"One More Waffle!" An October 2011 TR! *Update 4/24, pg 70-The End!*

[Grumpy's Wife]

Ok, this is coming from someone who loves to plan. To me planning the trip is half the fun. So I would go with the one long deluxe trip and enjoy the whole getting there process.

Whatever you decide at least you're going back to Disney. Good luck.

 

[amazingact21]

Both options have their pros and cons, and OP have pretty much already covered them. By going in September, you can have a nice, long deluxe trip with everything you want piled into one. Plus, Brandon might be in a better mindframe about enjoying WDW if he has recieved a nice long break from it all.
On the other hand, by doing two short trips, you'll be able to see the Christmas decorations, which I know you really love. Just be aware that your May trip might not be a enjoyable, because Brandon will not especially want to be there. That in itself can cause some unwanted issues.

If I were having to make the decision, I'd probably go with 2 trips, but that's just my personal preference. May is my favorite time to visit, and I like the holiday season. But DH and I both love the place a lot and we don't really care where we sleep/stay. Everybody's different, and you just have to think long and hard about which trip will make you happier. If you feel like Brandon will be all right going again in May, go for it. But if you feel like you really want to take advantage of a long trip, then choose September.


(Oh, and just an FYI, the Tower of Terror race is a 10K. That's 6 miles opposed to 3.1, but still absolutely do-able if you did sign up for it. Plus, I'd nag you about it constantly afterwards to get all the details about it.)

 

[kittylady1972]

Wow, that is a tough one! I think I'm in agreement with several others here that I'd prefer the longer trip later in the Fall, perhaps during Food and Wine Festival, then two short trips. While I loved being there in May, it's just as nice in Sept/Oct too but with the November...and seeing the holiday decorations...that's the best.

Good luck, no matter what the planning is half the fun and I'll be waiting for your next PTR (maybe you should be like me and just join all the PTRs together, huh?? )

 

[amyrella]

Hi there ! It's been a while since I've posted on your links, but I'm a def lurker on your TR's.

Here's my thought, I recently have looked into renting DVC points, and honestly you can get them for like half the price of what the deluxe rack rate is, even more so. And you can get a dining plan without having to buy park tix, therefore you can still use your AP's. I looked at that Dave guys websIte for the rates and apparently it's a legit and credible site to use. Why not look into that?

Ps if he won't go, I'll go with you!! Lol

 

[ronnmel]

Personally, Ron and I prefer long trips to shorter ones. Also, if I had the opportunity to stay at a deluxe, I would definitely do it. Even more so if it's an Epcot resort during Food & Wine. That would certainly be a dream come true!!

 

[Nermel9]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone! If anyone else has any opinion about the matter, please feel free to comment, since I'm still so undecided about all of this! Seriously, it goes back and forth every hour. Last night I said to Brandon that going in May was stupid, and he just gave me an "I told you so" kind of look...then today, I thought about it and wanted to go in May again, so I texted him while I was at work and told him and "I don't care what we do, just stop talking about it". I honestly think at this point, he really doesn't care.

I'm thinking of actually writing a pros and cons list, so I can have it all out in front of me and make a decision that way. As you can probably tell, I'm the worst decision maker ever!

Oh yes, one more thing! Remember how I said Brandon has been out of work since September with a foot injury? Well, he's going back to work tomorrow (only half days for a while, but they're giving him terrible hours...7-11 at night) so he had to go to a foot specialist today to get certain shoes and inserts and everything, and the doctor did an xray on him at an angle that none of the other doctors have done in 4 months...turns out he has a broken bone in his foot! He said the doctor he saw today was really mad that no one saw that in 4 months! It's like 95% healed so he's ok to go back to work now, but still, can you believe that! Just thought I'd update you since I mentioned it a few weeks ago, before our December trip!

If it was my choice, I would go for the one long trip. You can stay at a Deluxe, be there for F & W Festival AND the Christmas decorations (if you go with November instead of September), you'll have more time to save, and Brandon will be more excited to go. You don't want a repeat of 'Boring Brandon," do you? It sucks that you won't get another use out of your APs, and I know it's hard to think about NOT going again in May, but I think ultimately you will be happier come September or November.

Well, we would only go in November if we did the 2 trips. If we do one, it will be in September so we could use the AP's. They actually expire October 5, so it could be like last year where it was the very end of September into October, but I was going with a whole week in September since it's value season still and the deluxes are $500 cheaper. (Which I think is insane that it changes that much! How do people afford deluxes in peak season!!! Discounts only get you so far...)

