*~~Official December 2016 Thread~~*

[Zosha]

Hi everyone. I am very late to this thread! We are going to WDW on 16/12 - 31/12 staying at POR. So very excited. We are also doing MVMCP on the 18th. Just in the tentative ADR planning stage now. We missed out on FD because I couldn't figure out how to change my trip around! Does anybody know if there are room discounts available for December usually?

 

[xlsm]

Hi everyone. I am very late to this thread! We are going to WDW on 16/12 - 31/12 staying at POR. So very excited. We are also doing MVMCP on the 18th. Just in the tentative ADR planning stage now. We missed out on FD because I couldn't figure out how to change my trip around! Does anybody know if there are room discounts available for December usually?

Welcome!

Your dates qualify for free dining...if you call you might be able to see if there are any rooms left, but it would probably involve switching resorts or dropping a day (i think the max stay is 14 nights for the promo). I don't know if there will be availability left, but you never know! As for discounts, if you check historical discounts on Mousesavers, it shows a few things. We're using an offer code I got in an email for 30% off our deluxe, but I didn't check to see if it was open other than that. Often there will be discounts for Disney Visa cardholders, AP holders, local residents, etc...and then they offer it up to the general public sometimes, too. I imagine any public discounts will come out in late summer (but that's just a guess...it's our first December trip, we're summer travelers normally)

We're glad to have you on our thread!!

 

[Karla07559]

Just worked on trying to get some ADR's for our trip definitely a lot more stressful than I thought it would be lol
Here's how it seems to be working out

12/5 - Arrival day MK for Fireworks (no planned ADRs)
We will probably just grab something quick as time will be a bit crunched. (Thinking maybe Colombia Harbor House?)
12/6 - Hollywood Studios (maybe Epcot PM if we still have energy)
Planning on doing the Minnie's Holiday Dine but it wasn't available for booking today it was only up for November no days in December if anyone has any info on that I would appreciate it. I would like the Fantasmic Dining Package.
12/7 - Animal Kingdom (again maybe Epcot PM if we still have energy)
Holding out for a River's of Light dining package (at this point it feels like the unicorn I asked for at Christmas one year and never got)
12/8 - MK AM and Epcot PM
I have booked BOG at 8:25 pm (was hoping for Crystal Palace but wasn't able to find anything pre-park opening (for any day we are there) still really bummed about this one if anyone has any tips as to how I can potentially make it happen I would appreciate it)
12/9 - Universal (2 parks 1 day)
Appears that they close the parks at 7 so I have booked O'hana at 8:40 pm in the hopes of watching Holiday Wishes (at 9:30 pm I believe) from there since its a MVMCP day. (Still need to clear that with my SO because they aren't much for late dinners but maybe she will make an exception for Ohana and all the yummies they have.)
The other idea was to grab something at Capt. Cooks and sit on the beach and watch them but this is still December and I hate the cold so I don't think it would be too enjoyable depending on the weather I may find myself cancelling O'hana but its good to have for now. If you guys have any suggestions here please feel free to share. (btw I'm from California so Florida Decembers and our Decembers temperatures wise are somewhat similar and I get cold here. I know I know if you are from somewhere where it actually gets cold you probably are laughing at me but I can't help it)

12/10 - Departure (our flight is booked for like 7 am I think. That was not my doing my in-laws booked our flights as an early Christmas gift, wouldn't have been my first choice but we will make it work, very appreciative of their gift nonetheless.)

also I had accidentally booked O'hana for the 8th at frist so good thing I typed this out because otherwise I would have never caught that *sometimes oversharing is a good thing hahaha

 

[BDL]

12/8 - MK AM and Epcot PM
I have booked BOG at 8:25 pm (was hoping for Crystal Palace but wasn't able to find anything pre-park opening (for any day we are there) still really bummed about this one if anyone has any tips as to how I can potentially make it happen I would appreciate it)

Congrats on getting your ADR's done. Of course, if you are anything like me, odds are, 20-40% of these ADR's will change by departure date.

As for your question about tips...

