DW in December, or later?

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

I’m so torn. 2022 is filled with postponed trips (2 cruises, Universal Hollywood, and Aulani), so we shouldn’t plan anything else, but…

December Use Year for my DVC membership, and I really want to plan an early December trip to DW.

Pros:

• Going to Disney World
• Seeing DW Christmas decorations
• DD is dying to go on the Frozen ride - she’s never been to DW. (3x DL)
• Banked points from 2021, so lodging mostly taken care of - will split stay between AKL and Swan (which DD has her heart set on for some unknown reason)
• Weather will be a nice break from soggy Pacific NW
• Crowds should be slightly more limited at this time
• Shouldn’t be too hot (DW melts at any temp above 80 - or is that melts down… )

Cons:

• DD’s first trip to DW - really wanted to be able to do all the parks, plus one of the water parks - plus AKL has such a great pool area - but Dec weather?
• Seems like the hotel rates for Swan are pretty high - I think there are some conferences at that time, and maybe other reasons?
• Too many trips in one year - maybe postponing is better?

what do you all think? December or wait till April/May?

 

[JenBush]

That is a lot of trips for one year. I think I would push off the WDW trip, but that is tough losing out on banked points. Hmm, could you do a short trip and use those banked points, but not split with the Swan?

 

[Mle8308]

Early December is a great time to go, it is definitely getting busier every year. The weather can vary. In 2020 it was really cold, lows in the 40's and highs of about 65. This year, it was really hot, it was 86 degrees a few days and never below 80. The summer humidity was gone, so it wasn't as bad. It's become a popular time to visit, with the hotel decorations and the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot, like I said, it was a lot busier than I expected. For reference, it was the first two weeks of December. It's also a popular time for DVC, so book as soon as possible!

 

[launchpad-mcquack]

FWIW we love going around late Nov to early Dec for the Xmas decorations and music. It’s very festive and you beat the heat. If you can make it to the Mickeys Christmas Party it’s an awesome time, however the prices for it went up significantly this past year and it was shorter than previous years.

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

FWIW we love going around late Nov to early Dec for the Xmas decorations and music. It’s very festive and you beat the heat. If you can make it to the Mickeys Christmas Party it’s an awesome time, however the prices for it went up significantly this past year and it was shorter than previous years.

This is exactly why I’m targeting early December! Hoping we can hit a (slightly) less busy time between the holidays - although I know it’ll still be crowded.
I’d love to do a resort day at AKL, and then do the Christmas Party in the evening. It’ll make the trip a bit less expensive, and give us time to enjoy the pool (if it’s not too cold) and Disney Springs, which I’ve never spent a day doing while at either DL or DW.
Are the pools heated in the winter?

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

That is a lot of trips for one year. I think I would push off the WDW trip, but that is tough losing out on banked points. Hmm, could you do a short trip and use those banked points, but not split with the Swan?

The points will be good through 2023, so we won’t lose any. We’re coming from WA state, so not worth a short trip - too much time/expense flying.

I’m hoping that since it’s so late in the year that I can pretend it’s my first trip of 2023!

 

[launchpad-mcquack]

This is exactly why I’m targeting early December! Hoping we can hit a (slightly) less busy time between the holidays - although I know it’ll still be crowded.
I’d love to do a resort day at AKL, and then do the Christmas Party in the evening. It’ll make the trip a bit less expensive, and give us time to enjoy the pool (if it’s not too cold) and Disney Springs, which I’ve never spent a day doing while at either DL or DW.
Are the pools heated in the winter?

Hope you have a good time! Yes, at least all the resort pools we've been to were heated. And I've read that all should be heated.

 

[Best Aunt]

Do you own at AKV? If not, December is a popular time of year, and I don't know what availability will be like if you have to wait until 7 months to book.

Have you been looking at the Swan/Dolphin thread over on the resort forum? It's really active. If you want advice on anything related to the Swan (including pros and cons of different ways of booking), they can help you.

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Thank you! West coasters, so Aulani is our home. I’ve been watching the availability, and it looks like there’s generally availability at the 7 month window (or later). We’ll be looking for a savannah view studio, for 3-4 days, so hoping that won’t be an issue - December may be more difficult though, so we’re prepared to be flexible.

I’ve definitely been stalking the Swan/Dolphin thread. Just got my Marriott Bonvoy bonus night credits, so we’ll be booking those soon.