads that believe Pop Warner will be the 7th-13th, which would make sense with the black out dates, but then some sites say they think it will be the first week of December . 15th-19th was too close to Christmas for us so I booked 11/30-12/5 GF then 12/5-12/8 AKL!! If we're there when PW is there oh well! Can't wait!!

 

[Kathymford]

Howdy everyone

We just took our 1st Disney trip this December (8th-16th) split stay GF/AKL and had such a great time I booked for 2013 with a bounce back offer! The discount dates for the time of year I was interested in were 11/30-12/4 then 12/15-12/19. I wanted to go around the 2nd week of December but it was blacked out. I've read some threads that believe Pop Warner will be the 7th-13th, which would make sense with the black out dates, but then some sites say they think it will be the first week of December . 15th-19th was too close to Christmas for us so I booked 11/30-12/5 GF then 12/5-12/8 AKL!! If we're there when PW is there oh well! Can't wait!!

So was BB available for 12/1 - 12/6?

 

[Marshay]

Hi!

We are making our Auto Train ressies tomorrow and will stay DVC but not sure where yet. We are trying AoA resort in just 17 days and if we love that, we may do a split stay, so waiting a bit to decide.

Our dates will be arrive WDW Nov 29 - Dec 7. Very excited to see the Christmas decorations again. Last we saw them was in 2009.

 

[houstonmama]

So was BB available for 12/1 - 12/6?

Hi Kathy!

I only got the discount for the GF part of my stay (checking in 11/30 and checking out on 12/5). The first qualifying night is the 30th and the last night that qualified was the 4th. I had to book AKL (12/5-12/8) at rack (ouch!). Hopefully they'll come out with a RO discount I can use. I commented to the CM that I was surprised that they included Thanksgiving weekend in the discount and she said she was too. Then when I called later to book AKL I mentioned it to that CM also and she said that most people start their stay the weekend prior to Thanksgiving and so the weekend after isn't as busy . Really? That sounded weird to me but they obviously know more than I do.

 

[taaren]

Hi ValAlley and HoustonMama!

We were there Dec 1-14 this last year, and Pop Warner was hardly noticeable for us (stayed at BLT that week).

Thinking we'll book either Nov 17-22, 2013 (which is what DH wants) or Nov 30-Dec 6 (what I want), though I'll need to check with work when we're back from Xmas break to see which week is better for my colleagues. And waiting for that DVC 7 month mark, which is still almost 4 months away!

Also the November week we're more likely to get something we actually want at the DVC 7 month mark, though I'd be okay with a 1 bedroom AKV Savannah View if we go the first December week since that's likely to still be available.

Our Premium Annual Passes expire on Dec 5, 2013, so we'd have to go to Universal on the 6th or some other plan to finish off the trip if we go in December ...

 

[taaren]

I am deciding between 2 different kinds of trips. My original thought was a parks/cruise trip. So Dec 4-8th for parks, then Dec 8th-12 4 night DCL. But the more things I'm trying to add in, I just don't know if 3 park nights is enough. I will want to see the beautiful castle in all it's lit up glory, probably MVMCP, Osborne lights, CP, what else am I missing? Seems like a lot to try and pack into a combined stay.

Maybe I should save the cruise for another time (again) and do our usual 6/7 night trip? And we are DVC so we have to book in January!

Anyone have any advice? By then, this will be our 5th trip, but first during the holidays, so we are fine not doing all of the usual stuff. It's just me and DBF, no kids.

Go for the cruise! Its a great combination. We did WDW/DCL/WDW, and the cruise was definitely a high point! I think 4 nights in the parks will be enough, especially since you're DVC and will have plenty more park time in the future ...

 

[disneydiva16]

Go for the cruise! Its a great combination. We did WDW/DCL/WDW, and the cruise was definitely a high point! I think 4 nights in the parks will be enough, especially since you're DVC and will have plenty more park time in the future ...

We are doing the cruise and the parks also. Well, only 2 days of the parks, but I am still excited none the less. We are cruising Dec 14th-21st. and staying the 11th through 14th. Probably at ASMu or ASMo. We are so ready for this vacation to come.

 

[Kathymford]

Now I'm thinking of skipping the cruise this time. DBF mentioned doing Sea World, so may push the cruise to spring 2014. I'm trying to figure out our dates now. Either arriving 12/2 or 12/6. Really want to be there for our anniversary which is 12/7.

