DVC in December

[JLODONNELL]

Sorry for the repost (posted in another thread).
Any suggestions/experience with using points in the beginning of December? Our home resort is Saratoga but we were hoping to try the Beach Club this time around (or Boardwalk). I have heard it is very hard to secure a reservation during this time. Any experience booking at 7 months out? Thanks in advance!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Sorry for the repost (posted in another thread).
Any suggestions/experience with using points in the beginning of December? Our home resort is Saratoga but we were hoping to try the Beach Club this time around (or Boardwalk). I have heard it is very hard to secure a reservation during this time. Any experience booking at 7 months out? Thanks in advance!

If you get BCV the first week of December at seven months out, you need to spend the rest of your money on lottery tickets because you have the best luck in the world. Book SSR now and see what you can get at seven months out.

The first week of December is the most requested week of all for DVC members.

 

[JLODONNELL]

Thanks for the info. Does the same apply the second week? Trying to decide if we should delay the trip to stay at BCV or if Christmas is the best time to go no matter where you stay. My kids need a pool break mid day

 

[oldfastpassxpert]

I was thinking about bcc in dec too but after reading the posts on this thread and the other...I'm kinda bummed. I love Disney in dec and I really wanted to try a new resort.

 

[drusba]

For first week of Dec 2012 and 2013, BCV, BWV, BLT and VWL were full in all room categories and views at 7 months out except for an odd open night here and there. The second week was only a little better with the ability to get possibly two, and for 1BRs three, consecutive nights during part of the week. First week of Dec is DVC's highest demand week of the year, second week of Dec is third highest, and Dec 23-Jan 2 is second highest. The third week of Dec, however, is actually a fairly moderate demand time and many things are open at 7 months out at near park resorts.

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks for the info. Does the same apply the second week? Trying to decide if we should delay the trip to stay at BCV or if Christmas is the best time to go no matter where you stay. My kids need a pool break mid day

Be aware that December can be lovely weather (our trip this year from Dec. 5 - 12 was the best weather we have ever had on any trip) or it can be downright cold (think winter jackets, hats and mittens -- we absolutely FROZE a few years ago). A weeklong stay would probably have at least a couple of days when the kids could swim but there are no guarantees. Nonetheless, all of the holiday events and decorations make it an especially magical time to visit.
The second week of December is a little easier to book than the first week but you still will have limited availability at 7 months. Lots of people buy resorts like VWL, BCV and BWV just to have the 11 month booking priority for early December.

 

[Kidanifan08]

If you are looking for a 5-8 days stretch, forget it. As already discussed, the first two weeks of Dec are basically "enjoy a Christmas stay at your home resort if you book early enough". We own at AK, and we have gone the first week of December twice in the past 4 years and have not had any luck getting into another resort. Despite that, we really enjoy staying at AK, so it has not been a disappointment. We have another first week of December stay coming this year. I will check out the availability at other resorts exactly at 8AM at the 7 month mark, but I have low expectations.

If you really want the best chance for a for a near park resort for the holiday season, your best bet may be that week of 12/13/14 or the couple of weeks leading up to Thanksgiving week.

 

[snoopy5386]

If you get BCV the first week of December at seven months out, you need to spend the rest of your money on lottery tickets because you have the best luck in the world. Book SSR now and see what you can get at seven months out.

The first week of December is the most requested week of all for DVC members.

Well I guess we won the lottery 2 years ago! We stayed 6 nights at BCV, was not able to book at 7 months, but the wait list came through fairly quickly.

 

[com_op_2000]

DW and I have gone every year since '93 the 2nd week of Dec. 95% of the time we have changed resorts.

 

[LisaS]

DW and I have gone every year since '93 the 2nd week of Dec. 95% of the time we have changed resorts.

Which resorts were you able to book? Studio or 1BR or ?? Did you book right at 7 months out and did you have to set up a wait list?

 

[Novakm]

Last year we booked a 2 br at AKV 2nd week of December at the 7 month mark. Weather was great!

 

[Kidanifan08]

Which resorts were you able to book? Studio or 1BR or ?? Did you book right at 7 months out and did you have to set up a wait list?

I would be interested in those details, as well. And also the length of stay.

Last year we booked a 2 br at AKV 2nd week of December at the 7 month mark. Weather was great!

The resorts that don't have the close proximity to parks (OKW, SSR, AKV) are probably a little easier to get at the 7 month mark for those first two weeks, although still limited. Of course, BWV, BCV, BLT and VWL are the premium choices for the holidays. When I have tried to switch into any of those, I have not had any luck. Although I did not do a wait list, and I suppose it is possible that some members book those resorts "just in case" they may want to go and then cancel at the last minute. We are usually staying 7-9 nights, so that length of stay probably has little chance of being available at 7 months or via wait listing.

For our trip in December, I may consider a split stay with one of the near park resorts, but that still would mean getting one of them for a Friday through Monday, which I suspect would be difficult. In the end, I am looking forward to staying in one place for a full week, so we will probably stick with our room at Jambo House.

 

[daisyx3]

How about the weekend before Thanksgiving (starting the Thursday before?). We want to do a four day weekend after food and wine; looking at November 20-23.
Daisyx3

 

[Deb & Bill]

How about the weekend before Thanksgiving (starting the Thursday before?). We want to do a four day weekend after food and wine; looking at November 20-23.
Daisyx3

That might be a good time to book at seven months out. With Thanksgiving late again this year, you have a slower week between Jersey Week/Food & Wine end and Thanksgiving.

 

[crisi]

How about the weekend before Thanksgiving (starting the Thursday before?). We want to do a four day weekend after food and wine; looking at November 20-23.
Daisyx3

That and the third week of December are your best bets. Though - sometimes people get unlikely things - and sometimes likely things don't happen.

 

[southerngirl528]

For that time of year, always book your home resort 11 months out (if it's on WDW property, that is), and at 7 months on the nose, be calling in to see if your desired resort is available. If it is not, IMMEDIATELY get on the wait list! Wait lists can and often do work, but for super popular times like these, you want to be one of the first ones on that wait list to have a great shot at getting what you want.

Lot of savvy members will grab dates like early December even if they are just thinking they MIGHT go then. Some of those folks will cancel if the dates don't end up working for them, and obviously they will go to those first on the wait list. I have gotten my wait list fulfilled for the first week of December even for GV's before, so it IS possible.

 

[JLODONNELL]

Thank you!
I will just have to see! I just booked the BCV for the first week in Oct at the 7 month mark no problem (food and wine). I will keep it and then try for Christmas in a few months, but at least we have something booked!

 

[com_op_2000]

Which resorts were you able to book? Studio or 1BR or ?? Did you book right at 7 months out and did you have to set up a wait list?

Studios 98% of the time. We have changed out to AKL, VWL, BWV, BCV, and SSR depending on what we wanted to do that trip. I have never used the WL in over 20 years of DVC. Book right at the 7 month window opening.

 

[com_op_2000]

I would be interested in those details, as well. And also the length of stay.

Length of stay - 2 to 5 nights

 

[Pbuttadad]

I got 4 studios for nov 28-dec 6 at bwv. Had to walk it. Checked the following day and they were gone. Love that week and it appears everyone else does too