Hi! We're hoping to go to Disney right after Christmas and spend New Years there. I know right now they have their free dining offer but will they offer something after that do you think? I'm wondering when we should try to book our trip. Any advice/tips you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
Typically Disney doesn't offer deals over the Christmas holiday per say. This is not a typical year however, so the MIGHT.
It owuld be a fasr better idea if you could modify your dates slightly - to go the little the week befre the holidays, or maybe after - but before would be better.
Keep in mind, Christmas to New years is the VERY MOST expensive time of year to go to WDW. IT is also the most crowded, and the weather can be very iffy.
If you an go just a few weeks earlier though you will encounter some of the lowest prices Diseny offers all year, and get the decor of Christmas, plus much LOWER crowds. Even if you can tweak your dates a bit - say instead of the Dec 18 - Jan2 going December 15 through Dec 29 tha savings will be dramatic. On December 17 a room at AKL with Savanah view is $270 per night. On December 18 - 24 that same room is $465 per night , and December 25 - 31 it will be $485 per night! RAtes after Decmebr 1st have not come out yet, but they will probably be around $305. If your trip overlaps disney rates seasons - you will pay a variable rate for the room (One night will cost $270, the next $425)
Disney is also likely to offer a discoutn for early December this year. Evenif they offer it into the holiday week - 25% off $270 is much less than 25% off $425.
Personally, it has worked very well in our family to give a trip to WDW as a Christmas present - but not actually go to WDW until February (or even March, now that we are adults). Value season typically goes from January 1st or 2nd until about Valentine's Day. President's week has slightly higher prices and crowds, but not as bad as Christmas.
One last suggestion...compare airfare for various dates. That will also be higher on peak travel days. If you must go over Christmas - consider airfare for Thurdsay night over Friday or Saturday. Again, early Decmebr will cost quite a bit less.
Ive been to WDW many times, including Easter week - another bust time. I wouldn't even consider Christmas week. Especially for a first trip, I do not suggest that week. If you must go that week, keep in mind that the crowds are not like that all year.