It is so hard trying to plan this far ahead. Usually I choose my dates by the cheapest flight! Lol

 

[taaren]

Now I'm thinking of skipping the cruise this time. DBF mentioned doing Sea World, so may push the cruise to spring 2014. I'm trying to figure out our dates now. Either arriving 12/2 or 12/6. Really want to be there for our anniversary which is 12/7.

It is so hard trying to plan this far ahead. Usually I choose my dates by the cheapest flight! Lol

Wait ... you live within an hours drive of SeaWorld San Diego but you want to go to the one in Florida instead of a cruise? Are they substantially different? Hmm ...

 

[Kathymford]

Wait ... you live within an hours drive of SeaWorld San Diego but you want to go to the one in Florida instead of a cruise? Are they substantially different? Hmm ...

Honestly, I haven't been to Sea World SD in quite a few years. Ha. I know it sounds odd. But our last couple if trips we have broken up our Disney stay with a Universal day and it worked out really well. Not doing the cruise is more about not rushing our experiencing all the Christmas activities. We are casual park style people, so cramming too much in just a few days doesn't sound fun.

 

[taaren]

Honestly, I haven't been to Sea World SD in quite a few years. Ha. I know it sounds odd. But our last couple if trips we have broken up our Disney stay with a Universal day and it worked out really well. Not doing the cruise is more about not rushing our experiencing all the Christmas activities. We are casual park style people, so cramming too much in just a few days doesn't sound fun.

Okay, that make sense. If you're not commando style, I'd also recommend a 7 night cruise over a 4 night one, too. They tend to be more bang for your buck ...

We did a 5 night first, then a 7 night sans DH, then a 3 night this last trip just to check out the AquaDuck and see Castaway Cay, and a 3 night was way too short. It was time to disembark about the time we were getting into the swing of things. The 5 night was our favorite, but that may have been because 7 days of vacation with my DS5 and without the DH was too much for me, even with the kids clubs ... I'll have to take a 7 night with the DH eventually to find out!

 

[cadale]

Just booked Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 at BLT. Have to add one more night but they said I would have to call back tomorrow. Can't wait to show everyone the holiday decorations!

 

[budafam]

We are currently planning on Dec. 6th-14th. I'm not positive where yet or who is going with us...

If we talk my 76 year old dad into his first trip ever (wish us luck on that one), we'll most likely get 2 rooms at Pop and opt for free dining (so we may switch our dates up a bit)...

If it's just our family, we might look at renting points at either AKL or BLT. Either one would be AMAZING and something I never thought possible.

This will be my 5th trip since going for my 1st one in May 2011 (yes, I'm HOOKED!) My daughter will be 5 and my son will be 7 at the time of travel.

We're also looking at a day at Universal. Gonna get started on our movie nights soon

 

[taaren]

We are currently planning on Dec. 6th-14th. I'm not positive where yet or who is going with us...

If we talk my 76 year old dad into his first trip ever (wish us luck on that one), we'll most likely get 2 rooms at Pop and opt for free dining (so we may switch our dates up a bit)...

If it's just our family, we might look at renting points at either AKL or BLT. Either one would be AMAZING and something I never thought possible.

This will be my 5th trip since going for my 1st one in May 2011 (yes, I'm HOOKED!) My daughter will be 5 and my son will be 7 at the time of travel.

We're also looking at a day at Universal. Gonna get started on our movie nights soon

If you're going to rent points, especially for Bay Lake Tower, you're a week away from the 11 month mark, so you'll want to set that up SOON! If you're going for AKL its probably okay to wait a month or two ... though definitely have it set by 8 months from your travel date. Those first two weeks of December are pretty much the busiest DVC time of the year and hardest to get the resort you want.

Btw, I highly recommend BLT. We just finished our first trip, stayed there (as well as OKW and BWV), and BLT was just amazing. There's pictures in my TR in my sig of the Lake View we had where we could see the fireworks, on page 6 I think.

That's a lot of trips in the just a few years! You are quite the addict, and learned quickly ... It took us several years to build up to that ... the first three years after I went to DLR we went once per year, and only started going more than once the last few ...

