Help us choose when to go!

[kelleigh1]

We're in the early stages of planning a 2007 trip and we've got two time frames in mind.

Last week of September. September 23-30
Week after Thanksgiving. November 25-December 2

Which would you recommend and why? It will just be hubby and I.

We'd originally thought September since it's after school is back in session, so the crowds will be lighter. We also thought that with the possibility of free dining, why not?

But then we started thinking about the week after Thanksgiving, also because crowds are supposed to be so small then and because we'd get to see the holiday decorations. And Hubby's birthday is Dec. 1.

I'm wondering if September may be busier because (a) the potential for free dining, and (b) after reading these boards, it sounds like MNSSHP is going on now. Does that increase the crowd levels?

So, which would you think would be the better time for a couple of 30-year-old kids to visit WDW?

 

[iluveeyore]

Free dining would be awesome, but I would have to say go when you can enjoy the holiday decorations. We've been once at Christmas with our kids, but DH and I strolled around alone one night, and the lights are incredible. Especially the Osbourne Family Holiday Spectacular (or whatever it's called) at MGM. All the resorts are amazing with the lights and trees and are worth touring just for that reason. I hope we can go back during the holidays sometime in the near future. It's great seeing the Christmas parade too if it starts then - it was on every day while we were there at MK. And the storytelling by St. Nicholas at Epcot in Great Britain was neat too. There's just a different atmosphere and different things to see during the holidays that you don't normally experience the rest of the year. So if you're not on a tight budget and you can afford to eat, I'd go after Thanksgiving. You could always rent points from a DVC member and get a studio or one bedroom to make some meals if you want to save some $ too.
Have a great time whatever you decide!

 

[julsmom]

I also think Christmas is the BEST. It is unlike anything else.

 

[MamaQuack]

I'd go for hubby's b'day and the joy of seeing all the decorations.

 

[Piglet42]

I was there Sept 19-24 in 2004 and Sep 15-21 in 2005, however as great as it was and crowd levels were very manageable, I would love to see the Christmas Decorations. Don't forget, I think MVMCP starts in November, so you should be able to see that instead. I watched a show in the travel channel about Christmas at Disney, and it looks so amazing.

 

[Linzybrooke]

I would lean towards Chrismas. DH and I Honeymooned the week after Christmas in 2004 and it was perfect, the weather was warm but cool at night we got to go to MVMCP and the holiday decorations are gorgeous!

 

[lynn71092]

That's a tough one.
The Food and Wine Festival would probably be going on in September which is really a lot of fun especially for 30 somethings. However, I have to agree, if you've never gone during the holidays, I would also vote for the last week of November.

 

[kelleigh1]

I think hubby really wants to go after Thanksgiving too...not because it's his birthday, but because we had seen a Disney holiday special this past Christmas (actually several times) and he just really loved watching the gingerbread house being built and all the decorations.

I definitely married a big kid!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Go for the week after Thanksgiving. We did this in 2005 and had a GREAT time. The crowds were nothing...we walked onto most rides with little of no wait. I can't say enough about the Christmas decorations. Everything was just beautiful (We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, if you want a resort trimmed out for Christmas). Also, we did MVMCP one night, and that was a lot of fun. It was also my DH's 40th birthday, and he had a fun day ! Everyone really makes over you if it's your birthday. My DH wore his birthday button he got in the park. During the MVMCP parade, Belle gave him a special little wave and mouthed "Happy Birthday". Even Santa called Happy Birthday to him from the final float. You will have a great time !!

 

[hmp2z]

Another thing you might want to consider is the SWARMS of lovebugs that will be around if you go at the end of September. We live here now (about 5 miles from WDW entrance), and those darn bugs are out in tremendous quantities for their annual mating season. When you go outside, you have to brush them off, they get into your balcony, die on the chairs, etc. They're not gross, just annoying, and you don't have those to contend with in November.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Karnak]

Being retired and living in Florida, only a four or five hour drive from WDW, I can visit WDW anytime I wish. (And, yes, I am very thankful for that.)

Having said that, you can see when I chose to make my next visit to The World by looking below this post.

Enjoy.

 

[kelleigh1]

Being retired and living in Florida, only a four or five hour drive from WDW, I can visit WDW anytime I wish. (And, yes, I am very thankful for that.)

Having said that, you can see when I chose to make my next visit to The World by looking below this post.

Enjoy.

And staying at POFQ, I see! We stayed there back in January and loved it, but we're thinking about Caribbean Beach Resort this time. As much as we loved POFQ, I want the chance to experience another resort before we decide what our "home" resort will be - plus, we just never know when we might get back again.

 

[pamrob]

We have been in September and early December. While I really enjoyed free dining, I absolutely love the weather in early December and the holiday decorations. I would chose late Nov/early Dec.