why is the first week of Dec so booked

[Tink3815]

I'm trying to arrange a last minute trip Dec 1 to Dec 5. Almost everthing is booked, even the campsites. Is anything special going on besides wanting to beat the football palyers and cheerleaders the following week?

 

[Rags]

Don't quote me but I think the Christmas parade and Pop Warner attendees might be coming in before the start of the tourney.

 

[maxiesmom]

Don't quote me but I think the Christmas parade and Pop Warner attendees might be coming in before the start of the tourney.

This^

And, if you arrive before or on the 2nd, you still qualify for Free Dining.

 

[Misty89]

I would also guess the Christmas parade taping.

 

[Rags]

This^

And, if you arrive before or on the 2nd, you still qualify for Free Dining.

Ahhh I forgot about free dining!!!!

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

I do not know if this at all will help, but a cast member told me that there were 100 rooms blocked out at the Movies Resort for Pop Warner. She was fairly confident that some of these will come available 30 days before arrival ~ so hopefully the first week of November there will be some openings.

 

[peanuts017]

I tought that they were staying at AllStar Sports
or is it the cheerleaders???

 

[n2mm]

We've noticed this pattern the last few times we went early December. We decided no more Decembers for us. Last year was too crowed. We were there the first weekend (Fri to Sun) and the second weekend (Thur to Sat) of December, with a 4 day cruise in between the 2 weekends. The first weekend was the parade taping and as we were getting ready to leave the Pop Warner groups was moving in (we were at POR, and they were staying there). When we came back from the cruise we went to our DVC home -- BWV -- and it was packed. There was a Heisman/sporting event going on at ESPN and we waited all day before getting into our room because the resort was sold out (didn't get our room until after 5:00PM). The parks were packed. Granted we were there 2 weekends, which is busier. I remember eating at Kona Cafe and standing in line for nearly a hour to get on the monorail as the line stretched inside the building pass the Kona Cafe. We thought there was a problem, but there wasn't, and it never got better. So it was cold and crowded and we swore off December forever. Mind you we went in December many times in the past, but it seems to be getting worse each year. As a DVC member, this is a very low point time to go, so DVC resorts are often filled and nearly impossible to get into if not an owner.

As mentioned by a PP, add Free Dining into the mix...!

 

[Missytara]

Parade taping, Pop Warner, Free dining extended, Monster pin code, and best bang for your buck on DVC.......

 

[Missytara]

I tought that they were staying at AllStar Sports
or is it the cheerleaders???

AllStars for the mods and POR for the moderates.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We've noticed this pattern the last few times we went early December. We decided no more Decembers for us. Last year was too crowed. We were there the first weekend (Fri to Sun) and the second weekend (Thur to Sat) of December, with a 4 day cruise in between the 2 weekends. The first weekend was the parade taping and as we were getting ready to leave the Pop Warner groups was moving in (we were at POR, and they were staying there). When we came back from the cruise we went to our DVC home -- BWV -- and it was packed. There was a Heisman/sporting event going on at ESPN and we waited all day before getting into our room because the resort was sold out (didn't get our room until after 5:00PM). The parks were packed. Granted we were there 2 weekends, which is busier. I remember eating at Kona Cafe and standing in line for nearly a hour to get on the monorail as the line stretched inside the building pass the Kona Cafe. We thought there was a problem, but there wasn't, and it never got better. So it was cold and crowded and we swore off December forever. Mind you we went in December many times in the past, but it seems to be getting worse each year. As a DVC member, this is a very low point time to go, so DVC resorts are often filled and nearly impossible to get into if not an owner.

As mentioned by a PP, add Free Dining into the mix...!

We've had exactly the same experience! so many years early December was a nice uncrowded time, but those days are gone. Beginning next year, not even value season. Will miss those lovely times.

 

[n2mm]

We've had exactly the same experience! so many years early December was a nice uncrowded time, but those days are gone. Beginning next year, not even value season. Will miss those lovely times.

Glad I'm not alone. I can't tell you how many times I read threads that folks are raving about the low crowds and empty parks in early December and the last couple of years I've gone I can't understand why they would post this. Drives me nuts when I read threads like that. I guess one person's crowded is another person's not-crowded.

I love my early May, late October, and late January trips. Low to moderates crowds during these trips.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Glad I'm not alone. I can't tell you how many times I read threads that folks are raving about the low crowds and empty parks in early December and the last couple of years I've gone I can't understand why they would post this. Drives me nuts when I read threads like that. I guess one person's crowded is another person's not-crowded.

I love my early May, late October, and late January trips. Low to moderates crowds during these trips.

I always thing the same thing! The times you mentioned have become my new faves to...now to keep that secret!

 

[disneyfan55]

I hope it's not too crowded! We go from Nov 27 to Dec 4 and it seems like all is booked!! We did this exact timeframe in 2000 and it was great. I guess this might be the last Christmas deocration trip if very crowded. Time will tell!

 

[fla4fun]

I think the reason it used to be so slow is that they broadcast the parade live on Christmas Day instead of taping it ahead of time (we actually went one Christmas Day just to be there for the parade broadcast - I still have the video where you can see us along the curb). So if you were used to going prior to DVC and when Pop Warner and the parade taping started, it was really slow, as slow or slower than September. Now, instead of spending 10 days in December, I tend to go for 3-4 days just to do the Christmas stuff, and save the longer trip for January (which is slowly getting busier as well, with the Marathon and MLK weekends bringing people in).

 

[ppan77]

I know! I am getting frustrated. We used our pin code to book Nov 28th-Dec 1st! Now trying to add a day (Dec. 2). Its impossible! We are staying at WL and everything is booked with the pin. I keep calling but no luck. Beginning to think our January trips are less stressful!!! Little worried about the crowd levels.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I just looked and I can't get a room until after the 11th at the values using a passholder code. I found the airlines and using the code my trip would be about $600 for a week.

I am going to just save the money and wait for Disney.