Impromptu Disney trip?

[linzjane88]

So Mr. Linzjane88 came home yesterday and said " I was looking and I still have 4 more vacation days this year to take.....wouldn't it be funny if we just took a quick trip back to Florida?". He said it half jokingly but as any fellow Dis'er knows, if we get even an inkling to plan another trip we are on it. Out came the spreadsheets!

We can go from December 15-20 and using air miles for parts of the tickets we could feasibly do this for less than $2,000. I don't want to say money isn't an object but I am comfortable with that price range and we can afford it. That being said an extra 2 grand would always be nice tucked away in savings. All Star Movies has the pass holder rate for about $125 a nght (we got AP's on our September trip knowing we would be back). We come from Washington state so travel time is a consideration, especially for a short trip. Its at least 5 hours of flight time not including layovers. I usually 'budget' about 12 hours from our house to the hotel. We don't celebrate the holidays so that's not a factor in my decision.

I guess I am just not sure. I am such an uber-planner that this scares me. My concerns are 1) staying in a value when we are used to moderates or Bonnet Creek, 2) Week before X-Mas crowds (we are September Dis goers normally) 3) The possible insanity of travel there/ 4 park days/travel home
Would the possible joy on DD7 and DD3's faces when we pull into the airport be enough to counteract the craziness? Have you done a spur-of-the-moment trip?

I need some input

 

[OhMari]

Technically, that week would be the time to go for Christmas. Reading Trip Reports, it has gotten to the point, that no time is a slow time any longer. Good luck.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'd go for it! Just having APs would be enough of a reason for me to create a spur of the moment trip. It doesnt always have to be so planned out. Spontanaity (sp?) is a beautiful thing.
The value hotel would worry me too. We've done it once years ago but have since become spoiled. That said, I would still do it for a quickie trip.

 

[dimimi]

All I have to say is that you have a wonderful husband!

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

I would go for it! Some of our best vacations have been trips on the fly like that. We did a spontaneous day at HS this past year during spring break when the calendar said it would be packed and it was probably one of best days I have ever had at Disney. I did make sure I had a good plan with fastpasses (made the night before) before we left. I know the feeling of not wanting to do a value after a moderate but it's just a short trip and you probably won't be in the room that much anyways. In the past I have always heard that the week before Christmas is usually one of the better times to go because everyone goes the week of Christmas. I have never been that week so I am not sure how true it is. And yes it will all be worth it when you see your kids faces!!!

 

[linzjane88]

OK. You convinced me. Actually I didn't need much.
I ended up finding a room at Bonnet Creek on Redweek for 70 per night for a 1 bedroom. I emailed the owner and said I was interested in reserving and he emailed me back asking if I intended to use Paypal, to which I responded. He never sent me anything else and now it is no longer showing as available so I am hoping I can still get it. If not I will 'settle' for All Star Movies.

We got our flights there booked. I am still looking into the flight back. Not too many great options flying on December 20th as you might assume. We are going to keep it a surprise from DD7 and DD3 which is going to be SUPER hard!

I keep trying to book FP+ but since yesterday every few minutes Disney's website goes down and says "500 Server Error". So annoying!!
ETA: The app is working and I snagged me some Toy Story Mania FP+

 

[linzjane88]

All I have to say is that you have a wonderful husband!

I kinda like him

 

[Marionnette]

So Mr. Linzjane88 came home yesterday and said " I was looking and I still have 4 more vacation days this year to take.....wouldn't it be funny if we just took a quick trip back to Florida?". He said it half jokingly but as any fellow Dis'er knows, if we get even an inkling to plan another trip we are on it. Out came the spreadsheets!

We can go from December 15-20 and using air miles for parts of the tickets we could feasibly do this for less than $2,000. I don't want to say money isn't an object but I am comfortable with that price range and we can afford it. That being said an extra 2 grand would always be nice tucked away in savings. All Star Movies has the pass holder rate for about $125 a nght (we got AP's on our September trip knowing we would be back). We come from Washington state so travel time is a consideration, especially for a short trip. Its at least 5 hours of flight time not including layovers. I usually 'budget' about 12 hours from our house to the hotel. We don't celebrate the holidays so that's not a factor in my decision.

