POP or AOA? and when to book?

[MrsTeddy]

We have made a few important decisions regarding our upcoming trip! I need help with my next ones tho! We are going July 2012 for my DS' 3rd Birthday, we will be going earlier that month so he will be free! We will be travelling with a 3 month old as well. In addition my in-laws will be with us, 4 adults and 2 children under 3.

My in-laws are bringing DS for his birthday and covering the bulk of the trip, we have decided to stay on property, to get a hopper pass to allow flexibility with little ones and to use the dining plan.

I would like input on which resort, we are staying value because its our first trip, and we would rather spend the extra $ on things/experiences while there (and gas, since we are driving 20+ hrs each way from CANADA!)

I think we are down to either two seperate (and possibly ajoining) rooms at POP or a new family suite a the new AOA. DS loves cars and I would especially be interested if we could get a cars themed room. Should I call and see if this is possible?

My next question, we will know our exact dates (waiting for plant shut down schedules) in the next 2 weeks, should I book immediately or wait and see if a promotion comes up. Is it likely there will be any promotions in July? I realize this is a busy season. Any tips are welcome.

Also am I crazy for taking a 3 month old in July? We don't mind taking it slow, I will be nursing, and went for only 1 day with DS at 8 months and it went very well.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I don't think the Cars suites will be open by July. AoA opens in June with the Nemo suites, but the other themes come later. I can't remember the dates, but I think one section is September and another December?

AoA guarantees that you will all be together and also gives you a fridge and a microwave. You can request connecting rooms at Pop, but you might not get them. Pop gives you more beds, but you probably only need three sleeping areas anyway since the 3 month old is probably in a pack n play.

If you want to be sure you have a place to go if the little one is napping, I'd book a family suite. If you want a separate space for your family away from your in-laws, book two rooms at Pop.

I would book once you have your dates if you are going whether there is a promotion or not. If a promotion is released, you can amend your reservation.

to the DIS, and enjoy planning your first trip!


Edited to add:

I found this posted on the AoA thread (page 51):

Walt Disney World has announced an opening date for their newest accommodations, the Art of Animation Resort. The value resort will open in stages, with the first phase, the "Finding Nemo" section, opening May 31, 2012. After that will come "Cars" in late July, "The Lion King" in late September, and "The Little Mermaid" in late 2012. The resort is near the Pop Century Resort, and will boast 1,120 family suites and 864 guest rooms. According to the Disney Parks Blog, the "Finding Nemo" section at the Art of Animation Resort will house the largest swimming pool of any Disney resort. This pool will measure a whopping 11,859 square feet. A children's water play area and two other pools will round out the rest of the resort's aquatic offerings.

Here is the link to the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2576995&page=51

It might be worth a call or a check online to see if you can book a Cars suite in July.

 

[gabzee]

I personally would choose the POP over the AOA. This way you could get away from your inlaws and AOA wouldn't be fully open yet. You would also have more beds at the POP. As far as booking, I would book as soon as you know your travel dates. If you wait the only thing that can happen is that more and more rooms get booked. I would continue to check for promos. If one becomes available call Disney and they can modify your reservation. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We have made a few important decisions regarding our upcoming trip! I need help with my next ones tho! We are going July 2012 for my DS' 3rd Birthday, we will be going earlier that month so he will be free! We will be travelling with a 3 month old as well. In addition my in-laws will be with us, 4 adults and 2 children under 3.

My in-laws are bringing DS for his birthday and covering the bulk of the trip, we have decided to stay on property, to get a hopper pass to allow flexibility with little ones and to use the dining plan.

I would like input on which resort, we are staying value because its our first trip, and we would rather spend the extra $ on things/experiences while there (and gas, since we are driving 20+ hrs each way from CANADA!)

I think we are down to either two seperate (and possibly ajoining) rooms at POP or a new family suite a the new AOA. DS loves cars and I would especially be interested if we could get a cars themed room. Should I call and see if this is possible?

My next question, we will know our exact dates (waiting for plant shut down schedules) in the next 2 weeks, should I book immediately or wait and see if a promotion comes up. Is it likely there will be any promotions in July? I realize this is a busy season. Any tips are welcome.

Also am I crazy for taking a 3 month old in July? We don't mind taking it slow, I will be nursing, and went for only 1 day with DS at 8 months and it went very well.

1. If this is your first time touring WDW, I would not recommend park hoppers. I would get the base ticket. You can leave a park, go back for a break, and then go back to the same park. Park hopping can be time consuming, especially if you are not familiar with the parks.

