2 questions on crowds and hours

[dagnabamy]

hello all !

I am planning our very first DW trip !! Myself, husband and 2 daughters - ages 12 and 10 !

Very Excited, although I will admit the planning is making me very frazzled and frustrated

Right now I have it narrowed down to just a couple different dates and resorts.

Who would think it would be this difficult to decide !!!!!! UGHHHH LOL

1) Is it less crowded in October or September ? Or what are the advantages of either ? Right now it is between -

10/2 - 10/9 and staying at Caribbean Beach
or
9/18 - 9/25 and staying at Coronado Springs​

I would rather Coronado Springs but it was not available for the October dates....

2) A co-worker told me if we go in October the hours are shorter ... I have looked on the Disney website but don't see that.

Any feedback or opinions you can give would be much appreciated.

I guess if it is less crowded at the October dates, that would be the choice but if the hours are shorter, then it would be September ???

Or maybe I am just crazy !

Thanks for reading and again, any feedback is appreciated. I really am clueless with planning this trip..... oh and to make it more interesting, we are driving to Orlando from CT !

Thanks !
Amy

 

[Metro West]

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Are you talking about THIS September or October? Are you doing free dining?

As for crowds there really isn't much difference in those two weeks. The hours are typically shorter in the fall and other slower times of year.

If you are going this fall and plan on doing ANY sit-down meals, you need to make your Advance Dining Reservation NOW. Both of the weeks you are talking about going are during the free dining promo and the restaurants will be packed and the popular restaurants and character meals will not be taking walk-ups.

 

[dagnabamy]

Yes, this fall and yes to the dining. Will the restaurants be packed in October ?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Yes, this fall and yes to the dining. Will the restaurants be packed in October ?

Yes. That's the end of free dining and the beginning of the Food and Wine Fest. The crowds won't be bad, but the restaurants will be full.

Really, with the popularity of the DDP, you need to make ADRs year round, though there is a possibility of walk-ups in non free dining time frames. But if you are going during the free dining promo, it is a must.

 

[dagnabamy]

I don't know the abbreviations, so I had to go and look those up ! LOL

OK, thanks. I'm reading the Frommer's Disney guide now and tomorrow I will start mapping out the parks and restaurants.

Right now I have a hold on both weeks.... I just can't decide if Sept or Oct will be best... Tomorrow is my last day (per the travel agent)

Thanks again.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I don't know the abbreviations, so I had to go and look those up ! LOL

OK, thanks. I'm reading the Frommer's Disney guide now and tomorrow I will start mapping out the parks and restaurants.

Right now I have a hold on both weeks.... I just can't decide if Sept or Oct will be best... Tomorrow is my last day (per the travel agent)

Thanks again.

Sorry! DDP = Disney Dining Plan and ADRs = Advance Dining Reservations

I'd probably book the week of October 2. There's not going to be much difference in crowds and such, but with every passing day the temps will hopefully get cooler Plus it give you another week to make ADRs.

Also, my favorite planning book is The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and I love their companion website, www.touringplans.com. I always use their best days/crowd calendar. It's so easy to pull up the calendar and it just tells me which parks to go to on which days! It's a no brainer, lol! Also, I would be getting on the Disney Dining website ASAP - as places like Chef Mickey's, LeCellier and Ohana will already have few seatings left.

Hope ya'll have a magical vacation!

 

[smidgy]

if you go during the food and wine festival, you can use your snack credits for the "tastes" at most of the countries.

 

[Roo2]

Personally, I would go in September- the Coronado Springs is my favorite moderate! Great themeing (I prefer the Cabanas for that Mexican Riviera feel-9 A and B are close to the pool and bus stop, and only a few minutes walk to the Pepper Market food court- with lots of healthy and delicious food choices- you can request this on your reservation and hope it is available), fabulous pool (a better theme for your older girls, I would think, and much less crowded), and queen beds (vs double beds at Caribbean Beach). Also, because I LOVE to stroll a quiet Epcot World Showcase in the evenings (5-9pm), I would prefer NOT going during the Food and Wine Festival, as it gets very crowded during the Festival (all the food booths are located around the Showcase lagoon). As others have said, the hours and heat will be very similar for both of your dates, so that is not a factor (it does begin to cool down and become less humid later in October, if that is an option for you). I hope you are considering the free dining possibility- with two growing girls, and two adults you will get your moneys' worth (paying full rack rate for the room)- and frequent meals means less chance of meltdowns- kids and adults! Also, taking a daily break for a late lunch or early dinner makes a great break/rest from the heat and busy day at the parks. And this way you don't have to count your pennies at every meal- plus the fabulous desserts and snack options! Just make your ressies for every day you are there ASAP! (And remember- you can call 407-WDW-DINE even minutes before you want a meal if your plans change on vacation- if you are flexible things do sometimes open up, and having a ressie still puts you ahead of any walk-ups). But don't stress over your choice- either way you will have a fabulous vacation! Just be sure to stop and enjoy the little things along the way that make WDW such a magical place. And remember- you can't possibly see it all in one vacation. Just have each family member make a list of their top five must do's, plan to hit those, and if you like it, you can always come back! We went for that "once-in-a-life-time" trip when my daughter was three- she is going on fifteen now and we have been back once a year ever since! (Planning budget trips has become an art form for me!)

Hope you have a magical trip- and to the DIS! You have found the best place to help you navigate all the planning options!

Roo2

 

[Disn3y]

Enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[smidgy]

we also love Coronado. the Cabab=nas are the most convenient, but the Casitas are prettier. either way, be sure to walk THROUGH the Casitas (not just along the promenade. their are hidden fountains, a rotunda, reflecting pools, etc.
the only thing is.. Pepper Market is very expensive. however, if you have free dining, it's great, cause you can get steak or prime rib for a counter service credit! (however, ironically, their choices for snacks and desserts are very limited. we could get a muffin or cookie for dessert. they had ice cram cones, but that didn'[t count)
it's a huge resort!. lots of walking. but the maya pool has a great pool slide, on eof the best on disney property.

 

[Jen0504]

I just checked touringplans.com, and both weeks are just about the same in regards to crowd levels. We are going Sept. 19th - Sept. 26th, and staying at POP. Have fun planning!!

 

[Marcela]

We were at the CBR in Sept. of 2008, and will be at CSR 9/27-10/3. I felt that CBR was a pretty resort, it had a beautiful, newly remodeled pool, and the food court was very nice. My DH was very uncomfortable in the full size bed, and therefore CSR was the choice for us this time. I've viewed some beautiful pic of the CSR resort, and am excited to see it in person.

You need to make your decision soon, so that you can make some dining decisions. We had the DxDDP the last time, and felt that it was too much food. Also, everything revolved around our ressies. We are doing the free DDP, and have all of our table services booked. Some tried and true restaurants, as well as some new ones. I found a lot of help on allears.net with my dinner ressies. They have reviews of all Disney restaurants, and all of the menus!!!!! I already know what I am having at some of the restaurants that we will be visitting. I've made all of my reservations on the Disney site, being on hold for 20 minutes each time I tried to call got old very fast!

Sorry to go on and on, but I've been in the same boat that you're in 2 years ago. It is extremely stressful and frustrating, but don't worry, in the end it'll be worth it. I did want to mention one more thing to you. There used to be a list of "snack choices" on disboards a couple of years ago. A snack can be almost anything under $4 (I think). You can visit France in Epcot, and have a delicious pastry, and use your snack credit. Good Luck in all your planning!

 

[ItsDisney]