I guess I am just not sure. I am such an uber-planner that this scares me. My concerns are 1) staying in a value when we are used to moderates or Bonnet Creek, 2) Week before X-Mas crowds (we are September Dis goers normally) 3) The possible insanity of travel there/ 4 park days/travel home
Would the possible joy on DD7 and DD3's faces when we pull into the airport be enough to counteract the craziness? Have you done a spur-of-the-moment trip?

I need some input

I won't comment on whether you should go because it appears that you have already decided that it's doable and you will most probably go. So, I'll address your 3 concerns:

1. You will definitely notice a difference between staying at a Moderate resort or Bonnet Creek and staying at a Value resort. The differences are often discussed both here and on the Resorts Board. It's up to you to decide whether those difference are big enough to matter to your family.
2. The difference between early-September vs late-December crowd levels will be noticeable. I just returned from an early-November (crowd levels ranging from 5-8) trip after having been there in late-September (crowd levels ranging from 4-7). Just that increase of 1 was enough to make the parks feel more crowded. You're talking about comparing crowd levels ranging from 1-3 in early Sept. to crowds that range from 5-8 during your intended time of travel.
3. Does it make sense to spend 24 hours traveling to get 4 days in the parks? There's no objective answer to that. I compare that kind of travel time to me going to Europe for a long weekend, leaving from Philly. It sounds like a lot of fun until you actually do it. Even harder when you're dealing with young children in tow.

I just canceled a 4-day trip for the same time period. I also have an AP. I had free airfare using Southwest points. I had a DVC resort booked using points from my 2015 use year. I have more than enough Disney GCs that I earned for free from rewards programs. I very much wanted to see the holiday decorations and experience Osborne Lights one more time. Ultimately, I decided that saving my RR points and GCs for a longer visit was a better way to spend them.

 

[linzjane88]

I won't comment on whether you should go because it appears that you have already decided that it's doable and you will most probably go. So, I'll address your 3 concerns:

1. You will definitely notice a difference between staying at a Moderate resort or Bonnet Creek and staying at a Value resort. The differences are often discussed both here and on the Resorts Board. It's up to you to decide whether those difference are big enough to matter to your family.
2. The difference between early-September vs late-December crowd levels will be noticeable. I just returned from an early-November (crowd levels ranging from 5-8) trip after having been there in late-September (crowd levels ranging from 4-7). Just that increase of 1 was enough to make the parks feel more crowded. You're talking about comparing crowd levels ranging from 1-3 in early Sept. to crowds that range from 5-8 during your intended time of travel.
3. Does it make sense to spend 24 hours traveling to get 4 days in the parks? There's no objective answer to that. I compare that kind of travel time to me going to Europe for a long weekend, leaving from Philly. It sounds like a lot of fun until you actually do it. Even harder when you're dealing with young children in tow.

I just canceled a 4-day trip for the same time period. I also have an AP. I had free airfare using Southwest points. I had a DVC resort booked using points from my 2015 use year. I have more than enough Disney GCs that I earned for free from rewards programs. I very much wanted to see the holiday decorations and experience Osborne Lights one more time. Ultimately, I decided that saving my RR points and GCs for a longer visit was a better way to spend them.

Thanks for the input. I do think there is a chance that I will be thinking "WHY did we do this?" but I also think we might surprise ourselves with the spontaneous nature of a quick trip. I am kind of excited to do a trip with just us four as well. Usually we go with a bigger group of extended family and grandparents so being able to take our little ones and see all of the things we don't normally do will be fun. The travel time will kind of stink, there is no getting around that. We are leaving on Monday evening after my husband gets home from work and flying on Frontier airlines Unfortunately they had the cheapest and most convenient flight times. Trying to cram my 6'4 husband into an airline seat is interesting and I have never tested Frontier's 28" micro-legroom seats.

