Need Trip Planning Advice

[MissManda]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this board so hopefully I'm asking these questions in the right place. I've been to DW twice (May 2009 and Sept 2010)and it was just my husband and I. I'm now trying to plan a trip in 2012 for up to 10 people (4 kids and 6 adults) and I need some help from the "experts" here at this board.

Here are my questions (and I apologize if it seems like a lot).
1. We have not determined the dates that we want to go. Because of kids and work, we are limited to either spring break (Week of April 8, 2012) or the summer 2012. Which is the best time to go? Obviously the weather would be nicer is April compared to June/July. Is it warm enough to swim this time of year? How do the crowds compare? This will be the first trip for everyone excluding my husband and I. I'm really really worried about not going the right week and it spoiling the experience for everyone. If its too hot, everyone will be cranky but if its too crowded and its hard to move around, that will make everyone cranky too.

2. We plan on using timeshare week (really hoping to get lucky and get a DVC resort, but not going to hold my breath). Was thinking of buying tickets through Undercover Tourist. To avoid any costs increases if DW raises rates, I was thinking of buying these now. Once I buy them, is there a time limit in which they have to be used? If I do get lucky and get a DVC resort, can these tickets be added to the Key to the World card?

3. For those who fly, would there be a cost difference between flying at Easter vs the summer?

Thanks in advance!

Amanda

 

[beccasmom]

Easter falls on 4/8 next year and holiday weeks are traditionally quite busy at WDW. It is a fun time to visit, but probably not optimal for a first-time visit (in case anyone in your group has not visited before). The crowds can be pretty daunting. You need a good plan in order to see everything you want to; on the other hand, the park hours will be longer. The weather is never a sure thing, but should be okay for swimming. The summer is busy too, but somewhat less so than Easter. It would be less busy in early to mid June and the latter part of August. And sometimes Free Dining is offered in late summer. Summer weather can be tough to handle.... The best way to get around it is to tour early, take a mid-day break (pool, water park, nap....) and return later in the evening. The crowds and heat all seem to be worse in the middle of the day so avoiding that time will preserve your cool....and your sanity! :good vibes

If you are planning on a DVC stay, you're looking at busy seasons, particularly for the holiday. For your group, you would need either a GV (sleeps 12) or a two-bedroom and a studio. The GV is great, but pricey. You might get a better deal with a rental.

Undercover Tourist is a great service which we have used on several occasions. The tickets do not expire until you start using them and you can also opt for the no expiration version for an extra cost (if any days remain, you can use the tickets on a future trip). I don't believe you can add UT tickets to the Key to the World card, only those purchased at WDW.

 

[Hootch]

in early June if possible, mid June if not. April can be one of the busiest periods with a lot of East Coast schools having Spring Break then. Likewise a lot of these schools do not get out until mid June. For example Disney offered a general public room rate discount earlier that went through June 13 (14?). There is an AP out for summer now not yet for GP.

June would most likely be hotter but there is s small chance it could be cool. We went a few years ago in March and one night it dropped into the 30s. Three years ago it went into the upper 50s while we were in another part of central Florida in March.

As mentioned above, your tickets will be good. Disney generally raises ticket prices in early August.

 

[DisneyClown]

No matter what time you decide to go, you need to do as previous poster said; go early, as in rope drop, and leave by mid day. Do your homework on Fast Passes; you can utilize these to get more in with less wait.

Go to the parks without Extra Magic Hours, they tend to be less busy. If you were staying on site, you could more easily go back to resort, nap and/or swim, then head back to parks in the evening.

We went over the July 4th holiday last summer, and were expecting it to be extra busy, but it actually was kinda' dead throughout most of the day on July 4th itself!

Whatever you decide, if you do your homework, you can decide what you want to do most, and know you aren't going to "do it all" and you will have a great time!