Early December trip with DD - ideas?

[weschmom]

I just started considering this. I took just my DD in Jan '07 when she was 5YO and we had a ball. Then in Jan '08 all 4 of us went (including DH and DS2.5). Well, we felt it was still too early for DS -- he saw some good stuff, but we felt like most of the trip was spent shuttling back and forth to the hotel for naps and finding food to eat. My DH is in NO hurry to go back to Disney any time soon. But my DD (who will be 7 in Jan '09) LOVES it there, and I have to admit, I do too. So we're tossing the idea of me taking just her again. But...I have to figure out a way to break it to my son that he isn't going (he has fond memories of our Jan trip and I think he will be crushed if I take his sister and not him).

Aside from all that drama....I'd be looking at a trip sometime in the December 6-19, 2008 range. We have year-round school here and my DD is tracked out then.

What are crowds and lines like at that time of December? We are January people and even though that is supposedly the LEAST crowded time to go, the crowds still feel like a lot to us. Am I nuts for even considering this?

Thanks for your help.

Mindy

 

[BigMickeyFan]

We took our 3 yr old DD for the first time Nov 25 - Dec 2 last year, and we thought it was great! Weather was wonderful, crowds weren't bad, and all the Christmas decorations were up, which we love! I would definitely go at that time again. However, I'm told not to go during Pop Warner week which I believe is the week after that (prob 6th through 13th this year?). Rumor has it that sometimes the kids are rowdy and unchaperoned, making for not such a fun time. We started to see them trickling in while we were there, toward the end of the week, but didn't have any problems.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time!

 

[bluwater]

Not sure how you would get away with taking one child and not the other...unless he gets a trip with Dad - someplace just as fun for him.

Is your DH willing to do something else with your DS?

 

[weschmom]

Is your DH willing to do something else with your DS?

Oh yeah...definitely. Not sure what yet, though. Still thinking about that one....

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

What a great thing for you and your daughter to do!!! DD and I started going together years ago - just the two of us and loved it! She's grown now but we will always have Disney! Maybe Dad can do something special with your son.

Early December is our favorite time to go! In fact, I am getting married this fall and we are honeymooning the first week in December and uh, DD(21) and DS(24), DIL(23) and DGS(4mos) are going too! The only stipulation I made was that had to stay in a different resort!

Have a great trip making memories that last a lifetime!!

 

[weschmom]

Next question -- have any codes come out for early to mid December for mod or deluxe, including dining plan?

THANKS!!!

 

[Taja]

Next question -- have any codes come out for early to mid December for mod or deluxe, including dining plan?

THANKS!!!

No codes for December yet. I think the latest ones go through late September.

Usually the codes are for room only, but they sometimes offer package specials as well. You'll have to do the math to see what works best--if they offer anything. Fingers crossed that they do--I'm planning to be at WDW 11/28/08 - 12/09/08! Decent AAA room only discount--it will do in a pinch!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Next question -- have any codes come out for early to mid December for mod or deluxe, including dining plan?

THANKS!!!

There were pin codes and bounceback offers earlier this year that covered part of your dates (12/7-12/13). But if you are flexible with where you want to stay, something will probably come out sometime next month to cover some of them again.

 

[weschmom]

There were pin codes and bounceback offers earlier this year that covered part of your dates (12/7-12/13).

Sorry if this is a dumb question...what is a pin code and bounceback offer???

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Sorry if this is a dumb question...what is a pin code and bounceback offer???

Pin Codes are specific discounts aimed at certain people. You are either emailed them or receive a post card in the mail. It seems lately they are geared toward those who have not been in awhile and ordered a vacaction planning DVD.

Bounceback is a discount Disney somtimes offers to guests currently staying on WDW property. If you make your ressie for your next vacation while you are staying on site, you get a discounted room rate. They don't offer it al all times of the year, plus the dates that you have to choose from for your next vacation are usually off season.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[vtwep]

a previous poster mentioned pop warner...in all the reading I've done here, I've concluded that pop warner is a non-factor unless:

a) you are staying at the same resort as the teams (I believe the All-Star resorts and Port Orleans...but not certain); and

b) you are planning to do DS on a certain night - apparently they get that park for a night.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!

Have a great trip!

 

[weschmom]

Thanks vtwep. I was indeed wondering about the impact of Pop Warner, because it looks like the week they are there (Dec 6-13) would be the best for our calendar. We would NOT be staying at the resorts you mentioned, so that's good news.

I guess my biggest issue is crowds. I don't want to spend a ton of time waiting in lines. Mid-January is do-able, but much more than that and I'm not sure I can take it.

Thanks!

 

[skipperkim]

Crowds aren't bad that time of year. It is so beautiful at WDW at Christmas time and so much to do. Your DD would love Holidays Around the World and the Osborne Lights are awesome. Don't forget there's MVMCP too. Epcot also has Candlelight Processional and a tree lighting ceremony.