2. The Cars section at AOA won't be open until the end of July, and really I think the AOA suites are going to be over priced. They are going to be about $340.00 per night during the summer season and regular value rooms are only about $140.00 for the same time frame, so about $200.00 more per night for the suite. We always get two connecting rooms at a value resort and we like Pop and All-Star Movies, but for your first trip with small children, I would recommend All-Star Movies. Also, you need to request CONNECTING rooms. In the Disney reservation system adjoing rooms mean next to or close to, connecting rooms means 2 rooms with a door in between.

3. Since you know your exact dates you need to go ahead and book. If a WDW discount code comes out later you can always call and have the code added to your existing reservation. All you have to put down to book your package is $200.00. I always wait to pay off the balance until the 45 day mark, just to wait and see what discounts they will come out with. But, really, there aren't too many discounts during July - its a very busy, expensive season. You might luck out with a room discount though.

4. Yes, personally, I find it a bit crazy to go to WDW in July at all, let alone with a 3 year old, but that's just me - I don't like crowds or heat and that's what you get in July at WDW. I know you said you wanted to go for your son's b-day, but really, go a couple of months earlier and just celebrate a bit early. Lower crowds, lower temps and lower prices are totally worth it. Again, that's just my personal opinion.

Here are some touring tips, no matter what time of year you are going:

I never recommend the hopper ticket option to people who are new to touring Disney, you don't need it. I would recommend 5 to 6 park days for a first visit - 2 days MK, 2 days Epcot, 1 day Ak and 1 day DHS. If you are staying on-site, you don't really need your car, the Disney transporation is good, especially with it being your first time and not being familiar with Disney property.

Pick up a copy of The Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World and check out their companion website, www.touringplans.com. I use their crowd/best days calendar to plan all our park days and then once I know which park we will be in on which days I can make my Advance Dining Reservations around those parks or in resorts close to those parks. I highly recommend the Basic Disney Dining Plan if your party is going to eat at least one sit down/table service/character meal per day.

There are tips I give to anyone new to touring WDW:

1. Make sure you have Advance Dining Reservations as a lot of table service restaurants do not take walk-ups or busy crowd seasons, and July is one of the busiest, and most expensive, of the entire year.

2. Get to the parks at opening. You really can get a lot done in the morning because so many other people sleep in.

3. Eat lunch around 11:00 or 11:30 a.m. before the fast food places get busy. Then when while everyone else is eating lunch, you will have lower crowds.

4. I buy a ton of the two for a dollar ponchos at the dollar store and keep them in the backpack. That way you can throw them a way after use and not worry about keeping up with a wet bulky poncho the rest of the day. Bring throw away ponchos to wear on Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom, if not you WILL get soaked.

5. Other things I put in the backpack each morning are Tylenol/Motrin, small first aid kit, camera with extra batteries, small hand towel, hand sanitizer, wipes and a bottle of water.

6. Most single service items under $4.00 are considered a snack credit on the dining plan. A Turkey Leg is NOT a snack credit.

7. At Magic Kingdom always head to Fantasyland first, if you are not doing Fantasyland on a particular day then head to Splash Mountain first, then Big Thunder Mountain; at Epcot always ride Soarin' first and get a Fastpass for later after you get off of the ride; at Disney Hollywood Studios always ride Toy Story Mania first, then head over to Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror; and at Animal Kingdom ride Expedition Everest First then head to the Safari.

8. Favorite fast food restaurants at MK are Pecos Bills and Cosmic Rays; favorite fast food at Animal Kingdom is Flame Tree Grill and Pizzafari. If you are there while it very hot, go to Pizzafari.

9. If there are two lines going into an attraction, always take the line that goes to the left.

10. My best tip would have to be USE THE FASTPASS SYSTEM. Our rule of thumb is if the wait is 25 minutes or less, we wait in line. If the wait is 30 minutes or more, use a Fastpass. It is not highly publicized, but your Fastpass does not expire until the end of the day. You can never use it before the return time stamp on the pass, but you can always use it after. We try to collect Fastpasses during the early part of the day and then use them later in the afternoon when the parks become more crowded.

Click on this link and it will give you an excellent overview of Fastpass. It is from Doconeil here on the Disboards and super helpful:

http://www.oinc.net/disney/fastpass.php

If you still don't understand, just let me know your specific questions.

