planning for next year dec 2014 help

[jcldtrek]

I want to go to disney for the holidays and looing at going next year 2014 for dec 2nd to the 9th or 10th. was wondering if this is a good time to go. Also wondering when is the best time to book the trip. I know airfares aren't available till january or so , but the rooms currently are open to purchase. Was also noticing they say rooms at non discounted rate. Does that mean anything? Never did Disney for Xmas time and taking my mom with me to see everything they have going on. I dont wanna wait too long cause i noticed everything right now for this year is pretty much sold out. Would love to hear any advice/help on this. Also contemplating the Dining plan, which for us , doesnt look like much of a savings, other than prepaying for food before we get there. So many decisions, lol gotta love trip planning.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

That is a great time to go. Crowds don't hit until mid December. You should book the trip as soon as you can. When booking packages (room, tickets, and the optional dining plan together) the trip must be paid off 45 days before you arrive. The cost is $200 to book a package. You can also buy the room and tickets separately. Disney often releases discounts so "non discounted" means full price. December discounts come out in the late fall but you can still book now and apply the discount at a later time. The dining plan used to save money for everyone but now unless you have a large group of people, the savings just aren't there, you would be better paying out of pocket. A member on this board created www.distripplanner.com which is a great tool for helping determine if the dining plan is for you. Have a great time!

 

[sxeensweet]

One of the best times to go!!! Low crowds, one of the lowest room rate times of the year, beautiful Christmas decorations and lots of Holiday events to see. You really don't see crowds get heavier until a few days before Christmas. We will be there 12/5-12/16 this year and we always go usually around this time. Book ASAP and if discounts come out later which they usually do around Aug/Sept you can try to apply/rebook with the offer then. If you use a Disney travel agent they can keep an eye on that for you and take care of it as soon as it comes out. Travel agents are free and can make things alot easier on you even if its just to do the booking/rebooking for you it's worth using them. Another note park hours are not as long as in the Summer and busier times but with less crowds you don't need as many park hours to enjoy everything. Weather can be very unpredictable and change numerous times while there! Lol. Can be warm/hot , then freezing cold the next day. Lol We always pack for every type of weather eventhough we watch the weather forecast as it gets closer b/c even the forecast can change once you get there. You will love it as there is lots to see and do around this wonderful time of year!!! Happy Planning!!

 

[Poofiesdream]

Its the best time to go. We live in Florida and that's when we go ever year! Book now in case rates go up. You know ticket prices will. We book room only and buy our tickets from AAA. We find it cheaper to pay out of pocket for food.Families with kids may find the DDP good but not us two adults. If a discount comes out later you just call and they add it on. This way you could make payments every month or when ever you can and when you go it will be paid in full. That's a great feeling. If you book your room now you can always change, add tickets, add DDP, add airfare later or even cancel. For birthdays, Christmas and the like ask for Disney gift cards, and use them for your food and spending ,money!

 

[JillC LI]

It's a great time to go, and you might even luck out and have free dining offered then (although there is no guarantee). We booked our December 2012 trip in late 2011 as soon as the package deal prices came available. There's so much fun stuff to see at the holiday season.

 

[jcldtrek]

Thanks so much for the help

 

[Zipadeelady]

It was about this time last year that we started planning for our trip this December. Our original plan was to stay the same week that you are thinking of. Over time we have changed resorts to keep our cost down and also we pushed back our trip to the week before Christmas due to the dining plan. I still would have preferred to go the 1st week of December but free food is more tempting.. Also keep in mind when Disney will have Pop Warner week. I hear the parks aren't to different when Pop Warner is going on but the value resorts are a nightmare.

I think that if you book now keep in mind you will more than likely be making some changes down the road.

 

[zurgandfriend]

It's a wonderful time to go low crowds ans all the decorations. The only worry for us is will snow delay us going or coming home.

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Early December is good. Went from 6th - 21st a couple of years back, and first week was quieter but got busy second week. Then had to spoil it all and come back to a frosty/cold/foggy UK!!!

 

[NoWayJose]

Echo what everyone else said. It's the absolute best time to go. The weather may not be as great, usually somewhere in the 70s, but that's the only drawback. We're from the northeast, so 70s in December is heaven to us. The pools aren't bad, it's coming out of the pool that's the problem!