October or December???

[KGD]

We are going to be making our first reservation here in the next couple of weeks. With the exception of when I was a child, we have only been to Disney in Jan, March or April.

We are looking to go for 10-12 days in October or early December and I was wanting your opinions and feedback about those times. We have 3 children, ages 4 years and under and have some friends / family that will be joining us for 4-5 days of this trip.

We have never been to F & W, MNSSHP, or Christmas festivities around the parks.

Any favorites or must do's out there????

 

[2binak]

I would go in Oct. The weather in Dec is very unpredictable, even early Dec. We spent an entire week in Dec bundled up. I had to buy gloves one day at Epcot because it just got sooo cold. Shortly after that, we left the park and stayed in our room for the rest of the day/night because we just could not enjoy ourselves. I wouldn't want to have to worry about keeping 3 little ones warm too.

F&WF is alot of fun, a great way to sample foods from all over the world. It's alot of fun to do with a group of people.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have done October and December. We were there in October '09 when it was unseasonably hot and December '10 when we had to wear hats, gloves and winter coats. We have a 4 year old and given either option, I would choose unseasonably hot in October! With that said, there is nothing quite as magical as Disney at Christmas, but you have time and can wait until they are older and more tolerant of the possible cold weather. I would suggest late October -- less busy and a little cooler (80's).

MNSSHP is fun. Our son has gone at 2, 3 and he will go this fall at 5. So far, most of the fun has been getting pics with the characters in their halloween attire. My son finds the parade to be a little scary. It is also a late event, and for the money, I am not sure it would be worth taking 3 under four.

F&W is great! We always have liked Epcot with our toddler, because we can usually get him to nap mid-day in his stroller. The Disney rental strollers are not comfortable at all, so I would advise taking your own or renting a better, more comfortable stroller from a local rental company. When it's hot, toddlers enjoy playing in the water area on the concourse to the World Showcase. My son also can spend hours watching the trains in Germany as well as watching the monorails come by.

You are already past the 11 month window for your home resort and are already within the 7 month booking window for parts of October. The Epcot area resorts are tough to get into for October (I know. . . we are wait-listed currently!). If you go in Oct, you will want a resort with a good pool for toddlers. We have only stayed at Kidani and SSR, so I can't make specific recommendations, although the pool at Kidani is nice. It has a zero entry, which is great with little ones.

Must-do's: Nemo the Musical, Festival of the Lion King, Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, Boneyard at AK, Fantasyland (of course). Unfortunately, Toontown is closed currently.

Also, if you want to do character meals, you should figure out which ones and call at the 180 day ADR window. These can go quickly! We enjoy The Crystal Palace, Tusker House, and Chef Mickey.

Have fun planning!

 

[DeadHead]

I'd say October. As others have said the F&W is great. October can be hot and humid, to me that's much better than the cold this past December. Hats, gloves, and scarves were sold at every register in the parks. I will admit that Christmas at Disney is special, the decorations are awesome, the Christmas story-tellers at the countries were very interesting. Overall though I'd take the heat and humidity, much easier to pack t-shirts and shorts instead of heavy coats, gloves etc.

 

[IloveDisney77]

My vote is December...we went for the first time this past December and loved it so much that we are going back again this year during the same time. We have been to the WDW many times but December has become our favorite time to go, for now at least, due to all of ,the decorations, storytellers, special events, Candlelight Processional, special singing groups, fantastic Santa/Mrs Clause, etc.

HOWEVER, you need to decide what you really want out of this trip. If you want guranteed pool time and warm to hot weather...October wins hands down. You'd also be able to enjoy MNSSHP and F&W...LOVE F&W!!! As PP's mentioned, it was cold in early December this year. We were only able to go into the pool on our last day, 12/12, when the temperatures finally made it into the mid 70's. For us, we will take a slight chill (ok...downright cold this year) over hot/sweaty/humid weather.

I have heard that October can also be quite pleasant, however when we were there a few years ago for a long weekend (have I said I LOVE F&W!!!) it was hot and muggy. I already live in NC where it is hot and muggy...I don't want hot and muggy touring parks.

One more quick thing....you should decide very quickly because early to mid December books up very early. In fact there are many rooms classes at different resorts that are completely sold out already.

Whatever you decide, you are deciding between 2 great times to go! Enjoy.

 

[riatees]

These are also my two favorite months to go. For the past 10 years we have either gone in December or October. I love them both, but there is nothing like Disney at Christmas time. The decorations go up at Thanksgiving and it is even more magical than normal. I agree that the weather in December is a toss up. We have been there when it was in the high 70's, low 80's and we have been there when they were covering the plants due to frost warnings. With the little ones you might not want to take a chance on the weather and October is also a wonderful time. So my answer is if the cold weather would be an issue, go in Oct., if not, I pick December.

 

[palaemon]

Am I wrong? But if you book the end of Oct (10/26) through the beginning of Nov (11/6 or so,) wouldn't you get:

F&W
MNSSHP
& The Christmas Decorations?

 

[AlwaysDreamofDisney]

I don't think the Christmas decorations go up until after Jersey Week is over.