I think one long trip as well, but that's definitely our preferred touring style! And I would love to stay at the Boardwalk resorts. Maybe right at the beginning of Food and Wine? The Tower of Terror 5k sounds fun as well!

I love long trips as well, but at the same time, I love trips to Disney multiple times a year! So it's a tough decision! The only thing I'm really sure of is, I LOVE going in November. It's my favorite time to go. I like May a lot, and I like September, but November is amazing!

Ultimately it's going to be your decision but I know what it feels like to "deal with" a Disney trip being so far off in the distance-and not knowing what to do with yourself until then. That being said, I think you should do one long trip this fall. Might I also suggest trying to rent DVC points to save even more $$.

Pay down/off those credit cards and get another use out of those APs! Both are great financial decisions and I'm sure when you're on your trip this fall you will be happy with your decision.

Now, what you really need advice with is, "What to do to fight the Disney blues". I like to make lists of all of the restaurants that I want to try, all of the new things I want to experience, our must dos, play with dates/resorts/costs. Start a PTR and share memories from your past trips.

Renting DVC points is a good idea, but it's so complicated! If I was going to do that, I'd like to use someone that I know, or that someone I know knows (if that makes sense!)

It seems like one long trip is the sensible decision here, but here's the thing...2 shorter trips costs almost the same as one long trip! And when I looked into renting points, I'm pretty sure 2 shorter trips came out cheaper than one long trip (although I only priced that out for November, not September, which I should do...)

What would be the most sensible option is to do a long trip in September and stay in a moderate. When you compare mods to deluxes, it makes you wonder how anyone can every pay deluxe prices.

I love all of your suggestions to fight the Disney blues! I can't wait to start a PTR but I can't even think of doing that til I finish my 2 TR's going on now!

I vote for one trip in the fall. I would go in Sept so that the APs get another use. The TOT run sounds fun too.

I think if you make Brandon go back again in May, you'll both be miserable and he'll turn out like John who is still on his 10 year ban of Disney.

If you just do one trip you can stay at a deluxe. I think you should try AKL, it is a great place to spend some time out of the parks.

I wouldn't plan a Nov. trip if you will have to buy tickets again. That would just annoy me, since I just had a perfectly good AP that really went to waste.

Well I knew you would vote for one trip!

I'm not sure how it would go if Brandon went in May. I think he was so annoyed in December because we were just there like, 8 weeks earlier. At least with May it would be like, a 6 month break.

I do want to stay deluxe, but at the same time, they are so expensive compared to the moderates. When you compare values with mods, it's not that much of a difference, but the difference between mods and deluxes is ridiculous! I'd like to look into renting points...and I'd like to stay at AKL sometime, but if we're going during Food and Wine, I'd want to be at an Epcot resort.

Paying for tickets in November is annoying, and that's a big reason I wouldn't want to do the 2 trips. But, I already got a bonus trip in December, and I only bought those AP's because I thought we were going in May, I assumed our only trip this year was going to be May! I had no idea I'd want to go in the Fall again!

totally the sept trip. ill be there sept 20 -30 and i love september and you can get the first unofficial day of food and wine. I think maybe dont do may bc he will totally be burnt out of disney. either just sept or november! plus pay off credit cards and then start saving for your deluxe hotel....Jenn

I like September too, and I'd love to be there for the opening of the Food and Wine festival! We were there last year for the "soft" opening of the F&W fest and it was so nice being there before it officially opened, that's a big reason I picked the last week of September! That and low crowds and value season!
Too bad it's still so hot!

I guess I am in the minority. I think I'd do the two trips. You can enjoy the milder weather in May and most kids are still in school; and in Novmeber you can catch the tale end of F&W as you said and see some of the Christmas decorations.

Personally, it doesn't bother me not staying at a deluxe...I like my moderate and am quite content there. Also, the trip in September is part of the time frame we were there and it just seemed so much more crowded this year...although that could have been we were closer to F&W (which we've still never done) and the fact that it was the 40th anniersary. We are going a little earlier this year (we'll be there September 14-21); if I'm not happy with this time frame, we'll be going back to the Labor Day period whether Mark likes it or not.

***Also, you know that you'll get there in September if you do the one "long" trip and want to take another trip for the Christmas decorations and Brandon may not agree to that.

I'm surprised you're the minority saying take 2 trips, I thought almost everyone would say do 2 trips! I've only been in May once, but I really liked it, the Flower and Garden festival is a lot of fun! And November is my favorite month to visit!

