**Official December 2012 Thread!**

[BDL]

When exactly is the 500 day point? I believe that's the earliest you can book, right?

 

[Belle83]

Count me in!

We just got back (our trip was in May). Shortly after, my SO wants to start planning for 2012. A guy at his work told him how awesome the Christmas Party is, so we are planning to go for that (first or second week of December, maybe leaving right after Thanksgiving...). I really thought with all of the stuff we need to do on our house, our trip would be sometime in 2013 (like for my 30th birthday...) but neither one of us wants to wait that long. He wants to go during a cooler time of year because of the heat (knee issues with humidity, heat, and walking are not fun), and I'm definitely all for that!

I've narrowed our hotel options to: Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs, or Port Orleans Riverside. Or maybe the Polynesian (though I would rather wait to spend money on a monorail resort for when we have little kids..hopefully not too long from now...). I want to rent points but not if it's going to be non-refundable/modifiable (which it sounds like it would be).

Can't wait, I've never been in December. I went once in January (2004) and saw some of the Christmas decorations then. We're already planning to book our Christmas Party tickets as soon as we can (do they frequently sell out during the first half of the month?)

 

[disney newb]

I've been playing around with the packages on Disney's website to get a rough idea how much Dec packages would cost.. but I did notice that, as of today, you can book until Nov 25th so that means sooooon us Dec folks will be able to book

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I've been playing around with the packages on Disney's website to get a rough idea how much Dec packages would cost.. but I did notice that, as of today, you can book until Nov 25th so that means sooooon us Dec folks will be able to book

Ooh, that's good to know! I'm going to check it out...

 

[wdwislife]

Sorry I haven't been able to update the list! I'm away for a large portion of the summer with very limited computer access.

Everything will be up to date once I get home in about 3 weeks.

 

[Bo Duke]

Does anyone know, Is the Free Dining Plan ever offered in December?

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Does anyone know, Is the Free Dining Plan ever offered in December?

Yes, it has been offered in December!

 

[nickle831]

WooHoo Tomorrow I will be 499 days out to book. Or atleast check out the prices. So should I book as soon as I can, or wait a few months to see if I get any pins. Can we add a pin after we've booked? Also if we do get a pin or FD offer and another better offer comes along are we aloud to switch the deal to the better deal? Thanks for any info.

At first we had decided on the POP resort, but when I was playing around with the bookings yesterday I checked out the Port Orleans River and it was only $500 more for better amentities. They are going to have refurbished rooms with Princess Tiana them and 2 queen size beds. The moderates also have the mini fridge in the room which is something I really wanted. Another selling point for me is that the pools are heated! So POR here we come!

I'm going to book my flight seperate from the Disney site. I can usually find cheaper flight on Southwest, and they don't charge for baggage.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

WooHoo Tomorrow I will be 499 days out to book. Or atleast check out the prices. So should I book as soon as I can, or wait a few months to see if I get any pins. Can we add a pin after we've booked? Also if we do get a pin or FD offer and another better offer comes along are we aloud to switch the deal to the better deal? Thanks for any info.

At first we had decided on the POP resort, but when I was playing around with the bookings yesterday I checked out the Port Orleans River and it was only $500 more for better amentities. They are going to have refurbished rooms with Princess Tiana them and 2 queen size beds. The moderates also have the mini fridge in the room which is something I really wanted. Another selling point for me is that the pools are heated! So POR here we come!

I'm going to book my flight seperate from the Disney site. I can usually find cheaper flight on Southwest, and they don't charge for baggage.

I like to delay booking until we get some pins or special offers. However, you are allowed to modify your reservation and add pins or special offers even after you've booked (as long as your reservation details correspond with whatever is being offered. If not, you'd have to adjust your dates and locations accordingly.) But to save that hassle, I like to wait it out and book closer to the six month mark. I've never had a problem with getting the resort we want when booking closer to the arrival date.

 

[nickle831]

I like to delay booking until we get some pins or special offers. However, you are allowed to modify your reservation and add pins or special offers even after you've booked (as long as your reservation details correspond with whatever is being offered. If not, you'd have to adjust your dates and locations accordingly.) But to save that hassle, I like to wait it out and book closer to the six month mark. I've never had a problem with getting the resort we want when booking closer to the arrival date.

Thanks! One more question. If we pay the trip off are we still able to add a pin later on? Thanks again.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Thanks! One more question. If we pay the trip off are we still able to add a pin later on? Thanks again.

I've heard payment in full won't affect the addition of a pin, but feel free to double-check.

The only time I've heard it gets tricky is when you book a room only and want to make it a package, or when you book a package and want to make it a room only. In those situations, they don't just "modify" the reservation, they have to cancel the existing reservation and book a new one. That means you have to pay for the new reservation using different funds, since the funds from the old reservation will only be available to you after they issue a refund (which can take a few days or so).

 

[nickle831]

I've heard payment in full won't affect the addition of a pin, but feel free to double-check.

The only time I've heard it gets tricky is when you book a room only and want to make it a package, or when you book a package and want to make it a room only. In those situations, they don't just "modify" the reservation, they have to cancel the existing reservation and book a new one. That means you have to pay for the new reservation using different funds, since the funds from the old reservation will only be available to you after they issue a refund (which can take a few days or so).

Thanks again for the information! I am so excited!

 

[wdwislife]

Hello everyone! I just got home, and I will update the list

 

[kt_mom]

We will be going in December 2012. Not positive of the dates yet but I think it will probably be the 9-16. We are DVC owners but DH is determined to stay in a courtyard view room at the Wilderness lodge like we did last time we went in December, so we will probably rent out some of our points.

This will be our second December trip and I'm excited to be going back during the beautiful Christmas season!

 

[SandiKB]

I think we can actually confidently say that we're going in Dec 2012! 14-20!!! We should actually be there now, but between sports with my son, and everything else, I had to reschedule. So.. as it stands we're going at the crazy beautiful time at Christmas! I'd rather be cold and crowded than hot and crowded

 

[8gr8mouseketeers]

Just booked for Dec 14-23, 2012. It's so far out, I had to come here to squee to people who won't think I'm certifiable.

WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!

 

[nickle831]

Just booked for Dec 14-23, 2012. It's so far out, I had to come here to squee to people who won't think I'm certifiable.

WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!

Where are you staying?

 

[8gr8mouseketeers]

Where are you staying?

Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[nickle831]

Port Orleans Riverside.

Awesome! That's the resort we have finally decided on. I haven't booked yet but we finally got the dates picked out. We want to go Dec 10th thru the 16th. Our DD 5th bday is Dec 12th . We want to book the royal room. I was going to wait until January to book, but I'm starting to get ansty that there won't be any rooms left b/c of the refurb. LOL I should probably just book.

 

[Kazzy1548]

We have not booked yet, but plan on going December 28 to january 4, 2013. I was wondering how crowded that week would be ? as well as what to expect ....
We plan on booking port orleans french quarters.