Need Help, Please--Update Page 3!

[jcemom]

Please help me decide. I want to make my reservations for next year but can't figure out when to go. My choices are:

Early May: DD will be 2 1/2, weather and crowds are both good, but I had planned to get an AP to cover my trip the following year in June and that wouldn't work out, costing me more money (each trip will be 10 days, so savings would be considerable with two uses of the same AP).

Mid September: DD will be almost 3, crowds are really low, weather stinks, but my AP will now also be good for the next trip saving me lots of money.

Mid October: DD will turn 3 on the trip, weather is great, crowds will be much heavier (compared to what we've experienced in early Feb) due to Columbus Day and school breaks, but AP will cover the next trip, plus we can do MNSSHP.

My concerns are: DD's age--I was hoping to get as close to three as possible to make it easier on me as I will be alone with her this trip; weather--I REALLY don't like heat and humidity, though we will take mid-day breaks; crowds--we went the first week of February this year and crowds were virtually non-existant, I dislike lines about as much as heat, lol; money--being able to get an AP and use it for more than one trip would save me a lot of money and our 2006 trip cannot be earlier than June.

I know I'm making this more difficult than it need be, but I need some opinions/advice from those who have been at some of the times I'm considering, and from those who've been with 2 1/2-3 year old children.

I appreciate any and all suggestions! TIA

Edited to add: I can go anytime from January through mid October. (DH cannot take time off work from late October through New Year's to care for the boys while I'm away!)

 

[Tiziminchac]

Personally I like the month of December. Nothing beats the parks at Christmas time. So when anyone asks, I always say Dec.. The first two weeks of it at that.

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've been reading that a lot lately and would love to make a December trip! I can't do it this time, though, because DH can't take time off in December due to work. (He would be staying home to get the boys off to school and pick them up in the afternoon.) I do think I will keep December in mind and take DD at that time in a couple of years when the boys are older and can come home after school by themselves. (Obviously all of you here on the DIS have "converted" me as I think I will be going to Disney every year from now on, lol.)

 

[lentesta]

I'd go with mid-October, jcemom. The weather and MNSSHP will be in your favor. And relatively speaking, the crowds around Columbus Day aren't terrible, I think. And the AP covering two trips is a bonus.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[CamColt]

I voted for September, only when we went in Sept we had excellent weather, not horrible. When we went in October we had some really cold mornings and crowds were huge. I much prefer the crowds & weather in September. If DSs werent in school Sept would be my month of choice.

 

[av8tor]

I voted for September.

We went the week after Labor Day last year and had our best Disney trip ever. The weather was great and the parks were empty. I don't like heat and humidity either but long lines and little kids are a recipe for disaster. The fast pass machines were never turned on during our entire stay and we never encountered a line over 10 minutes.

 

[Mortlives]

We went the third week of September and the weather was fine. The prices and crowds are also good that time of year. We can't take DS out of school for a week anymore, so we're stuck with August, but, if we could, we'd go in September.

Kungaloosh!
Mort.

 

[cindy21494]

I voted for October. We have gone in October twice and while it is more crowded than February, they are still manageable. Also, doing MNSSHP should be alot of fun (we are doing it for the first time this year). And finally if you DD is having her birthday while you are there, get the birthday button so eveyone will be wishing her a Happy Birthday all day! What better place to be on your Birthday than Disney World!

 

[danny1649]

First part of December,low crowds,save money,MVMCP,Osborne Lights,CP,Parks and resorts all decorated for the holidays,weather good this in my opinion is a great time to visit WDW.

 

[jcemom]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Now I'm wondering if I can work it out to span the end of September and the beginning of October and still catch MNSSHP. That would get us out before Columbus Day, but then we would also miss DD's birthday.

I have a question about Columbus Day for Len or any of you who have been at that time. Is the entire weekend more crowded? The entire week preceding or following Columbus Day? Or only that day itself? Would you have any suggestions as to where to go or what to do on Columbus Day to avoid some of the crowds? Epcot? Water Park? Something non-park related?

 

[jcemom]

It seems that September is gaining on October since I last checked! Anyone else? Care to tell me WHY you chose what you did? Thanks!

 

[disvaclub92]

We loved to go in October - it was great - because it was not too hot and crowds were not that bad. Also, if you can go during the Wine and Food Festival in Epcot - that is alot of fun.

 

[yasuern]

I voted OTHER

Go sometime in the 1st 2 weeks in December! ALL resorts and parks are decorated in holiday style, Many characters wear special holiday attire, theres the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Crowds? what are crowds?

The bad side - We have been the 1st week in Dec 3x this yr will be our 4th - one year weather was PERFECT upper 70's - lo 80's nights never dipped below 50 - one year HOT! 90's VERY HUMID even for Florida, and last year a few days that it never got above 55 - chilly. if you choose this time of year think layers! and bring hat and mittens even if you don't end up using them. Park hours are shorter MK averages 9am-6pm sometimes 7pm(but MVMCP is 7p-12a!) AK 8a/9am - 6pm, Epcot 9a-9p(WS opens at 11am) MGM 9a-7p.

