A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/7) Prayer Request for Catie (p.129)

[shannn]

Well, I just got my wish for a 2010 trip! Out of the blue, my hubby decided that we should go in October for my 40th birthday. Apparently he had been making other plans but they had to be postponed. So we're on for an adult trip in October 2010 (with rented points I think) and a family trip in March 2012 (hopefully with our very own points).

But... I still say Christmas is amazing!! Fabulous weather and breathtaking decorations! The castle all lit up was still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

 

[disneylovin24]

Do NOT go on Christmas Week!!! It is one of (if not the) the busiest weeks of the year. I have luckily never been that week, but all the people I know that have have come back with bad tastes in their mouths for disney. One person I talked to said her trip was filled with strollers running into her ankles and 3 hour waits for rides

 

[brookelizabeth]

As you know we just got back from Christmas/NYE week at WDW!

It's not that bad!!

Truly. As you will see by my report if you are able to follow along.

There are things I did not like about it (when compared to other times). But the crowds weren't one of them.

The longest we ever waited in line was 35 minutes for Space Mountain.

I would, and plan to, do that week again. I wouldn't do it every year, but certainly DO want to do it again! :

 

[familyblackout]

Yay! Thanks for the updates!
My $.02 about the vacation times (just in case you need more opinions!): I went last August (14-21), and GOODNESS was it hot and crowded! I live in the Panhandle of Fl now and used to live in central Florida, and there were days I felt like my skin was melting off. And I was shocked by the crowds, I remember the ride board on our day to Epcot (in the middle of the afternoon) having 90 minute wait times for all the big rides. (But again, I am Floridian and am used to just "popping in" during the off season and having a quiet park.) DH actually really enjoyed WDW and wants to go back, but he says he'll never go back in August. (Don't tell him, but I agree! )

 

[OhMari]

Option Two: Last week of August, 2011.

Fewer DVC points needed, so we could stay two more nights! But... Florida in August??? In the past the crowd levels would drop, but not if Disney offers Free Dining again....

This is my vote.
The crowds are really gone at this time.
Yes it is hot, but if you do, very EMH,
swim in the afternoon,
and then go back at nite, you will love it.
You know what the midwest is like by then, our nites are chilly already.

Me and the girls had such a good time, going on vacation that week,
and when we returned, we were all set to start the new school year.

I'm betting you can get free dining too, if they don't take away that little perk.

 

[KathyRN137]

As you know we just got back from Christmas/NYE week at WDW!

It's not that bad!!

Truly.....

I would, and plan to, do that week again. I wouldn't do it every year, but certainly DO want to do it again! :

Thanks, Brook!

(And thank you to everyone who took the time to post advice!)

I will admit that I had a tough time falling asleep last night because I could not get my brain to shut off!
And all for a trip that is two years away!!


Oh, I've got it bad...


Let me tell you what I'm thinking so far:

First, although August is so very tempting because of the extra days we could have with our DVC points, I must be completely honest with myself: Unlike many people who say they can handle it with rest, water, etc., I really do not do well in very hot, humid weather.

And (unfortunately) DVC Members do not qualify for Free Dining, so that possible perk is o-u-t, out. But we would still have to do battle with the FD crowds for our ADRs.


I have a little experience with the Florida heat. Our first WDW trip was in early September of '03, so I think I've got a good idea of what to expect. It was rough. Our second trip was in late January of '05 and I recall saying over and over, "Wow! Disney is so much better at 70 degrees than it is at 95!! Plus there was a hurricane threat during our September visit that caused us a good deal of concern.


So I'm thinking that August would really not be best.


Ditto the heat and humidity issue for the last week of June... plus we have absolutely no wiggle room because Billy starts his summer program July 1st.


Meh.


I went back to the original plan of Presidents' Week. The weather in February would be sooo much nicer. BUT. Everyone keeps telling me that the crowds are pretty brutal.


Okay, I thought, I could probably work around crowds better than I could handle the heat. We would pay for it by reducing our number of days to the usual seven because of the increase in DVC points needed per night.


Still... I wasn't quite happy.


Sure, there was a better chance of good weather, but there was nothing going on that week. No Food & Wine, no Flower & Garden, no Halloween Party.... Just a whole lot of people in the parks. Not that WDW isn't absolutely wonderful "AS IS".... it's just that it would be fun to have something extra. But, I would deal.


Then I began to think about how much older the kids would be by the time we got back to Disney. Billy will be thirteen and Tricia will be a month shy of sixteen!! And Eddie (DStepson) will be.... OMG... twenty-two, and a senior in college!! We barely get to see that much of him now that he is away at school and he has not been able to join us on our last few trips. And once he graduates....

Well, of course, he will be a grown man with a job, etc.

I realized in that moment that this next Disney trip will most likely be the very last vacation that we would take together for a long, long time.


I decided that we had to plan our trip with Eddie, which means that I have to keep Eddie's school and work schedule in mind.






And that leaves me....









No other choice but....









To plan our next Disney Vacation for......

Christmas of 2011!!!

Do you think I am completely insane???




Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

Then you best get yourself a new ticker!!

I think that is a great choice for everyone!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Do you think I am completely insane???

No I don't! I would just plan on a different sort of Disney vacation where park time isn't always at the top of the list. I would think that Ed would love to have some relaxing time with Eddie and this just might be the time/trip to do it.

What dates are you looking at exactly?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Love the idea!!!!!!

What week though? If you are concerned about the crowds Christmas might be a little rough?!?!

 

[KathyRN137]

Well, I figure if we're going to deal with "level 8" crowds during Presidents' Week, we might as well go for "level 9" during Christmas Week.

It's going to be crowded, either way.

