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Credit: Disney The holidays are still a few months away, but for Disney fans, it’s already starting to feel like crunch time. As Walt Disney World released a new batch of holiday hotel discounts, guests wasted no time logging in and trying to grab a deal. The result? A virtual queue, a rare Disney-issued warning message, and a bit of early holiday chaos.
So what’s fueling this sudden surge? In a word—discounts. Disney’s 2025 holiday promotions are some of the most generous we’ve seen in a while, especially for certain groups. Florida and Georgia residents can snag rooms starting at just $129 per night at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. That’s an unusually low price for a Disney on-property stay during a popular season.
Annual Passholders, too, are seeing big savings. They can take advantage of up to 30% off room rates at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels on most nights between October 12 and December 25. The discount varies depending on the resort tier, but some Deluxe resorts are included in the higher savings bracket.
There’s also a general offer that applies to everyone, not just locals or Passholders. Guests who book a qualifying vacation package—including a stay at a Disney hotel and a 4-day (or longer) park ticket—can save up to 20% and receive a $100 Dining & Shopping Card. For families already planning a trip to see the parks decked out in garland and twinkling lights, this is a solid incentive to book now.
Now, if you’ve been online trying to plan your holiday trip, you might’ve been greeted by a message that reads as follows:
“Due to high demand, this is taking longer than expected. We have a lot of Guests accessing our system, so you are now in a waiting room.”
Wait times ranged over an hour early in the morning for guests trying to book resort hotel stays. Currently, wait times have remained relatively short—usually less than five minutes—but it’s a pretty clear indicator that Disney’s holiday season is heating up fast.
Christmas at Disney: Always in High Demand
It’s no surprise that the holidays are one of the busiest—and most magical—times of the year at Disney World. From the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom to the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, Disney offers an overload of seasonal experiences. Guests come for the themed treats, stunning decorations, holiday overlays like Jingle Cruise, and yes, even snow falling on Main Street, U.S.A.
That kind of magic comes with a price—literally and figuratively. Hotel rates are usually higher this time of year, and crowds can reach peak levels. So when discounts drop, it’s only natural that people jump to take advantage of them before availability disappears.
This year, the urgency seems even more real. With Disney’s resort occupancy climbing again and theme park reservation requirements now a thing of the past, guests have a little more flexibility—but also more competition. Booking early is one of the only ways to guarantee a stress-free holiday visit.
A Rare “Warning” From Disney’s Booking System
It’s not every day that Disney flashes a warning to guests trying to book hotel rooms. The fact that a waiting room was triggered by demand alone tells you everything you need to know about how quickly these deals are getting scooped up.
And sure, a five-minute wait isn’t the end of the world. But it’s a sign of what’s to come. As the most popular dates—like Thanksgiving week and the final stretch leading up to Christmas—get closer, those short waits could turn into longer delays. Even worse, the rooms you’re after might just be gone altogether.
So if you’re sitting on the fence, thinking you’ve got time to decide… you might want to rethink that. Waiting too long could mean missing out on the savings—or having to settle for a less ideal resort or travel window.
The Season to Plan Ahead
If you’re planning to head to Disney World this holiday season, now’s the time to lock everything in. That includes your hotel stay, your park tickets, and if you’re interested in special events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Candlelight Processional dining packages, those will likely sell out soon as well.
Even Lightning Lane bookings (which have replaced the now-retired Genie+ system) are something to think about well in advance. With crowds growing and the holiday atmosphere becoming more and more elaborate, demand for top rides like Rise of the Resistance, Flight of Passage, and Tron Lightcycle / Run is going to be intense.
Fortunately, Disney has started to make it easier by allowing Lightning Lane selections to be made up to seven days in advance for resort guests, and three days in advance for all others. Still, it’s one more reminder that planning ahead is the name of the game.
Book Now or Risk Missing the Magic
The holidays at Disney World are the stuff of lifelong memories—but they don’t come easy. With discounts now live and availability already thinning out, this is one of those times where waiting could backfire.
Even if you end up in the virtual waiting room for a few minutes, it’s worth pushing through. With deals this competitive and the holiday crowd starting to form early, Disney’s subtle “warning” may just be your best clue: the holiday season is here—and the rush has officially begun.