Haha, I'm not a deluxe snob or anything, I just really like to stay at them if I can! I'm happy at a mod, I'm happy at POP even, I loved it there! But there's just something about the deluxes that makes me really feel like I'm on vacation, away from the real world! I mean, I get that at the values and mods too, but...I just love the deluxes!

I do know that if we go in September, a Christmas trip is NOT an option this year. He'll be back at work, and I'm not using any more of his vacation days for a trip in December, I'd rather save them for next year. Another con against a September trip!

 

[Nermel9]

I think you should do the one long trip in September. Brandon is already burnt out so I think a happy Brandon is better than a crabby one. Plus what if you go in May and then he says that's it, no more and before you know it November is out the window. I know I am stretching this, but I can picture Kyle (my DH) being the same way. If you wait until September it also gives you more time to save money/pay down your CC. You can also hope that if you give Brandon the break of not going until September maybe you can sneak in a 3 day trip in November

That's a big concern of mine, him agreeing to May and November now, but once May gets here, he will say "no, sorry, not going in November!" I'd probably have to either have it booked before we go, or book with a Bounceback to be sure we would go! I wish we could go a September trip AND go in November for a few days, but he just doesn't have enough vacation days (they reset in July, and he has 3 days left for this year, which is why our May trip would only be 5 days).

Ok, this is coming from someone who loves to plan. To me planning the trip is half the fun. So I would go with the one long deluxe trip and enjoy the whole getting there process.

Whatever you decide at least you're going back to Disney. Good luck.

I agree about the planning, I love the planning part of a trip! I think part of my problem here is that I have nothing booked yet! I feel like if I could just book a trip for September, I'd get over not going in May this year!

You're right though, either way, at least I know we're going back, so I'm very lucky!

Both options have their pros and cons, and OP have pretty much already covered them. By going in September, you can have a nice, long deluxe trip with everything you want piled into one. Plus, Brandon might be in a better mindframe about enjoying WDW if he has recieved a nice long break from it all.
On the other hand, by doing two short trips, you'll be able to see the Christmas decorations, which I know you really love. Just be aware that your May trip might not be a enjoyable, because Brandon will not especially want to be there. That in itself can cause some unwanted issues.

If I were having to make the decision, I'd probably go with 2 trips, but that's just my personal preference. May is my favorite time to visit, and I like the holiday season. But DH and I both love the place a lot and we don't really care where we sleep/stay. Everybody's different, and you just have to think long and hard about which trip will make you happier. If you feel like Brandon will be all right going again in May, go for it. But if you feel like you really want to take advantage of a long trip, then choose September.

(Oh, and just an FYI, the Tower of Terror race is a 10K. That's 6 miles opposed to 3.1, but still absolutely do-able if you did sign up for it. Plus, I'd nag you about it constantly afterwards to get all the details about it.)

Haha, I've been over the pros and cons so many times! It's so hard to decide! I need to make up my mind though, because if we're gonna go in May, I have to book it and I have to buy plane tix! I'm seriously going to sit down and write a list when I'm finished here...maybe seeing everything on paper will help!

I know there is a 10 mile ToT race at DHS (which I'd love to do, but considering I can't even do a 5K yet, that won't happen!) but they are also having a 5K that weekend too! I don't know what it's called or where it is held, but if it is held at DHS, that would be amazing! It will probably be at AK like the Wine and Dine 5K is.

Wow, that is a tough one! I think I'm in agreement with several others here that I'd prefer the longer trip later in the Fall, perhaps during Food and Wine Festival, then two short trips. While I loved being there in May, it's just as nice in Sept/Oct too but with the November...and seeing the holiday decorations...that's the best.

Good luck, no matter what the planning is half the fun and I'll be waiting for your next PTR (maybe you should be like me and just join all the PTRs together, huh?? )

I agree, November is the best time to go! I really liked May and September/October, but I love November! But Disney is Disney, and I'll be happy anytime we can go! I just wish Food and Wine went a little longer in November, because I really love going during that time too!

I can't wait to start a PTR but that won't be for a while! I did join your PTR right? I thought I did but had to catch up, if not, I will! The only good thing about Brandon going back to work is, more DIS time for me! Other than that, it's awful.

Hi there ! It's been a while since I've posted on your links, but I'm a def lurker on your TR's.

