Need help figuring out a date!

[megnsamsgracie]

So we totally cancelled the Gulf coast trip and will do that as an anniversary trip for just DH and I and decided to do Disney for the kids! Now, I need help figuring out a time!

First thought was to stick with October (checking in on the 3rd to get the value rate). But then no free dining and with 4 kids, we TOTALLY do the character meals! We almost always have a TS every day, just part of vacation for us.

Then we thought, we could bump it up to the free dining plan dates. Since its less time to save for it, we would have to do the AS (any of them). We need 2 rooms there. But then I got thinking that since its FREE DINING, isnt it going to be packed full of people?


Then I saw that value season begins the 25th of November again. That long of time, I could save enough $ to do a deluxe.

Okay... we went in October once before (we had 2 weeks) but that was when all the new things were premiering (Illuminations, etc) and it was packed full of media, PLUS a park a day shut down at 3pm for the media to go in. So I cant judge the crowd on that time.

Which is going to be the SLOWEST time? Hubby isnt a huge Disney fan but doing it for the kids and he hates crowds. So when should we go? I will pay for the dining package if we go in October or November anyway because it will be worth it to us. We just want the slow(er) time of all the dates! Oh yeah, if we did the free dining time, we would have 8/26-9/2 OR, 9/14-9/22 just based on the school calendar.

THANKS! Steph

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Here's what I think...

September will most likely be hot, rainy & crowded due to free dining. I went once in Sept. and will never go again...also risk of hurricanes is high at that time of year...

I love October...the Halloween Party is a must if you go then. because of the parties, crowds might be moderate on some days, esp. as you get closer to Halloween night. But, I love that time of year & the weather can be great!

The first few weeks of November can be wonderful! I honeymooned there Nov. 6-10 in 1993 and we have gone back for many anniv. since then. All November trips have been wonderful, although there is a slight risk of cooler temps. making swimming a little chilly. Parks close earlier, but the crowds are low so it shouldn't affect how much you can get done. Nightimes are fun for mini-golf, movies, DisneyQuest, shopping, etc. Be sure to check when NJ teachers week is...all teachers in NJ have the week off & it is tradition to go to WDW...crowds will go up that week. I think that's in November.

After Thanksgiving is over WDW can be pretty low crowds until mid Dec. We went 12/3-9 last year & had a blast. Nights were a little chilly...light jackets needed. Parks are decorated for the holidays (resorts, too) & that is neat to see. XMas Party at MK was fun (but I like the Halloween Party much better). Again, Parks close earlier. Swimming was a bust...too cold.

Overall, I would choose November first (avoiding NJ week), then october, December, and September only if all else failed. If you have any other question, feel free to pm me or just write back here.

Good luck! No matter when you go, at least you'll be at WDW!!!!

 

[Jrabbit910]

Hi Steph,
I was going to suggest Sept before I read the last line of your post... ...
Why not do Sept..its usually the slowest month going because of the schools and they will have the DDP active then so you wont have to pay for the dining. If you go at that time, its also the start of the Mnssp and thats always fun..

 

[Desnik]

November is perfect!!! Low crowds, great weather. You just need to pick the right week in Nov. You want to avoid Thanksgiving week, Jersey Week, Super Soap Weekend, Food and Wine Festival which all draw in huge crowds. Especially because in the beginning of Nov the last 3 things mentioned above overlap making it really crowded for Nov. Not summer crowded but just more crowded as far as Nov is usually. We like to go the week before Thanksgiving week and have found we get there when the crowds from those events are gone and we leave before the Thanksgiving crowds arrive. The weather for us has always been great, high 70's low 80's. I think we have only had it rain once and that was for a few hours on one day. From being on these boards it has been said that the week after Thanksgiving is great for low crowds too. It will just be a little cooler. Both time frames will have MVMCP, and Xmas decorations.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

What about a check in of 11/25? That starts value season again. We love the water parks though so I guess maybe its back to 10/3-10/10 or 10/11. My family are a bunch of Typhoon Lagoon lovers!

I am assuming then that 9/14-9/22 will be packed because of free DDP?

 

[BlondeAlligator]

As far as a check-in of 11/25, check to see when Thanksgiving is...you don't want to be there for that whole week around Thanksgiving. If Thanksgiving is the 22, you'd probably be golden to check in on the 25th because everyone who had been there for the holiday would be leavinbg that day. (I don't have a calender in front of me.)

I still say that September is to be avoided because of weather and crowds, even though they offer free dining. The year we went in September it rained every single day of our trip...not just a typical South Florida afternoon shower, either...I'm talking massive amounts of rain! We were soaked, all our clothes were soaked, and my shoes got ruined. And that wasn't even a tropical depression. With the recent history of tropical storms & hurricanes happening in late August & September I figure that it's better to avoid that time of year than risk having your trip rained out or worse.