I did get my Bonnet Creek rental , 70$/night for a 1 bedroom. I just couldn't pay more at a value to not at least have a queen sized bed. This whole thing might be crazy but I will learn from the experience regardless. If it ends up being hectic and crazy, well then, I know for next time what not to do.

 

[bjscheel]

Have fun! We booked a trip at 5 weeks out, in 2009. (Pre-FP+...) It turned out great! We told the kids 10 days out which they loved. Sometimes I think about running down for a long weekend just for kicks, but my SW Air points are too precious to spend on super short trips. Best to save them for the real vacations of 5-7 nights. But it would be fun!

Oh just read more detail and it will be wonderful to be just the 4 of you. You will get to do whatever you want.

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

Don't worry, You're going to have a great time!!!! Let us know how it goes!

 

[linzjane88]

Oye! What in the world is wrong with Disney's website the past few days? I can't search for more than ten minutes before getting "Server Error". So annoying!

Question: Do the restaurants have seats reserved for walk-up's or are you entirely out of luck if they show no availability? Our entire crew is subject to getting "hangry" so I am afraid of trying to hunt for available table service when we may be entering hungry-crisis mode. Or maybe I should keep with the spirit of not planning meals for this unplanned trip. I have fantasies of wandering about the parks as we wish and visiting the closest table service to us when we decide it's dinnertime but I don't know how realistic that is.

I have done free dining with all ADR's (only husband and I) and I have also done eating off site. ADR's are bittersweet. It's nice knowing you 'for sure' have somewhere to eat for dinner but then again you feel tethered to a location of the park surrounding your mealtime "We can't do X because we won't have enough time/energy to make it back before ressie.".

I ramble. TLR Walk up table service availability on days with unavailable ADR's? (we like/want to try: Kona, Via Nappoli, Yak & Yeti, Liberty Tree Tavern, Biergarten--nothing crazy like character meals or BOG)

 

[Firebird060]

As a 6'5 man myself you should be fine squishing your husband into frontier, I did it about a year ago from LA to Detroit, wasn't that bad and as uncomfortable as some airlines to say the least.

 

[Shmily1]

Honestly, I'm trying to work it out to go on Friday. Yes, that would be less than 48 hours from now. I'll know by in the morning if it's working. It won't be my first spur of the moment trip and I've enjoyed every single one. They've all been worth it!

You MAY get a walk up but it isn't likely. You'll do better to check at odd times or just before you go-like within a week before. I've snagged great ones like that before.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Oye! What in the world is wrong with Disney's website the past few days? I can't search for more than ten minutes before getting "Server Error". So annoying!

Question: Do the restaurants have seats reserved for walk-up's or are you entirely out of luck if they show no availability? Our entire crew is subject to getting "hangry" so I am afraid of trying to hunt for available table service when we may be entering hungry-crisis mode. Or maybe I should keep with the spirit of not planning meals for this unplanned trip. I have fantasies of wandering about the parks as we wish and visiting the closest table service to us when we decide it's dinnertime but I don't know how realistic that is.

I have done free dining with all ADR's (only husband and I) and I have also done eating off site. ADR's are bittersweet. It's nice knowing you 'for sure' have somewhere to eat for dinner but then again you feel tethered to a location of the park surrounding your mealtime "We can't do X because we won't have enough time/energy to make it back before ressie.".

I ramble. TLR Walk up table service availability on days with unavailable ADR's? (we like/want to try: Kona, Via Nappoli, Yak & Yeti, Liberty Tree Tavern, Biergarten--nothing crazy like character meals or BOG)

I would plan on CS for most meals and if you luck into a TS on the day of, great. Have a great trip!

 

[linzjane88]

Of course the ticket prices dropped $120 precisely 26 hours after I booked--and in case anyone was wondering Frontier was more than gracious enough to offer to cancel and rebook at the lower price for the low low fee of $396. I didn't expect them to offer much but I guess I was hoping for a bit of pixie dust.

Sounds like I should keep looking for ADR's. We are such 'foodies' that I don't know that CS dinners will cut it.

