Question...need advice, tips please!!

[Beauties n the Beast]

So my August DW vacation plans got tossed - I am hoping to schedule something for the last week of December thru January (somewhere around 12/26 or 27 thru January 3 or 4) It will be 2 adults with our 2 daughters. i am really hoping for dining plan to be offered. Resort is flexible as well, I'm hoping to stay on a budget, but would like someplace nice. I *think* we will be driving so that will be one less expense and reservation. Anyway....I guess my question is - would this be a good time to visit, and are there any specials/codes/discouts for this time of year??
Thanks for any help!!

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

My first piece of advice is to BOOK SOON!! The marathon is the first week-end in Jan. and the runners arrive 2-3 days prior so the rooms will fill up very quickly. I would book now at rack rate, AAA, etc. and price adjust later if a code comes out. I just booked POR Riverside with AAA for Jan.1-7 for $116 a night. I know the values with AAA are only $65. So maybe those would be good if you want to stay on a budget. By the way, we went last Jan. at the same time and it was awesome!!! The crowds were minimal, the days were great, but you will need a jacket at night. The Christmas decorations are also still up so it's still very festive. Good luck! Hope this has helped. Tink :goodvi

 

[Took]

Since you asked...
IMHO this is not a good time to visit as it is the most crowded week of the year! We love lower crowds and easier access to rides, so we go at less busy times.

However, if your main goal is to walk around and look at the Xmas decorations and if large crowds won't deter you (I'm talking packed sometimes), then this could be a great time for you. It's unlikely that you'll find ANY discounts on rooms or packages during that week. Before Xmas would be much better IMHO.

Took

 

[Beauties n the Beast]

thanks for your advice! I am hoping to go at a time when our kids are out of school, and get away from the cold up north! I was also hoping for less crowds...and spending new years in disney world doesn't sound so bad either!

 

[Disneyrsh]

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[Beauties n the Beast]

thank you for your advice!! We'll be driving as well, from Maryland...I am not sure how long it will take because on our last trip we visited family in SW FL and took a day trip to Disney.
I am also being pretty cheap in hoping I can visit before my daughter's 10th birthday on January 19th (isn't that the age I'd need to buy an adult ticket?) LOL
I'll just have to look around a bit and decide if we can do this!

 

[Disneyrsh]

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[bab31]

kids out of school= crowds

 

[Beauties n the Beast]

thanks again. Yes, I understand that kids being out of school would be a popular time for others to go too. I am thinking about going over new years' weekend, and keeping them out of school during the following week (they go back on the 3rd Of January). I would love to be there for new years eve, and then just spend the week there. So I know the weekend will most likely be crowded...but hoping the rest of the week is less crowded!

 

[Disneyrsh]

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[Beauties n the Beast]

thanks! my kids are in 4th grade and Kindergarten. they would actually only miss two days by leaving at this time, so I am sure that they will not be very much behind.

 

[gigi1313]

we went over MLK weekend in january and other than a chilly day (sweatshirts) it was glorious... crowds were moderate to low and we had our choice of ADRs right up 'til the last minute... check out your school calendar and maybe turn a 3day weekend into a 6 day trip... we had some half days the week before MLK day (due to state tests) which worked out perfectly!

 

[kathy carleton]

from 12/24- through the entire New Years Weekend are not only the busiest week of the year for wdw, (frequently parks close due to capacity crowds by 11am), but also is the most expensive time to go. If you look up the wdw rate schedule, you will see that it even has it's own price structure. That being said, since we have been going 1-3 times per year in the last 5 years, I do not remember a time when this time frame was discounted. Now it may have been discounted a little, a time I do not remember, I just do not want you to get your hopes up; and this is what I am getting from the other dis'ers... I have been told by wdw that this has been the best year they have had in the past 5 years, so I bet holidays will be the same.

No way am I trying to discourage you from going- just from waiting for a discount of any kind. I would be very very surprised if it was. Book now, and be thrilled with what you are able to get, and have a good time. We always try to go once during the holidays, usually after Thanks. I hope I have been of help!

 

[Beauties n the Beast]

thanks again!!

 

[yoopermom]

We're doing exactly what you're talking about, flying down Sat the 30th, have one reservation for 30-Jan 1 (at higher "holiday" price, aargh), then a connected reservation for Jan 1-7 (at "value" price, hurrah). I love New Year's there, and will willingly fight the crowds for it, but it's not for everyone. In the past, the crowds have been very light between New Year's and marathon weekend, so that's what I'm hoping for again. Don't forget, if you make one reservation, your entire stay will be at the original rate, which would be much more expensive ("holiday"). And I'm a teacher taking my son out for three days, so don't feel bad!
Hope to see you there!
Terri

 

[Beauties n the Beast]

how neat!!! thanks TErri!!