Have a couple of questions, about an early Dec. 2005 visit.

[RayRing]

After reading a large number of posts, and viewing pictures on this site, we are considering a visit to WDW the first week of December 2005.

Question #1
Will all the Christmas decorations and activities be available, if we visit from Dec. 4 through the 9th.
( We will be traveling with a 4 and 5 year old, so it would not be an issue, if the parks are not open late )

Question #2
Which Resort or Hotel, would be the nicest to stay at, during that time of year. Is there one place that is a must see/stay, for Christmas decorations & atmosphere.

We have stayed at OKW, BWV, and most recently several times at BCV. Given that the weather is iffy that time of year, the resorts swimming pool will not really be an issue. With two small children, we were thinking it might be nice to stay closer to the magic kingdom.
We were thinking of the Villas at Wilderness Lodge (we have never stayed there)
Also we have been to the Grand Floridian for dinner, but have never stayed there. We were wondering if the GF's decorations & atmosphere, and being on the monorail, would make up for being more points, smaller room, and no kitchen/laundry in the room.

I look forward to everyone's thoughts and suggestions.

 

[jpmom97]

We will be there too! We are staying at SSR. I reallyhope the decorations are up!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

To answer your questions...

1. Yes, the decorations will all be up by the first week in December...and they are beautiful!

2. I've never stayed at the WL, but I was there, last December, and it is nice. We stayed at BWV and I love it there! But, you can always go over to check out the decorations. The one thing keeping me from making a reservation at the WL is the bus system. The Grand Floridian is gorgeous! Only you can decide if the price is right to stay there.

Good luck and have a great trip! We'll also be there, the same dates as you!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Also we have been to the Grand Floridian for dinner, but have never stayed there. We were wondering if the GF's decorations & atmosphere, and being on the monorail, would make up for being more points, smaller room, and no kitchen/laundry in the room.

The GF is wonderful during the holidays (Yes we have stayed there) but I would not trade a regular room at the GF for my 2BR at a DVC Resort.

We stayed last year at the VWL for Christmas and it was the best. The place just feels like Christmas and I wouldn't hesitate to go back again.

HBC

 

[DebbieB]

We've gone the first or second week of December the past 7 years, the past 5 at BWV. It's a great time to go! The Christmas decorations and shows are wonderful and crowds are not bad. The weather is iffy. This year was wonderful, low 80's most of the time but we have had highs as low as 50 other years.

GF would be 39 points per night for weeknights (garden view). VWL would be 22 for a studio or 45 for a 1 bedroom. AP or code rates for GF are usually around $250, you would be better off renting your points and paying cash if you wanted to stay there.

 

[bears163]

wow it looks like we will all be down at the same time. ours is for dec. 10-15. i am looking for more info on the crowds. if anyone can give some opions it would be very helpful.

 

[Poohs Pal]

I will be at SSR starting December 4th can't wait to see the decorations. I have stayed at WL during christmas and their decorations are worth the trip to see them. My favorite would have to be GF. Susan

 

[Chuck S]

I have to wait until next Monday to book my ressies Planning on OKW Dec 6 to 15. I have to agree that WL is probably the best decorated/themed of the DVC resorts for Christmas.

 

[crzy4dals]

We will be staying at BWV again for Christmas!

I loved being so close to Epcot and MGM. The park crowds were never bad. Only real wait times we had was on Test Track - but that was because it was having a bad day !

The decorations were beautiful all around. I want to see VWL at Christmas this time.

Have FUN!!!!!!

 

[RayRing]

I am glad to hear that all the Christmas Decorations and Activities will be available for an early December visit. I am excited about getting a little Disney Christmas in, and still having time to do all the Pre-Christmas activities at home.

I am still a little stuck on where to stay. We have stayed at the BCV and BWV, and I am sure they would be nicely decorated for Christmas. However, I was thinking of mixing thing up, for a 4 or 5 day visit in December, and staying on the monorail line. This would give us a little MK and then a quick ride back to our room. The down side is the "less for more" problem of staying at the GF. Not only is the room (much) smaller then our normal 2 bedroom accommodation, but we couldn't save money by eating breakfast, and maybe one or two evening meals in the room. (no fridge, no in-room laundry, everyone in one small room. The list goes on.) Staying in a 2 bedroom spoils you for staying in a regular hotel room.

I did get the Room Rack Rate for the GF, off the web site. It may be a little cheaper to pay cash and rent points, but I think I might have to add a substantial room tax onto the listed price, to get a true cost. I am guessing that it wouldn't be a great savings.

How, just for comparison purposes, for a weekday night, a 2 bdr @ WLV = 30pts/Night, and a Lagoon View room @ GF = 46pts/Night. This is a huge difference. For 5 weekday nights - WLV = 150 pts - GF = 230 pts

I was thinking of staying at the WLV, but I am running into a couple of things.
1) It is not on the monorail. Even though the boat ride might be short, does it still have the same feel as being on the monorail. Is a boat ride back home, much different than a bus ride back home, If someone has done both (monorail and WLV), It would be great to hear what you think about the differences.
2) After staying at OKW, BWV & BCV, the pictures of WLV, make it look old, dark and not too Christmasee. I have only eaten dinner there once, so I don't remember it well.
3) While staying at the Caribbean Beach Club (Pre Kids & Pre DVC Member), we went to Wilderness Lodge for dinner. It took two bus rides and for ever to get there and back. Even though the dinner was great, my wife still has a negative opinion of the Wilderness Lodge because of that. Even though the problem was with transportation, the feeling lives on.
4) The last point is that I put the idea in my wife's head. As she said last night, "you can't put the idea of staying at the GF in my head and then change your mind".

So there you have it. More than you ever wanted to know of how I go through the process of picking out where to stay at WDW.

I still welcome everyone's thoughts, and thanks again.