Questions for December

[susanh]

I am trying to plan a trip arriving the week of December 2nd and although crowd calendars have this listed as a low attendance week, there is very limited room availability. Available rooms are astronomically priced compared to arriving one week later on the 9th. Does anyone know why this is? I know it's Pop Warner week, but is that responsible for a complete sell out 6 months in advance even though attendance is predicted as low? I can't understand that. Does anyone think it is likely they will release more blocks of rooms at a reasonable rate?

Also, if I rent DVC points, would I qualify for 60 day fast pass reservations?

Thanks so much, just at the earliest stages of planning. Would love to take my family for Christmas decorations especially because my mother is a recent pancreatic cancer survivor.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Too late for DVC points. No units to be had. It is a very popular week for dVC.

Other sold out discounts have moved people on site for that week versus off site. It is higher crowd these days.

 

[Marionnette]

I am trying to plan a trip arriving the week of December 2nd and although crowd calendars have this listed as a low attendance week, there is very limited room availability. Available rooms are astronomically priced compared to arriving one week later on the 9th. Does anyone know why this is? I know it's Pop Warner week, but is that responsible for a complete sell out 6 months in advance even though attendance is predicted as low? I can't understand that. Does anyone think it is likely they will release more blocks of rooms at a reasonable rate?

Also, if I rent DVC points, would I qualify for 60 day fast pass reservations?

Thanks so much, just at the earliest stages of planning. Would love to take my family for Christmas decorations especially because my mother is a recent pancreatic cancer survivor.

The first two weeks of December are prime DVC weeks. There are likely very few, if any, studios available for more than scattered nights here and there at SSR or OKW. However, to answer your question, DVC reservations have the same 60-day FP+ advantage.

Those two weeks are not as slow at Disney as they used to be. Pop Warner fills the Value Resorts. Construction at CBR and CSR has taken a lot of Moderate Resort rooms out of inventory. *Free* dining has filled more rooms. The remaining rooms may be subject to future RO discounts if the bean counters feel the need to put heads in beds during that time period, but don't expect to see anything announced too soon.

 

[Lynne M]

Historically, the beginning of December was a low crowd time, but that's been changing over the years. And remember those crowd estimates are relative. It's low-crowds in the beginning of December if you compare it to, say, Christmas or Easter, but that doesn't mean the parks and resorts are uncrowded.

I agree with the PP's about DVC. The beginning of December is THE most popular week for DVC bookings. You would have needed to book that in January. July is just way, way too late.

 

[DebbieB]

I've been a member since 1999 and have gone the first week of December many times, my favorite time to go (also arriving December 2). There has always been low resort availability, DVC and non-DVC. Park crowds consist of at least 50% offsite. I agree with the theory that more people stay onsite to be part of the decorations and activities, so it does not significantly bump up park crowds. I would say park crowds are low to moderate. One thing I've found is MK is very crowded on non-party dates because it is open later. My plan is to go to MK on party days, leave mid-afternoon and go somewhere else.

 

[susanh]

Too late for DVC points. No units to be had. It is a very popular week for dVC.

Other sold out discounts have moved people on site for that week versus off site. It is higher crowd these days.

Thanks!

 

[susanh]

I've been a member since 1999 and have gone the first week of December many times, my favorite time to go (also arriving December 2). There has always been low resort availability, DVC and non-DVC. Park crowds consist of at least 50% offsite. I agree with the theory that more people stay onsite to be part of the decorations and activities, so it does not significantly bump up park crowds. I would say park crowds are low to moderate. One thing I've found is MK is very crowded on non-party dates because it is open later. My plan is to go to MK on party days, leave mid-afternoon and go somewhere else.

Thanks!