XLSM:

Could you please tack this link to the front page? HERE is the link to the Dec 2016 Cancelled ADR thread. For those that don't know, people will occasionally cancel their ADR's for what ever reason, and post it there. If someone is interested, they can direct message the poster, to coordinate a specific time when they will cancel the ADR, and then give the other person and inside track to get the res. I have used this many times in the past. Both as a cancel-er and message-er.

 

[stacyjoy75]

So, I thought I had all my days worked out and then the December hours and crowd calendars were posted! Now I am not so sure :0. Maybe some fellow Disney friends could help. Here's my dilemma - I LOVE starting out our first full day at MK. I really <3 rope drop. It is the perfect way to kick off our vacay! However, all the calendars say that will be the busiest park that day. Touring plans give it a 5. And then our 2nd day is Epcot, which is also a "red" day. However, if we switch our MK and Epcot days, we should be working with two fabulous green days. So I guess my questions are these: Do you always start at MK? Do you follow/trust the crowd calendars? If so, which ones do you like?

Another question...we are thinking about doing HDD Review again. We really enjoyed it last time. Is it as good/funny the second time? Do they change up the songs or acts?

Thank you so much!!

 

[ldauksch]

Just worked on trying to get some ADR's for our trip definitely a lot more stressful than I thought it would be lol

12/6 - Hollywood Studios (maybe Epcot PM if we still have energy)
Planning on doing the Minnie's Holiday Dine but it wasn't available for booking today it was only up for November no days in December if anyone has any info on that I would appreciate it. I would like the Fantasmic Dining Package.

The Fantasmic packages haven't been released for December yet. I booked just a regular H&V just to have it in case I don't get a Fantasmic because I really enjoyed the characters at the Minnie dinner last year. You might want to do the same if you really want the Minnie dinner.

So, I thought I had all my days worked out and then the December hours and crowd calendars were posted! Now I am not so sure :0. Maybe some fellow Disney friends could help. Here's my dilemma - I LOVE starting out our first full day at MK. I really <3 rope drop. It is the perfect way to kick off our vacay! However, all the calendars say that will be the busiest park that day. Touring plans give it a 5. And then our 2nd day is Epcot, which is also a "red" day. However, if we switch our MK and Epcot days, we should be working with two fabulous green days. So I guess my questions are these: Do you always start at MK? Do you follow/trust the crowd calendars? If so, which ones do you like?

We started at Epcot last year so we could catch one of the last days of F&W but I know a lot of people always like to start at MK. I think it depends on what matters more to you, starting your vacation at MK or having less crowds. Honestly, a 5 isn't that bad, we were at MK last year that TP ended up calling a 10 and the crowds didn't bother me. We did pop over to Kona for lunch that day so maybe we just missed the worst of the crowds.

 

[jackie721red]

Hi all, i am really late finding this thread although i have had my trip booked forever lol..dec 3-10 AKL we will also be disney fantasy cruise nov 26-dec and MVMCP dec 4, 2016..yay, cant wait

 

[Karla07559]

The Fantasmic packages haven't been released for December yet. I booked just a regular H&V just to have it in case I don't get a Fantasmic because I really enjoyed the characters at the Minnie dinner last year. You might want to do the same if you really want the Minnie dinner.

I have no idea why that didn't occur to me thank you. I'm blaming it on the fact that it was 3 am my time while I was doing this

 

[SEASONK]

This is our plan so far (of course no ADRs have been made so dining could change)

12/16 ~ Arrival Day. Check in at All Star Sports and then head to MK. Hope to be at the park at 4. Me, DH, and DS will stay at MK until 7 and then hop to Epcot, rest of our party will stay for MVMCP.
(No ADR plans)

12/17 ~ HS day. Hope to get a 10:30ish ADR at Hollywood & Vine. Leave after lunch for rest and then head to Disney Springs. Hope to come back to HS for Star Wars night time show.

12/18 ~ Animal Kingdom until a little after lunch and then a late lunch ADR at Sanaa. The rest of the day will depend on AK nighttime options. (might try to do Disney Springs if we didn't go the day before or if we wanna go back)

12/19 ~ Epcot most of the day. Dinner ADR @ Garden Grill. Lunch will be snacks and drinks around the world.

