I Might Cancel our Free Dining Trip

[antmaril]

I booked our trip on April 12th for Free Dining in September. We weren't really planning another trip to the World this year (we were there in January at the BWI), but I've always thought Free Dining would be fun. (We've never done the Dining Plan - free or not.)

I booked four nights at CSR. However, the heat and humidity (not to mention the lovebugs) don't really appeal to me. When our son was younger, we would go in the summer and I HATED it. Now that he's in college we go in January and I LOVE it. No crowds, no heat, no humidity, no rain, no bugs.

I've always wanted to go in December to see the Christmas decorations. If I book a package thru AAA and get a discount on the room and add the Dining Plan, it's only about $200 more than Free Dining (no discount on room).

I'm going to think about it a little longer, but I think I may cancel.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

To me, its just too hot in Sept. October is more my temperature.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I would do the same. I would never book a trip just for free dining. I say if you're used to January, you would probably hate September. Plus, when it's really hot out - who wants to eat a big hot meal everyday?

 

[FayeW]

I gave some thought to booking as well, and at the end it came down to the fact that I don't want at a time of year that I don't want to be there, just to get some free food. We all know the food is really free anyway, since they charge a higher rate for the accomodations. We prefer first week of Dec. No hurricanes to worry about (usually), airfare and hotels are cheap, low crowds. Works for us.

 

[antmaril]

I agree. It's not really free and the price you pay for that "free" food is the extreme heat and humidity. I'm going to talk to my DH tonight. He only goes because it makes me happy. He can take or leave it anyway.

We are so used to January, I think we will hate September.

 

[missmun52]

I would pay the extra 200 to go the time you want. Its your vacation and you should enjoy it!

I did not mind the heat when I went last year and the rain did not bother me either, in fact I loved it (as long as the parks stay open). My DH and I did not even use the fans much or the fans with the spray. I was so prepared for the heat (had 5 fans, two with sprays for two adults and a baby) we only used the one that attached to the stroller for the baby. That being said its a great time for me to go, I love it!. I will not go in the colder times because I dont want to wear a jacket on my vacation and I wont go earlier in the summer because of the crowds and cant go any other times because of class.

To each his own. Do what makes you feel happy, a discount means nothing if you dont enjoy yourself .

 

[antmaril]

A discount means nothing if you don't enjoy yourself .

Exactly what I'm thinking. I'm not a warm weather person. When we were at WDW in January the temps were in the high 60's and low 70's and I was in heaven. We don't use the pool, so it's not an issue.

 

[RachelTori]

I've always wanted to go in December to see the Christmas decorations. If I book a package thru AAA and get a discount on the room and add the Dining Plan, it's only about $200 more than Free Dining (no discount on room).

I'm going to think about it a little longer, but I think I may cancel.

Personally, I don't think there's a more wonderful time of year to go than when the Christmas decorations are up. We've gone the past 3 Decembers and last year we actually spent Christmas Eve and Day at WDW. We're still talking about how wonderful it was!

 

[antmaril]

Personally, I don't think there's a more wonderful time of year to go than when the Christmas decorations are up. We've gone the past 3 Decembers and last year we actually spent Christmas Eve and Day at WDW. We're still talking about how wonderful it was!

I would probably book a trip the second week of December. I don't think it would be too crowded and we would certainly be in the mood for Christmas.

 

[RachelTori]

I would probably book a trip the second week of December. I don't think it would be too crowded and we would certainly be in the mood for Christmas.

That would be a great time to go! Crowds are manageable up until about 2 days before Christmas. Have fun and make sure you visit resorts like GF, WL, BWI, BC/YC, AKL which all have fabulous decorations in their lobbies. Oh, and make sure you take in a Candlelight Processional. Have fun!

 

[Captn Jack Sparrow]

If you are used to the January weather then December would definatley be more your style. If memory serves the second week in December is not summertime crowded but there are people there. I found the first week to be much less crowded.

Either way go have fun during Christmas time at a most magical place.

 

[monami7]

I would just add that it may just have been our experience but after almost always going in Oct. or Jan. we went for Christmas last year '06. We were so looking forward to the Christmas stuff and all.
Well, lets just say we will NEVER go in Dec. again. We had heard so many good things about Christmas in WDW. I felt that other than a few trees it was nothing special. There was a villiage at Boma on the TV show and I had always wanted to see it. So we went to Boma. When we got there I could not find itr so I asked the CM. She said Oh, we didn't do it this year. HUH But that was what we are here for the famous Christmas decorations? Where are they?
To add to it the MVMCP was not much different than a busy day in the parks. EMH's are better in my opinion and free. The parade was wonderful but we felt a bit ripped off.
We had a fine wdw trip but there was nothing Christmassy about it. I think we figured the Christmasness would make up for the HUGE crowds. Yes I said HUGE crowds. Compared to what we were used to it was aweful.
Anyway, everyone will have there own experience and opinion, buit as you said that you normally go in Jan (like us) I thought I would share our experience.
Heidi

 

[antmaril]

Monami7:

Thanks for your thoughts. I would never go to WDW close to Christmas. There is no way I would ever want to fight those crowds. It would either be the first or second week (at the very latest). Could even be in late November after the Thanksgiving crowds go home. I may not even take the Christmas trip this year. It's just something I've thinking about and the free dining is losing some of it's initial appeal. I'm pretty sure I won't care for the weather in September.

Thanks to all for your two cents

 

[theresak]

Funny, how everyone's experiences can be different.

We have gone twice during Thanksgiving, the last time until Dec. 3rd. We thought the decorations were amazing, and loved...LOVED the MVMCP!! I would do it again in a heartbeat. The only disappointment I felt was that when it "snowed" on Main Street. I thought it would be flakes of something, not bubbles. Small teensy disappointment. Great parade, fabulous fireworks - and having 5 hours of light crowds was priceless. We didn't have to wait for anything, even got to go three times in a row on Thunder Mountain Railroad without getting up.

I plan on going next year during the free dining - because I don't like the cooler weather. I hope the crowds aren't too bad though.

 

[monami7]

Yeah we won't go again. We did want to try it once though. Maybe our hopes were too high. But we love WDW and are going back again so it couldn't have been all bad. Have fun whenever you go.
Heidi

 

[dvcnewgirl]

We are going the first week in December. I love the weather and the decorations are beautiful. It would be worth 200.00 to change. It is my Favorite time to go!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm thinking I might do the same thing; cancel the package I lucked into booking with free dining at the end of August. I hate humidity. Heat is not my thing. WTH was I thinking? Discounts and not having to take the kids out of school I guess. LOL! We're playing around with October as well since we have a state-wide break for a few days. That is probably more my style. What to do, what to do????

 

[antmaril]

I hate humidity. Heat is not my thing. WTH was I thinking?

I agree - that humidity is a killer. I remember the last time we were there in July, I told my husband that if I ever suggested we go when it's hot and humid again to remind me how much I HATE Florida in the summer.

I think my decision is made. The more I talk about it, the less I want to go in September.

 

[imdizzy4disney63]

Definitely go in December--I went the first week of November and it was too early to have Xmas music blaring and decorations up--it felt tacky that early.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I agree - that humidity is a killer. I remember the last time we were there in July, I told my husband that if I ever suggested we go when it's hot and humid again to remind me how much I HATE Florida in the summer.

I think my decision is made. The more I talk about it, the less I want to go in September.

Your family will definetely thank you!