11. I like the Photopass. You can pre-buy it before your trip for $99.00. When you enter the parks you will see the staff photographers, they will take your pictures and give you a Photopass and you can use that for the rest of your trip. Each time you see a photographer have them take your picture and they will scan your picture. Then when you get home you can pull up the pictures, with the code they email you after purchase, and pick the photos you want on a CD. They will then mail you the CD and the copyrights to the CD and you can take them to Walmart or Walgreens or wherever and get them developed. They also have a lot of cool software that you can use to edit your photos before you have them put on the CD.

My favorite Disney planning sites are:

www.disboards.com
www.allearsnet.com
www.wdwinfo.com
www.intercot.com

 

[rusty4]

I agree with not buying PH tickets. We did it for the first time last year and loved them and will buy them this year. But our son is almost 8 and can stand all of that time traveling from park to park. We also have no stroller to worry about getting on and off the transportation and no naps to worry with. With your kids age it would be more trouble than it is worth. I bet you would find that it is not enjoyable and then the money would be wasted. Use that money for some character meals instead.

I also would not travel in July unless that was my only option. We usually travel in Jan, Feb or March. Lower crowds and less heat. We have been in May and Sept and it was so so hot! I cannot even begin to imagine the heat of July. With an infant and 3 year old it would be less enjoyable. I would go earlier if possible or wait until the Fall. You still can celebrate the birthday there.

I would not stay at a resort that is still a work in progress. The building sounds may make napping near to impossible for your children. Maybe go and tour it for reference for a future trip.

The other thing with July is the price. It is so expensive then. We travel in the value season and could not afford to go any other way. You could get a room at say POR resort with queen beds and larger rooms for around $150 to $180 a night in the value season with a discount.

Good luck!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Well, I guess I am the dissenter about park hoppers. We always get them, and we always use them, even when our kids were toddlers. If you are planning to return to the resort for a break/nap/swim, it is no more time consuming to go to a different park in the evening than back to the same park. It gives you a lot more flexibility to catch the evening shows and fireworks than a base ticket. If anyone in your group wants to take advantage of evening extra magic hours (might not be the kids, but maybe the in-laws would watch the kids sleep a few nights), park hoppers are generally necessary. If you are not planning to take breaks (I think breaks are a must with young kids, especially in July), a base ticket is fine and you can spend all day in one park.

You can buy base tickets and upgrade to park hoppers if/when you need them - the cost for the hopper option is the same if you buy them in advance or add them. You may find that you don't need them, particularly if you are not trying to see Fantasmic! (which may not show nightly, depending on season). It is worth the cost for us to have the flexibility, particularly since AK closes early. You might look at the park hours when they come out (soon) and figure out how late you plan to be out. If you are trying to keep the kids on a somewhat normal schedule, you might not want to hop (but some of the adults might want to go out later).

Although we generally do the typical 2-days MK, 2 days Epcot, 1 day AK and 1 day DHS that a PP (and many others on the DIS) recommended, we didn't do that when our kids were very small. They were not interested in two days at Epcot, although they are now. We spent several mornings at MK because they liked to ride the same rides over and over again. We plan for a lot of pool time when we go in July, and we go back to the parks in the evenings (not much cooler, but not bright sun for the baby). Being a the parks when they open (or for early extra magic hours) is critical in the summer.

While we find July very manageable, I do agree with one of the PPs recommendations to go in the fall if you can (you might be limited by plant shutdowns). Although your three-year old would not be free, the only cost for him would be his ticket (about $200) and the dining plan (about $12 per day?). The crowds would be much lower and it wouldn't be as hot for your baby. Room rates are less expensive in the fall, and the Cars section would be finished if you really want a Cars suite. The dining plan also has a seasonal surcharge in the summer - I think it is about $4 per person per day more expensive in the summer and around the holidays.

Disney has historically offered Free Dining in Spetember - you pay rack rate for the room, but the dining plan is free. Availability might be very limited at AoA (there are a limited number of rooms at each resort that qualify for free dining), but if you can get free dining, it would likely more than offset the cost of paying for a ticket for your 3-year old. You can watch the DIS or Mousesavers.com for info on free dining - it will probably be released in the spring if they are going to offer it.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

2. The Cars section at AOA won't be open until the end of July, and really I think the AOA suites are going to be over priced. They are going to be about $340.00 per night during the summer season and regular value rooms are only about $140.00 for the same time frame, so about $200.00 more per night for the suite. We always get two connecting rooms at a value resort and we like Pop and All-Star Movies, but for your first trip with small children, I would recommend All-Star Movies. Also, you need to request CONNECTING rooms. In the Disney reservation system adjoing rooms mean next to or close to, connecting rooms means 2 rooms with a door in between.