But,

I have the advantage of knowing how to tour the parks, plus, I've learned my lesson and now realize the importance of resort time.

We also have the Guest Assistance Card to help Billy...

I'm thinking these Dates: December 26 - January 2

Oh, BTW, our wedding anniversary is December 31.
That's right.

New Year's Eve!



Kathy

 

[shannn]

No I don't think you're crazy obviously!

Start reading some Christmas trip reports (you can read mine!) and getting an idea of what you should expect. It might be different from your other trips, but it can still be amazing. The decorations are incredibly beautiful!

It is really crowded but it can be done!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

well then..I think it must be done!

 

[jordanyosh]

Brook had a pretty good experience with the Christmas to New Years Crowds which is a good sign.

If you go in with your eyes open then I think you'll be okay....

just as long as this doesn't affect your ability to make a visit to PeepFest in 2012

 

[KathyRN137]

Then you best get yourself a new ticker!!

I think that is a great choice for everyone!

Amy, your wish is my command.... ta da! Brand new ticker!
*I wish Enchanted Tickers could be made for more than one year out!

(Hint, hint, mrsksomeday!!)

No I don't! I would just plan on a different sort of Disney vacation where park time isn't always at the top of the list. I would think that Ed would love to have some relaxing time with Eddie and this just might be the time/trip to do it.

What dates are you looking at exactly?

12/26 - 1/2.

Heidi, I have learned the value of relaxation at Disney, cross my heart!!

Love the idea!!!!!!

What week though? If you are concerned about the crowds Christmas might be a little rough?!?!

It will, of course, be the busiest week of the year (next to Easter Week), but I plan to plan (!) very carefullly and not over-do...

No I don't think you're crazy obviously!

Start reading some Christmas trip reports (you can read mine!) and getting an idea of what you should expect. It might be different from your other trips, but it can still be amazing. The decorations are incredibly beautiful!

It is really crowded but it can be done!

I will read your report.... and it was you who planted the little seed in my little brain... so its all your fault!!

well then..I think it must be done!

Whew! I thought I was crazy for even thinking it!

Brook had a pretty good experience with the Christmas to New Years Crowds which is a good sign.

If you go in with your eyes open then I think you'll be okay....

just as long as this doesn't affect your ability to make a visit to PeepFest in 2012

I am waiting to read how the rest of Brook's week went...

Jordan, it will be even better for PeepFest because now there will be six months between the trips instead of four. That's two more months to save $$ for the June trip! (FDM in action.) Of course, I will probably be coming to PeepFest with Ed only, or solo, depending on the dates and the kids' school schedule.



Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

I don't think Christmas 2011 is a bad time to go at all -- that's what we are planning ourselves. Only we are planning the week before Christmas, so you might want to change your dates so we can meet up!

 

[eandesmom]

I think it's brilliant!

I'd gladly suffer the crowds to be there at Christmas time, it will be so magical! And it is worth planning around all the schedules so everyone can make it.

 

[jordanyosh]

I am waiting to read how the rest of Brook's week went...

Jordan, it will be even better for PeepFest because now there will be six months between the trips instead of four. That's two more months to save $$ for the June trip! (FDM in action.) Of course, I will probably be coming to PeepFest with Ed only, or solo, depending on the dates and the kids' school schedule.



Kathy

Phew! That's good. I was getting a little worried.

 

[irish dancer]

Man, I can't keep up with this thread, it's moving so fast! I completely know how you feel as we too are in the same dilema with choosing vaca time that won't conflict with the kids schedules which are different since DS is at a different school from the girls.

Wow, Christmas in WDW! How exciting (and scary ). I agree with others a lot is in the expectations, if you go in knowing it's going to be crowded and plan accordingly you should be OK. I have to say I saw the WDW NYE fireworks live from someone streaming over the internet from the Poly and they were AMAZING!!

I can't wait to follow along on that PTR, but let's finish this one first.

 

[joy13]

I think with as much Disney experience as you have - you will be fine Christmas week!

 

[KathyRN137]

I don't think Christmas 2011 is a bad time to go at all -- that's what we are planning ourselves. Only we are planning the week before Christmas, so you might want to change your dates so we can meet up!

Oh, I wish I could do just that! Unfortunately, the kids have school...blah...blah...blah!

I think it's brilliant!

I'd gladly suffer the crowds to be there at Christmas time, it will be so magical! And it is worth planning around all the schedules so everyone can make it.

I know that you understand about the blended -family thing... and the teens-turning-into-adults-all-too-soon thing! Once I decided that we really needed to include Eddie, the choice became obvious.

Phew! That's good. I was getting a little worried.

Not to worry. We are skipping 2010 to save up the $$.
I will be there even if I have to hitch a ride to Florida and sleep in a bathtub!!

Man, I can't keep up with this thread, it's moving so fast! I completely know how you feel as we too are in the same dilema with choosing vaca time that won't conflict with the kids schedules which are different since DS is at a different school from the girls.

Wow, Christmas in WDW! How exciting (and scary ). I agree with others a lot is in the expectations, if you go in knowing it's going to be crowded and plan accordingly you should be OK. I have to say I saw the WDW NYE fireworks live from someone streaming over the internet from the Poly and they were AMAZING!!

I can't wait to follow along on that PTR, but let's finish this one first.

I have been preoccupied with the next trip but now that I've decided on the dates I can get back to writing...

Watching NYE fireworks from the Poly beach sounds great! I don't know if I would be able to brave a park on New Year's Eve!!

I think with as much Disney experience as you have - you will be fine Christmas week!

Well, aren't you sweet!

Yes, I'm sure that unprepared newbies are the ones who find themselves stuck on two-hour lines... poor newbies! What a blessing it is to have all this great info from the DIS!




Kathy