Not One Single Room left on Property 12/5 to 12/7

[sherry8253]

Okay - I always heard that the week following Thanksgiving was a great time to go to Disney because crowds were light. We already have a room but my DH's daughter just called and said she would like to join us 12/5 to 12/7. I just got of the phone with CRO (I called 3 times because I didn't believe the first 2 CM's) and I was told that there is not one single solitary room available on property including GF. When I asked if they knew what was going on I was told POP WARNER and Mouse Conventions from various internet groups. For all of you who are going to be joining me at Disney during that week - how crowded to you think it will be????? I have never called and been told that there is not one single solitary room left on property.

 

[CalGal]

I just ran a check through Expedia.com. Swan and Dolphin were available for 12/5 and 12/6, but the Disney resorts would not allow booking for less than 3 nights. There wasn't a lot available for 12/5 especially, but there was some availability if you booked 3 nights. There may still be a way to get a Disney room...

 

[Tigger Fans!]

We'll be there and I'm VERY concerned about the crowds! (Apparently there is also a DVC meeting that week.) Can you rearrange your dates?? I'd keep calling...I bet something will become available at the last minute. Be sure to use Disney's toll-free number!
TTFN!

 

[sherry8253]

Hi CalGal - I didnt think of expedia. Do you know if I have to pay for tickets if I use expedia? She lives in FL and has AP for her and the two kids. Maybe she will come for an extra night. I had already called the S & D and was quoted $325 a night which is more than I wanted to pay for her to stay 2 nights.

 

[sherry8253]

Hi Tigger Fans - No we can't change our dates because we booked the Swan using hotwire several months ago. She first said she was going to come the Fri after Thanksgiving and stay until Monday but then she called back and said she thought the parks would be too crowded that weekend since her 3 and 6 year old don't have much patience standing in lines. It doesn't seem like the following week will be any better. I snagged a room at the Swan for the period she originally wanted for $154 a night. I hope that she will just figure it will be crowded either time and stays with her original plans. Hope it isn't as bad as I think it is going to be. We usually go the 2nd week of Dec but our AP's expire 12/8 and we wanted to get one more trip on them because I don't think we are going to renew them this time.

 

[DebbieB]

We've gone the first or second week of December the past 5 years. Weekends are usually full at the resorts, I think alot of people who live close come in to see the Christmas decorations and shows, they want to stay onsite vs offsite. Saturday night at MK is always very crowded (anytime, not just December), the Candlelight Processional is usually also full on weekends. But we've never experienced big crowds at the parks during the week.

I remember 2 years ago people on these boards were flipping because resorts were full, pop warner was there, it was media week for Walt's 100th Birthday, hours were shortened after 9/11. Some people even cancelled in fear of large crowds. Turned out to be the least crowded trip we had ever been on.

 

[CalGal]

You can definitely book room only through Expedia. However, I recommend you look a little more first. You can probably find a way to book just two nights, you just have to work a little harder. Part of the difficultly may be that you are trying to book a weekend. Do you have AAA? I just went on www.aaa.com and could see availability for several places including AS-Sports, CBR, and others AND you could reserve for Friday and Saturday without having to add that 3rd night. Again, you can book room only. If you can do it through AAA, there are probably other ways to make reservations for these 2 nights. You probably won't be able to get your AP rates though. Good-luck!

 

[Tigger Fans!]

I thought Expedia automatically adds in the UPHs when you try to reserve? I tried this a few months ago and it showed room only rates until I tried to reserve....then it added in the UPH. Maybe it was due to some package they were running at the time.

I hope that the parks aren't crowded during our visit Dec 6-13! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[BrianD]

I just did some checking, and through the WDW website there are some 1 & 2 bedroom villas available.

Also I just went on http://www.swandolphin.com , and if you book online, you can get the Swan for $249 or the Dolphin for $229.

Expedia.com is not really an option (for a WDW resort anyway) in this case because you have to book at least 3 nights and they DO attach UPH tickets onto the reservation.

The Hilton accross from DTD is also available but the cheapest I found was $159, which is high for that place.

Also consider using Hotwire or Priceline because then you might be able to get something like the Hilton for $60 - $70.

Good luck in your search & good luck with the crowds!

 

[annie5379]

Geez......I'm really concerned about the crowds too. We are taking two 4 yr old twins for their first trip, and thought this time period would be the best!! Hopefully, they will all leave by the time we get there on Dec 8 !!!

Annie

 

[Pig Pen]

The Florida State Democratic Convention is at Coronado Springs Dec 5-7. They are probably sucking up a lot of rooms.

 

[ccollmoe]

Hi. We went to WDW 2 years during that week and there were cheerleading competitions. The hotels were all full, but the parks were not. We stayed at POR one year and the groups of cheerleaders couldn't have been a more polite group. there was a conference at the Swan the other year and they never hit the parks either. Don't know if that's why it's full this year - but maybe. We're going Christmas week this year ... yes we're expecting BIG crowds... Have a blast!!!!

P.S. We're still trying to get 2 more nights for our trip. Travelocity doesn't seem to require the 3 night minimum, and the Walt Disney Resorts will show up there if available.

 

[Wendynjane]

I'm with DebbieB. We have gone the past few years either first or second week of December as well and like she said, the weekends are always more crowded but the weekdays are wonderful. The week following the weekend of the 5th and 6th is wide open. I just checked and the Poly and AKL are both available for the weekend of 12/5-12/8 if you are interested in either of those. Have a wonderful time.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by sherry8253
We can't change our dates because we booked the Swan using hotwire several months ago. .... I snagged a room at the Swan for the period she originally wanted for $154 a night.

I think $154/night for the Swan is a great rate. We love the Swan/Dolphin. The location is wonderful!! Enjoy your trip.

 

[SnackyStacky]

If you have your heart set on having the rest of your group stay in a Disney resort, you have the option of having the CRO cast member look for each night seperately. If either of the two nights is unavailable, it'll show unavailability for the whole period.

I also think it's unfortunate that you have to include passes. You used to be able to book a room only reservation through Expedia. Oh well!

While I was looking on Expedia, I did a search for 12/5-12/8, and the following hotels were showing availability for the night of the 5th, and the night of the 6th:

All Stars (Music and Sports)
Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah View only
Beach Club standard view only
Fort Wilderness Cabin
Port Orleans Riverside standard view only

I would give CRO a call back, and ask about that. It might just be that they set aside a certain number of rooms for packages, or there might be a specific block of rooms for Expedia, but it couldn't hurt to give them those specifics and find out what's up.

I also did a search on Disney's website, and it found a deluxe savannah view room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for $380/night, and garden view concierge at the Polynesian for $434/night. CRAZY expensive, but if you're desperate.....

 

[dsneygirl]

This happened to us in October the first weekend of food & Wine. We probably had to call 5 or 6 times to finally extend our FW stay through the weekend.

The week of Oct 12-16 was really quiet it was only when Saturday hit that it was busy. I'm thinking it might be the same for this week.

 

[PTarbay]

We have gone this week many times and will be there again this year.Saturday the 6th will be packed but it will start thinning out Sunday and the rest of the week is great.The cheerleaders and pop warner have alot of activities going on and were never a problem in the parks.The large conventions will be over by Monday.This is how it's been in the past.This will be my 28th stay and over half of them have been that week.