Change from December to September -Is the free dining plan really worth it?

[princesslover]

We were planning to go to WDW the week of November 30-December 4th, but now I'm really tempted by the dining plan and considering changing our plans.

Is it worth it to change from December to September to get the deal? I've also heard December is a great time to go (the first two weeks). I am so torn!!

ETA: We have a 6 year old and a 2.5 year old.

 

[suz_cute]

I've been there both times of year that you are considering and I have to say its like comparing apples and oranges. In Sept, you will be getting the free dining (which we LOVE), however, it IS hurricane season. Be sure to buy trip insurance if you don't want to chance having a week worth of rain. (there are plans where you can cancel for any reason) The week we went, the weather was gorgeous, but two weeks prior to our departure it was hurricanes and gale force winds. Sept weather still is very hot and humid, but crowds are pretty low to moderate. We never waited more than 30 mins for any rides or attractions, and never needed to fast pass it.

In the first couple weeks of December, weather is great, but can be unpredictable at night. You may have a day of 80 during the day, and 50 at night. Christmas decor will be in full swing, the Osbourne lights will be up, which I think are all great things for little kids and adults alike! May not be able to enjoy as much pool time or waterparks as you would in September. With these boards and other similar publications, the first weeks of Dec has become increasingly more popular as the years go by. It used to be dead during these weeks, but due to attention, this is no longer the case. Expect moderate level crowds. If I had to pick between these two times of year, I would pick December in a heartbeat! Its one of our favorite times of year to go. Plus, if you live somewhere where its cold in Dec, 50 degrees feels balmy compared to 15! haha. I hope this helped you out, and didn't thoroughly confuse you!! Hope you have a wonderful trip, no matter what time you decide to go!!!!

 

[Elmo888]

We are going that same week after Thanksgiving!

Honestly, I think that comes down to what you want to deal with - the humidity and heat that comes with September and free dining or the possibly chilly weather and possible crowds in December and budget for dining. If it is going to be a big help financially to save on dining, I could see the attraction of September and free dining. For me, avoiding the heat and humidity overrides the attraction of free dining. I just don't want to spend my vacation outside and miserable (we already do that most of the summer!).

So I pick the possible crowds over heat and humidity (and, more importantly, DH in the heat and humidity, LOL!). I'd rather pay for dining and avoid the heat and humidity. We prefer January to avoid both the crowds and heat and humidity, but I want to experience Christmas decorations and events just once.

Have a great trip!

 

[princesslover]

Thanks so much suz_cute and elmo888. So cool that you will be there too, elmo. Where are you staying? We're looking at the WL. Part of the attraction of December is the Christmas Decorations and also, my dd#2's birthday is December 6.

Suz-cute, we live in Maine, and you are right, 50 is mighty nice to me!!

I still have to think about it more, but I almost think we'll stick with December.

 

[MarkinNM]

Well I switched from June to Sept for the FD and that alone will save me about $900 or so!!!!! With 2 teenaged kids the free food along is a deal too good to pass up!!!!

 

[JennSaint]

We were planning to go to WDW the week of November 30-December 4th, but now I'm really tempted by the dining plan and considering changing our plans.

Is it worth it to change from December to September to get the deal? I've also heard December is a great time to go (the first two weeks). I am so torn!!

ETA: We have a 6 year old and a 2.5 year old.

Our first trip to Disney was almost your identical dates. We flew to Disney the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and stayed for 6 nights. We missed all the Thanksgiving crowds and had very little wait times for rides. Plus all the Christmas decorations were up. I'm sure there will be some sort of discount for that timeframe. Not free dining but some discount. I would keep your plans and go in December.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Well worth it. Love the dinning plan.

 

[Elmo888]

Well I switched from June to Sept for the FD and that alone will save me about $900 or so!!!!! With 2 teenaged kids the free food along is a deal too good to pass up!!!!

This is a good point - since you have little kids and one of them is free (under 3) and the DDP is only $10 (or is it $11) a day per child, it isn't nearly as expensive to feed them!

