late aug vs late sept - which to choose???

[mommy kristi]

we are getting a PHENOMINAL deal thanks to the military - we are just trying to decide WHEN to take it...we are leaning towards either

Aug 24-29

or

sept 28 through oct 3

my son will turn two on aug 27 and i think it would be easier in some ways for dh to get leave for that time, but we could probably swing either one...

it looks like more rides/attractions will be shut down during the sept/oct timeframe

are the crowds really that much worse during the first time frame we are looking at?

we HAVE to go sometime before dec 19th when the special ends...we have considered some other options also, but this is what we are leaning towards...

dh went to disney back in 89 (he was ~ 15) - my first time to go was april 2001 when we took our then 7 month old for his first time also we had a BLAST!!!!!!!!

i am SO happy i found this board!!! i am getting some GREAT info!!!!!!!!

TIA!!!!!!!!!

oh! also - we are planning to stay at either the all star resorts (for $259 length of stay) or the CR (for $496 length of stay)...we stayed at all star movies last year and enjoyed it (didn't spend much time in the resort really) but i know that is a PHENOMINAL deal on CR and there are perks that go along with it...so, do you think it would be worth $237 more total? (btw, if we went in august we would have to choose from sports or music since movies is booked - we visited those when we were there last year and i didn't like them NEAR as well as movies...)

sorry for the length!!!!!!!!

 

[packy]

We went for five days late September early October in 1996 (our first time there) and three times in late August since and are going back this August 21 - 28. If we had a choice (which we don't since we don't want to take the kids out of school) we would go in September. September was nice, no lines for the monorail or buses, no need for reservations at restaurants and very peaceful. Airfares are also cheaper as this is off season. The parks still get crowded, especially MK, because the hours are cut back but it is still less than in August. I would definitely go in September if you have a choice.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'd go in August since your dates will include your son's birthday. What could be cooler than celebrating your birthday at WDW?

 

[winnie11]

I'am trying to decide the same thing, last week in Aug or Sept., but I really want to go in Aug. I was told on here that the last week in Aug. was not crowded at all on weekdays because most schools are back in session including Florida's. They said avoid Magic Kingdom on Saturday. So I would say weekends are a bit crowded but the weekdays the last week in Aug. are not.

 

[packy]

We went the last week of August in '99, '00 and '01. In '99 and '00 crowds were moderate and MK was open until 9:00 p.m. all week. In '01 it was a zoo. MK hours were cut back to 7:00 p.m. all week and it was extremely crowded whenever we went. But it wasn't only MK, compared to the previous two years all of the parks were much more crowded. We did not go last year but are going this again Aug 21st. Not sure what to expect with the FTP.

 

[PrincessHolly]

I had a similar dilema: August or October. I ended up choosing August, so that's my vote.

BTW, we're staying at the CR, thanks to SoG and taking advantage of the military deal. We'll be there August 25-29, so maybe I'll see you around. We're celebrating dd's 4th bday (August 25th), so we'll be the couple with one dd dragging MIL around, lol.

 

[obnurse2003]

I vote August!

It's closer!

 

[Kimberle]

I've stayed both times. I'd pick Sept over Aug in a heartbeat.

Aug will be crowed. Some schools are back in session, others aren't. You will have long lines in Aug. Sept has much shorter lines. I think the longest we waited was 10-15 minutes. Having a small child, I *know* how much you'll appreaciate the shorter lines. So, even though Sept has shorter hours, you'll be able to cover the same amount of "stuff" than you could in Aug.

If your budget will allow, stay at CR over AS. CR is right next to MK. Having a small child, you'll probably spend most of your time at MK. Plus the convience of the mono-rail is so nice!! You're also a short boat ride from WL and the campgrounds. At the campgrounds, there is a petting zoo. Your child would probably enjoy spending some quiet time with the animals. Plus, there are pony rides.

The rooms at CR are much larger that AS. If your child likes the characters, you can have bf or dinner at Chef Mickeys. My dd loved loved loved both when she was 2.5.

Your got a totally awsome rate at CR. When we stayed there, we paid $600/night for a garden wing.

If you stay in CR, ask for a north garden room. You can have a view of MK (we saw the fireworks from our room) or a view of the pool. The bus stop is also closer to the north side.

Enjoy! You'll have a blast whatever you choose.