What gives early - mid December all rooms booked?

[sharona]

Hi. Been out of the Disney loop for a few years now that my DD is older. We were thinking of going in early/mid December (6th - 11th) as we really enjoy WDW at Christmas time. We went similar dates about 3 or 4 years ago and it was busy but not crazy. Just checked the website and not a single room available at any of the resorts except the Contemporary which is a bit too pricey for us... What is going on that week that I'm not aware of?

 

[3cmom]

Pop Warner
and the opening to Rise of the Resistance at SWGE on 12/5

 

[CBMom01]

It seems like this is the trend. It feels like a combo of bigger crowds and Disney yield management. I’ve had rooms suddenly appear if i look for a larger group and longer stay

 

[MemphisVanessa]

Hi. Been out of the Disney loop for a few years now that my DD is older. We were thinking of going in early/mid December (6th - 11th) as we really enjoy WDW at Christmas time. We went similar dates about 3 or 4 years ago and it was busy but not crazy. Just checked the website and not a single room available at any of the resorts except the Contemporary which is a bit too pricey for us... What is going on that week that I'm not aware of?

The resorts are definitely showing limited availability in December. The Rise of the Resistance opening may be making things worse. I did just check those dates and saw 10 resorts with rooms: GF, OKW, AKL, AKV, AOA, Poly, CR, POR, Copper Creek and Bay Lake Tower. But, I only input two adults. I would keep checking back.
Also, try using an incognito or private browser to do a fresh search. Sometimes this helps.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Hi. Been out of the Disney loop for a few years now that my DD is older. We were thinking of going in early/mid December (6th - 11th) as we really enjoy WDW at Christmas time. We went similar dates about 3 or 4 years ago and it was busy but not crazy. Just checked the website and not a single room available at any of the resorts except the Contemporary which is a bit too pricey for us... What is going on that week that I'm not aware of?

There is lots of availability on the UK site for these dates and the rates are cheaper than AP rates so keep checking.

 

[focusondisney]

Hi. Been out of the Disney loop for a few years now that my DD is older. We were thinking of going in early/mid December (6th - 11th) as we really enjoy WDW at Christmas time. We went similar dates about 3 or 4 years ago and it was busy but not crazy. Just checked the website and not a single room available at any of the resorts except the Contemporary which is a bit too pricey for us... What is going on that week that I'm not aware of?

Your search is probably defaulting to the winter discount promo. As @MemphisVanessa said, there are several resorts showing at rack rate. After you do the initial search, you can click a resort to check availability, even if it shows not available on that page. When you get to the resort page, change the selection to the room button. You can then modify your search to check all resorts from that page. It will show you the resorts available at rack rate. I have no idea why the site defaults like that, but mine does it all the time.

 

[rangerxenos]

There has been limited availability since June, well before they announced RotR opening. For some reason that week is very popular this year.

I've gone during the same time frame several times in the last 5 years, it's not Pop Warner, that's always been the same time.

 

[sharona]

The resorts are definitely showing limited availability in December. The Rise of the Resistance opening may be making things worse. I did just check those dates and saw 10 resorts with rooms: GF, OKW, AKL, AKV, AOA, Poly, CR, POR, Copper Creek and Bay Lake Tower. But, I only input two adults. I would keep checking back.
Also, try using an incognito or private browser to do a fresh search. Sometimes this helps.

I was searching for 2 adults and 1 teen - that shouldn't make any room not available as far as I know...

Your search is probably defaulting to the winter discount promo. As @MemphisVanessa said, there are several resorts showing at rack rate. After you do the initial search, you can click a resort to check availability, even if it shows not available on that page. When you get to the resort page, change the selection to the room button. You can then modify your search to check all resorts from that page. It will show you the resorts available at rack rate. I have no idea why the site defaults like that, but mine does it all the time.

I didn't click on any promo but you are probably right. I'll have to try again.

There has been limited availability since June, well before they announced RotR opening. For some reason that week is very popular this year.

I've gone during the same time frame several times in the last 5 years, it's not Pop Warner, that's always been the same time.

We can always stay outside the bubble, which is fine with me but - if it's going to be crazy crowds I'd rather find alternative dates.

 

[SharonZ]

It would make any rooms with a king bed unavailable.

 

[Crazyhorse]

We've been booked for 12/4-12/11 for quite some times. We're AP holders so once or twice a week I jump on MDE to see what's up. Even without the AP, that week is totally sold out...no availability. I was fortunate enough to get a reservation to that OGA restaurant so it looks like we'll get a shot at seeing something. We're not huge star war fans...we're old and remember the original cast so that's who we like the best

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Hi. Been out of the Disney loop for a few years now that my DD is older. We were thinking of going in early/mid December (6th - 11th) as we really enjoy WDW at Christmas time. We went similar dates about 3 or 4 years ago and it was busy but not crazy. Just checked the website and not a single room available at any of the resorts except the Contemporary which is a bit too pricey for us... What is going on that week that I'm not aware of?

Early December is a very busy time at WDW now. Crowd patterns have shifted since you went a few years ago.

 

[sharona]

Thanks all for your input. It looks like there are some rooms available at some of the resorts - AKL, ASMo, CR, OKW, Poly. I'd forgotten how wonky Disney's website can be. It was defaulting to the special offer page and showing me that there was no availability for that. Still looks very crowded if nothing available at POP or POR. Those are really the only dates that work for us so we're going but I think we've decided to stay off site. My SIL was just telling me that they stayed off site in a very nice place for half the cost of WDW deluxe and they used uber to get back and forth and it was super convenient.

 

[DebbieB]

I've been going beginning of December since 1998 (not every year but most). It's always been a busy time for onsite hotels. One factor is Pop Warner taking a lot of value and moderate rooms plus people want to be onsite for the Christmas decorations and activities. This is the same conversation every year.