Tell me about the first two weeks of December...

[mickeywho?]

We are thinking of going down in 2008 for either of the first two weeks of December. We are going with friends and are willing to try any resort. We are SSR owners so anywhere else is at the 7 month mark.
What are the crowd levels like? Will we have trouble getting 2 rooms in Dec at 7 months? Should we book SSR at 11 months?
What is the weather like? Is it too cold to swim?
Any advice/info is appreciated!!!

 

[iloveokw]

The first week of December is our all time FAVORITE time of the year to go. X-Mas decorations and entertainment, fewer crowds and nice weather! I would book SSR at 11 months and then at 7 months try to switch if you want. Our daughter always swam at that time of the year - the pools are heated - you just never know about the temps.

 

[DVC Mike]

We are thinking of going down in 2008 for either of the first two weeks of December.

This is a very popular time for DVC members. Book SSR at the 11-month window and then see if you can switch to something else at the 7-mo window.

 

[mamatojon]

We are going this year from Dec 1-13th. I booked SSR at 10-ish months and when I tried to switch at the 7 mo to OKW there was absolutely NO availability anywhere. I was happy however because I love SSR and was only trying to switch for my MIL/FIL who wanted to try OKW. SSR books out early too, in fact, when we tried to switch my BIL from a studio to a 1BR at 6 months I had to waitlist, and that only came through at the end of August. I was surprised that SSR had booked out so quickly and didn't have any availability at 6 months.

Usually I take things said here on the boards with a grain of salt as it seems that people sometimes over exaggerate how difficult certain times of the year are to book... but in this case, they are spot on in the assertion that the 1st two weeks of December are very difficult.

 

[Inkmahm]

The first week of December is our all time FAVORITE time of the year to go. X-Mas decorations and entertainment, fewer crowds and nice weather! I would book SSR at 11 months and then at 7 months try to switch if you want. Our daughter always swam at that time of the year - the pools are heated - you just never know about the temps.

Same, here. I'll be booking again next year for the first week of December. Luckily I bought where I want to stay so booking at 11 months day by day, I won't have any problem. Waiting until 7 months before to book at all is almost an automatic waitlist for that time of year.

 

[DVCsince02]

One more thing to mention.... the first week of Dec is usually parade taping week. Crowds may be heavier than the 2nd week of Dec.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're another couple that likes to go during the second week of December. Next year we'll be either at AKV or VWL, we've asked friends and gave them the choice, and because of December's calendar, and my exams, it's going to have to be the thrid week, beginning on the 13th.

Bobbi

 

[tigger2esq]

we love that time of year!! we went last year the first full week of Dec and 1) the weather was beautiful, and we did manage to swim several days. the pools are heated and while the air was a little on the cool side when you got out of the pool it was not so cold to make it uncomfortable 2) it was cool to be in a park one day and come back the next to find it magically transformed for the holidays. 3) we found the crowds to be on the light side for the most part.

we did avoid the MK the day they did the parade taping and heard it was BAD.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You asked about swimming, and I've always found some time to do some swimming...I prefer the morning.

Also, be sure to put leave some time in your schedule to look at the resorts, especially the VWL, GF and the Boardwalk resorts, including S&D!

I would also visit DTD, they have community events and it's very festive. Check your resort's calendar, there are often community groups entertaining right at your resort.

Bobbi

 

[jimmacmn]

We went the first week of last Dec and had a wonderful time. That was our second time doing the last week in Dec. We played golf with a couple one of the days we were there last Dec. The were DVC members, but they had waited to book and there were no DVC units ANYWHERE on property available. Their children were at WDW and they booked cash rooms so they could be there with them. That time frame is really popular with DVC members.

 

[mickeywho?]

Okay - so now that I see how busy it will be I'm planning on calling day-by-day.
We will book a 2 bedroom - are there dedicated 2bed at SSR?
What is our first day to call - we would book in Nov 30 - Dec 6. Would the first day be Dec 30? If so that's a Sunday - Dec 31 is NYE...are they open then? I'm guessing they are closed Jan 1...so all of us wanting this time will call all at once on Jan 2 - no wonder it's tough to get a room!
To any of you who have been there during parade taping time - how early do they post that schedule? We'll definitely head in the other direction but it would be nice to know ahead of time - escpecially since I'll be making ADRs for 8 of us!
Thanks for all your great replies - this is really helpful!

 

[byoung]

One more thing to mention.... the first week of Dec is usually parade taping week. Crowds may be heavier than the 2nd week of Dec.

Only on the weekend avoid MK.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

What is our first day to call - we would book in Nov 30 - Dec 6.

Thanksgiving is late next year, so Nov 30 is the Sunday after T-giving. That will make the resorts even more popular and will mean that airports will be clogged as this is one of the busiest travel days of the year.

We are planning to visit in early December, but will probably visit the 2nd and 3rd weeks to avoid the T-giving travel crush. -- Suzanne

 

[rigsby25]

we did avoid the MK the day they did the parade taping and heard it was BAD.

We are going Dec. 2 - 7. How do you know when the parade is being taped?

 

[WolfpackFan]

we did avoid the MK the day they did the parade taping and heard it was BAD.

How do you know when they are going to tape the parade. I actually wouldn't mind being there then, to see what is going on.

 

[rellabee]

I know that it is difficult to get rooms in December, particularly at the last minute. However, just last week we decided that we wanted to do a last minute trip to WDW. I called Member Services, and I could get a studio at SSR for a Wed-Sunday trip in December. I asked if anything else was available, totally not expecting anything, and I was told that I could get a Grand Villa at AKL!!! As tempting as that sounded, I stuck with the studio since there is just the 2 of us going.

 

[Maribell]

How do you know when they are going to tape the parade. I actually wouldn't mind being there then, to see what is going on.

They are taping the parade at the MK on Saturday December 1st from 8 AM - 12 PM. I believe they are taping the music performers on Friday November 30th from 8 AM - 12 PM. Hope this helps.

 

[flipflop]

Okay - so now that I see how busy it will be I'm planning on calling day-by-day.
We will book a 2 bedroom - are there dedicated 2bed at SSR?
What is our first day to call - we would book in Nov 30 - Dec 6. Would the first day be Dec 30? If so that's a Sunday - Dec 31 is NYE...are they open then? I'm guessing they are closed Jan 1...so all of us wanting this time will call all at once on Jan 2 - no wonder it's tough to get a room!
To any of you who have been there during parade taping time - how early do they post that schedule? We'll definitely head in the other direction but it would be nice to know ahead of time - escpecially since I'll be making ADRs for 8 of us!
Thanks for all your great replies - this is really helpful!

You book by day of check-out, so for Nov. 30, the check out would be Dec. 1. 11 months would make that Jan. 1, which is a holiday, so you will need to call Jan 2.