Here's my thought, I recently have looked into renting DVC points, and honestly you can get them for like half the price of what the deluxe rack rate is, even more so. And you can get a dining plan without having to buy park tix, therefore you can still use your AP's. I looked at that Dave guys websIte for the rates and apparently it's a legit and credible site to use. Why not look into that?

Ps if he won't go, I'll go with you!! Lol

Renting DVC is definitely an option! I'd like to use someone that I know, or someone a friend or DISer knows, but if I couldn't find someone, David's vacation club is a good idea, even though he charges a bit more for points. I priced out a trip with him in November and could not believe how cheap it would be!

Personally, Ron and I prefer long trips to shorter ones. Also, if I had the opportunity to stay at a deluxe, I would definitely do it. Even more so if it's an Epcot resort during Food & Wine. That would certainly be a dream come true!!

I prefer longer trips too! However, Brandon already said no more 10 day trips, the longest he's ok with is an 8 day trip, which actually works out, because we would only have to use 5 of his vacation days that way!

Even if we do decide to go in May and then November I'm definitely doing Food and Wine, I love it! That's a big reason I'd want to stay at an Epcot resort!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hmm, that's a tough choice. I would LOVE to be able to do a long trip but since most of our more recent trips have been 4-6 days (at the parks) I've gotten used to that. It's nice because you can experience the special events like the Flower and Garden Festival, F&W, and the Christmas decorations. So personally, I'd probably go for the 2 shorter trips. BUT...since you've got APs, maybe it would make more sense to save up for a longer trip. That way you'd get more value out of them and if you're really set on staying at a deluxe resort you could do that too. So basically I don't think I said anything the other posters have said and I probably wasn't too helpful.

 

[ditsypixie]

Just my opinion, but I would go for one, long trip. And this just me, but I would feel so rushed to get alot done on a short trip that I would stay stressed out the entire time! Can't wait to hear what you decide!

Glad to hear that Brandon's foot is better but that is crazy that it was a broken bone and the doctors didn't catch it!

 

[Nermel9]

OMG everyone...so get this. I was talking to Brandon about this Disney dilemma, and I said to him that I wish we could just go on one long trip in November, since it's our favorite time to go, and as much as I like September I'm not looking forward to the heat or possible crowds, and he said "well why don't we just go in November?"

Seriously? After I just paid hundreds of dollars in October to upgrade our tickets to AP's, you basically want them to go to waste? Yes, I know we did our bonus trip in December, but still, it seems ridiculous to not use them this year when we have them!

So he said we've always just done packages, always bought our tickets, and the only reason I think 2 trips is a good idea this year is because of those AP's.

Well, that part is kind of true.

I can't believe he'd be ok with just not using those AP's and paying for tickets in November. Honestly, I'd love to do that. However, I don't know if I can bring myself to just basically throw my AP's away without one more trip, and I don't know if I can wait til November!!!

So now I'm even more confused!!! I'm starting to not even care when we go, I just want to make a decision and be done with it!!

Hmm, that's a tough choice. I would LOVE to be able to do a long trip but since most of our more recent trips have been 4-6 days (at the parks) I've gotten used to that. It's nice because you can experience the special events like the Flower and Garden Festival, F&W, and the Christmas decorations. So personally, I'd probably go for the 2 shorter trips. BUT...since you've got APs, maybe it would make more sense to save up for a longer trip. That way you'd get more value out of them and if you're really set on staying at a deluxe resort you could do that too. So basically I don't think I said anything the other posters have said and I probably wasn't too helpful.

I don't know what's the better choice anymore! If you read the post I just wrote above this you will see why! I'm so confused! Now I'm leaning more towards the 2 trips, because I'm so excited about the thought of going in November, and I would also like to go in May, but it just seems kind of stupid to do 2 trips! AHHHH!!!

Just my opinion, but I would go for one, long trip. And this just me, but I would feel so rushed to get alot done on a short trip that I would stay stressed out the entire time! Can't wait to hear what you decide!

Glad to hear that Brandon's foot is better but that is crazy that it was a broken bone and the doctors didn't catch it!

I don't know what to do! I love long trips, but by the end of the long one last year I was so tired, so I'm almost thinking 2 short ones might be a little better but...I don't know! I really don't know what to do, I wish Brandon would just make the decision and be done with it!

Isn't that crazy about his foot? I can't believe he can go back work on a broken bone, but I guess it's ok!

