Opinions, please on DCL and VB combination

[preedymtnwest]

Hi! We've received our 3-night DCL incentive when we added on at VGC and need to start thinking about planning. Basically, our voucher is good starting now through next spring, then dates pick up again in fall '10. We're already going home to VGC for the first time in Feb. '10, so we'll probably wait to sail until the fall.

DS(12) is in 7th grade (will be 8th by fall '10), so it's getting harder to take him out of school for extended periods, and the DCL voucher isn't good during the summer. Since we'll sail on a Thursday (unless the Wonder changes schedules before then), and return on a Sunday, and we come from the west coast, we'll need to fly no later than Wednesday and stay overnight somewhere before the cruise.

I'd like to use this opportunity to stay at VB and maybe not do the parks this time (if the kids will let us!), since VB is relatively convenient to DCL.

Here are the questions:

Would you sail on Thanksgiving? (This is a possible date on my voucher.)

If so, would you stay at VB before the cruise (to stay somewhat out of the flying at Thanksgiving mess)?

Is that a good time of year there? (late November)

What about DCL/VB combo at Christmas? (Although we spent 12 nights at WDW starting Christmas Eve 2007 (pre DVC) and one of the boys complained about being away on Christmas - gimme a break!)

Any suggestions about a good way to use the cruise voucher and stay at DVC and minimize out-of-school time would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[CarolAnnC]

If you are thinking Thanksgiving of this year, that would not be possible. Folks reported that cruise sold out for the incentive dates quite some time ago. Thanksgiving of 2010 may be possible, if it is listed, however.

I prefer to stay one night prior to cruising and a longer stay after the cruise. Once we disembark, it is such a let down to come back to the real world! A nice little vacation stay afterwards does help ease one back to reality, lol

 

[preedymtnwest]

Thanks, CarolAnnC. Yes, we're thinking of November 2010, but silly me, I was assuming our 3-night would leave on Thursday, but I checked DCL and they swap 3-night and 4-night that week, so it looks like we'd be going Sunday-Wednesday on a 3-night, then going to VB for the rest of the week, just as you suggested to fight the "let downs."

It looks lovely and the web says the temps there at that time of year are pretty good. I'll start checking out what VB is like at Thanksgiving, but would appreciate any thoughts along those lines, too!

Thanks again!

 

[preedymtnwest]

Bump. Would appreciate (per my previous post) info on what (if anything) VB does at Thanksgiving?

Thanks!

 

[surfer_ed]

I am doing VB for three days before my next Cruise on Nov 14th