How bad will the traffic be Memorial Day weekend?

[crusoe2]

We're planning a trip for 5/26-6/2 and trying to decide whether to stay on-site or off. Would love the space and amenities we can get for a comparable price (or less) if we stay offsite but I'm worried about the traffic. We also may really need to cut costs to make the trip possible (depends on how hard Uncle Sam hits us this year). I figure if we stay offsite we will not only save money on our accommodations but will probably save on food, too, since we'll be more likely to eat at offsite restaurants. If we stay onsite we tend to not leave the property the whole trip. Will traffic be a lot heavier than usual due to the holiday weekend? What about the waits at offsite restaurants?

 

[5mins2disney]

We've been down the last 2 Memorial Day weekends in a row, and honestly, it wasn't that bad at all! We stayed in Windsor Hills and took the backdoor "shortcut" route to/from the parks using Sherberth Road off of US-192...but traffic / parking / etc really wasn't all that bad. We ate in quite a few WDW restaurants for dinners, and generally eat breakfast / lunch at home / on our own, but I think it's a great time of year to be there...MUCH less crowded, than, say, Easter, Thanksgiving, Xmas.

 

[crusoe2]

Thank you - that's good news. We've gone back and forth on where to stay for this trip. Some of my in-laws are joining us and we had booked a wonderful house through Romancing the Mouse. This would have been extremely economical since we would have been splitting the cost 3 ways but as we began planning I realized that the arrangement wasn't going to work out. My in-laws were planning meals, cookouts, park days, etc and we were not being included in the discussion let alone the decision making - I think we would have felt like we were the ones who had tagged along on their vacation instead of the other way around. Anyway, I digress (but it sure was nice to vent a little ). We booked the Spring package that just came out a couple weeks ago but I'm afraid it's going to be a little tight for us to pay the balance of the package 45 days before the trip - too many other expenses hitting at the same time. If we're going to re-book anyway I would like to reconsider offsite for both the potential savings and the possibility of getting roomier accommodations for the money. We're "navigationaly challenged" , tho, so we sure don't want to add major traffic to the mix.

 

[sammielynn]

Like 5mins2dis we have been there for the last two Memorial Day and it really was not that bad. We always stay off-site because of the cost and wanting more room for the family.

 

[FLParadisevilla]

I am glad to hear that! We are going down May 24 - June 5. I don't like being there for the High Traffic times! LOL

 

[5mins2disney]

Thank you - that's good news. We've gone back and forth on where to stay for this trip. Some of my in-laws are joining us and we had booked a wonderful house through Romancing the Mouse. This would have been extremely economical since we would have been splitting the cost 3 ways but as we began planning I realized that the arrangement wasn't going to work out. My in-laws were planning meals, cookouts, park days, etc and we were not being included in the discussion let alone the decision making - I think we would have felt like we were the ones who had tagged along on their vacation instead of the other way around. Anyway, I digress (but it sure was nice to vent a little ). We booked the Spring package that just came out a couple weeks ago but I'm afraid it's going to be a little tight for us to pay the balance of the package 45 days before the trip - too many other expenses hitting at the same time. If we're going to re-book anyway I would like to reconsider offsite for both the potential savings and the possibility of getting roomier accommodations for the money. We're "navigationaly challenged" , tho, so we sure don't want to add major traffic to the mix.

You've figured out that the bigger of a place you get, and split it, the more economical it becomes for everyone! (I tell people this all the time).....you've also figured how though that there are times and good reasons for each getting your own, separate place it sounds like! LOL (Families...we all have time! )

Personally we feel that you're always going to get a lot better place for your $$, the larger pool homes can be just an incredible vacation experience and real value for your vacation dollar!

If it were me, I would let them plan any way they like and make my own plans for my own family. We're going down in April, for instance, with my Sister, BIL, and they have a 2 year old daughter. We told them not to worry about us for their park plans, etc, their daughter won't make it through a day in the parks and needs naps / etc, and our kids are older and would want to do different things anyways! The last thing anyone needs on a WDW vacation is someone else planning it for them! We'll each plan our own itineraries and meet up to swim in our pool, do a few dinners together, etc, and if we don't even end up in the parks together that's fine by us!

The whole point is for EVERYone (including the adults) to have a good time, it's supposed to be a vacation after all, right!? I'd just say something like "I'm glad you have your itinerary all planned out we'll be planning our own soon too and let you know where they overlap, if at all!" =p (Of course I don't know your inlaws, this wouldn't work in all families! LOL)

- George

 

[FLParadisevilla]

I couldn't agree more with you George! It can be hard when there are groups of people going but the best thing to do is remember that its everyone's vacation and to enjoy!!

 

[crusoe2]

George, what you've suggested is exactly what I'm doing. I'm trying to choose a place to stay and planning our park days as it suits my family and if we all spend some time together, great. If not, that's O.K. too. We've been planning on this trip for quite awhile and some of the inlaws kinda invited themselves along. That's fine with me as long as everybody plays nice but when others start making decisions they expect me to fall in line with and making statements that include "our stipulations are..." things are bound to get contentious. This is a much anticipated trip for my family - we haven't been in almost 4 years due to some major financial difficulties and we are looking forward to finally taking our 4yo DD. She has been asking to go for nearly 2 years so, needless to say, we are very excited about this trip. My DH and I just decided it would be best if everyone made their plans seperately so that everyone gets what they want out of their vacation (especially us).