 

[pinkxray]

I can't believe Brandon had a bone that was broken That would explain the pain he said he had when the physical therapist was touching it. We take 3 pictures of the foot, but sometimes Dr's only order 2. The third picture spreads the bones out in a different way and sometimes it's the only way you can see the fracture. No excuse, but I wonder why he did have that x-ray done in the first place.

I was bored and ran the numbers for you to rent points in Nov. Even if you go through David's it is still so much cheaper than booking through Disney, even with a 40% discount. If you rent points through David's you don't have the risks so it will be worth the extra few dollars per point. With the money you save renting points, you don't have to feel so bad about not getting good use out of the APs.

 

[Joyciemc]

I have solved your problem! You and Brandon should take a long November trip, and you should take a solo trip in May. Except instead of solo, you should hang out with Mark and I! Our dates are May 6-10.

 

[Nermel9]

I can't believe Brandon had a bone that was broken That would explain the pain he said he had when the physical therapist was touching it. We take 3 pictures of the foot, but sometimes Dr's only order 2. The third picture spreads the bones out in a different way and sometimes it's the only way you can see the fracture. No excuse, but I wonder why he did have that x-ray done in the first place.

I was bored and ran the numbers for you to rent points in Nov. Even if you go through David's it is still so much cheaper than booking through Disney, even with a 40% discount. If you rent points through David's you don't have the risks so it will be worth the extra few dollars per point. With the money you save renting points, you don't have to feel so bad about not getting good use out of the APs.

I can't believe he had a broken bone either and no one picked up on it! He said the last x-ray he got, the dr. made him stand on a box and they took it that way, and you could clearly see a break in his bone. At least it healed on it's own, I guess if it doesn't, that's when you need surgery.

I went through every single possible situation with prices and everything! I looked at renting points, and it's a good idea if we did go in November, but not using those AP's again is really bothering me. It was just such a waste of money. And it would only be like $300 or $400 more for 2 trips than one trip in November, and if I cut one day in November, it would be basically the same, so it seems like 2 trips is a better option right now.

Of course, 5 minutes ago I just told myself that 2 trips is stupid, so we're just doing one. If I don't make a decision this weekend, we're just going to do the one September trip, because this is ridiculous!

I have solved your problem! You and Brandon should take a long November trip, and you should take a solo trip in May. Except instead of solo, you should hang out with Mark and I! Our dates are May 6-10.

LOL that's a great idea, I would love to do a solo trip, except I'm nervous about flying alone! I don't know why, I flew to California alone years ago, but now the thought of it freaks me out! I do want to do a solo trip one day, though...I'll give it some thought!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

LOL that's a great idea, I would love to do a solo trip, except I'm nervous about flying alone! I don't know why, I flew to California alone years ago, but now the thought of it freaks me out! I do want to do a solo trip one day, though...I'll give it some thought!

I have solved your problem! You and Brandon should take a long November trip, and you should take a solo trip in May. Except instead of solo, you should hang out with Mark and I! Our dates are May 6-10.

Count me in!! Except I feel the same way about flying solo. I don't even like flying with anybody except Greg. Joyce, how about you 2 fly to Chicago first and then we can all fly to Disney, together?

I think you should go at the end of October/beginning of November. You can do MNSSHP, Food & Wine Fest and catch some of the Christmas decor!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Count me in!! Except I feel the same way about flying solo. I don't even like flying with anybody except Greg. Joyce, how about you 2 fly to Chicago first and then we can all fly to Disney, together?

I think you should go at the end of October/beginning of November. You can do MNSSHP, Food & Wine Fest and catch some of the Christmas decor!

*points to ticker*

 

[DisneyCrafter]

*points to ticker*

What are your dates???

 

[DisneyFirefly]

What are your dates???

October 26 to November 1, but I'm amenable to changing it, as long as I'm there at least October 31 or November 1 for MNSSHP

 

[Nermel9]

Count me in!! Except I feel the same way about flying solo. I don't even like flying with anybody except Greg. Joyce, how about you 2 fly to Chicago first and then we can all fly to Disney, together?

I think you should go at the end of October/beginning of November. You can do MNSSHP, Food & Wine Fest and catch some of the Christmas decor!

Actually...Joyce, you're flying out of Bradley aren't you? Hmmm...I do live in CT...I could just crash your whole trip!

It's been so long since I've flown with anyone but Brandon, I feel like I might annoy other people, because I'm so nervous, but I do like the thought of a solo/DIS trip someday!

 

[Nermel9]

Oops, ignore this please...

 

[DisneyCrafter]

What happened to your Disneyland ticker??

See new update on my TR!