12/20 ~ MK most of the day. Lunch ADR at BOG and Dinner ADR @ Whispering Canyon Cafe

12/21 ~ Last park day. Plan on MK in the morning and then Epcot in the evening. Hoping to get a dinner ADR at Akershus (unless it's 2 TS credits)

12/22 ~ Departure day. Breakfast ADR at 'Ohana and then hit the road back to Louisiana to get ready for Christmas.

After 6/19 it should be a little more concrete. I am a little concerned about getting the ADRs I want.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

Since, we're all chomping at the bit about our ADR's, I'd like to ask those that are beginning their vacations in Nov and carrying over to Dec.; How have your ADR bookings gone? Percentage-wise, how lucky have you been getting the restaurant you wanted at the time you wanted?

Just wanna get a feel of what I have to look forward to in a week or so.

Thank you.

it has been very disappointing I was online ready to go at 5am and the only ADR available for Ohana was 3:30 at 5am!!
I want Ohanas for a big meal before we head over to MK for the December 6 MVMCP.
also nothing available for BOG ( I want a lunch ADR)
I do not have a resort reservation yet so I know going day by day is effecting availability.
I have always had success ending up with all the ADR's I want before the trip so I'm not to worried, it just means I will need to work a little harder to get what I want as the trip gets closer.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

So, I thought I had all my days worked out and then the December hours and crowd calendars were posted! Now I am not so sure :0. Maybe some fellow Disney friends could help. Here's my dilemma - I LOVE starting out our first full day at MK. I really <3 rope drop. It is the perfect way to kick off our vacay! However, all the calendars say that will be the busiest park that day. Touring plans give it a 5. And then our 2nd day is Epcot, which is also a "red" day. However, if we switch our MK and Epcot days, we should be working with two fabulous green days. So I guess my questions are these: Do you always start at MK? Do you follow/trust the crowd calendars? If so, which ones do you like?

Another question...we are thinking about doing HDD Review again. We really enjoyed it last time. Is it as good/funny the second time? Do they change up the songs or acts?

Thank you so much!!

We use to always start out our trip with RD @ MK but the last two trip EPCOT has been out first park and MK second and its just as magical and fun. We follow Josh's crowd calendar and I am loving the crowd number for the dates of our trip (3'sand 4's)
We always end our trip at MK

 

[brian95]

hello everyone, count me in with the other crazy ones that will be there christmas week 23-30. this is not our first trip so I think we will be ok. the only thing I am worried about is adrs. people are having problems for the first week of dec I cant imagine what Christmas week will be like

 

[dnllmz]

Congrats on getting your ADR's done. Of course, if you are anything like me, odds are, 20-40% of these ADR's will change by departure date.

As for your question about tips...

XLSM:

Could you please tack this link to the front page? HERE is the link to the Dec 2016 Cancelled ADR thread. For those that don't know, people will occasionally cancel their ADR's for what ever reason, and post it there. If someone is interested, they can direct message the poster, to coordinate a specific time when they will cancel the ADR, and then give the other person and inside track to get the res. I have used this many times in the past. Both as a cancel-er and message-er.

That's awesome about the December cancelled ADR thread. I'm saving that for later. I make my ADRs on Monday.

So, I thought I had all my days worked out and then the December hours and crowd calendars were posted! Now I am not so sure :0. Maybe some fellow Disney friends could help. Here's my dilemma - I LOVE starting out our first full day at MK. I really <3 rope drop. It is the perfect way to kick off our vacay! However, all the calendars say that will be the busiest park that day. Touring plans give it a 5. And then our 2nd day is Epcot, which is also a "red" day. However, if we switch our MK and Epcot days, we should be working with two fabulous green days. So I guess my questions are these: Do you always start at MK? Do you follow/trust the crowd calendars? If so, which ones do you like?

Another question...we are thinking about doing HDD Review again. We really enjoyed it last time. Is it as good/funny the second time? Do they change up the songs or acts?

Thank you so much!!

I read a few posts on different threads about TP crowd calendars being way off. I've never used the calendars before so I have no experience if they are right or not. I've been looking at Kenny's, prepschool, and waiting for Josh's to come up but I'm just going to end up relying on my TA to decide my park days. I was stressing myself out over it and couldn't make up my darn mind.

 

[xlsm]

12/9 - Universal (2 parks 1 day)
Appears that they close the parks at 7 so I have booked O'hana at 8:40 pm in the hopes of watching Holiday Wishes (at 9:30 pm I believe) from there since its a MVMCP day.