If you are all diehard water park fans, then 11/25 might be OK...it could be chilly but that hasn't stopped me & DH from braving the water parks in November. Weigh your options, take a family vote, maybe, to see which is more important to everyone...an upgraded hotel during value season, or better chances at water fun in earlier October.

Keep us posted! I'm interested to know what you end up deciding!

 

[megnsamsgracie]

The kids have no vote... they arent being told. Its going to be a complete SURPRISE! We are going to pack everything the night before and just wake them up and say, okay lets go. I dont think when they are at the airport and hear boarding for Orlando that they will put 2 + 2 together, the older ones will just think we are going to FL, nothing more. I dont think it will hit them until we are getting on the Disney bus! So I guess I need to talk to hubby... he is the one who really loves the water parks! And Thanksgiving is the 22nd this year! If we check in then (11/25) will we get to see the park all done up for Christmas?

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Things should be decorated for the holidays by Thanksgiving...when we were at the GF one year for our 11/6 anniv. they were already putting things up, so you'll probably get to see things all decked out. I think that tix for MVMCP have just gone on sale...you might want to do that if you go 11/25. The parade is great & they actually make it snow on Main Street, plus the park stays open until midnight for party guests...very cool & no lines.

Also, usually around 12/2 or 12/3 I think they tape the Christmas parade that is shown on ABC on Christmas morning...you can either try to get in on that or avoid MK that day...we had just missed it last year when we check-in on 12/3.

You are a very cool Mom to be surprising the kiddos...I want to do that for mine one year, too. I was going to try to do that for our trip next month, but I cannot keep a secret & I blabbed to her the same day I made the reservations, as soon as she got off the bus! Keep up the good work...you'll have a great time no matter when you go!

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Thanks! Are the water parks heated? What about resort pools? I know my husband will not go to MK, Epcot, etc every day... he needs Typhoon Lagoon!

Okay, next question which helps make up my mind... can I book a room only ressie... say if 40% or something like that comes out (I only have AAA discount right now). And can I do the MYW package WITH dining separate?

 

[sschro3]

We went the last week of Sept 2005 for the free dining. I think that was the first year it was offered so crowds may have changed alot since then. We had almost no crowds. Our longest wait was 20 min for Soarin. Everything else was a walk on. We had rain 2 nights. The one night it rained for about an hour then stopped and the other was a light rain from 6pm on. The weather was hot, but all the more reason to jump in the pool. In 2004 we went over Thanksgiving...I will never do that again!!! It was so crowded. The weather was nice, light jacket in the am/pm and shorts and t-shirt during the day. And the holiday lights were beautiful. We did the pool a few times. During the day was fine. We tried one evening after sundown and the water was warm but the air was just to cold.
Whenever you go have a great trip.
Sharon

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Thanks guys! I am leaning towards 11/25-12/2 or 3. Definite dates will be determined by SW's flights. Right now, their discount days are T, W or Sa. So I might look at 11/24 (check in for that day, then checkout to recheck in for the value season) until 12/4! Not worth the hassle if the sale prices arent that great. It seems like weather is hit or miss for the water. But the water is heated so I think we will be okay. Warm robes will be packed in our bags though! I just need to find out if I can book a room only ressie to get some sort of discount and then book the DDP/tickets separately?

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I think you can reserve your room & then add on DDP...I always buy my tix ahead of time at the Disney Store to get the advance purchase discount on those, so I've never had a full package incl tix. I'm not sure if you book your room through AAA if you can add DDP or not...I think you probably can...I rented points from a DVC member last Dec. and was able to add DDP to that non-traditional reservation...

The advantage to the cooler weather is that the water parks will be less corwded...esp. during the week you can safely go after lunch for the warmest part of the day & not have huge crowds there. Take those robes & just hope that you end up not needing them!

I think that you will really enjoy WDW during the holidays...just know that if you fly down on the 24th you'll probably want to not plan on a park that day as most of the Thanksgiving guests will be trying to cram in one last day/night of fun...you could fly in the afternoon, check-in, have a nice dinner & get some rest for the next day, or maybe see a movie at PI. Also, if you do the check-in check-out thing to get the value rate for the rest of your trip, be prepared to have to switch rooms...they will not guarantee that you will be able to stay in the same room for both reservations. This happened to a friend of mine & she was so ticked!

Looks like you're almost there! Don't forget the party tix & if you go make your ADR for the party night at the same time...I recommend Liberty Tree tavern at around 6:45...dinner ends just in time to step outside and see the parade right there!

