Picking December Dates

[deannaf87]

I asked this on the holiday travel thread but wanted to get opinions from non holiday travelers as well.

I currently have flights book Dec 1 - Dec 6 planning to get a 5 day hopper since we are arriving early on the 1st (Saturday) and flying out early on the 6th (Thursday). That gives us 4 full park days and a good portion of park time on arrival day. I've been noticing that hotel prices seem pretty steep for this time and some hotels are already sold out.

Question is, would you move your days from Dec1-6 to Dec 12-16? This will mean we'll go from 4 full 1 partial park days to 3 full 2 partial. We'll save one night hotel fare as well taking our hotel cost from about $1050 to $750. Plus the kids will only miss 3 days of school instead of 4.

I'm not super familiar with block out dates and all that, so do you think the Dec 12-16 time frame would be better, even though it's less days?

My flights are American booked on rewards, so its my understanding I can change without penalty as long as its the same destination.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You can change as long as there is availablity for the level of award you booked I believe.

I’d save money and go later personally.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

I'm sure someone in the holiday thread let you know that the first weekend in December is the Candlelight Processional. I went that weekend this last year and it was very busy. Ride times seemed ok, but it was very crowded just getting around. I would change it to later, personally.

 

[wowsmom]

Holiday blockouts usually start somewhere around the 18th - so chances are the week of the 12th-16th will be busy. We're usually there for my birthday on the 14th and I just have accept that it's going to be busy.

 

[Geemo]

I asked this on the holiday travel thread but wanted to get opinions from non holiday travelers as well.

I currently have flights book Dec 1 - Dec 6 planning to get a 5 day hopper since we are arriving early on the 1st (Saturday) and flying out early on the 6th (Thursday). That gives us 4 full park days and a good portion of park time on arrival day. I've been noticing that hotel prices seem pretty steep for this time and some hotels are already sold out.

Question is, would you move your days from Dec1-6 to Dec 12-16? This will mean we'll go from 4 full 1 partial park days to 3 full 2 partial. We'll save one night hotel fare as well taking our hotel cost from about $1050 to $750. Plus the kids will only miss 3 days of school instead of 4.

I'm not super familiar with block out dates and all that, so do you think the Dec 12-16 time frame would be better, even though it's less days?

My flights are American booked on rewards, so its my understanding I can change without penalty as long as its the same destination.

This is an unofficial list for December 2018

You can find more information at the full thread
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2018-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3635162/

The Candlelight Processional does bring in the crowds. I've been on those weekends and it is manageable with a plan. Just avoid Main Street during the event if you don't want to see it. That's where the crowd will be for the most part.

It's really a toss up for me which dates I'd choose...
Since it's so close - I think I go with more time in the parks.
Consensus this past year is - It's crowded most to all the time. So go for the most days in the parks.
Hatch a plan for your family and use MaxPass to get the most out of your trip.

Have fun

Geemo

 

[lunasea]

The 16th is the last day the second highest annual pass is accepted (that one is only blocked out for ~2 weeks around Christmas/New Years), so I am guessing it is the calm before the storm. I'd pick the later dates.