 

[linzjane88]

As a 6'5 man myself you should be fine squishing your husband into frontier, I did it about a year ago from LA to Detroit, wasn't that bad and as uncomfortable as some airlines to say the least.

You mean some of them are worse than Frontier? JetBlue has my heart but almost never is going anywhere I want at a reasonable price. American Airlines is who I have plenty of nearly worthless miles with right now (I take full advantage of airline credit card promotions!). Turns out if you want to book a reward flight you will end up at your destination in the most indirect, nonsensical way possible. I was not impressed with them, from booking to the flight. I decided to upgrade my husband to the extra legroom seats for our last Florida trip. Unfortunately his two seat buddies were also of large size so eventhough they had plenty of legroom none of them were able to fully sit back at the same time. He said he prefers the standard seats but next to me/dd7/dd3 so he can encroach upon our leg and shoulder space without guilt .

I enjoy Delta flights with the seatback entertainment and power plugs, although the seats are uncomfortable IMO. I can't imagine what airline seats are going to be like in another 10 years. Every remodel seems to add seats and remove the cushions.

 

[katie111]

Almost all of my trips have been what most people would consider "last minute". I can't imagine waiting a year or more to go in a trip once I've booked it. As for the ADR's, I would just keep checking up until you leave. Except for BOG & the castle, I've always gotten every reservation I've wanted for a last minute trip. Also check the day before & day of as people have to cancel in order to avoid the $10 pp charge for a no show. We changed quite a few of our reservations last minute last trip with no issues.

Also, if you are foodies, you may prefer the restaurants at Bonnet Creek and the Waldorf across the street. Deep Blu at BC was really good. Also sitting outside eating by the pool can be nice after a long day at the parks.

Also, are you renting a car? The bus service at BC is definitely not great.

 

[linzjane88]

Almost all of my trips have been what most people would consider "last minute". I can't imagine waiting a year or more to go in a trip once I've booked it. As for the ADR's, I would just keep checking up until you leave. Except for BOG & the castle, I've always gotten every reservation I've wanted for a last minute trip. Also check the day before & day of as people have to cancel in order to avoid the $10 pp charge for a no show. We changed quite a few of our reservations last minute last trip with no issues.

Also, if you are foodies, you may prefer the restaurants at Bonnet Creek and the Waldorf across the street. Deep Blu at BC was really good. Also sitting outside eating by the pool can be nice after a long day at the parks.

Also, are you renting a car? The bus service at BC is definitely not great.

Renting a car. I am waaaay too much of a control freak to use Disney buses/hotel shuttles. On our September trip we tried one time to use the buses and it took an hour and fifteen minutes to get from Caribbean Beach to Narcoosees via busses/monorail. I was almost in a full blown meltdown by the time we got there, late of course. They were gracious enough to still accept us and I promptly ordered a mojito. We vowed to never again do that!

 

[Random Ninja]

Oye! What in the world is wrong with Disney's website the past few days? I can't search for more than ten minutes before getting "Server Error". So annoying!

Question: Do the restaurants have seats reserved for walk-up's or are you entirely out of luck if they show no availability? Our entire crew is subject to getting "hangry" so I am afraid of trying to hunt for available table service when we may be entering hungry-crisis mode. Or maybe I should keep with the spirit of not planning meals for this unplanned trip. I have fantasies of wandering about the parks as we wish and visiting the closest table service to us when we decide it's dinnertime but I don't know how realistic that is.

I have done free dining with all ADR's (only husband and I) and I have also done eating off site. ADR's are bittersweet. It's nice knowing you 'for sure' have somewhere to eat for dinner but then again you feel tethered to a location of the park surrounding your mealtime "We can't do X because we won't have enough time/energy to make it back before ressie.".

I ramble. TLR Walk up table service availability on days with unavailable ADR's? (we like/want to try: Kona, Via Nappoli, Yak & Yeti, Liberty Tree Tavern, Biergarten--nothing crazy like character meals or BOG)

Keep checking the site for openings. Many people cancel the night before so you can get some good places if you are willing to wait and be flexible.