This year it's 11/6-11/12 * a week later than normal so timing might be different this year!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Both October and December will be difficult at less than 11 months out. You might be able to find something that you will like, but you might not.

The reason both October and December are difficult is because everyone likes to go then - it's not quite as hot. You have the various celebrations and festivals and holidays. There is a lot going on in the parks. Years ago, October was much quieter - we went on our first trip at the end of October. Then they had two - just two - Not So Scary Halloween parties - Oct 30 and Oct 31. But since that time, Disney has added more and more to the month. Half Marathons, multiple MNSSHPs, F&W Festival, etc. It's not a quiet time any more.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

duplicate

 

[Buckeye Fan]

If you like Christmas decorations and have never seen WDW at Christmas, it is truly BEAUTIFUL. If given the choice, definitely December. As others have posted, weather is unpredicatble, but we went down a couple of years ago (12/16 - 12/22) and had the most incredible weather - sunny and 80 degrees every single day. My vote is for December!

As for must dos...
* Defintely go to Hollywood Studios at night.
* Lights and decorations are so pretty. As you can imagine, every hotel is decorated, so make your rounds.
* Since we don't go over Christmas often (DH is a teach, and my DD still believes in Santa! ), we like to do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It's expensive and in the evening, but it's a lot of fun because they give out hot chocolate and cookies, make it "snow" on Main Street, and do special things each year. I'd check it out online and read about it just to see if it's something you'd consider.

 

[jekjones1558]

You will want to do December someday but with 3 kids age 4 and under I think October is better for you right now. The Christmas stuff is better appreciated when kids are a bit older. October will guarantee pool time and my experience with young children is that they enjoy the pool as much as the parks. MNSSHP is more fun than MVMCP for young children, at least in my experience. Both December and October are already pretty booked up so be prepared to be flexible when you call to make your reservation. Good luck!

 

[a742246]

For your "First ressie" I would say go in October. The weather and travel should
be more predictable. You will have plenty of time for a Dec vacation in the future but for your first with 3 children I would go in October. Daylight savings time is still in effect so sunset will be at 7:30 verses 5:30.

Anyway whatever you choose you will have a great time.

 

[downontheBW]

I would plan the dates around what I wanted to do or see (F&W in October or decorations in December) rather than the weather because it can be so variable.

We've visited in October - once with unbearable hot & sticky weather and another time perfect weather. Perfect to cool weather for a few visits in December. If you want to make sure you have pool / water park weather, choose October.

 

[KGD]

Great ideas and info from all............THANKS!!

BTW, What is Jersey Week?

I would love to go at both times, but it looks like I may just have to see what is available. Can I make reservations for both months since I will have enough points, and wait list to see if I get the resorts I want? Then if the waitlists don't come through, I can cancel 1 of those ressies?

Also, if I bank the points for 2010 (we have an Oct UY), and use them for the Oct ressie and use my 2011 points for December ressie, and we end up canceling the Oct ressie, will they change my Dec ressie to use my banked 2010 points to free up my 2011 points to travel at a later date - sometime in 2011?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Great ideas and info from all............THANKS!!

BTW, What is Jersey Week?

...?

The NJ teacher's organization, NJEA has a convention in Atlantic City. Many NJ schools have off for it, so that gives a 4 day weekend for schools. Given that sometimes election day is often the same week, may people from NJ, just take the kids out of school for the whole week, since they would only be missing 2 days of school.

Bobbi

 

[jekjones1558]

Great ideas and info from all............THANKS!!

BTW, What is Jersey Week?

I would love to go at both times, but it looks like I may just have to see what is available. Can I make reservations for both months since I will have enough points, and wait list to see if I get the resorts I want? Then if the waitlists don't come through, I can cancel 1 of those ressies?

Also, if I bank the points for 2010 (we have an Oct UY), and use them for the Oct ressie and use my 2011 points for December ressie, and we end up canceling the Oct ressie, will they change my Dec ressie to use my banked 2010 points to free up my 2011 points to travel at a later date - sometime in 2011?

Yes you can make both reservations and MS will reallocate the banked points to the December reservation if you call and request them to do so. This is assuming that you are using points from the same home resort for both reservations. I am not sure about point reallocation if using points from different resorts.

 

[KGD]

Yes, they are frm the same resort. Just 2010 points and 2011 points.

 

[thepops]

They are both wonderful times and we've managed to hit both. With your kids so young, I'd lean towards October. My kids loved trick or treating in the MK. All of us did get in costume as well.
The decorations in December are amazing. So at this point, you might enjoy them more than the kids will, but that is OK also. In either case. ENJOY!

 

[lundve]

Hands down I'd say December.

We have done both MNSSHP in October and MVMCP in December. While the themeing is great both times Christmas time was amazing and awe inspired. There were things to see at all the resorts, all the parks had special must do sights and activities. If it were up to me we would go at that time of year every year.

One note, as another poster said. We went in 2009 and it was gorgeous weather. Short sleeves and shorts or capris. Some nights I did pack a lightweight long sleeve just in case but hardly ever used them. Fast forward to 2010 when friends of ours went the same week. They needed winter coats, hat, and gloves. So it really is up in the air weather wise - whereas October most of time feels like summer.