Thanks so much suz_cute and elmo888. So cool that you will be there too, elmo. Where are you staying? We're looking at the WL. Part of the attraction of December is the Christmas Decorations and also, my dd#2's birthday is December 6.

We are staying at ASMusic Family Suites again (second time). While we love the WL, what I love more is sleeping in a different room than DDs! Again, it is about trade offs. Some people don't mind, but I am wondering when I won't mind sleeping in the same room with them. They don't just pass out from exhaustion. We stayed at WL for our honeymoon and for our first trip with DDs (6 and 2 at the time and it was the first time that we stayed with either of them in a hotel room), and we love the decor, proximity to the MK, etc. at WL (I haven't seen the Xmas decorations at WL in person, but it looks fantastic in the pics). I just value the space more!

 

[princesslover]

This is a good point - since you have little kids and one of them is free (under 3) and the DDP is only $10 (or is it $11) a day per child, it isn't nearly as expensive to feed them!



We are staying at ASMusic Family Suites again (second time). While we love the WL, what I love more is sleeping in a different room than DDs! Again, it is about trade offs. Some people don't mind, but I am wondering when I won't mind sleeping in the same room with them. They don't just pass out from exhaustion. We stayed at WL for our honeymoon and for our first trip with DDs (6 and 2 at the time and it was the first time that we stayed with either of them in a hotel room), and we love the decor, proximity to the MK, etc. at WL (I haven't seen the Xmas decorations at WL in person, but it looks fantastic in the pics). I just value the space more!

That IS a good point about the age of the kids - one is free and one is only $10.99 per day. (I'm still going back and forth on whether I want the deluxe DP or not...I can be talked into both at the moment!!

 

[mom2rtk]

All things being equal, I would take December HANDS DOWN over September. But it depends what you value. I have been recently in January, and December and LOVED the weather. (Disney in a sweatshirt is HEAVEN!) We did the Christmas party this last December and it was a lot of fun.

I despise the heat and would pick Dec or Jan again, but am dying to do the Halloween party. We were going to go late October, but couldn't resist the allure of $950 savings for free dining. So we're going in late Sept/early Oct. I'm bracing myself for more heat...... But I have to do the Halloween party at least once in my life!

If you haven't been at Christmas, I'd do December. If you haven't done Halloween at Disney, I'd check in 10/3, the latest possible check in date to still take adavantage of free dining. We would have waited til the last date, but my daughter's birthday is the last week of September and couldn't resist the chance to spend it in the Magic Kingdom!

My family voted hands down for the free dining because I'm such a bad cook.........

 

[floridascgirl]

We are heading down for a return stay at AKL Dec. 4-7. This will be our first time seeing the Christmas decorations and I'm ecstatic. My initial research showed this time as having very low crowds, but some of the posts that I have been reading lately are making me a bit wary. Can anyone comment on their experience during these dates? I just want to be prepared. Thanks!

 

[aliceinwdr]

We were there last year in mid Sept. on Free Dining - and yes it is hurricane season. The hurricane hit our house though and we evacuated to Disney! TAKE the insurance - we did not last year and booked it for this year - it would have covered some of my extra costs last year.

The heat was HOT (and we are from Texas) I realized Disney has NO mirrors over the sinks for a reason (they are small and hard to find in restrooms) they don't want you to see how hot and sweaty you are while you wash your hands.

The Free Dining was so worth it though - we used it to the best of our advantage and ate in the best retaurants. We had eight people on free dining and it was more than we could eat - and yes we traded in 27 snack credits for candy at Goofys on the last day. We had delicious meals - fun kids character meals -lots of snacks - and the casual dining worked too.

So - I took the bounceback for Free Dining this year at the latest date (early October) and here we go again! With vacation insurance, living on the coast my whole life we have had hurricanes on Halloween before....

I am hoping it is a few degrees cooler too. But after doing Free Dining - I could not spend the money on a regular vacation again!

 

[Don Disney]

We're with you Alice!!!