4. Yes, personally, I find it a bit crazy to go to WDW in July at all, let alone with a 3 year old, but that's just me - I don't like crowds or heat and that's what you get in July at WDW. I know you said you wanted to go for your son's b-day, but really, go a couple of months earlier and just celebrate a bit early. Lower crowds, lower temps and lower prices are totally worth it. Again, that's just my personal opinion.

2. Rack rate for Pop in July is $134 per night (weekdays), but the OP will need two rooms. While the AoA suites are expensive at $345 per night (and almost certainly won't have discounts of any merit), the cost over two connecting rooms (which are not guaranteed) is less than $100 per night. It might be worth it to the OP to guarantee that they are all together. I would personally do two rooms at Pop and hope for connecting, but the price difference is not that great if they want to stay at the newest resort with a cool theme that appeals to her DS and all be together. Since the values still don't have free fridges, the OP might need to add that cost in as well if she stays at Pop.

OP, for comparison, the AoA is $249 per night in September. A standard room at Pop is $92 per night. If you can go in September, the lower room rates would more than cover the ticket and dining for your 3-year old, even if you didn't get free dining.

I'd stay at Pop before any of the All Stars, but I haven't stayed at any of them. Just personal preference - Pop gets great reiews on the DIS, the buses are great, and I like the theming more.

4. While I agree with the idea of going in the lower seasons, the OP will have a 3 year old and a 3 month old in July. Going 9 months pregnant in April is probably not an option, nor would it be much fun for the OP. That's why I mentioned September instead of spring.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Well, I guess I am the dissenter about park hoppers. We always get them, and we always use them, even when our kids were toddlers. If you are planning to return to the resort for a break/nap/swim, it is no more time consuming to go to a different park in the evening than back to the same park. It gives you a lot more flexibility to catch the evening shows and fireworks than a base ticket. If anyone in your group wants to take advantage of evening extra magic hours (might not be the kids, but maybe the in-laws would watch the kids sleep a few nights), park hoppers are generally necessary. If you are not planning to take breaks (I think breaks are a must with young kids, especially in July), a base ticket is fine and you can spend all day in one park.

You can buy base tickets and upgrade to park hoppers if/when you need them - the cost for the hopper option is the same if you buy them in advance or add them. You may find that you don't need them, particularly if you are not trying to see Fantasmic! (which may not show nightly, depending on season). It is worth the cost for us to have the flexibility, particularly since AK closes early. You might look at the park hours when they come out (soon) and figure out how late you plan to be out. If you are trying to keep the kids on a somewhat normal schedule, you might not want to hop (but some of the adults might want to go out later).

Although we generally do the typical 2-days MK, 2 days Epcot, 1 day AK and 1 day DHS that a PP (and many others on the DIS) recommended, we didn't do that when our kids were very small. They were not interested in two days at Epcot, although they are now. We spent several mornings at MK because they liked to ride the same rides over and over again. We plan for a lot of pool time when we go in July, and we go back to the parks in the evenings (not much cooler, but not bright sun for the baby). Being a the parks when they open (or for early extra magic hours) is critical in the summer.

While we find July very manageable, I do agree with one of the PPs recommendations to go in the fall if you can (you might be limited by plant shutdowns). Although your three-year old would not be free, the only cost for him would be his ticket (about $200) and the dining plan (about $12 per day?). The crowds would be much lower and it wouldn't be as hot for your baby. Room rates are less expensive in the fall, and the Cars section would be finished if you really want a Cars suite. The dining plan also has a seasonal surcharge in the summer - I think it is about $4 per person per day more expensive in the summer and around the holidays.

Disney has historically offered Free Dining in Spetember - you pay rack rate for the room, but the dining plan is free. Availability might be very limited at AoA (there are a limited number of rooms at each resort that qualify for free dining), but if you can get free dining, it would likely more than offset the cost of paying for a ticket for your 3-year old. You can watch the DIS or Mousesavers.com for info on free dining - it will probably be released in the spring if they are going to offer it.

I have a Disney trip planning service and I never recommend Park Hoppers for a family's first visit, especially with young children. And I have never heard anyone say that July is very manageable. Is it doable with a lot of planning, yes. But first timers going in July need to mentally prepare themselves for the high heat and crowds.

