Need help choosing trip dates for Oct/Nov

[COscrapper]

I just want to thank everyone here for all the info; these boards are truly invaluable to people like me who are not regularly at the parks and want to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Minniemous: thanks for the AWESOME tip on the resort trick-or-treating...what a cool idea!

I am relieved to say that we have finally chosen dates! After crunching numbers the past few days, I think we can add a day AND go to the Halloween Party IF we choose to (still not sure about it, but I have a feeling our boys will force us if they are missing trick-or-treat night at home)! DH gets discounted park tix through work, but can't get more than 5-day PHs. So that will have to stay the same, but with an extra day we won't feel as rushed, especially since it will be a 2-day drive for us to get there from Ohio. It will be nice to have a rest day at the resort, OR do the Halloween party on our off-day so we won't have to use our park tix. I think we will check in on Sat., Oct. 29 and check out Sat., Nov. 5 - that will give us the option of doing the Halloween party on the 31st (or maybe even the Sat. or Sun. right before? I don't know what days they usually do the party), and then the rest of the week we won't have to worry about getting kicked out of MK early...and we still avoid Jersey Week, still get to see F&W at Epcot, AND it looks like that week wasn't blocked out from discounts/free dining last year (fingers crossed we will qualify for something)...AND am I right that we may even see some Christmas decorations go up???

So glad to have SOMEthing figured out...the next thing will be deciding where to stay haha...I thought we were all set on POR, but then someone here had to blow my mind with this DVC point rental thing! Looked at a rental website and can't believe that you can actually do that? Is that for real?! At first glance, it seems we could get a studio at BW villas or Old Key West for less than what we would pay at POR, even if we get a discount! Any advice on that? I'm sure it would be hard to get a BW villa during food and wine, but should I look into it? Being able to walk into Epcot sounds awesome, although the studio rooms don't look that great there...especially since we really like the look of POR. I know I'd have to be looking into that right now to even have a chance, and then we wouldn't be able to get free dining if that happens to be available.

 

[siskaren]

1. I think we will check in on Sat., Oct. 29 and check out Sat., Nov. 5 - that will give us the option of doing the Halloween party on the 31st (or maybe even the Sat. or Sun. right before? I don't know what days they usually do the party)

2. AND am I right that we may even see some Christmas decorations go up???

1. They don't do parties on Saturdays, except when Halloween itself falls on Saturday (like it did last year). They do normally do them on Sundays, so you should have both the 30th and 31st as options, and they often do parties on November 1st as well. Whatever date you choose, just keep in mind that those dates will sell out. You don't need to buy them the day they go on sale (which is typically in May, but it was April last year), but I think Halloween has sold out as early as August.

2. They start putting up Christmas decorations in MK right after the last MNSSHP in preparation for the first MVMCP (which is typically a week later), so yes, you should see some decorations in the MK.

 

[Dash7]

We've been the last week of October and the first week of November and it's a great time to go. One thing to keep in mind is that to get free dining you have to purchase a package that includes tickets. So if you are buying tickets separately that won't qualify. (Assuming that free dining is offered.)

 

[COscrapper]

We've been the last week of October and the first week of November and it's a great time to go. One thing to keep in mind is that to get free dining you have to purchase a package that includes tickets. So if you are buying tickets separately that won't qualify. (Assuming that free dining is offered.)

I have been wondering this very thing, so THANKS for that info! I wonder if we'd be better off doing a reg priced package to get free dining, or getting our discounted park tix seperately with a room discount? So complicated....

When do they announce the party dates (is it not til the tix go on sale?) And how late does MK stay open for the party?

 

[siskaren]

I have been wondering this very thing, so THANKS for that info! I wonder if we'd be better off doing a reg priced package to get free dining, or getting our discounted park tix seperately with a room discount? So complicated....

When do they announce the party dates (is it not til the tix go on sale?) And how late does MK stay open for the party?

Officially, they announce the party dates not long before they go on sale. Unofficially, you'll be able to tell when they release park hours (which for October should be mid-March) because MK closes at 7 on party nights. Party hours are 7-12.