What's Going on First Week of December?

[SB in KY]

We usually try and make a trip to WDW the week after Thanksgiving...tried over the weekend to book for 12/4 - 12/11 (which is a Wed. to Wed. week)....hardly any availability anyplace (except SSR)...no availability for studios 12/3 - 12/6 and then very little for the rest of the week.

Is something going on that I am missing? I looked at a November week prior to Thanksgiving and there was still lots of availability....but DH wanted to go in December. Usually this is a pretty slow week in the parks.

 

[Pakey]

We usually try and make a trip to WDW the week after Thanksgiving...tried over the weekend to book for 12/4 - 12/11 (which is a Wed. to Wed. week)....hardly any availability anyplace (except SSR)...no availability for studios 12/3 - 12/6 and then very little for the rest of the week.

Is something going on that I am missing? I looked at a November week prior to Thanksgiving and there was still lots of availability....but DH wanted to go in December. Usually this is a pretty slow week in the parks.

This is one of the busiest times for DVC.

 

[bakenatj]

This is one of the busiest times for DVC.

Ditto. I am one of the many dvc members there that week. Just low point season plus Christmas decorations are up. Parks aren't bad but dvc resorts will be full.

 

[spiceycat]

the first 2 weeks in Dec have always been busy for DVC member - low points, Christmas decorations all over, special shows, mostly great weather - sometimes it is too cold or hot - and low crowds (non-dvc)

this has been happening since at least 1993. if you want the first two weeks in dec - then get it in Jan.

 

[myxdvz]

I also think that the late Thanksgiving contributed to the problem. Most people who take the Thanksgiving off is crossing over the first week as well.

Or like us, where we are in WDW on Thanksgiving week, but are coming back the week after because apparently MVMCP doesn't happen on Thanksgiving week.

 

[drusba]

I have been tracking the resort reservations and the 7 month window since early 2012. The first week of December is not just "one of the busiest times" for DVC reservations; it is THE highest DVC demand week of the year, even beating Christmas week.

 

[SB in KY]

I have been tracking the resort reservations and the 7 month window since early 2012. The first week of December is not just "one of the busiest times" for DVC reservations; it is THE highest DVC demand week of the year, even beating Christmas week.

Well silly me! Who knew?? I think the late Thanksgiving did cause part of the problem because we have gone 4 or 5 of the past 6 years the week after Thanksgiving and never had a problem getting ressies 3 or 4 months out....but when I looked back all of the check in dates were in November. Park crowds have been low at that time also. Guess we will just skip the Christmas decor and go in November this year. The week before Thanksgiving week had plenty of availability.

Thanks for all the info everyone!

 

[DenLo]

If it cost less points it's more popular with DVC members. And then add Christmas decorations, member mingles and the DVC annual meeting plus the cooler weather, the first two weeks in December are highly desirable by many DVC members. It's times like this when home resort advantage really comes in handy.

 

[drusba]

Guess we will just skip the Christmas decor and go in November this year. The week before Thanksgiving week had plenty of availability.

Thanks for all the info everyone!

All the Christmas decorations will be up that week before Thanksgiving week. Even MVMCP will be going that week.

 

[SB in KY]

All the Christmas decorations will be up that week before Thanksgiving week. Even MVMCP will be going that week.

That is good news...I figured some decorations might be up before Thanksgiving but was not expecting too much yet....glad we may be able to take it all in still!
Thanks

 

[irazabul]

I just tried today for 12/5 - 12/9. I had no idea that this was the busiest time of the year for DVC.

 

[irazabul]

What are people's thoughts on the odds of getting a waitlist at BLT (any 2BR or Villa) that first weekend of December?

 

[rlovew]

What are people's thoughts on the odds of getting a waitlist at BLT (any 2BR or Villa) that first weekend of December?

If you are looking for less than a 4 nights and you got on before the 7 month mark you have a good chance. All of BLT was booked by around the 9 month mark so many home resort owners are already on the waitlist ahead of any one at 7 months.

 

[Countryrunner262]

If we went Nov 17-22, would all Christmas decorations be up? I know the processional at Epcot starts after Thanksgiving. Is the 2nd week of December just as busy? We are waiting in ROFR and can not book yet. Ugh!

 

[drusba]

The first night for Mickey's Christmas party at MK and Osbourne lights at Studios is Nov 8 and that means all decorations in the parks should be up and going Nov 8. The processional does not start until Nov 26 but that is understandable because it involves bringing in celebrities and thus they would not start that one early.

Second week of Dec is the third highest DVC demand week of the year, behind the first week of Dec and Christmas week, and many things are already gone for that second week. The close to the parks resorts are essentially gone except for intermittent days here and there. You can still get SSR and OKW but even AKV standard and savanna view have some days missing.

 

[Sammie]

Not slow in the parks anymore either. Word is out, about this being a great time to visit and the Christmas party and decorations really bring people in.

 

[shari2137]

What are people's thoughts on the odds of getting a waitlist at BLT (any 2BR or Villa) that first weekend of December?

Someone had their waitlist fulfilled this morning as we moved our 2 bedroom reservation from BLT to OKW today for December 8 - 14. Good luck on getting your request.

 

[AmyB2006]

Not slow in the parks anymore either. Word is out, about this being a great time to visit and the Christmas party and decorations really bring people in.

Yes, I've noticed it getting more crowded over the years as well.

 

[RevKjb]

Ditto. I am one of the many dvc members there that week. Just low point season plus Christmas decorations are up. Parks aren't bad but dvc resorts will be full.

Anytime post American Thanksgiving (our Canadian Thanksgiving being in October...) up to about Dec. 15 is massively busy for DVC @ "the World". We enjoyed a relatively low park attendance in 2012 from Dec. 6-15. Even the THV's were all full! It's a wonderful time to be @ WDW though...

OP = good luck in getting whatcha want! Sending pixie dust yer way!

 

[Norm1]

The best kept secret is out!