***Official Planning Thread -DECEMBER 2024 - Welcome all!***

[japanese maple]

Tentative Plans so far:

Dec. 9--Early Arrival-- Epcot
Dec. 10--Tour Resorts- 1st MVMCP!!
Dec. 11--Hollywood Studios/ either AK-EP-? evening
Dec. 12--Epcot
Dec. 13--MK/AK evening
Dec. 14--Leave

Any thoughts?
It was hard deciding MVMCP ---I thought Friday, Dec. 13, would be crowded.

Maybe switch Studios and AK around? Hit DHS after AK since AK will be closed by 6 or 7 as said above?

 

[japanese maple]

Here's our plans so far!

Tues - arrive at AKL around 11. Head to AK for a bit, lunch, back to hotel to settle in. Disney Springs at night for dinner and Christmas tree trail.
Wed - morning Epcot (breakfast plans at Garden Grill), go on a ride or two. Head back to AK to meet rest of party arriving today, then back to Epcot for the rest of night. May do Boma dinner tonight before heading to Epcot, waiting to see what they want to do.
Thurs - breakfast at Boma, leisurely day of whatever anyone wants to do (I hope it's warm enough for pool), then head over to MK around 4:30 for party!!!
Fri - AK day (bit of later start). Disney Springs Dinner - Boathouse.
Sat - breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno. Everyone does what they want. Meet up at AKL to most likely go to Ale & Compass for early dinner (I will eat light) then on to DHS for Jollywood Nights!!!
Sun - sleep in a bit, then Epcot. Amare at Swan Reserve for later dinner.
Mon - unsure of day plans (most likely AK), but maybe Boma dinner and DHS again at night.
Tues - MK during day - closes early for party so on to Wilderness Lodge to see tree and dinner at either Geyser Point or Whispering Canyon.
Wed - up in the air, full last day
Thurs - home!

Some dinner plans are still in flux. I know a Sanaa lunch will be in there at some point and probably a breakfast there too.

 

[Nikkimouse44]

Tentative Plans so far:

Dec. 9--Early Arrival-- Epcot
Dec. 10--Tour Resorts- 1st MVMCP!!
Dec. 11--Hollywood Studios/ either AK-EP-? evening
Dec. 12--Epcot
Dec. 13--MK/AK evening
Dec. 14--Leave

Any thoughts?
It was hard deciding MVMCP ---I thought Friday, Dec. 13, would be crowded.

All the parties sell out and they all have the same capacity so.. all the parties will have the same crowds. That’s what everyone is saying at least.

We’re doing the party on Dec 13th! Were there the same timeframe as you

 

[Three cats]

Tentative Plans so far:

Dec. 9--Early Arrival-- Epcot
Dec. 10--Tour Resorts- 1st MVMCP!!
Dec. 11--Hollywood Studios/ either AK-EP-? evening
Dec. 12--Epcot
Dec. 13--MK/AK evening
Dec. 14--Leave

Any thoughts?
It was hard deciding MVMCP ---I thought Friday, Dec. 13, would be crowded.

As others have said, all parties usually sell out so no difference in crowds from one date to the next. I’d do whatever works best for your schedule.

 

[japanese maple]

Boy I just looked at our list on front page and it sure seems like a lot of us chose the week after Thanksgiving!
And here I was hoping that it wouldn't be crowded.

 

[chiburple]

Boy I just looked at our list on front page and it sure seems like a lot of us chose the week after Thanksgiving!
And here I was hoping that it wouldn't be crowded.

I've been thinking the exact same thing!!

 

[cattycat2]

Maybe switch Studios and AK around? Hit DHS after AK since AK will be closed by 6 or 7 as said above?

Dec. 11 is Jollywood Night at DHS.

 

[Disturbia]

Some nights last year in Nov/Dec (Wed in Nov which were supposed to be MK; Dec not sure what dates would be offered Dec 4 was Mon; Dec 28 was Fri) AK extended evenings due to MVMCP being offered. It adds another layer of complexity if you’re staying at a deluxe resort.

 

[japanese maple]

Dec. 11 is Jollywood Night at DHS.

Darn! Maybe instead of touring resorts? Or maybe just see what happens! Hopefully it stays open until 8 a few nights. I would sure love that!

