37 days and counting...just don't feel ready!!

[jlm]

So a little back story! This will be our fourth trip to the world! This is the first time with NO dining plan! The first two years we went weather was fabulous, crowds were good...had a fantastic time! We have always traveled in December (beginning) with great luck! 2010 dream trip to the Poly 9 days all saved and paid for in cash!! The weather...COLD....VERY COLD!! We are from MN and know what cold is...we didn't bring our ski gear with us! Crowds were crazy as well!! We made the best of it....13 windchills, wind, rain....massive amounts of people!!

So this year we are going in December...no dining plan-for the first time! I just couldn't swallow the 1500.00 bill of having 4 "adults" and 1 child! We are hoping this time with only 3 ressies it will free up more time during our days. Although, that is when we took a break, to sit down and eat. Way too much of course!!

So, help ease my mind...we really can't have record cold again?? We will be fine with out the dining plan?? Like I said we do have 3 of our favorite ressies planned, with a fantasmic package. Staying at the Beach Club...also hoping it's great....and warm enough to swim!
Jen

 

[anotherhb]

We are going at the beginning of December as well. Woo hoo!!

We also went mid-October this year without the dining plan. We've found that the quality of the food doesn't really warrant the expense. We ate very economically and did indeed have more time in our schedule.

 

[ZoZo]

You just never know about the weather, especially in December. I say, a cold day at WDW is better than a day at my desk at work! I say just plan for any kind of weather (pack both shorts and long pants, etc.) and have a great time!

Regarding the dining plan, I do have some reassuring words for you! I've been to WDW seven times, and have never had the dining plan. Either we stayed at a resort like Shades of Green and didn't have the option to use the dining plan (SOG is not an official WDW resort, so the dining plan isn't available) -- or I decided the dining plan just isn't for me due to my style of eating.

On my trips, I tend not to eat at too many table-service restaurants. (Maybe three or four TS meals in a seven or eight day trip.) Otherwise, I tend to eat on the fly (counter service meals, Food and Wine Festival "grazing", eating breakfast in the room, etc.). I like the fact that I'm not too tied down to a schedule where I have to stop what I'm doing or change my plans to make it to an ADR. There are lots of good options out there for dining that don't involve eating at sit-down restaurants. In addition to the fact that you're not tied down to ADRs, it's also less expensive to eat mostly CS meals! Plus the portions are pretty big, so you can split meals. I tend to eat fairly lightly, so the dining plan seems like way too much food for me. (Plus it takes up so much time to have sit-down meals!)

Forgive my rambling, but I think the dining plan works for some people but not others. I really don't think you'll miss much if you decide not to do the dining plan!

 

[portocall]

18 days and counting here and I'm not feeling ready either. My mom, a central FL local informed me they are supposed to have a cooler than average winter but that doesn't mean much. Having grown up in FL I know the temperature swings can be wild, hot for a week, freezing for a few days, then hot again. It's like playing the lottery. I don't remember many winters with sustained cold periods. That is my problem also. Last time we went the weather was perfect. Now, my kids don't quite have enough winter clothes and I don't know what to pack. Just keep am eye on the forecast.

 

[Satchmo128]

We are also heading to The World in early December (see signature) and it will be our fourth trip as well! We always stay offsite with friends in Kissimmee so we have never had the dining plan. We usually eat 3-4 times throughout our stay at table service restaurants and then play the rest by ear.

I am also nervous about the weather (may be colder than I'm expecting?) and crowds (since we arrive the day that the FLE officially opens to the public), but I just figure that a day at WDW is so much better than one at home!

I'm sure both of our trips will be magical!!

 

[GeneralTso]

It'll probably be warm. It usually is in Florida, that's why all the retirees live there!

 

[kris4360]

We have been there 12 times and only just started using dining plan (only because i love the planning part of it). We would eat cereal or muffins etc. in our room. Then share a counter service meal or get a kids meal. (either one is plenty of food). Then have a nice dinner either at Disney or off.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

My mom and dad just came back this am, it was 49 at 9:30 when they were having breakfast! We go the early part of Dec every yr as well.

Last yr we had shorts and t's on in the first few days of photos and near the last night when we did the sleigh ride we had on jeans, sweaters, coats, scarves,gloves....

We S Fla people have thin blood so we don't swim in Dec but I always see people in the pool when the steam is rising off of it and the parents are bundled drinking hot choc.

We make sure to bring layers. I am going shopping this week to get pants/jeans for my ds(16,14) since the ones from last winter don't fit and I always make sure to bring them just in case. You just never know and the nights are so much cooler than the days there.

 

[burlington66]

Why dont you check online we are travelling at the same time and the dining plan was free. We had originally planned to pay for it, but when i checked for a price drop i saw they were giving it away so i called Disney and they repriced it for us.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We went this past june with quick service and it was so relaxing to not have adrs everyday. Now my kids don't want table service anymore, they want the time to go to shows/rides.

What month were you there in 2010. We were there dec. 2009/jan.2010 and froze. I know what you mean it is depressing to be in FL and have it so cold. I liked our trip in June more than that cold Christmas trip. Hopefully the weather will get better for you.

 

[nancy155]

We were there Dec 2010 during their unusual bitter cold snap! Oh my.. we are from Colorado and thank goodness I had taken my Northface jacket with me and my hat.. Did purchase a scarf and gloves. The wind was just so bitter cold.

We are from Colorado and it was warmer here than it was during that time in Disney!

We are headed there in 17 days for Thanksgiving (couldn't figure out how to add an additional ticker!) and am hoping for nice weather! I will pack tho for cold just in case.

 

[jessc79]

We are also heading to The World in early December (see signature) and it will be our fourth trip as well! We always stay offsite with friends in Kissimmee so we have never had the dining plan. We usually eat 3-4 times throughout our stay at table service restaurants and then play the rest by ear.

I am also nervous about the weather (may be colder than I'm expecting?) and crowds (since we arrive the day that the FLE officially opens to the public), but I just figure that a day at WDW is so much better than one at home!

I'm sure both of our trips will be magical!!

We are arriving on the same day!

Hoping it will be warm again like last year . First time no dining for us either....more time for rides!!

 

[Cyrano]

Moving this to the inning board for your reservation questions.

 

[jlm]

We were there Dec 2010 during their unusual bitter cold snap! Oh my.. we are from Colorado and thank goodness I had taken my Northface jacket with me and my hat.. Did purchase a scarf and gloves. The wind was just so bitter cold.

We are from Colorado and it was warmer here than it was during that time in Disney!

We are headed there in 17 days for Thanksgiving (couldn't figure out how to add an additional ticker!) and am hoping for nice weather! I will pack tho for cold just in case.

YES..that is when we were there!! The metrodome collapsed while we were in FL! The cold was unbelievable!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR WORDS OF ADVICE!! I am feeling MUCH more at ease about our upcoming trip!! I truly LOVE disney (like all of you!) I am excited...just different than past years!

We chose to go with the 30% off room ressie and not do free dining...our dates didn't quite match up either. Which I am (fingers crossed) hoping NOT to gain 9 pounds as I did on our December 2010 9 day vacation!!


Thanks again!!! TRULY APPRECIATTED!!!
Jen