And while I do prefer fall also and we always tend to travel during Free Dining, I suggested going earlier because the OP seemded to want to go before their son turned 3. And, really, they could go in mid-May and have good crowds and better weather. I would rather travel with a 6 week old in May than a 5 month onld in September. We have been in September a number of times, because of free dining, but it is still sweltering and I would not, personally, want to have my 5 month old in that weather. If they go in the fall, I'd look for free dining in late October or early November.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

2. Rack rate for Pop in July is $134 per night (weekdays), but the OP will need two rooms. While the AoA suites are expensive at $345 per night (and almost certainly won't have discounts of any merit), the cost over two connecting rooms (which are not guaranteed) is less than $100 per night. It might be worth it to the OP to guarantee that they are all together. I would personally do two rooms at Pop and hope for connecting, but the price difference is not that great if they want to stay at the newest resort with a cool theme that appeals to her DS and all be together. Since the values still don't have free fridges, the OP might need to add that cost in as well if she stays at Pop.

OP, for comparison, the AoA is $249 per night in September. A standard room at Pop is $92 per night. If you can go in September, the lower room rates would more than cover the ticket and dining for your 3-year old, even if you didn't get free dining.

I'd stay at Pop before any of the All Stars, but I haven't stayed at any of them. Just personal preference - Pop gets great reiews on the DIS, the buses are great, and I like the theming more.

4. While I agree with the idea of going in the lower seasons, the OP will have a 3 year old and a 3 month old in July. Going 9 months pregnant in April is probably not an option, nor would it be much fun for the OP. That's why I mentioned September instead of spring.

With the price difference in 2 rooms at Pop, vs. the suite, the OP could put that money towards the Dining plan expense - almost $100.00 per night, including weekend rates, adds up quickly on a weeks stay, infact it would almost pay for their DDP going by those figures.

And I don't want to start a huge debate about the connecting rooms, but in 8 years of going to WDW once or twice per year, we have always gotten 2 connecting rooms with no issues. And really, with them traveling with their in laws, it's not that big of a deal. I mean it's not like they are traveling with 4, 5, or 6 kids and would have to "worry" about getting separated. And really, even if you are traveling in that situation, 2 parents with 4 or more kids, and check into your value resort and it happens to be a high crowd season and they have "run out" of connecting rooms, just ask them to check all the other values, and most likely, they will have a connecting room at one of the other value resorts - that way a large family would not have to be split up.

Also, we have stayed at Pop and All-Star Movies, and have had many clients stay at both, and the consenses for people with young children has always been in favor of All-Star Movies - that's why I suggested it. But Pop is good too and I'm sure they would enjoy both. Also, some people say they chose Pop over All-Stars because All-Stars "share" buses, but really, that's kind of misleading. Of the hundreds of times we have taken bues from the All-Star Movies, we have "shared" a bus only handful of times. Usually it's only for early morning ADR buses, or for about an hour after nighttime/fireworks shows. Even when we have had to drop off at another resort at night, it only took a couple of extra minutes and wasn't a big deal. Each of the All-Stars has their own dedicated bus stop and even if you aren't staying in a preferred room, the walk to the bus stop isn't that far. Where as POP is quite large and if you are not in a preferred room, the walk can be quite long to your room. There are pros and cons to both resorts, and I like them both, for us it just comes down to theming.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I have a Disney trip planning service and I never recommend Park Hoppers for a family's first visit, especially with young children. And I have never heard anyone say that July is very manageable. Is it doable with a lot of planning, yes. But first timers going in July need to mentally prepare themselves for the high heat and crowds.

And while I do prefer fall also and we always tend to travel during Free Dining, I suggested going earlier because the OP seemded to want to go before their son turned 3. And, really, they could go in mid-May and have good crowds and better weather. I would rather travel with a 6 week old in May than a 5 month onld in September. We have been in September a number of times, because of free dining, but it is still sweltering and I would not, personally, want to have my 5 month old in that weather. If they go in the fall, I'd look for free dining in late October or early November.

I suppose it is a matter of perspective. We have been frequently in June, July, August and September. We have also been in January, February, and every other month of the year. It is hot at home in the summer, and we find the summers at WDW very manageable. Truly. Since the OP is from Canada, summer in WDW might be unbearable if they don't like hot weather. Coming from the south, it is no big deal. But anyone, first-timer or not, needs to expect heat and crowds in July in central Florida. The only park I have found to be unbearable in July was Sea World. WDW and Universal are fine for us, and we have always had a great time and have not spontaneously combusted yet. Thousands of people go in July and have a great time. Still others prefer sub-freezing Januarys. To each his own.

