In CT looking for help with 2011 trip!

[dolphinlove]

Hi all! For health reasons I'm having to bump our first ever family vaca from Oct 2010 to May 2011.

I was hoping to find out if there are any festivals or things that I should try to avoid in May as to finalizing my dates? Want to keep the crowd control as low as possible! Thinking of either May 5-14 or 12-21 but am flex at this moment!

Also, wondering when to start looking out for next yrs magic hrs, promos for May and the like?? Jan maybe?????? Ideas or opinions would be helpful!

Not telling the kids yet.....oldest will be very bummed so gonna try to hold out as long as possible and try to surprise them. Although now that it's gonna be a whole YEAR away I'm a bit bummed myself!

Does anyone know if the rates will go up next yr?? I was planning for a 10 day trip staying on property and doing 2 connecting rooms at Pop. So, I'm still hoping I can count on my Oct pricing...?? Ideas??

My boys will be 12 (going on 13..eek!) and 6 by trip time next yr....and it's their first disney trip as well as my husbands first disney trip too so I want to make it a blast!!!!! Appreciate all the help in advance!

Tara in CT

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

The only festival historically happening in May is the The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival which runs from March until mid-May. We've been down to WDW every May and October since 2003 and can honestly say that May is a favorite time to go. The weather is usually warm, although last year we had torrential downpours for the entire time we were there (May 13th to 22nd), and the crowds, although not light, were manageable.

Unfortunately odds are that room rates will increase in 2011 from the current 2010 rates. Disney usually releases the new room rates for the upcoming year in August. Any discounts on room rates for the general public are usually announced 2 to 3 months prior. Mousesavers has great historical information about when discounts have been released - http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#rack

 

[Metro West]

 

[dolphinlove]

Thanks Friends of Pooh!!! My guess is that you guys prefer Oct though! Is there any reason why?? Personally, Oct is my fav too as I love Halloween and just that time of yr in general. Are the crowds lighter in Oct as opposed to May?? Thanks again for your help and for the link!

Tara in CT

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Thanks Friends of Pooh!!! My guess is that you guys prefer Oct though! Is there any reason why?? Personally, Oct is my fav too as I love Halloween and just that time of yr in general. Are the crowds lighter in Oct as opposed to May?? Thanks again for your help and for the link!

Tara in CT

Yes we do prefer October as our anniversary is in October (we were married October 31st) and we also take in Halloween Horror Nights at Universal during our trip (which is very adult oriented and not recommended for kids) . As for crowds, we've found crowds are a bit lighter in May than October, but there is also the Wine and Food Festival going on at Epcot in October (another favorite of ours), plus MNSSHP dates are in Sept/Oct - whereas May only has the Flower and Garden Festival for the first part of the month.

 

[Simba22]

Howdy neighbor! I'm in CT too!

I have been in both May and October and they are actually very similar in both weather conditions and crowd levels (at least in my experience). The Flower & Garden Festival does begin in May (you can actually find information on it now since it's about that time) but we still did experience crowds like we didnt in July or September. I think you will have just as good of a time in May as you would have had in October. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they announce park hours and the EMH schedule 6 months ahead. Happy planning!

ETA: Sorry for the typo - The Flower & Garden Festival actually BEGINS in March and ENDS in May!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

HThe Flower & Garden Festival does begin in May (you can actually find information on it now since it's about that time)

It actually ends in May - this year's dates are March 3, 2010 - May 16, 2010

 

[Simba22]

It actually ends in May - this year's dates are March 3, 2010 - May 16, 2010

Yes you're right! I started typing that it begins in March and then had to stop typing and focus on "work" and when I came back to it I started a new train of thought! Sorry for the confusion! LOL

 

[Fantasmic23]

QUOTE=dolphinlove;36123644]Hi all! For health reasons I'm having to bump our first ever family vaca from Oct 2010 to May 2011.

I was hoping to find out if there are any festivals or things that I should try to avoid in May as to finalizing my dates? Want to keep the crowd control as low as possible! Thinking of either May 5-14 or 12-21 but am flex at this moment!

Also, wondering when to start looking out for next yrs magic hrs, promos for May and the like?? Jan maybe?????? Ideas or opinions would be helpful!

Not telling the kids yet.....oldest will be very bummed so gonna try to hold out as long as possible and try to surprise them. Although now that it's gonna be a whole YEAR away I'm a bit bummed myself!

Does anyone know if the rates will go up next yr?? I was planning for a 10 day trip staying on property and doing 2 connecting rooms at Pop. So, I'm still hoping I can count on my Oct pricing...?? Ideas??

My boys will be 12 (going on 13..eek!) and 6 by trip time next yr....and it's their first disney trip as well as my husbands first disney trip too so I want to make it a blast!!!!! Appreciate all the help in advance!

Tara in CT[/QUOTE]

Hello, fellow Nutmegger!! Congrats on your first Disney vacation!!

 

[dolphinlove]

Great thoughts everyone! So, gonna keep an eye out in Aug for any room rates for next yr and then I guess look in Nov or so for all the rest.....EMH and the like! Thanks everyone.....it's been frustrating having to change it but can't wait to see my family's faces when we go! That will be worth all the frustrations I'm sure!

Then booking trip and doing ADR's for Nov. Oh question: it's been awhile and I've forgotten......when you book, you only pay a 200 deposit...am I correct here? And then you have to complete payment by 45 days prior to travel? Been researching so long....I'm starting to forget!

Thanks everyone!

Tara in CT

 

[micheleq]

Welcome to the DIS from another nutmegger here

I am trying to plan a November, possibly October trip - here's why. I've had friend go at the end of May and say it was hot and very busy. I'll take lower crowds and a little cooler weather any day. Plus when we went in December 2008, we had a few hot days (in the 80's) and were swimming. Can't beat that when it's in the 30's at home.

Check out the Theme Parks board and Resorts board for help on deciding when to go. And I love the Budget and Family boards as well for good planning advice.

Happy planning!!