Help in planning, so many ?'s!!

[disneycjm]

Hi everyone!!

First off, I just want to say thanks to everyone who posts on this board. I have gotten so much info from them but know I am very overwhelmed!!! My DH and I are planning a suprise trip for DD for her birthday. We are planning on Dec. 19th thru the 24th. Here are my ?'s:

1. What is the possibility of the 5 for 7 being extended thru Dec?

2. We are first timers so which resort would you recommend? We don't plan on spending alot of time in the room but when we are want it to be comfy but not spendy.

3. Is this a good time to go as far as weather and crowds are concerned?

I am just so overwhelmed with the info. We considered POP but have heard so many negative responses with noise etc.

I need help from anyone who has gone at this time to give me some direction!!

Thanks!

 

[XStAnt]

Here are my thoughts, for what it's worth:

1) O wouldn't expect that particular offer to be extended. However, it's likely Disney will have some type of discount. Book your stay now and then apply the discount when/if it is announced.

2) Asking people on these boards which resort they recommned will probably just overwhelm you even more. You will get recommendations for every resort, plus the occaissional suggestion to stay off site. I'd think about your budget for a room and the amenities (mostly room size). POP and All-Stars will have the smallest rooms and only counter service. Moderates will have larger rooms and a sit down resaurant in addition to counter service. Deluxes will have the largest rooms (and they vary in size from one resort to another) and typically have 1-2 sit down restaurants plus some type of snack place for quick bites.

If you can afford a deluxe, give it a try. If you can afford a moderate, give that one a try. If you can only afford a value resort stay there. All of the resorts have their pluses and minuses. I wouldn't worry about anything negative you've heard about POP. If you read these boards you will find negative comments about all the resorts. Don't let them scare you.

3) Your dates are a good time to go, but crowds will be growing each day. They really explode on Xmas Day, but it can get quite busy 2-3 days before that. If you can go the week before it will be a great time to go--low crowds, decorations all around, the Christmas Party at MK, etc. But the week you have planned has all of that, just slightly larger crowds. With a little planning you should be able to see most things.

Go to the must do parks early in the week. By that I mean parks like MK are the ones people will spend the most time in and want to see the most. Some people aren't as interested in AK or Epcot and it is not as high a priority. If MK and MGM are your top priority, then do them early in the week when crowds will be lowest.