Planning trip in Dec/05 - need help???

[Buzzfan]

We are thinking of planning a trip to WDW in December /05. My questions are... What is Mousefest? How does it effect the crowds, is it much busier? We were thinking of the first week in December because I heard it was less busy, but you still get to enjoy the much talked about Christmas decorations. When I checked the calander of events it says that mousefest is Dec 2-8/05. We obviously want to go when the crowds aren't too huge (we went this past Aug./Sept. and the parks were practically empty - we just walked on to every ride). I heard that the closer you get to Christmas the crazier it gets. Should we go the week of Mousefest or wait until the week later which would be Dec. 11-17/05.

I would appreciate anyone's input.

Thanks!!

 

[Debi]

Hi, Buzzfan!

I just wanted to bump this to the top for you!

 

[DisneyFam5]

We've been to WDW 3 times during the first week in December. We loved it. The temperature is nice (a little cold for waterparks and swimming, but we usually managed to get at least one 80 degree day for blizzard beach. One of the water parks will be closed this week, but the other will be open. The decorations are beautiful and the Osbourne Lights at MGM are just awesome. I couldn't believe how cool they were. We usually leave around Thanksgiving and then stay for the entire week after. Crowds are high during Thanksgiving weekend, but very light after that. Just avoid MK on a Saturday in December like the plague! All the locals come to see the decorations. It is horrible!

Mousefest is an event organized by those on the allearsnet website. (a very good site). It shouldn't affect the crowds that much. They were there the same time as us one other year and we didn't notice anything unusual.

I always recommend this week to everyone. You can take advantage of the long weekend for travel time and avoid the crowds. Book now!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We are also looking to go the first week in dec 05.
I was wondering about mousefest also. SO sounds like it is not too big of a deal and crouds will still be low. do you think they are lower than the week before Thanksgiving?

 

[Buzzfan]

Thanks DisneyFam5,

The only thing about booking now is that there is no discount code. I wanted to wait until closer to the date, but don't want to miss out (we want to stay at POFQ). If the crowds are that low is it still a problem getting a room for that time if we wait for the discount code?

 

[ib4bama]

This will be my 2nd trip to The World in early December. Last year was wonderful.We arrived the weekend after Thanksgiving so that weekend was a little crowded at the MK but I have found the Mk to be crowded on saturdays no matter what time of year you go. The weather is beautiful.The bluest skies you've ever seen.It can get cold so you have to pack for two seasons.We had days in the 50's with a brisk 25mph wind and two days later it was in the upper 70's.I have been to WDW 13 times in the past 11 years at all times of the year except right at Christmas. I unfourtanately was there on a July 4th week trip and actually dumb enough to be at the MK on the 4th which also happened to be on a weekend.If closer to Xmas is anything like that was, trust me,you don't want to be there.we were in line for Splash MT. for 2 hours and 45 minutes.The tail of the line started at the entrance to Frontierland from Adventureland. I always stay on sight and have no trouble booking a great resort by waiting for the discount codes.I have a room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for my upcoming trip for an unbelievable $109.00 a night.I have only had my reervation since September. You can always reserve a room and then keep an eye out for the codes the come out.When they come out they are usually only good for stays booked for the next upcoming 4 or 5 months and sometimes you have to call within hours of the codes release to be able to get the exact resort that you want.If you manage to secure the deeply discounted rate then you can cancel your other reservation and they will apply the money that you have already sent towards your new reservation.Mainly don't worry.Disney is extremely helpful and I have never had any trouble.The usually bend over backwards in helping you.I had a $79.00 rate at the Carribbean Beach Resort this past July and about 3 weeks before the trip something came up and I had to change my vacation date.As you can guess all the discounted rooms for the new week that I needed to switch to were already taken, but when I explained my reason for needing the change they were very understanding and I got my week changed and kept my same rate.Sorry I rambled on,hope this helps.

 

[DisneyFam5]

You've got time. Since it isn't that crowded you won't have trouble finding rooms. Don't forget that you can cancel and get all your money back, too, so if you do eventually book and a better deal comes along you can change it. What kind of resort were you thinking of staying in?

MrsJ Henry - When you mentioned the week before Thanksgiving did you mean earlier in the actual week of Thanksgiving? The week of Thanksgiving is a mad house. By about the Sunday after it is fine. November should be okay, but some people were posting on these boards that this year they ran into some big crowds that they thought were caused by the Food and Wine Festival. Just remember, though, the decorations won't be out until about Thanksgiving time and the Osborne lights won't be running also.

 

[Buzzfan]

Thanks guys for the info.

We were thinking of staying at POFQ only because we stayed their on our first trip to WDW (this past Aug/Sept) and loved it. Do you have any other recommendations of where to stay. The moderates are more in our price range, but that above rate at Animal Kingdom Lodge sounded amazing. How did you get that?

 

[Buzzfan]

Hi again..

this is probably a silly question, but what is the osbourne lights?

 

[DisneyFam5]

Go to the Home page of this discussion board and they have an article about the Osborne lights. They used to decorate the backlot area and now it will be the Streets of America section. The pictures do not do it justice! We thought, "oh yeah, some pretty lights, that will be neat....." They were so awesome! Kids are just amazed! You will really enjoy it. You can't get the whole effect by looking at pictures. You've got to be there!

Any of the resorts will be nice. They really do have some great deals. We are in the Vacation Club and we are getting really spoiled staying on that lake between MGM and Epcot. It's great taking the boat or walking there. I just discovered that the Swan has special rates of $149 for government employees, nurses and teachers. It is in a really good location. I see right now they are offering $129 to anyone. Not bad to be right next to the Boardwalk.

 

[ib4bama]

I usually watch the internet sites for the discount codes posted that you call in with.They are usually the best rates you will find.Disney does however mail postcards to people with extra offers on them and that is where I got the AKL for 109.00 a night. I think all you have to do is go to their site and register.I do know that the post card rates are only good for the person it is addressed to.Each card has a different code on it. I checked mine against a friend's card who got one at the same time.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Actually if anyone in the household gets the postcard than anyone in the household can use it. My Father lives with my husband and myself and he got one... we used it. They said it was ok as long as the address was the same.
We don't know how he got the postcard. ( he got two)
It was a very good deal though!!!