Experienced DVCers - please help me decide when to go

[discott71]

We took our first trip home to AKV Kidani in May (loved it!!) and I'm already planning 2010 ! DH thinks I'm nuts, but I can't wait to go back! So, I've already decided that I want to take next year's trip when the holiday decorations are up. However, we don't care to go when crowds are crazy and at their peak. We have 3 kids - at the time of travel I will have a 6th grader, a 3rd grader and one in kindergarten. We have pulled them out of school the last 2 years to go during an off peak time and it's worked out fine so no flames please. Just want to know what you guys think. I am considering the following -

1 - Week of Veterans day (Nov. 11)
2 - Week before Thanksgiving
3 - Week after Thanksgiving

My husband suggested week of Thanksgiving, but I'm scared of how crowded it will be.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[jimmacmn]

We have been several times the week after Thanksgiving and the first two weeks of December. We have had a wonderful time and the crowds were managable. From a DVC standpoint, this is a very popular time, so I'd make my reservations at 11 months at my home resort. The likelyhood of getting something at 7 months at a non-home resort is not very good (doable but not likely).

The decorations and atmosphere during the holiday season at WDW is awesome. Everyone should do it at least once.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you want to see all of the holiday decorations, including the Osborne Lights, you have to go after Thanksgiving. The earlier in December that you go, I think it's the best as far as crowds, although there usually is something like Pop Warner around that time and you may hit the Christmas Parade taping. However, you may also hit the "DVC Association" Meetings then and you may be interested in attending.

I can't get away until the second or third week in December, but I plan as soon as I see my exam schedule.

Yes, book what you want at 11 months!

Bobbi

PS. Our family DCL cruise will be the week of Veteran's day next 2010, so at least part of our family will be taking children out of school then too! Last year we went as a family around November 17th. We did go to a MVMCP then and the decorations around the resorts were going up that week, but you can't count on other Christmas decorations being up then.

 

[MikeNY]

We have found the week after Thanksgiving to be one of the least crowded weeks out of the entire year. We'll be there this year at the Boardwalk!

 

[TINKERIFIC]

Week after Thanksgiving.

 

[Monte Cristo]

We have found the week after Thanksgiving to be one of the least crowded weeks out of the entire year. We'll be there this year at the Boardwalk!

Agreed, and we'll see you there at the same time, same place.

 

[discott71]

If you want to see all of the holiday decorations, including the Osborne Lights, you have to go after Thanksgiving. The earlier in December that you go, I think it's the best as far as crowds, although there usually is something like Pop Warner around that time and you may hit the Christmas Parade taping. However, you may also hit the "DVC Association" Meetings then and you may be interested in attending.

I can't get away until the second or third week in December, but I plan as soon as I see my exam schedule.

Yes, book what you want at 11 months!

Bobbi

PS. Our family DCL cruise will be the week of Veteran's day next 2010, so at least part of our family will be taking children out of school then too! Last year we went as a family around November 17th. We did go to a MVMCP then and the decorations around the resorts were going up that week, but you can't count on other Christmas decorations being up then.

Is Pop Warner football leagues (sorry, I'm clueless ) ? Does it get crazy?

Bobbi - I follow many of your posts and value your input! Thanks for responding. I'm definitely leaning the week after Thanksgiving - I can't wait !!

 

[buzz5985]

Is Pop Warner football leagues (sorry, I'm clueless ) ? Does it get crazy?

Bobbi - I follow many of your posts and value your input! Thanks for responding. I'm definitely leaning the week after Thanksgiving - I can't wait !!

And don't forget to bring their Holiday outfits - so you can get their photos taken. We did that with my DS one year. Disney had a red sweater, with hidden mickeys in white accross the chest - we just carried it around with us, and would pose him in front of the decorations. Great Christmas card that year.

Janis

 

[jekjones1558]

I agree that the week after Thanksgiving will allow you to experience almost all of the Christmas festivities. I don't know if you mean to start on Thanksgiving and go for a week or if you would come the first full week after Thanksgiving but early December is a very popular DVC time. While WDW overall is not busy, DVC rooms book very quickly for that time frame. If you want to book in a popular category (AKV concierge, BW view, BW standard, some BLT categories, etc.), it will be important to call right at 11 months if you are eligible.
Have fun planning and on your trip. That is my absolute favorite time to be at WDW. You will love it!

 

[kapeman]

Is Pop Warner football leagues (sorry, I'm clueless ) ? Does it get crazy?

We were there last year and didn't really notice any difference. We saw a few groups, but it was hardly noticeable.

And don't forget to bring their Holiday outfits - so you can get their photos taken. We did that with my DS one year. Disney had a red sweater, with hidden mickeys in white across the chest - we just carried it around with us, and would pose him in front of the decorations. Great Christmas card that year.

Janis

We did the same thing and got some GREAT Christmas cards of our two boys!!!

 

[discott71]

I agree that the week after Thanksgiving will allow you to experience almost all of the Christmas festivities. I don't know if you mean to start on Thanksgiving and go for a week or if you would come the first full week after Thanksgiving but early December is a very popular DVC time. While WDW overall is not busy, DVC rooms book very quickly for that time frame. If you want to book in a popular category (AKV concierge, BW view, BW standard, some BLT categories, etc.), it will be important to call right at 11 months if you are eligible.
Have fun planning and on your trip. That is my absolute favorite time to be at WDW. You will love it!

I'm thinking of checking in the Saturday after Thanksgiving and staying untill the following Sunday. I will definitely call at the 11 month mark! We are AKV members and we're thinking of concierge, but we loved Kidani so much in May!

Thanks everyone for your advice!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

The decorations are only part of the magic at Christmas. You'll also want to look at the schedule for the Candlelight Processional (do yourself a favor and do the dinner package), the Osborne Family Lights at DHS, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.

I don't think the CP or Osborne lights start until after Thanksgiving. MVMCP starts earlier in November, but has limited dates. Not sure that the 2010 schedule has been published yet, but you can get an idea from the 2009 dates.