 

[cattycat2]

Some nights last year in Nov/Dec (Wed in Nov which were supposed to be MK; Dec not sure what dates would be offered Dec 4 was Mon; Dec 28 was Fri) AK extended evenings due to MVMCP being offered. It adds another layer of complexity if you’re staying at a deluxe resort.

View attachment 875668

Yes, excellent point. When will those Extended Evenings be posted, you think?

 

[disneydreamer781]

Even though last year's date don't bear out, I would love EEH at AK during my trip. I'm just intrigued by that park at night.

 

[Danicat77]

Boy I just looked at our list on front page and it sure seems like a lot of us chose the week after Thanksgiving!

It’s the week we’ve always gone, but wonder if it will make a difference since thanksgiving is so late this year? We’ve been on a wait list (actually on 2) to rent DVC through an owner on here who tried right at the 11 month mark and couldn’t get anything (as of yet). We haven’t tried to rent before, but I had been under the impression from other posts for months that it didn’t used to be so hard for owners to get at 11 months.

 

[Disturbia]

Yes, excellent point. When will those Extended Evenings be posted, you think?

I believe it was October. They need to make them available a month before ADR day (at least).

It makes absolutely no sense to release hours according to the ADR release (60 days fri check in) as we need to plan ahead. Someone thought it was a good idea and not enough people complained I suppose.

 

[Disturbia]

It’s the week we’ve always gone, but wonder if it will make a difference since thanksgiving is so late this year? We’ve been on a wait list (actually on 2) to rent DVC through an owner on here who tried right at the 11 month mark and couldn’t get anything (as of yet). We haven’t tried to rent before, but I had been under the impression from other posts for months that it didn’t used to be so hard for owners to get at 11 months.

I looked into changing plans to Nov and there are very few resorts left for the last week. That probably means a lot of onsite guests. We’re going to keep Dec.

Last year we went during Jersey week and runDisney weekend and Main Street was more crowded than NYE and at a standstill 15 mins post fireworks. It was the first holiday/major event where people had no park reservations and park hopping limits. This was the sidewalk 15 mins at a standstill on Nov 4 (we’ve been to WDW pre COVID during this time and never saw crowds this crazy; Winnie the Pooh was posted 45 actual was 60+).

 

[japanese maple]

It’s the week we’ve always gone, but wonder if it will make a difference since thanksgiving is so late this year? We’ve been on a wait list (actually on 2) to rent DVC through an owner on here who tried right at the 11 month mark and couldn’t get anything (as of yet). We haven’t tried to rent before, but I had been under the impression from other posts for months that it didn’t used to be so hard for owners to get at 11 months.

I'm sure it will be fine! Tons of availability still. There will always be crowds but it will be better than Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks for sure!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Boy I just looked at our list on front page and it sure seems like a lot of us chose the week after Thanksgiving!
And here I was hoping that it wouldn't be crowded.

I think it will be busy because Thanksgiving is so late. It leaves less time for WDW in December. The airfare that week is remaining really high, which I think is another indication that it might be a popular time to travel to WDW.

 

[japanese maple]

I think it will be busy because Thanksgiving is so late. It leaves less time for WDW in December. The airfare that week is remaining really high, which I think is another indication that it might be a popular time to travel to WDW.

The airfare isn't higher by us right now, it's even lower than when we purchased (by over $100) which is kind of annoying. Flying United.

I'm not going to worry about it. We are going, will have pre-booking and it will be fine.

 

[chiburple]

The airfare isn't higher by us right now, it's even lower than when we purchased (by over $100) which is kind of annoying. Flying United.

I'm not going to worry about it. We are going, will have pre-booking and it will be fine.

If you booked economy, call or text United and ask for a fair adjustment. They’ll give you a flight credit for the difference

 

[dancergirlsmom]

I managed to get a $260 credit for DH and I flying Delta the week after Christmas. That with the Swan AP savings is nice. On the other hand, I took a look at our flights for March and they have each gone up $500 for the same flights/times. Glad I booked them awhile ago.

 

[japanese maple]

It's so weird we were talking about flights this morning because wow! United removed the early flights from the week we are going. Luckily we are flying the evening flight out and staying at MCO Hyatt the night we arrive, but my family had their 7am flights removed and were bumped to 9:30am! I would have been so aggravated!