How tough is it really to get reservations in the first 2 weeks of December?

[SStJean]

Hi All,

My family and I just bought into SSR on our last trip to WDW. We were looking to take our first trip home in early Dec. 2004 so we see the Christmas decorations without all of the late Dec. crowds. I keep reading posts that the first 2 weeks of Dec. is a tough time to get reservations. We would like a 1BR.

I'm curious just how tough it is. We will be staying at SSR and all 4 of the Phase 1 buildings should be completed and open by then. I am hoping to hear that it will be relatively dead and I can call MS whenever. I am expecting that you will all tell me I am living in my own little world if I think that and I will have to all at the 11 month window day-by-day to get the reservation...oh well.

Any ideas, comments, words of wit or wisdom?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[chris1gill]

Umm, yup, you're living in that dreamworld... If you want to wait til 10.5 months out to make your whole reservation at SSR, that probably might work out for you, but I wouldn't wait to reserve less than 9 months out... Since you know that's when you want to go, you might as well make it & the sooner the better... We've had three early December trips at the BW in a standard view & for those I'd say book day by day!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Hi Steve. I just bought at SSR as well (Welcome Home by the way!) and had the same question that you had a few pages ago. Tjkraz was nice enough to send me a post letting me know what he thought. This is what he said...........

Quote from tjkraz:

"With regard to your question on booking for next December, I wouldn't worry too much. All four buildings in the first phase will be open by August '04. That's a minimum of 190+ rooms--even more if the lockoff 2Bs are rented as a 1B and a Studio.

And, remember they're still selling ownership in building #2. So, come January you will basically have less than 2 buildings worth of owners able to book stays in all 4 buildings.

Call at the 11-month window and I'm sure you will have no problems. Book day-by-day if it will make you more comfortable. But it won't be like booking breakfast at Cindarella's Royal Table where the ressies are all gone 15 minutes after the phones open."

So this year will probably be easier than the next few years. But at least it gives us some practice time. Maybe we'll see you there in Dec 04. Hope this helped!!!

 

[SStJean]

Thanks,

That seems like sound logic. We'll just have to enjoy this year and scrap it out with the rest of the new SSR members in '05

Steve

 

[spiceycat]

It depends upon how many units that DVC has opened - the first year it really shouldn't be a problem - but that doesn't mean it won't be.

there are several members who added on at SSR - if they can't get their other home resort - they might try SSR....

BWV standard room, BCV, VWL, BWV preferred, OKW is generally how the rooms request go....I am not sure where SSR will fit in this picture....

 

[Jenn]

I called day by day for my upcoming early Dec reservation. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Hulabaloo]

Well if you know for sure when you are going (ie 11 month window) it shouldn't be tough at all., if you are like me, (I work in Retail Support, and have never had a Christmas off, had to wait for the official ok, just got it 3 weeks ago) you are up the creek without a paddle.

I was smart enough to make ressies back in may or june for our Dec 5 - 14th trip, home resort full (Boardwalk) , beach club villas full, Wilderness Lodge full, OKW we can get you in one of the two 1brs we have left.

I wait listed all other resorts for a full 6 months and nothing opened up!

OKW will due (cause it has too), but man I'm gonna miss that boardwalk.

Hulabaloo

 

[jimmytammy]

Dec is our fav time at WDW. I would book day by day to be on the safe side. Let MS know that your intention is to book this way and they will make a note of it so when you call back each day it will get you through the conversation quicker.

 

[LucyLou&BobWho]

Ok I plead ignorance!! What does everyone mean by booking day by day? I called for next may 04 and was able to book for 7nights @ BWV(standard view). Was I just completely lucky or is there something that I'm not aware of? Please help me understand?.....

Thanks you guys are great!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by LucyLou&BobWho
Ok I plead ignorance!! What does everyone mean by booking day by day? I called for next may 04 and was able to book for 7nights @ BWV(standard view). Was I just completely lucky or is there something that I'm not aware of? Please help me understand?.....

Thanks you guys are great!

If you are booking at the 11 month booking window into a popular DVC time and type of accomodation, it can be recommended to book one day at a time to be sure you get the ressie. We usually do this when we are booking a GV at OKW. I will be calling next Tuesday to start booking my October GV for 2004.

 

[Simba's Mom]

To let you know my experiences for this year, I booked at 10.5 months (forgot and let the 11 month date go by a few days-now I know better). Only availability was at BCV and OKW. I guess VWL you need to call at exactly 11 months. But when I called at 7 months to try for 1 night at BWV, there was some availability there (guess some BWV owners had cancelled or moved) and still at OKW-nowhere else. This is for a studio.

 

[spiceycat]

the first two weeks of December are GREAT to be at WDW......

low points, low crowds (or were - they are now alot of people who seem to want to go then), and everything and I mean everything is decorated....

there are special shows MVMCP, Candlelight Procession - and everything is just so nice.....

try it once at that time and see if it doesn't become your favorite time to go...

alot of DVC members know about this time and have since DVC began and always go in December.

So you need to really plan ahead and book day-by-day (OKW you generally don't - but always ask MS first) if you want to stay there at that time....