Hypothetical - WDW in 2014

[ONealFamily]

Hey Everyone,

I want to throw a huge hypothetical from some of the more experienced DVCers out there. Obviously things will change before 2014 but taking into account your historical experiences, I would love some advice.

My family and I are looking at heading out to Florida for a week and a half at WDW then a 7 day cruise of the Eastern Caribbean.

Now, the dates we are looking at based on current peak times, rates, etc is either September or early December.

Since the cruise is much less flexible and due to the size of our family and my wife's fear of having a cabin without a window or veranda means we will be booking the cruise as soon as the 2014 dates become available.

Once the cruise is booked, then we have the long countdown to the 7 month mark prior the trip to WDW.

So my question is this. What has been your experience in getting a 1 bedroom at the 7 month mark for early December or late September?

We are not tied to one specific resort but would prefer to get the most for our points. We are thinking BWV or BCV. Even SSR would be fine with us. However I think we prefer BWV due to the distance to Epcot.

Thoughts? Should I plan a September cruise or a December cruise?

 

[drusba]

During September, one of the lowest DVC demand times of the year except for the last couple days, at 7 months out you are likely to find a 1BR almost anywhere and that could even include usually hard to get Boardwalk standard and boardwalk views and BLT MK view. Last couple days of Sep, which is start of food and wine time, will be more difficult but likely still much available and at least able to get BWV preferred, AKV savanna or standard, OKW and SSR. In early December, you will face one of the highest DVC demand times of the year and much disappears during the 11 month window. If you call exactly 7 months out, you may get lucky anywhere particularly for 1 BRs since they usually go last but you may be limited to SSR, OKW and AKV (savanna or standard) and even OKW and AKV could have some problems for some nights. SSR is a virtual certainty since it seems to never fill.

 

[ONealFamily]

During September, one of the lowest DVC demand times of the year except for the last couple days, at 7 months out you are likely to find a 1BR almost anywhere and that could even include usually hard to get Boardwalk standard and boardwalk views and BLT MK view. Last couple days of Sep, which is start of food and wine time, will be more difficult but likely still much available and at least able to get BWV preferred, AKV savanna or standard, OKW and SSR. In early December, you will face one of the highest DVC demand times of the year and much disappears during the 11 month window. If you call exactly 7 months out, you may get lucky anywhere particularly for 1 BRs since they usually go last but you may be limited to SSR, OKW and AKV (savanna or standard) and even OKW and AKV could have some problems for some nights. SSR is a virtual certainty since it seems to never fill.

Thanks. We really are neither here nor there on September or December. One of the major deciding factors will also be what kind of weather to expect on our Cruise. Sept would be nice because I assume crowds will be less but December will all of the Christmas decor will be nice as well. I think for the next few years I will be doing some hypothetical searches into availability around those times as well.

Thanks!

 

[MousekeTom]

Thoughts? Should I plan a September cruise or a December cruise?

Have you thought about the weather at all? The weather in December is beautiful, but the seas are a bit more choppy. Even if you get a rare cold front the Gulf Stream will keep you warm. While September is calmer (and much warmer) you could be re-routed (or heaven forbid have your cruise delayed or cancelled) due to a storm (or hurricane).

 

[ONealFamily]

Have you thought about the weather at all? The weather in December is beautiful, but the seas are a bit more choppy. Even if you get a rare cold front the Gulf Stream will keep you warm. While September is calmer (and much warmer) you could be re-routed (or heaven forbid have your cruise delayed or cancelled) due to a storm (or hurricane).

Thanks Tom. Yeah, weather has been in our minds the whole time. We're from Northern California where September will typically be nice and warm but I also realize it's at the tail end of the hurricane season so that has us holding back a bit. December sounds nice for WDW (I have been in November but not December in the past) but I don't know if it would be too cold to swim or take advantage of Castaway Cay, etc.

Decisions, decisions.

I actually am about to post a thread in the DCL forum to get advice on pros and cons of cruising in either month. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[MousekeTom]

I don't know if it would be too cold to swim or take advantage of Castaway Cay, etc.

I had no problem getting in the water at Castaway Cay in January. If your from Northern California, you will have no problem with the water in December.

 

[ONealFamily]

I had no problem getting in the water at Castaway Cay in January. If your from Northern California, you will have no problem with the water in December.

Yeah, that's my thought. We will see. I think overall December seems like a better place. I just have to have faith that I will find SOMETHING at WDW for that time.

 

[kjd469]

Yeah, that's my thought. We will see. I think overall December seems like a better place. I just have to have faith that I will find SOMETHING at WDW for that time. [/QUOTE

Well, even if you don't get a DVC unit, you could still book a room on cash as your back-up plan.