With a 3y/o the less crowded times and usaully less humid hardly rains and all the HOLIDAY stuff - its VERY MAGICAL!! I intend to go the 1st week of December until - well forever!


Sue

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I picked other. Early Dec. Low rates at the hotels, holiday decorations ( I think multi faith, I could be wrong), nice weather (usually).

Late Feb. Moderate to low crowds , decent weather, low rates

The week after thanksgiving, lower rates, decorations, nice weather, low crowds.


If you must pick one of your choices above, I would go with October because of MNSSHP but Sept is nice too. I have never heard that the weather is terrible in Sept. The only weather that I have ever heard was bad was in January/early Feb (can be very cold) or the summer when it can be very hot and wet.

Have fun!

 

[jcemom]

Thanks for the suggestions!

As for December, I would love to go then but it will have to wait a few years. DH cannot take time off work then to be home with the boys while I'm gone, so I won't be able to take a December trip until the boys are old enough to come home from school alone. I will definitely try that time of year when I can though!

For this trip, I can go anytime between January and mid October. DD will turn three in October, so the later in the year I go, the closer to three she will be. She will still be "free" regardless, because even if I during the latest possible time frame available to me she will not turn three until the end of our trip! (Unfortunately, this will be her last "free" trip, lol.)

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I have never heard that the weather is terrible in Sept. The only weather that I have ever heard was bad was in January/early Feb (can be very cold) or the summer when it can be very hot and wet.

Have fun!

I keep reading how HOT and RAINY September is! Of course, I've also read that there are NO crowds then. Wasn't sure if I wanted to trade no lines for heat and rain, lol. I'm sure we'll have fun no matter when we go!

 

[mb1017]

I just got back from my first trip to WDW with DD4. It was just the two of us. The weather was very hot all week. 95 with no rain and no wind to speak of. If you don't like the heat I would definately take that into consideration first.
We were forced to take afternoon breaks since I was totally wiped out by noon. I found myself being less agreeable and tolerant of my DDs 4ish-ness because I was so hot and uncomfortable. Next trip will definately be during cooler weather.

Another piece of advice for a single parent going with a little one: rent a double stroller each day for the parks. The ones at MK and Epcot are the hard plastic ones but very spacious (you can put your stuff in the seat next to your child) and they are easy to maneuver around.

Plus you get a discount for paying for multi days rentals up front. You avoid the crowds at stroller pick up after that plus you save 10% on the daily rental.

Enjoy!

 

[jcemom]

Thank you so much for the advice Mary Beth! With only DD and I, do you think it would be better to have more days so that we can have a couple of "rest" days in between, or to have less days so that I don't wear out? For example, is 7 days plenty to run me ragged, or would 10 days with a couple of "no-park" days be the better way to go?

I can't decide if "less is more" in this case, or if the time "off" will actually be a good thing. My boys are 10 and 11 so it's been a LONG time since I've had a toddler. At 20 mos DD is actually pretty easy to deal with, but I know that could change.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay. I voted for Oct. You're traveling with a barely 3 y/o. Her b-day will be terrific at WDW. You will be taking it slower. With a little one that age, you'll have to. So, you may not see/do everything you want. It will still be there when you go again for that early Dec trip. (which is a wonderful time to visit). So, 7days should be fine. Your dd will get pooped quickly. Plan some down time at the resort, swimming or at the playground area. Have a couple of character meals. But, take it slow. Split your day between two different parks. 4 hrs. in each park should be enough for each day, at the most. Don't rush thru everything. Savor the time with your dd. I just did a mom and dd (10) trip last Dec and it was pretty wonderful. Have a ball.

 

[mb1017]

Originally posted by jcemom
Thank you so much for the advice Mary Beth! With only DD and I, do you think it would be better to have more days so that we can have a couple of "rest" days in between, or to have less days so that I don't wear out? For example, is 7 days plenty to run me ragged, or would 10 days with a couple of "no-park" days be the better way to go?

I can't decide if "less is more" in this case, or if the time "off" will actually be a good thing. My boys are 10 and 11 so it's been a LONG time since I've had a toddler. At 20 mos DD is actually pretty easy to deal with, but I know that could change.

I'm not sure what your activity threshhold is. We did Epcot on day 1 which was great. She started a craft activity that continued at each country (you collect stamps and tags at each stop). Plus the IllumiNations show was great. Staying for the fireworks got us back to the hotel around 10 and then it took a couple of hours for her to calm down and get to sleep. So in retrospect, I should have built in an extra day or two for resting.

MGM didn't have too much for a toddler except a couple of shows. MK was split up over 2 days. We did Fantasyland on one day, rested at the hotel for a couple of hrs. then went back for dinner and the Wishes show. The second day was spent at Toontown and other places.

My DD didn't mind waiting in lines. She'd strike up a conversation with any other kid in line. We even shared a ride on the Teacups with another mom and her DD.

Hope this helps.