We have been twice in May and found it to be just as warm as September, but it is usually drier in May (except for our last May trip). May is more expensive than September, though, so if cost is the driving force, September is less expensive. We have found September crowds to be much lower than May crowds. October is particulary lovely at WDW, and November is usually very nice.

We enjoyed park hoppers on our first trip with toddlers and on every trip since then. We use them, and it is worth the cost to us. I have never had a friend whose trip I have planned come back and say they wished they didn't have park hoppers, and I also plan a lot of trips (for free) every year for people who are first-timers and for veterans. It is just a different way of touring - no better or worse. You can easily get by without park hoppers just like you can have a great trip and stay offsite. A different way of touring is not necessarily the wrong way. It depends on the style of the people who are taking the trip, not the person planning the trip. I don't always recommend park hoppers to my friends, but I do if I think it fits their touring style. If the OP plans to go back to the resort in the afternoon, it makes no difference in time or effort to go to a different park in the evening instead of back to the same one. If cost is a concern, the OP has the option of getting base tickets now and upgrading to park hoppers only if they want to use them. They may find out they don't need them. They may find it worth the cost to have them.

With the price difference in 2 rooms at Pop, vs. the suite, the OP could put that money towards the Dining plan expense - almost $100.00 per night, including weekend rates, adds up quickly on a weeks stay, infact it would almost pay for their DDP going by those figures.

And I don't want to start a huge debate about the connecting rooms, but in 8 years of going to WDW once or twice per year, we have always gotten 2 connecting rooms with no issues. And really, with them traveling with their in laws, it's not that big of a deal. I mean it's not like they are traveling with 4, 5, or 6 kids and would have to "worry" about getting separated. And really, even if you are traveling in that situation, 2 parents with 4 or more kids, and check into your value resort and it happens to be a high crowd season and they have "run out" of connecting rooms, just ask them to check all the other values, and most likely, they will have a connecting room at one of the other value resorts - that way a large family would not have to be split up.

I actually agreed with you that I would prefer two connecting rooms if traveling with in-laws, so I don't know where there is a debate. However, we HAVE had our request for connecting rooms denied on more than one occasion, at different resorts, because they were not available. We don't stay at the values, so maybe people have better luck there. But if the OP wants to ensure that there will be a connecting room to go into when the baby is napping, it is not guaranteed by making a request. We have not tried to change resorts at check-in just to get connecting rooms, but it also has not been that important to us in the past.

I never said the suite was more economical - it isn't. But it may be worth the price difference to the OP. I could take many more trips if we stayed at a value or stayed offsite, but it is worth the price to me to stay where I want. It's not strictly about the bottom line - it is about priorities. Not knowing the OP's budget, I have no idea if the suite will cause them to go over budget. For us, we are willing to pay more for convenience or for comfort. I never said it was cheaper to stay at AoA - it just might fit their needs better and be more fun for them to stay at a brand new resort themed to characters her DS likes. Some people are willing to pay a premium to get what they want. Her cheapest option (besides staying offsite, camping, or maybe renting points) would be a single room at POR, but I wouldn't recommend that to anyone, and she didn't ask for the cheapest option.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We have been twice in May and found it to be just as warm as September, but it is usually drier in May (except for our last May trip). May is more expensive than September, though, so if cost is the driving force, September is less expensive. We have found September crowds to be much lower than May crowds. October is particulary lovely at WDW, and November is usually very nice.

.

We have also been to WDW in almost every month and early to mid-May is much cooler than September and the humidity (which makes September almost unbearable) isn't nearly as bad as September. It's probably 10 to 15 degrees cooler in May than September, depending when you go in May. And I never said you can't have fun in July, I just said the OP, who is from Canada, needed to be very prepared for the heat and crowds and have a very good touring plan.

And I stand by my recommendation that first-timers, with small children, don't need to spend money on park hoppers.

And, actually, there are times when connecting rooms are guaranteed by Disney, for instance if a single parent is staying with more than 3 children at a value resort. Disney will have to put you in 2 connecting rooms at a value or upgrade you to a resort that does have connecting rooms available.

And, really, I wasn't debating, you are the one who has disected every post I have made on this thread.

Anyway, OP, hope you can get some decent info out of all this that will help you plan your trip. Happy Planning!

 

[Lynne M]

Just your friendly neighborhood moderator here, reminding everyone that personal arguments (like the one I just removed) are of no interest to anyone except the parties involved, and take threads off track. If you feel that a post violates the DISboards Guidelines, please use the Report Post button to alert the moderators, instead of arguing on the boards.

Let's get back to providing helpful suggestions for the OP.