Help me decide when to go on our next trip!!!

[jellieo]

Ok...I can't resist the free dining plan, so I booked the POFQ for 8/26-9/1, before DD starts school. BUT, that said, I didn't get the resort I really wanted (WL). SO, we are considering doing a trip in Feb instead from 2/10-2/16...the week before President's Day. My DDs 6th birthday, and my birthday is that week. I would love to be there for our birthdays, plus we would definitely get the resort we want/need (proximity to MK is important). Of course, we don't know what the rates will be yet for 2008, and we'll have to either pay for DDP or not get it at all. Also along on the trip will be DH and DD, who will be 2 1/2 by Feb.

I'm wondering if she'll really be treated like a princess on her birthday, like I hear? Also, when do the crowds start to build for President's Day weekend? We'll be leaving I think the Saturday before President's Day. TIA!!!!

 

[DisneyMama27]

You really can't go expecting special birthday treatment. We've been on 3 birthdays - mine, DD8 and DS, when he was 8. We got LOTS of birthday wishes, birthday cake at meals (we ordered a cake - big mistake. Disney desserts are so good you don't need the extra, and any TS will bring a complimentary small cake, which is PLENTY) and DD got a free pin from a CM. I got to take my family on an extra front-row ride on Soarin', and my son was subjected to lots of embarrassment at Whispering Canyon. It really depends on the crowds (our birthdays were Sept and Jan, not busy times) and the CMs. We had a ton of fun going for our birthdays, but any perks were just icing on the birthday cake!

I say take both trips! I'd guess the crowds to be about the same. Free dining is popular, but Valentine's Day can be a real mess!

Good about August: Kids love POFQ (we've only done POR, but they love it), the dining plan is free, and your DH will get addicted to it and be willing to pay for it in future! (That's what happened to us! ) Also, DD will have a great experience to talk about when school starts.

Good about Feb: Cooler weather, birthday fun, mid-year break, stay at WL.

That's my 2 cents - good luck and happy birthday!

 

[Elmo888]

I would do what makes you happy. We had a similar dilemma. I originally wanted to go in late October (regular season) before my youngest DD turned 3 (free under 3!), but I was too late booking and there weren't any rooms left where I wanted (ASMu Family Suites). I decided that I would be happier staying where I wanted (I don't want to share a bedroom with DDs again!) in January (value season) even though we are paying a bit more because my younger DD will be 3 by then.

The beginning of Feb. is value season for the resorts, and DDP will be about $90 a day (2 adults and 1 child). Maybe you can crunch the numbers to figure it out (plan on a 7 percent increase in resort rates from year to year)? If you crunch numbers, maybe you can figure out if you can afford the resort that you want at the time of year that you want with the DDP.

Years ago, when I was buying a car, my dad said that I would be happier paying more for something I loved than less for something that I wasn't crazy about. That was good advice for most major purchases.