Just a note on this particular day...last year we did both US/IOA in one day and we were so exhausted that I don't think we could have made it to a reservation. Now, to be fair, it was a Saturday in July (my youngest's bday), not early December. We took an uber to Royal Pacific (we had a room there to get EPs and early entry) at 6am to get to the 7am opening, and stayed til 5:30ish, took the boat back to RP, then took uber back to WL. Walking from the uber back into the Wilderness Lodge at the end of that day was so hard, LOL!! I walked inside and said, "I want an elevator, a shower, and a bed." The valet was laughing so hard.
December temps and crowds will be different, but I wanted to mention it just in case!

Congrats on getting your ADR's done. Of course, if you are anything like me, odds are, 20-40% of these ADR's will change by departure date.


XLSM:

Could you please tack this link to the front page? HERE is the link to the Dec 2016 Cancelled ADR thread.

Yes, I will post it! I know I've used it to give up several in the summer months!

So, I thought I had all my days worked out and then the December hours and crowd calendars were posted! Now I am not so sure :0. Maybe some fellow Disney friends could help. Here's my dilemma - I LOVE starting out our first full day at MK. I really <3 rope drop. It is the perfect way to kick off our vacay! However, all the calendars say that will be the busiest park that day. Touring plans give it a 5. And then our 2nd day is Epcot, which is also a "red" day. However, if we switch our MK and Epcot days, we should be working with two fabulous green days. So I guess my questions are these: Do you always start at MK? Do you follow/trust the crowd calendars? If so, which ones do you like?

Another question...we are thinking about doing HDD Review again. We really enjoyed it last time. Is it as good/funny the second time? Do they change up the songs or acts?

Thank you so much!!

We actually end up hitting HS first, because I plan it for arrival day, and then the past couple of trips we've added a night to the front and instead of becoming a partial arrival day park, it ends up being a full day first day park. By now it's tradition! I always used to say MK or die, calendar's be darned, but I've changed that way of thinking as far as the first day is concerned. Last day, however, that's nonnegotiable - Regardless of calendar, we end with the MK! (although for this December trip, we're planning to do a MK morning and end with Candlelight Processional Pkg in the evening...you know, if they ever release them!!)

Hi all, i am really late finding this thread although i have had my trip booked forever lol..dec 3-10 AKL we will also be disney fantasy cruise nov 26-dec and MVMCP dec 4, 2016..yay, cant wait

Welcome! I'll get you added!

This is our plan so far (of course no ADRs have been made so dining could change)

12/16 ~ Arrival Day. Check in at All Star Sports and then head to MK. Hope to be at the park at 4. Me, DH, and DS will stay at MK until 7 and then hop to Epcot, rest of our party will stay for MVMCP.
(No ADR plans)

12/17 ~ HS day. Hope to get a 10:30ish ADR at Hollywood & Vine. Leave after lunch for rest and then head to Disney Springs. Hope to come back to HS for Star Wars night time show.

12/18 ~ Animal Kingdom until a little after lunch and then a late lunch ADR at Sanaa. The rest of the day will depend on AK nighttime options. (might try to do Disney Springs if we didn't go the day before or if we wanna go back)

12/19 ~ Epcot most of the day. Dinner ADR @ Garden Grill. Lunch will be snacks and drinks around the world.

12/20 ~ MK most of the day. Lunch ADR at BOG and Dinner ADR @ Whispering Canyon Cafe

12/21 ~ Last park day. Plan on MK in the morning and then Epcot in the evening. Hoping to get a dinner ADR at Akershus (unless it's 2 TS credits)

12/22 ~ Departure day. Breakfast ADR at 'Ohana and then hit the road back to Louisiana to get ready for Christmas.

After 6/19 it should be a little more concrete. I am a little concerned about getting the ADRs I want.

We'll be at some of the same parks on the same days, hopefully we'll cross paths!! I bet you'll do ok with ADRs. Garden Grill may be tricky if it lines up with CP packages, I think that's what's been causing issues with that one for people. Your preferred time for Hollywood and Vine makes me think it'll be easier to grab, same with Akershus dinner. Breakfast there will be a nightmare there for awhile though, I think!

