Advice needed ASAP please,please,please!

[gonnago]

I have a package booked with FD for Nov17-21 but am considering changing to Dec 15-19 for the following reasons

1) Airfare times and prices are better for Dec trip
2)Son and his family are considering going now also and there is no availability at Pop for Nov dates
3)I can booked a standard room in Dec as opposed to the preferred I had to book for Nov.

I have given myself a headache trying to figure out which would be the better time to go it seems the week of Nov is going to be busy at least at Pop and I have already made ADR's but my DH is not able to go now and told me to take our adult DD and DGS(age 2) instead so now I need to change ADR's to 3 instead of 2 and cannot find any availability now for a party of 3 or even 6 if Son and his family join us.But if I change to Dec the Adr window doesn't open until the 15th of this month and I would have a better chance of getting what we want.
It will be awhile before my son will be able to know if he can get his vacation time approved which is upsetting because they could get good airfare right now with southwest but am afraid the airfare will be alot higher after tomorrow.
And I was planning on going to MVMCP Nov20(thurs) but can go Dec16(tues) which I think may be less busy because I fear the crowds on the 20th due to the Thanksgiving crowds rolling in that day to take advantage of FD.

So for all those that have been at Disney in Nov/Dec which week do you think would be better? I really could use some advice because I have to make a decision by tomorrow so I can book airfare.I hope someone can offer a helping hand with this dilemma.

Ugh....vacations aren't suppose to be this complicated.

 

[Robo]

Expect smaller crowds on the Nov. dates.

 

[Boudin]

Are you sure you want to make this decision under stress when there are so many variables waiting to jump up and bite you? Why not kick the can down the road a bit until you are sure everybody can go and it's not such a stress fest.

 

[gonnago]

Expect smaller crowds on the Nov. dates.

Overall or just for MVMCP? There just seems like alot of people are going that same week in November(at least at Pop) because Dec shows availability in all room categories as opposed to none now for Nov dates.But yes I would like smaller crowds just finding it hard to believe Nov is already booked up that week but not Dec. but I know FD fills resorts but that doesn't mean parks will be crowded.I probably am not going to get any sleep tonight

 

[gonnago]

Are you sure you want to make this decision under stress when there are so many variables waiting to jump up and bite you? Why not kick the can down the road a bit until you are sure everybody can go and it's not such a stress fest.

I know there are alot of variables but the trip is a definate for myself,DD and DGS and to take advantage of the good airfare sale from southwest for the three of us unfortunately I do need to make a decision by tomorrow evening.I do not want to have to pay hundreds more in airfare by waiting.But I totally understand what you are saying.

 

[TriMom]

Since I'm not at all emotionally involved in this decision, it seems like an easy decision to me. You get a better price on airfare, a better price on room ( std vs. premium), and have your full window to make ADRs that fit your needs. There is a MVMCP available on your new dates. Let your son worry about his own airfare, and ask him for his best guess when it is time to make ADRs. It is easier to change from 6 to 3 than from 3 to 6. Just my 2 cents.

 

[gonnago]

Since I'm not at all emotionally involved in this decision, it seems like an easy decision to me. You get a better price on airfare, a better price on room ( std vs. premium), and have your full window to make ADRs that fit your needs. There is a MVMCP available on your new dates. Let your son worry about his own airfare, and ask him for his best guess when it is time to make ADRs. It is easier to change from 6 to 3 than from 3 to 6. Just my 2 cents.

See this is exactly what I was thinking just wanted to know if anyone rlse had the same thoughts.Are the crowds going to be that much higher in Dec to make a big difference?I have been twice in Nov once the first week and once the week after Thanksgiving the end of nov into the beginning of Dec.The trips were 2 years apart but noticed it was definately more crowded the week after Thanksgiving and the MVMCP on the 30th of November 2010 was crazy busy but never went to the party on the earlier trip in 2008 so I have nothing to compare it to other than the fact it was sold out on that date

 

[eyehartdisney]

If it helps any, there is availability in Pop for those dates. Just book it the 17-19 and the 19-21. When you get there, just request that you don't need to move rooms, it's never been a problem for me. Also, not sure where you live, but look at Southwest "Wanna get away" pricing. There's literally no better airline to go on, they give you two free checked bags, no assigned seating, which means everyone can sit together, and generally speaking is within 50 bucks of the cheapest prices of any other airline.

 

[gonnago]

If it helps any, there is availability in Pop for those dates. Just book it the 17-19 and the 19-21. When you get there, just request that you don't need to move rooms, it's never been a problem for me. Also, not sure where you live, but look at Southwest "Wanna get away" pricing. There's literally no better airline to go on, they give you two free checked bags, no assigned seating, which means everyone can sit together, and generally speaking is within 50 bucks of the cheapest prices of any other airline.

That won't work for the free dining offer has to be a minimum of 3 nights.I can book room only for one night for them but then they would be short on dining credits and have to pay oop which is an option but adds to the cost of their trip.And yes I am flying southwest first timer lol their prices are the best I could find especially during the sale right now.

 

[babydoll65]

Just because your not seeing any availability under the free dining promo doesn't mean the resort is filled to capacity. We were at POP a few years ago and we got free dining. We were told we got one of the few rooms they had left yet when we arrived it was very quiet. Not crowded at all. We went the second week of November.

 

[gonnago]

Just because your not seeing any availability under the free dining promo doesn't mean the resort is filled to capacity. We were at POP a few years ago and we got free dining. We were told we got one of the few rooms they had left yet when we arrived it was very quiet. Not crowded at all. We went the second week of November.

Thank You this eases my mind alot!

 

[DebbieB]

Did you compare the room prices? Dec 12 to 18 is peak season, Oct 13 to Nov 21 is fall season. A standard room at POP is $163 in peak vs $121 in fall season. That's why there are more empty rooms.

 

[gonnago]

Yes I did think I will just stick to my November dates but have to admit it would be fun planning again I just wish the airfare for date back would go down for the time I want seeing how the same flight in dec is showing @ 135 vs the 251 for nov same day of the week Friday but of course I am not paying that price I will just have to suck it up and take an earlier flight I guess.

 

[eyehartdisney]

if you can switch to a wed or thursday, the flights are generally cheaper. And since you said you were doing SW airlines, keep in mind the dec prices will do nothing but go up. If you think you'll do it in december at all, book now. It won't get cheaper than 135.

 

[gonnago]

Thanks everyone for all the replies and advice it is much appreciated.Just wanted to let you all know I finally decided to keep my Nov plans I decided I would prefer the less crowded time and as Robo pointed out Nov would be less crowded than Dec dates and if my sons family is able to go then we will deal with that issue cause we don't have to stay at the same resort(would be nice but not a deal breaker) and as stated in above post I would hate to see what price he would have to pay for airfare in December when he decides/finds out whether he can get vacation approved.