 

[megnsamsgracie]

I know I am sounding so scattered brained! When I did Disney in 02, we had 1 week. I did food, airfare, rental car and hotel and tickets for $1500! I paid $20 a night through priceline for a hotel (about 20 min drive), $15 a day for the rental car with priceline.. 4 airline tickets (3 kids, one on lap) at $106 R/T and my tickets, I got 2 hoppers for free from a friend who worked at ESPN, and then I got the kids in free a couple of times from a friend who works at Disney.

Then we went again in 03 and we again stayed offsite, 2bdr condo for $375 for 2 weeks.

This time I want to make it special as we wont go again for 3-4 years. So staying onsite is a given for us. I am seriously just thinking to book the room only and wait for a code to come out. Then get the tickets at the disney store or order online whichever is cheaper. Then just pay for dining. Maybe get 1 AP so we can use that discount for certain restaurants. Then we will just curb where we eat. Breakfast in the room, lunch maybe make sandwiches or something and then eat out for dinner, doing character dinners then. I really want to stay close to MK, would love the Poly! Unless I can get better than the 15% off AAA, it aint happening!

I did call (not pay the dep though) and booked a package on Monday so I am thinking I will call and cancel. It was for 8/26-9/2 and I dont want to deal with huge crowds.

 

[mungo]

I think early November is perfect, not busy and weather good

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Waterparks usually close for refurbishments starting I think in November... So only one of them maybe open... Looks like Blizzard Beach will be closed in Nov. 2007 but Typhoon Lagoon is open!!!

See http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...darHome?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage

We are headed there 11/29-12/8... Really want to see WDW decorated for Xmas.

Have a Great trip...

Mark

 

[LilGMom]

The first part of November is a really good time to go and so is the first half of December. The pools at the resorts are heated so even if only one water park is open you can still use the resort pool. And the weather could be warm/hot enough to not care if the pool is heated. Last year the week before Christmas was HOT.

Crowds tend to be lower the first part of Nov. and Dec. The week of Thanksgiving I won't ever do again and same thing about the week before Christmas, too busy. Lines were long and it was pratically impossible to get into any TS restaurant without an ADR. If you go the first half of Dec. you get the added bonus of seeing all of the Christmas Holiday lights and MMVMCP is in swing.

If you get one AP you can use the AP discount for your resort (tends to run close to 40% off). But if you do that you won't be able to get the DDP if you were considering that. AP rates for Dec. probably won't be out until closer to Sept. but you can book a room now and then call back and have the disc. applied. If you do that just make sure that you start calling about four months out to make sure that the resort you want has a AP rate and has a room at that rate. If you use any sort of disc. for your room or tickets you can't add on the DDP.

The WL is a great resort and is also very convenient to MK. It is a short and enjoyable boat ride from the WL to the MK, and I believe it is one of the more economical deluxe resorts.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Thanks Mark! Are you booking a package or room only?

Thank you LilG... I think if I stick with 11/25 or around there might be my best bet. Since I want the Poly (or even WL I am thinking about too!) The $ that I will save with an AP discount there, I can just use that towards dining, we will just have to curb our TS restaurants. If I stick with end of Nov into early Dec, then that gives me 3 extra months to save, well 4 actually since my free dining package is due in full 7/12. Thats where I can justify staying at a deluxe instead of the value.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

If money is a concern but you want the advantages of staying onsite you might want to conside renting points from a DVC member & staying at one of the DVC villas. That way you can have a kitchen for breakfasts (saves some $$) & lots of room to spread out & still be onsite. I did this last December & was able to get a 2 bedroom villa at OKW for 5 night for only $1300. It was a steal! There was enough room for me, DH, DD, my Mom & my Dad. It was great! If you have questions about renting points, feel free to pm me...I have a couple of good member contacts I could put you in touch with to get you started. There is also a lot of info. on the DVC board...

Just another way you could go...

 

[MissMichelle]

I am a September fan EVEN with free dining...the parks the past 2 years didn't get any more crowded (though the TS's did) then years I have been without free dining...This year I am doing end of August..I was slightly scared, but checked out old TR's here on the board and it was D.E.A.D. at that time also...so I'd look into end of September (which has alway sbeen my vote) starting the 22nd for FDDP or go very end of November (which I always loved but love the water parks way too much).

Just my .02

 

[megnsamsgracie]

So if I were to check in on the 22nd, even though thats the last day for F DDP, I could get it my entire stay?

I am trying to talk to hubby about this but he is no help. A friend from work is a DVC member but his dd is using his points for this year for her honeymoon but he said he goes in november and loves it! Warm enough to swim usually and not too busy, plus he loves MVMCP (?) and the decorations. Says its very magical for the kids. So I guess I just need to figure out what hubby wants to do and go from there. He mentioned 2 rooms.. so I guess if he is sticking to that, we are doing the movies since I cant swing 2 rooms at the deluxes! And For what I need for pts and what they are trading for, thats too much! It would be over 2100 for a week! Steph