Changes in Value Season

[boomersmom]

I have just started researching for a possible trip to DisneyWorld this fall. We have previously always traveled in the fall because this was Value Season fro resorts. However from reading these boards, this apparently is no longer true. When did they change the value season and is fall still a good time to go? Are discounts ever offered? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[grimley1968]

Looks to me like value season this year is very similar to last year. In fact, when I look on disneyworld.com, it lists the period from 7/5 to 10/4 as a value period. There's another one from 11/26 to 12/19. That's a huge chunk of the fall as value season. Now this is for WL, and may be different than it would be for value or moderate resorts. But I think it's similar for all the resorts.

There are always some kinds of discounts, whether you use AAA, get some freebie (like the free dining package we got last fall), or a room discount (off the value season price). They seem to be having fewer discounts this year than last, but I bet they can still be found.

 

[boomersmom]

We have always gone mid to late October or early November because rates seemed lower then. It seemed that we picked those times because it was value season. We haven't been since October 2004. Maybe I am mistaken.

 

[loveswdw]

Value season did used to be just about the entire fall season. But Disney quickly figured out that lots of people like to go in the fall due to better weather and special events. Lots of people go for Food & Wine Fest, Funai Classic, etc. So they figured they bump those times up to regular season since there are more crowds. At least, that's my take on it.

 

[spiceycat]

the food/wine festavial is a BIG success so Disney raised their prices...

plus there is that golf thing, and I think something else in sports. I am not a sports fan.

I would expect it to be Sept 30 - Nov 13 - then again for thankgiving week in regular season.

thanksgiving week is getting more popular each and every year. more kids are out that week than before.

if you are looking for an unbusy time - Sept and Jan are still pretty uncrowded - although Jan is getting busier....

 

[boomersmom]

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering about weather in September - I am concerned about hurricanes.

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Pre-2005 November was in Value season, in 2005 it became part of Regular season.

I've done at least 3 early November trips during Jersey week, and it was value season until 2005.

 

[loveswdw]

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering about weather in September - I am concerned about hurricanes.

September is usually HOT HOT HOT! We used to travel a lot the week after Labor Day. Never had any hurricane activity that week. But WDW closed two days after we left for Hurricane Floyd I believe.

Then this year we went mid Oct. and had to contend with one of the coming storms. Luckily it stalled and we left before it hit. Plus October this trip was unusually hot. Near 90 everyday we were there. Oct 2003 when we went it was the best weather ever (low 80s and sunny every day). This October it was miserably hot. I took 2 showers a day each day.

With the crazy hurricane season last year, I really don't know if there is a "safe" time during the fall anymore. You just have to make your plans and hope you won't have to change them.