New...need advice

[poohbearrocks]

OK, I am new here and am trying to read as much as I can with a crazy 2yr old and busy 6 yr old...SOOOO...I will just ask and try to catch other info when I can!!

I am working on dh to go to disney, he isn't a crowd likeing go go go all day kinda guy...so since **I** have never been to DL, I have got to thinking that maybe with only 2 parks, it will be a little less overwhelming!!

SOOO, from here I am thinking Thanksgiving...dd is out of school the week - how are the crowds? weather? are the pools open then? is the park open thanksgiving? are the christmas decorations up? i want to see the magic of disney at christmas, but i bet christmas break is SUPER crowded...

ideas anyone?!? we would have to be on a budget, but I really wanna stay onsite as the 3 visits to WDW haven't been onsite, i just feel like I am missing out!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I can answer a few of your questions. A good rule of thumb...if your kids are out of school, so are a lot of other kids. You are probably going to be dealing with some pretty big crowds. I think the park is open 365 days a year. Weather should be nice, not sure if it will be swimming weather but you will probably see temps in the 70's.

Staying on-site is very expensive. You can stay at a good neighbor hotel within walking distance for about half the prices as on site.

Check out these sites to book your trip...

costco.com
getawaytoday.com
AAA
expedia.com

 

[HydroGuy]

OK, I am new here and am trying to read as much as I can with a crazy 2yr old and busy 6 yr old...SOOOO...I will just ask and try to catch other info when I can!!

I am working on dh to go to disney, he isn't a crowd likeing go go go all day kinda guy...so since **I** have never been to DL, I have got to thinking that maybe with only 2 parks, it will be a little less overwhelming!!

SOOO, from here I am thinking Thanksgiving...dd is out of school the week - how are the crowds? weather? are the pools open then? is the park open thanksgiving? are the christmas decorations up? i want to see the magic of disney at christmas, but i bet christmas break is SUPER crowded...

ideas anyone?!? we would have to be on a budget, but I really wanna stay onsite as the 3 visits to WDW haven't been onsite, i just feel like I am missing out!

Thanks in advance!!!

Staying onsite at DLR does not carry the same advantages as WDW. So if you choose off-site you will be fine.

Thanksgiving week will be pretty busy...especially the weekend after Thanksgiving. If you decide to go that week, try to make your days be Mon-Wed of Thanksgiving week.

Here are some more things to read:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[XTinabell]

I agree with the above posters, thanksgiving week will be busy however the christmas decorations will be up! We usually do the first part of november, many of the christmas decorations are up at that time and the crowd level is usally quite low. My dh hates crowds as well and we went last year during a low time but during the weekend it picked up significantly and he got quite irritable, so if your dh is the same way I recommend trying to avoid weekends if you can. Hope that helps, but either way you'll have an awesome time. I also heard that around the second week in december is a good time to go but I dont' know that from experience.

 

[poohbearrocks]

Thanks everyone, we will not be visiting a park on a sat or sun, unless i go w/ the kids alone and that may or may not happen!

maybe thanksgiving day will be kinda slow some people like their extended families, i bet!

 

[poohbearrocks]

so...all you pros...do you go through disney to book? I have a visa and if I do I get points and no intrest for 6 mos...is it THAT much more than say...travelocity??

airfare?? better to just add and forget or shop...I have about decided the last weekend of Sept as my son will be 2...and still get in free!! all helps, right!

 

[hlbtimes2]

You really have to just run the numbers and see what price comes up better. For example, I booked our trip for next month thru Disney. They have kids fly free with Alaska air right now, but you have to book a package. I had to book either thru Alaska or Disney travel (or AAA/ Costco which use disney travel). Alaska air did not have the hotel we wanted (candy cane inn), so we booked through Disney. My MIL/FIL are probalby coming along. Its cheaper for them to book it all seperate. It will save them about $150. Last spring I went twice, once with the family, once with friends. I booked Disney for the family trip and orbtiz and the hotel direct for the other.

In the fall the hotels often have a 4th night free special (they have the last 3 years at least). Might be worth waiting for that special to book. Not sure when it will come out, might not be until near the end of summer.

 

[dizzyami]

Thanks everyone, we will not be visiting a park on a sat or sun, unless i go w/ the kids alone and that may or may not happen!

maybe thanksgiving day will be kinda slow some people like their extended families, i bet!

Thanksgiving of '05 was pretty slow, and then the crowds picked up quite a bit over the weekend. The best bet to avoid is to get to DL 30 minutes before the park opens, and then when it gets too busy, go to DCA that is never as busy. Also with Fastpass you can avoid a lot of the lines, and you can baby swap other rides to also keep you moving pretty quick!