Looking for help, not sure where this should go!

[erinbharris]

I'm used to the Disneyland board, just looking on here overwhelms me a little!

I'm a teacher and therefore am restricted to when we can travel. Last summer we went to Disneyland and California for 2 weeks. Loved it.

We are now hooked to Disney...and I'm trying to plan our next trip, this time to Florida. I'm wondering what people think of either going in the summer (has to be between July 1 and August 15) or over Christmas holidays.

I know the pros/cons of both, but am wondering when in the summer is best to go? Also, has anybody done both times and feel that there's a huge advantage to one time over the other?

Thank you!
Erin
(if this is in the wrong spot then I apologize!)

 

[homedad]

being married to a teacher i know your pain, we use to take a week and go in Sept, but a new school and principal have killed that option. That being said I'd go as late in Aug that u can go as crowds are supposed to be lower due to southern school already back in school. This year were going in April because our break isn't Easter week.

 

[gabriellyn]

We have been in June, August and celebrated the New Year twice at WDW. Of the 3 we prefer NYE because the weather is generally nicer, although one time we went and it was so cold on our AK day that we didn't see any animals and were so bundled up we could barely move - but the wait for rides was non-existent! The summer time was fine - crowds were just fine, it was just too hot for DH. I didn't mind it. We live in Houston which has similar summer weather so DH wonders why we travel from one hot, humid place to another for vacation? But it is nice because we get to do the water parks. In summary:

Summer trip:
Less expensive if after Aug 15th or so, discounts more likely to be offered
Waterparks & More - love those Disney waterparks!
More daylight
Crowds are fine
Hot and humid
Longer trips due to extended summer holiday


Winter Break trip:
No Waterparks & More for us (too cold for us)
Weather is great (unless you get a really strong cold front)
Crowds are bad up until the 2nd or 3rd of January
Shorter trips due to school starting back soon in January
Holiday decorations/parades
Holiday pricing in effect for many dining venues (also during some summer dates as well)
Resorts are more expensive, typically no discounts offered

Of course as far as I am concerned Disney is Disney and I will go any time! But if given a choice I prefer the NYE time period.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Hootch]

a calendar that the UG people posted recently. There's not a huge difference in the weeks that you're looking at.

http://www.scotts2cents.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Disney-World-Crowd-Calendar-Chart-20112.jpg

We've been in June and July because we don't take the kids out of school. It is hot, but the park hours are longer. You take breaks midday and take advantage of the later hours. Fastpasses are your friend. Etc.

One thing you might consider is that the Swan and Dolphin often have teacher discounts. Their conveniently located, Disney transportation goes right to their doors and you have EMH access. The one drawback is that you cannot get the dining package while staying there.

 

[mickey50]

Hey there,

I've done July and August both really hot and busy.

I would suggest right after you get out for summer. Not as hot or busy.

Good Luck

Have a magical time!!

 

[erinbharris]

Thanks for all of the input, I appreciate it

I don't get out of school until June 30, so it's not an option to go earlier in June--I wish it was!

For summer...last year when we went to DL they said not to go the last 2 weeks of August because the blackout is lifted for annual passholders. Does this apple to WDW as well?

How do you find out about the teacher discounts? interesting!

For Christmas...this year we don't go back to school until January 9th, so maybe going around the 28 of December until the 8 of January would be our best option?

 

[gabriellyn]

Thanks for all of the input, I appreciate it

I don't get out of school until June 30, so it's not an option to go earlier in June--I wish it was!

For summer...last year when we went to DL they said not to go the last 2 weeks of August because the blackout is lifted for annual passholders. Does this apple to WDW as well?

How do you find out about the teacher discounts? interesting!

For Christmas...this year we don't go back to school until January 9th, so maybe going around the 28 of December until the 8 of January would be our best option?

IMHO that is perfect! I wish my kids weren't going back until the 9th! Ours go back on the 4th...

 

[mdsd8700]

For Christmas...this year we don't go back to school until January 9th, so maybe going around the 28 of December until the 8 of January would be our best option?

I would say that is a very good option. The crowds are lighter after the 1st. You will still grab some of the Christmas Decorations and Osborne Lights (not to be missed). The weather can be a bit iffy. You will definately need sweatshirts and/or light weight jackets in the evening. Although the same can be said of the day time, but generally it is very pleasant. We love going at that time of year and have done so several times.

 

[erinbharris]

That's great news! I'm going to start really looking into it for late December, early January.

I chuckled at the weather being iffy...we'll be leaving -25 to -30F weather behind, so I'm thinking I'll be able to handle it if it's not hot! I had actually thought "oh, it won't be very hot" and then realized that ANYTHING is better than what I'll be leaving behind!

It's currently -23F here and I'm not quite sure why we don't move!

