Practicality/Frugality vs my 30th birthday

[ziggystardust]

Here’s my dilemma: I am planning on going to disney for my 30th bday (Mar 24). The original plan was to go from Mar 23 – 29(or30th), but since this is part of the black out dates for the free dining offers, I’m stuck with a AAA rate until something better may come out. Plus higher room rates b/c its peak season.
This is costing more than I expected.

Should I... Stick with my dates, hoping a better discount will come around, so I can wake up in disney on my actual birthday? Plus possibly deal with heavier crowds since it is peak season.

OR

Switch to Feb 9-16 and take advantage of one of the 3 current offers for that time frame? This would be the only other available week for me due to my work schedule.

I can’t see paying almost full price for disney when I know what kind of deals are out there (and usually travel in value season). But I also want to be there for my birthday.

On one hand, I try to be a budget minded person on the other, I'll only turn 30 once.

Thanks!

 

[uk_wildcat]

I would go in Feb for the lower price. We went this year in March and got the room discount (30%), but that was all that was available at that time. It is spring break, so they don't usually have too much to offer. Crowds were also higher than they would have been just a few weeks earlier.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I just turned 30 a few weeks ago so I understand. I REALLY wanted to go to NYC for the special moment but alas circumstances and budget restraints beyond my control prevented that. But I will celebrate sometime in my 30th year going there. Probably this spring when it is cheaper and the crowds are smaller.

I think you should travel earlier and use the guranteed discount available. I wonder if we will see many more discounts stacked since these have already been released? I can understand wanting to be there to wake up to celebrate but why not save the money and hey even go on a shopping spree that day instead. Perhaps even at the Disney store or book a night at a local hotel and get the night out of the house. Besides if that is the peak season do you really wanna spend your birthday waiting in line with a lot less time to enjoy the world? Seems like a no brainer to me to go earlier and then use the money to celebrate closer to home on your real day. That way you get double dose of the birthday celebration!

 

[bcinohio]

First off I would like to wish you a happy birthday early(that is also my DS's b-day). We will be at WDW Mar 26-Ap 2 because his marching band is marching at the MK that week. We have never been that time of year. If I had my choice I would save the money and go earlier. I know for us it is going to be a lot more expensive then when we go in the summer. I booked with a AAA discount at the POP right now and hope that something better comes along. If not he only gets to march at the MK once in a life time!!

 

[Bren's Mom]

It wouldn't even be a question for me, I'd go the less expensive week. Unless, perhaps, I was a millionaire with $0 debt.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Here’s my dilemma: I am planning on going to disney for my 30th bday (Mar 24). The original plan was to go from Mar 23 – 29(or30th), but since this is part of the black out dates for the free dining offers, I’m stuck with a AAA rate until something better may come out. Plus higher room rates b/c its peak season.
This is costing more than I expected.

Should I... Stick with my dates, hoping a better discount will come around, so I can wake up in disney on my actual birthday? Plus possibly deal with heavier crowds since it is peak season.

OR

Switch to Feb 9-16 and take advantage of one of the 3 current offers for that time frame? This would be the only other available week for me due to my work schedule.

I can’t see paying almost full price for disney when I know what kind of deals are out there (and usually travel in value season). But I also want to be there for my birthday.

On one hand, I try to be a budget minded person on the other, I'll only turn 30 once.

Thanks!

I'm also turning 30 this year.. yay us!

I'd switch to Feb 9-16 and take advantage of the good deals, but if and possibly when a good deal comes up for your birthday week comes up, call Disney, and weigh your options then. If it's still not that great of a deal, you already have Feb booked at a good price.

 

[Southerndisney]

If it helps you to decide, the crowds March 23-29 will be more than double what they will be Feb 9-16. But the weather will be cooler in Feb.

 

[ziggystardust]

If it helps you to decide, the crowds March 23-29 will be more than double what they will be Feb 9-16. But the weather will be cooler in Feb.

wow. i don't think i've ever traveled in peak season and honestly I didn't know why that week would be so busy (easter being late and president's week being in feb). but it has to be peak season for a reason...

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

wow. i don't think i've ever traveled in peak season and honestly I didn't know why that week would be so busy (easter being late and president's week being in feb). but it has to be peak season for a reason...

A lot of places are having Spring break at that time. We went last year during that week and it wasn't quite as scarey as we thougth it would be. Would love to go in off peak seasons, but Dh is a teacher.