4th of July, or Quiet September?

[bobbiwoz]

I'm torn. We've allocated just about all of DH's vacation days for next year, with a Northern European cruise for 2 weeks as the cornerstone. So, since the 4th of July is a Saturday next year, DH gets Friday off so we could fly after his work on Thursday and he can stay until Sunday, and I would probably stay an extra day or two. I love fireworks, and we're doing NYE at WDW for the first time this year in order to see them. I was just in WDW for 8 nights in September, just Friday and Saturday nights were with DH, and we had just the perfect mini-vacation. We stayed at VWL, did a Wishes MG trip with a fellow DVCer/Disboard person and famly, enjoyed Blizzard Beach and just being at VWL for the two of us was very special. The parks were not crowded, and the weather was hot, but really perfect for what we wanted to do.

If we went in July, we could both be there for 3 nights, if in September, he only 2.

We have other WDW times planned next year. In March I have a 5 night week (BWV) for me and DGF's, then DH joins me for 3 nights (AKV concierge). In May there is an "all family" week including a 3 night DCL cruise, and then there will be some time in December for Christmas, and DDiL want to run the 1/2 marathon in January '10, so another long weekend then. However, I do like at least a weekend between May and December...would you wait until September even though it's less time, or go in July?

Thanks...I think I'm really just aching to call and make another reservation!!!

Bobbi

 

[SLM]

I'm impressed with how you stretch your points for so many nice vacations! Wow!
An extra day would be nice-especially if you planned on enjoying the resort and not fighting the park crowds-if you had dinner reservations, even if things are crowded, you should be fine. And yet, with a trip in May, a trip in July might be too soon? Either way, it sounds like you know how to maximize a mini-vacation! Happy planning!

 

[drusba]

First, as far as reserving, you may actually have difficulty even getting time right around July 4 now and thus if you really plan to do it you best call promptly.

Second, it sounds like you will be doing NYE this year. Have you done Christmas time, Easter time or July 4 time before? In relation to that Sep time you just did you need to multiply the size of the crowd by 5 for Christmas (6 for NYE itself), 4 1/2 for Easter and 4 for time around July 4 but by five times for July 4. In other words, have you been there when the usual stand-by line for Soarin is 3 hours and fastpasses for popular rides are gone for the day by 11? On NYE, MK and Epcot will get so crowded that they will close to new entries, that will also happen July 4 particularly at MK. You will literally struggle to move around in the park because the crowd will be elbow to elbow. The thing that makes July 4 worse than NYE is that the temperature on July 4 is usually about 95. In other words, if you are ready for that so you can see some fireworks, then go for it. Otherwise, I would seriously consider that Sep time including because you are going to have that one time "thrill" NYE (and you might never want to do it again after experiencing it).

 

[moredisneyplease]

Sept hands down!! Unless those three nights in July are going to be quiet relaxing ones w/ some "adult" time at the resort! I'd avoid the parks!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

...
. Otherwise, I would seriously consider that Sep time including because you are going to have that one time "thrill" NYE (and you might never want to do it again after experiencing it).

Yes, that's why I am so "late" in bringing this to the forefront. Until recently, I wanted to wait until we experienced the NYE crowd and then decide on the 4th of July. THAT would be too late for even a waitlist to happen, I fear, so maybe we'll be doing 4th of July in 2010! Except for the fireworks, we wouldn't go to a park, it would be a resort vacation for the two of us.

SLM, we have 855 points, and I believe in borrowing. We are the DGP...want to make the most of the years that we have and as long as our family wants to join us, we'll make it happen. I do try to get SV at BWV, or Value at AKV for the weekends, but not always. July may be too soon given the May trip. One thing that's nice about DCL 3 night cruise, THAT uses up the weekend, so we have only weekday nights, Sunday to Wednesday night then Sunday night again for the 2 bedrooms at BCV/AKV Kidani, in May.

Bobbi

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

My sister and her family went to Disney for the week of the 4th a few months ago.

They are still pretty new at Disney. They don't like making rope drop, have little kids, etc. I crossed my fingers that they would have a good time.

Anyway, they said that the parks weren't very crowded on the days prior to the 4th. They skipped Peter Pan because it always had a 45 minute wait. (That doesn't seem that crowded and unusual to me.)

Anyway, they spent the morning of the 4th at Epcot and had pictures with Colonial Mickey, Donald, & Goofy & then headed to MK. They got to MK about 3pm and was able to get half way up Main Street. They stopped and basically camped there for several more hours. They said that they had never seen so many people in one place at one time. They said that they believed that ALL Central Florida residents had come into the Magic Kingdom to see the Fireworks.

As for the fireworks, Disney ran several of the July 4th fireworks during the week. They commented that Wishes and Illuminations could not hold a candle to the 4th of July fireworks. My Sis is pretty worldly and they came back completely overwhelmed by the fireworks. They showed us a video of it, and we couldn't believe how fantastic they were.

As for getting out of the parks, they said that they stayed a few more hours in the park, and that it was really crowded. They didn't have any issues with the busses. They stayed at All Star Sports and were picked up by a Disney Cruise Line bus (headed to All Stars). I'm sure while in the MK, somebody had to go to the bathroom and Sis didn't mention it. Of course she has boys, but it must not have been worse than she expected.

The only negative thing I heard about the trip was that they wish they had not stayed at All Star Sports as it was a bit rowdy.

Oh yeah, it was really hot too! I think they really enjoyed Typhoon Lagoon!

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

September for sure...without a doubt. I have been to Disney resorts in the Summer and will never go prime season again! Humidity is rough in Sept, but the lack of crowds, and cheaper rates makes it my choice.

 

[Granny]

Bobbi...my guess is that you will be able to get more things done in 2 days in September than the 3 days in early July. I'd probably lean towards the September date but not sure I'd like to travel to make that short of a trip.

As indicated, the 4th of July is pretty brutal. When we were at WDW at that time one year, MK and MGM were at full capacity by 10:30 in the morning and we couldn't get into those parks. Throw some major heat & humidity into the equation and we've sworn to avoid that day in the future...though we continue to vacation during the summer each year.

Of course, September brings hurricanes into the equation. But I'd probably go that route personally.

 

[Spear3909]

We went this past 4th of July and believe it or not the crowds were not as bad as I expected. It could have been a fluke, but I didn't think the crowd was any worse than any other time in the summer. The fireworks at MK were amazing! We go every year in July, just usually later in the month (I have school age kids so summer works best - can't have them missing school!)

 

[bobbiwoz]

We went this past 4th of July and believe it or not the crowds were not as bad as I expected. It could have been a fluke, but I didn't think the crowd was any worse than any other time in the summer. The fireworks at MK were amazing! We go every year in July, just usually later in the month (I have school age kids so summer works best - can't have them missing school!)

Interesting! Well, for next year, we've decided that we're going in September, due to the lack of vacation time DH has. If I go in the summer, I want it to be for a longer period of time, because I have time, I work with a school schedule. This way, he can take a week off in July and we can go and be together for the whole time. I really look forward to seeing those special fireworks. Thank you.

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

doesn't he get off for labor day?

 

[bobbiwoz]

doesn't he get off for labor day?

Yes, he does, but we have Labor Day '09 booked up as part of a European cruise we are taking. That's 2 weeks worth of vacation time for him.

I'm fine with waiting 2 years to see the fireworks at WDW. We will also visit Vero Beach in '10, so we can make it a 10 day vacation from June to July if I plan it right.

Bobbi