We'll be making ADRs the same day, so I hope it all goes smoothly for the both of us!! I'm hoping I don't sleep through it because of being on California time - that scares me to death. I'll have alarms set on every phone, lol!!

hello everyone, count me in with the other crazy ones that will be there christmas week 23-30. this is not our first trip so I think we will be ok. the only thing I am worried about is adrs. people are having problems for the first week of dec I cant imagine what Christmas week will be like

Welcome!!
I'm using the potential ADR craziness to branch out a little...I hope it works in our favor! It seems so weird to be skipping 'Ohana on purpose, though.

 

[xlsm]

First page is updated with new travelers and cancelled ADR thread is added!

 

[SEASONK]

We'll be at some of the same parks on the same days, hopefully we'll cross paths!! I bet you'll do ok with ADRs. Garden Grill may be tricky if it lines up with CP packages, I think that's what's been causing issues with that one for people. Your preferred time for Hollywood and Vine makes me think it'll be easier to grab, same with Akershus dinner. Breakfast there will be a nightmare there for awhile though, I think!

We'll be making ADRs the same day, so I hope it all goes smoothly for the both of us!! I'm hoping I don't sleep through it because of being on California time - that scares me to death. I'll have alarms set on every phone, lol!!

Yeah the CP packages are making me nervous for my Epcot dinner ADRs. We have alternate plans if we can't get those. I am on central time, but may be out of town that weekend so I am worried I don't oversleep also. I hope I can get everything online, but I do have the dining phone number already saved in my phone just in case.

 

[1983DisneyFanatic]

I was looking for flights for an upcoming trip (sometime between August and October), when I saw a great deal for December, so I just booked a spontaneous trip for 11/30/16-12/6/16. Yay! We are going to be in Disney 11/30-12/2 and then hit SeaWorld and Universal before heading to Busch Gardens and our return flight out of Tampa. I was thinking of trying a value for the first time and there is a great rate with a pin code I have for AS Movies or Sports. I see Pop Warner starts 12/3. Will I be safe from them since I'm checking out on 12/2 or do they come early?

 

[xlsm]

Yeah the CP packages are making me nervous for my Epcot dinner ADRs. We have alternate plans if we can't get those. I am on central time, but may be out of town that weekend so I am worried I don't oversleep also. I hope I can get everything online, but I do have the dining phone number already saved in my phone just in case.

I'm on central time normally, and will never complain again about getting up for ADRs while at home, LOL!! Still kicking myself for not realizing ADR day is while we're on vacation. Every new post about dining is a reminder of my desire to travel in June this year, haha!
Good idea to add the dining number to your phone, I should do that!

 

[xlsm]

I was looking for flights for an upcoming trip (sometime between August and October), when I saw a great deal for December, so I just booked a spontaneous trip for 11/30/16-12/6/16. Yay! We are going to be in Disney 11/30-12/2 and then hit SeaWorld and Universal before heading to Busch Gardens and our return flight out of Tampa. I was thinking of trying a value for the first time and there is a great rate with a pin code I have for AS Movies or Sports. I see Pop Warner starts 12/3. Will I be safe from them since I'm checking out on 12/2 or do they come early?

Hooray for spontaneous trips!! We were hoping we'd find something fun yesterday when Southwest did the cheapie flight promo, but any dates we could travel anywhere we wanted to go, the rates were not the cheap ones. Boo!

I'm not sure on Pop Warner, but we've got a few on the thread who are, and I'm sure they'll chime in to help you!

 

[dnllmz]

I was looking for flights for an upcoming trip (sometime between August and October), when I saw a great deal for December, so I just booked a spontaneous trip for 11/30/16-12/6/16. Yay! We are going to be in Disney 11/30-12/2 and then hit SeaWorld and Universal before heading to Busch Gardens and our return flight out of Tampa. I was thinking of trying a value for the first time and there is a great rate with a pin code I have for AS Movies or Sports. I see Pop Warner starts 12/3. Will I be safe from them since I'm checking out on 12/2 or do they come early?

This thread might help with the Pop Warner stuff. http://www.disboards.com/threads/1s...with-pop-warner.3505380/page-54#post-55895281