 

[Kathymford]

We are currently planning on Dec. 6th-14th. I'm not positive where yet or who is going with us...

If we talk my 76 year old dad into his first trip ever (wish us luck on that one), we'll most likely get 2 rooms at Pop and opt for free dining (so we may switch our dates up a bit)...

If it's just our family, we might look at renting points at either AKL or BLT. Either one would be AMAZING and something I never thought possible.

This will be my 5th trip since going for my 1st one in May 2011 (yes, I'm HOOKED!) My daughter will be 5 and my son will be 7 at the time of travel.

We're also looking at a day at Universal. Gonna get started on our movie nights soon

You are just like us! Ha. Our first WDW trip was in Oct 2011 and Dec 2013 will be our #5 too! HAHA. We are knocking out #4 in Feb!

I am all set to book my DVC stay on Sunday, we are aiming for Dec 6 - 13th at VWL.

 

[budafam]

Thanks everyone! I can tell already that this will be a great group We've decided to take my dad along so we'll be staying at Pop again. I'm going to save the DVC renting for when it's just our family. Still really looking forward to that someday!

My dad is going to be 76 in July and he is NOT aware he'll be going with us. I'm not sure how the surprise is going to go but he's going to have no choice. I will not take no for an answer!

 

[disneydiva16]

Thanks everyone! I can tell already that this will be a great group We've decided to take my dad along so we'll be staying at Pop again. I'm going to save the DVC renting for when it's just our family. Still really looking forward to that someday!

Budafam~Welcome I remember you from another thread I was on. I went in April/May 2012 More familiar faces (well, atleast dis names LOL)

 

[MrsNesbet]

Even more excited now that I can say we are going THIS year!!!
(we went last year too, but still!)

We are thinking of doing some "extras" too! Last year my girls did BBB (loved it) and my boys did the Aqua underwater tour, it was amazing!!!

This year my MIL and her bestie want to do the keys to the kingdom tour, I want to do the dessert party one night, and maybe parasailing? (do they still do that in Dec?) My boys are thinking of taking a day to go to IOA and my girls are unsure. Maybe BBB again? or pirates league?

Any reviews??

I started getting clearanced Holiday Disney shirts for my girls! Targets were $1.xx and Walmarts had some for $2

 

[taaren]

Even more excited now that I can say we are going THIS year!!!
(we went last year too, but still!)

We are thinking of doing some "extras" too! Last year my girls did BBB (loved it) and my boys did the Aqua underwater tour, it was amazing!!!

This year my MIL and her bestie want to do the keys to the kingdom tour, I want to do the dessert party one night, and maybe parasailing? (do they still do that in Dec?) My boys are thinking of taking a day to go to IOA and my girls are unsure. Maybe BBB again? or pirates league?

Any reviews??

I started getting clearanced Holiday Disney shirts for my girls! Targets were $1.xx and Walmarts had some for $2

About the trips being "this year"!

We did the Pirates League for our 4, 6, and 7 year olds on our first trip (a month ago), and it was wonderful. Not only were the CM's who did their make up a ton of fun, but we got a lot of compliments/interactions with both other guests and CM's for the rest of the day (my DS6 even got picked to be the Beast in Enchanted Tales with Belle because he looked so scary).

The other recommendation I'd make, if I had to pick just one of the extras we did was renting a pontoon to watch IllumiNations from. We shared the boat with 5 other DISsers so it came to $32.50 per person instead of my party paying the full $325. It was a phenomenal night.

On my list for next year is possibly doing the Wishes dessert party, too ... but the Aqua underwater tour sounds awesome, I'm going to have to look that up! We really liked IOA, but it is $$, so if your boys want to go to another park, there's also Gatorland, which is only a $20 ticket and pretty fun if they like snakes, spiders, and gators.

I wish DS would be tall enough to do the Epcot segway tours, but I guess that's several years down the road yet since I think it has a minimum age requirement of 14 ... or 16? Disney's website is confusing.

 

[mommytocalliesue]

We've booked our Christmas Trip! We're staying at the WL Nov. 29-Dec. 4. Not a long trip...I'm a teacher so can only take 3 personal days. We're excited though! DH and I have been at Christmas...but kids haven't....I know they'll have so much fun!!!

We'll skip some things this year....but can't wait to see the lights and decor. And the CP!!