HELP! Need some advice on when to go

[TifferRN]

I am trying to plan our very first trip to disney with some very undecisive people. Orginally this was to be girls trip with our children- People going included myself, DS-12, DD10, my cousin and her DS-10, my sister and her DD-9. My sister and cousin are soooo wishy, washy- have done absolutely noooo planning and don't seem to care if we make ressies anytime soon. I am so excited to be going. I have become addicted to this page and all the planning- I've got the spreadsheet, the UG, the maps, I even ordered the Overland equipment bag ect... I have been trying to get them to give me a definite so I could book our rooms, ect for the last month, but they are still undecided. I am starting to stress out that we won't be able to get the rooms we want or the airplane tickets for that matter- not to mention ADRs!!
My children and I are going regardless of anyone else- I've already told them and they are ALMost as excited as me!! So I've decided to just book MY trip and my DM is now going with me!! I am even more excited now with her going b/c with 2 other sisters and 5 other grandchildren we NEVER get her to ourselves!! We have just made tentative plane reservations that they will hold for us until midnight tomorrow night for arriving on 11/14 and departing on 11/22. The flights are going so quickly! These were the best days to go for the most reasonable tickets. We would like MYW tickets c waterparks and more passes. We already have our US&IOA 2park-7day tickets. We would like to stay at Pop Century in a standard room in either the 50's or 70's section. I will be getting a AAA membership today before making our room ressies, car rental (for US&IOA days) and MYW passes.
My question is... We have the option to go on the above dates- 11/14-11/22 or should we wait and go 12/8-12/15? How much better of a price would it be.... and how much better would the crowds be? I know the first few days of our first option would be uncrowded, but then the Thanksgiving crowd would arrive. The children will miss more school if we go in December but it would only be 2 extra days and I have checked the school schedule to ensure they aren't missing any important tests. So basically if it is a huge savings and if the crowds are much better we will wait till December. I just need some help getting this info and deciding!!! Is it really a savings and worth waiting to go?

 

[all4fun]

We have been in the early part of December and the crowds are very managable plus you get to enjoy all the Christmas decor so that is what I recommend. hth and GL w/your wishy-washy relatives. I feel your pain!

 

[my3disneygirls]

First of all, good for you for just going for it. Don't let the family members who are not into it spoil your fun.

The week in December is the Pop Warner National Championships. I have been there for five years with my cheerleader daughters. They stay at the value resorts and Port Orleans Riverside. The parks can get crowded. I went that week because I had to, now that my girls are sick of Pop Warner I can go whenever I want. You may want to avoid that week.

 

[reginaastralis]

I think both of those weeks have good and bad value to them. No offense to the PP who's daughters were there ... but some of those cheerleaders are NUTS! I don't know how you feel about trying to walk through a pack of children with no adult supervision, but I wanted to run over some of them with my stroller. And PP, I know not all the girls are that bad ... I just seemed to attract droves of young girls w/o any adults with them that day.

I would probably go with the November dates. I just checked, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party starts Nov 13th. I believe they have the park decorated when that happens, I mean what kind of Christmas party would it be w/o the giant Christmas tree infront. Personally, that seems like the best of both worlds to me ... sure you might see a slight influx at the end of your vaca ... but it's Disney, who cares?

If it were me, I would try to go then, and hope things like the Grand Floridian were decorated and everything. I would check to see when they start decorating everything, someone on the DIS may know. I would also think about not getting the waterpark tickets ... It might be cool enough that they won't be needed. However, if this is something you want to do ... they're well worth it. Also, with your older children ... IOA will be AWESOME. I haven't been in years, but .. wow .. I wish Disney had some roller coasters like that.

 

[my3disneygirls]

I think both of those weeks have good and bad value to them. No offense to the PP who's daughters were there ... but some of those cheerleaders are NUTS! I don't know how you feel about trying to walk through a pack of children with no adult supervision, but I wanted to run over some of them with my stroller. And PP, I know not all the girls are that bad ... I just seemed to attract droves of young girls w/o any adults with them that day.

I would probably go with the November dates. I just checked, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party starts Nov 13th. I believe they have the park decorated when that happens, I mean what kind of Christmas party would it be w/o the giant Christmas tree infront. Personally, that seems like the best of both worlds to me ... sure you might see a slight influx at the end of your vaca ... but it's Disney, who cares?

If it were me, I would try to go then, and hope things like the Grand Floridian were decorated and everything. I would check to see when they start decorating everything, someone on the DIS may know. I would also think about not getting the waterpark tickets ... It might be cool enough that they won't be needed. However, if this is something you want to do ... they're well worth it. Also, with your older children ... IOA will be AWESOME. I haven't been in years, but .. wow .. I wish Disney had some roller coasters like that.

I know that the football players and cheerleaders can be nuts. Been there done that five times over. Many parents feel that in Disney that their children are safe and need no supervision. IMO In a place that is geared toward children you need to be more vigalent.

 

[TifferRN]

We just confirmed our reservations for November!! Thanks for all the great advice!!