 

[drusba]

In making the choice, you should aslo be aware that Sep at WDW has something that many do not focus on when they make reservations at WDW: lovebugs

 

[Disneydrmr]

Good point about the lovebugs. If anyone in your family gets queasy about the sight of thousands of non-threatening bugs, you might want to reconsider September. If you go on the DCL boards, you will some amazing pictures posted of the Dream with thousands of lovebugs all over the verandahs. The decks needed to be washed down daily to remove the lovebugs. Just something to consider....they are in the parks as well.

No matter what decision you make, you will not be dispappointed.

 

[ONealFamily]

Thanks for the tips. Hadn't thought about the bugs. We are leaning to December for a variety of reasons right now. Now it's just a waiting game to see what the cruise schedules will look like in 2014.

 

[wdrl]

September will typically be nice and warm but I also realize it's at the tail end of the hurricane season so that has us holding back a bit.

Actually, September 9-11 is the peak of the hurricane season. All things being equal, I'd rather not cruise in the Bahamas or Caribbean in September.

We just came back from an Eastern Caribbean cruise in January. The water was warm in the eastern Caribbean (St Maarten, Aruba, St. Thomas). In the Bahamas (Princess Cays, which is the southern tip of Long Island), the water was a bit cooler but still quite enjoyable.

If you book right at 7 months and remain flexible, you shouldn't have any problems getting an accommodation at WDW. I suspect Aulani will still be drawing a lot of WDW owners to Hawaii, which might shift some of the demand away from the WDW resorts. Also, its possible that the Villas of Grand Floridian might be opened by the Fall of 2014. If its open, I think a lot of people will be trying to get into VGF, thereby opening up some space at the other WDW resorts.

Good luck in getting what you want!

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone early December many times. It could be a high of 80 or in the 40's. Normal is low 70's but it can really vary. You may not be able to get your first choice at 7 months, it's a popular time for DVC.

 

[ONealFamily]

I've gone early December many times. It could be a high of 80 or in the 40's. Normal is low 70's but it can really vary. You may not be able to get your first choice at 7 months, it's a popular time for DVC.

I'm less concerned about getting our first choice and just getting a 1 bedroom for the amount of consecutive days we need and not having to move.

Thanks!

 

[Kidanifan08]

I don't know if November is at all an option for you, but the parks are in full holiday swing by the second week of Nov (including MVMCP) and the DVC demand is not quite as high as the first two weeks of Dec. The point costs for a stay are only slightly higher. The WDW weather is more reliable than in Dec (we were there 12/4/10 - 12/11/10 and it was freezing -- 36F some mornings!!)

Just a thought.

 

[Cinderpamela]

For Dec 2011 we were able to book a 1bdrm at the WL for 12 consecutive nights right at the 7 month mark. This was for December 17-29th 2011.

I had originally wanted BLT but there was nothing there. Other resorts that were also available at that 7 month mark were AKV, BWV, OKW, and SS. So I would say that if your flexible with your resort choice, you should have no problem at 7 months.

 

[ONealFamily]

For Dec 2011 we were able to book a 1bdrm at the WL for 12 consecutive nights right at the 7 month mark. This was for December 17-29th 2011.

I had originally wanted BLT but there was nothing there. Other resorts that were also available at that 7 month mark were AKV, BWV, OKW, and SS. So I would say that if your flexible with your resort choice, you should have no problem at 7 months.

Thanks for your insight. I also look forward to hearing how Aulani is. We are going next Feb.

Right now, I think BWV will be the right fit, if available. My son will be 4 and a half years old in December, 2014 and with it's proximity to Epcot and HS I think it would be a good fit.

AKV sounds really fun, however I just don't know because it seems so far away from everything on the map. Being as we will be there for so long (11 days minimum) not sure the best direction. Any thoughts. Me, my wife, 10 year old daughter and 4 year old son. Best resort that the kids will enjoy?

Thanks!

 

[bookwormde]

If you can get your cruse to end on the 15th of Dec or just after availabilty is much better the week of the 15th to the 22nd and you should have no problem, and you are in chioce season which the points are not much higher than adventure for most resorts.

Since the 12th and the 13th are weekend days it is likely they along with the 14th will be much more available in 2014, so you might be able to push your ideal cruise end up to the 12th and sill have lots 1br of availability and have 12 resort nights before you hit premier season on the 24th.

 

[arthur06]

We cruised in December 2010. The weather was so cold, it was miserable. The weather was cold and windy and all the excursions on CC were cancelled. I remember seeing my kids in the pool on the ship and after a few minutes, the had blue lips. But, like true champion kids, we still had to drag them out.

We traveled in Sept 2011 and the weather was HOT.

There really isn't a right or wrong time to go, just be prepared for anything.

 

[Caren90]

We cruise the Caribbean every late August and have for the past 8 years. Only once did we have trouble with the weather (a 7 day Disney Cruise turned into a 10 day cruise!) but I believe we have been lucky. December can be hit or miss in Florida. If you have the chance of pushing the date, October is an excellent month to cruise the Caribbean as well as visit Florida.
Stephen