Next step...which resort? If we could do a room and passes for $5000 for 10 nights then I'd be happy. $500/day plus food and airfare is sort of my hope. Suggestions?

I love this board.

 

[MedicBill]

Next step...which resort? If we could do a room and passes for $5000 for 10 nights then I'd be happy. $500/day plus food and airfare is sort of my hope. Suggestions?

I love this board.

Try the moderates (Coronado Springs Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and the 2 Port Orleans' resorts). Those should fit your budget nicely and you may have enough left over to add a dining plan.

 

[Granfan]

Wow! Those temps make me wonder where in the world do you live?? You will probably be very happy with Fla. Winter temps. We've been twice in Dec. with very mild temps like 60's & 70's although January will be colder it probably won't be all
that cold to you. Good luck from a retired teacher who loves WDW.

 

[Hootch]

Try the moderates (Coronado Springs Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and the 2 Port Orleans' resorts). Those should fit your budget nicely and you may have enough left over to add a dining plan.

Ten day standard tickets can be had for $267 for adults and $244 for kids at Undercover Tourist with the mousesavers.com newsletter discount. Adding park hoppers is another $50. Those are with tax. So you're at $30 or per day per person for tickets.

For New Year's Night Disney jacks up the price. You could pay 25% - 40% more than the rates for the next few days. But for the early part of January rates are low.

Port Orleans French Quarter, where we've been staying the last couple of trips was about $160 per night for early January this year. Animal Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge are two of the most interesting deluxe resorts, but a little out of the way, are the least expensive at that level - about $260 - $270 per night for most of the early January period this year. The Contemporary which is convenient to the MK and Epcot but not as nice as the Poly and GF is a little above $300 per night this year in early January. These are all standard room rates.

Follow this link for the Swan/Dolphin information. I doubt you'll be able to find out any information about 2012 yet. The only drawback is that you cannot get the dining plan at these hotels. Some people really want the plan though we haven't found it worthwhile lately.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/sd.cfm

 

[erinbharris]

Thanks again for all of the tips!

We're in Winnipeg, Canada...for the person who wondered where the cold is!

For the dining plan...based on our trip to DL, I don't think a dining plan would be worth it for us. Our kids aren't big breakfast eaters, so we found ourselves eating some dry cereal (kids) and fresh fruit and granola bars for breakfast. We'd end up having big lunch around 1:00-2:00, and a smaller dinner around 7:00. I let the kids order whatever they wanted and we ate when they said they were hungry, but I never spent more than $150 a day for dining for the 4 of us. Most days were well under $100. The only way the dining plan would be worth it (I think) is if they offered free dining during those times, but then it's not really 'free', is it?

 

[erinbharris]

Ten day standard tickets can be had for $267 for adults and $244 for kids at Undercover Tourist with the mousesavers.com newsletter discount. Adding park hoppers is another $50. Those are with tax. So you're at $30 or per day per person for tickets.

For New Year's Night Disney jacks up the price. You could pay 25% - 40% more than the rates for the next few days. But for the early part of January rates are low.

Port Orleans French Quarter, where we've been staying the last couple of trips was about $160 per night for early January this year. Animal Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge are two of the most interesting deluxe resorts, but a little out of the way, are the least expensive at that level - about $260 - $270 per night for most of the early January period this year. The Contemporary which is convenient to the MK and Epcot but not as nice as the Poly and GF is a little above $300 per night this year in early January. These are all standard room rates.

Follow this link for the Swan/Dolphin information. I doubt you'll be able to find out any information about 2012 yet. The only drawback is that you cannot get the dining plan at these hotels. Some people really want the plan though we haven't found it worthwhile lately.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/sd.cfm

You liked Port Orleans French Quarter? Is that your favourite resort that you've stayed at?

I haven't looking into tickets at all, but am thinking we would probably do a 7 day (instead of a 10)? We didn't schedule in any 'break' days when we went to Disneyland and said we should have. But, maybe there isn't much of a price difference. Do those 10 day passes include the water parks? I'll have to look into it...

 

[cab0899]

Hey, I'm in Winnipeg too! We're busy planning our 9th trip to WDW. THis time we are going with extended family (12 ppl) and are thinking Dec 31-Jan11 and staying at Port Orleans Riverside. We have stayed at POFQ and loved it!

We usually get our Disney tickets free through Airmiles. I find if I shop at Safeway I can save enough airmiles for free tickets (7 day basic) in about 3-4 months so you would still have time to do that! I also do Universal, Seaworld and flights free with airmiles.

Don't worry it's never to cold for us Winnipeggers!

Westjet has direct flights Wpg to Orlando on Sat/Mon/Wed during the winter months but none during the summer. They are the only airline with direct flights.
The Canadian part of the disboards is very active.