Best time, Rates, and other questions

[kitkatsmom]

Hey dis board.

Hoping you can help.

The 5 of us (2 adults and 3 kids)
want to take a trip to disney world this upcoming year (2008)

Just curious what the best time to go would be (off season or value season)
in all of your opinion.

I was thinking either march 08 (end of month) or oct 08
Not sure if their good choices.

We went in 2004 in April (end of month) and it was HOT and somewhat crowded. But enjoyable for the most part.

Also, I know this question must get asked a lot but I can't seem to find an answer...
When do the 2008 rates come out for the disney resorts AND when do the deals come out? (specials?)

Also, with 3 kids are choices of places to stay are limited.
Last time we were at the PO riverside, which we could do again but I was thinking the Family suites (value resort) might offer us more space? Any opinions on that? I'd like to have more room since there are 5 of us but don't want to spend a fortune on a higher end room since we really aren't in the room a lot.

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[SnowWhite12]

We have been that week in Oct. before, and it was very enjoyable. Weather was nice and not near as crowded. but IMO November is the absolute best time to go (except for Thanksgiving week).

 

[Princess Roo]

I'd avoid late March '08 if you can...Easter is March 23rd, so the week before and after will be some of the most crowded all year!! (That said, we are going the first week of April, but that wouldn't be our choice if October was an option!). October should have good weather, be less crowded, and you'll also have the option of the Halloween Party if your family would like that.

I *love* POR and dislike the All-Stars, so I would probably choose to be more crowded at POR, unless it's a big problem for your family. I don't know the answer to your question about 2008 rates, but I have heard that the Family Suites fill up quickly, so if you do decide on March I would book ASAP. You can always cancel. (You can book before the rates are available.) Also, many of the specials/deals cannot be applied to the suites, which may affect your choice. Depending on your comfort level with this, another option is to get two value or moderate rooms and request (this cannot be guaranteed, however!) connecting rooms, with the door in between.

 

[pumpkin5156]

I really recommend you getting "The Unoffical Guide to WDW with kids," by Bob Sehlinger. I just bought a used copy off of Amazon for $8!! I'ev devoured it in less than 2 days! It is so informative and amazing and wonderful and will answer every question you have and more. It just came out this year, and has a website to go along with it for updates and things. buy it! You won't regret it.

 

[carissanboys]

Is January out of the question? We're going this January and I think it's going to be a great time. It's value season, the weather will be cooler, and less crowds. Can't beat it! (I hope anyway)

 

[Jenn]

End of March will be peak crowds and peak prices because Easter falls early in 2008. I would go with October.

 

[nmartin]

We were looking for rooms for 5 people and it is difficult. You can get a suite at the moderate price resorts but are booked very quickly. Our travel agent was unabe to book one for us but I called myself and presto one was available for the same day. We saw pictures of that room and it was very small. Another option is to stay at a moderate resort and bring in a trundle bed in the regular room (I think it was port orleans) but again a space issue. We decided on renting 2 rooms ajoining at a value resort just to increase the space. Also the suites are excluded to most of the discounts offered. We are going in September to take advantage of free dinning. I live in Canada and that offer became available at the beginning of April. It saved us over $1000 so basically that is what sealed the deal for us. It is hot, but crowds are low and school is just starting so it is good with the kids schedule as won't be missing much as review anyway.

Most people I talk to agree that Febuary and November are the best times.

Hope that helps

 

[maninthebox]

For our last trip we went at the end of January and it worked out very well. Although the weather was nice enough to go to the water parks one day, the rest were relatively cool. If that is something you would like to do I would think that February would be a better choice. Our next trip is in November so I hope everyone is right about that being a good time to go.

We also have the same problem as you with the rooms. It is tough to find one to fit five comfortably, which is why we chose to stay offsite. I know that we are losing out a little not staying on site, but for us the extra room and lower cost makes it worth it.

 

[Doc CW]

Oct 08 would probably be best b/c of the smaller crowds and better weather.