This past September DH gave the green light to me taking DS to WDW for his fourth birthday. With his crazy work schedule, he wasn't able to make it, but agreed that 4 is the age where WDW is totally magic, so I started planning. Rather than go alone, I asked my parents if they were up for going with us (they're in NY, we're in MO) and they were so excited to go too!
Long story short, we had a fabulous 10-day vacation - stayed at the Contemporary, DxDP that we did really well with and our park hoppers for the entire time we were there. DS had a blast and my parents now want to make this an annual thing - vacation together shortly after DS's birthday when it's "value" season and less crowded.
While September had great rates, it was still hot-hot-hot each day and we missed out on the International Food & Wine Festival that started soon after we left. So for next year, I'd like to try to get maximum bang for the buck by planning October 30 - November 10.....Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, the International Food & Wine Fest AND the first day of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (which should be 11/09/09)
Since the Halloween party doesn't require a park ticket, we'll start in MK on the party ticket on our evening of arrival since I think Halloween night is probably going to be more crowded. Does anyone have any experience going to the Halloween Party on the 31st? Is it really crowded?
Then we'll start our 10-day park hoppers on October 31 and those will take us until November 9th, so we'll check-out on the 10th....hopefully the Christmas Party kicks-off the same week next year as this year, so we can get to do that too on the 9th.
I'm still working out the numbers for our accomodations. While the contemporary was nice, the room was too small for three adults and one child....sorry, but to me the daybed with DS next to me was uncomfortable and that's what I had since I let my parents have the bed.
There are some great deals off-site, but then I'd lose the dining plan option and my parents, being older (in their 70's) prefered the table service for each meal over counter service and snacks. Do you think it would be worth maybe booking a campsite or a value resort (have a room to crash in during the day) to get the dining plan, parking and use of the transportation system? Would that be worth it?
I'm considering that since it looks like I can rent a 2-BR timeshare unit for around $100 a night, so even if I did the campsite or value resort add, it's still less than staying at one of the deluxe resorts for the 10-days!
As plans progress, I'll report back! Wish me luck!
Long story short, we had a fabulous 10-day vacation - stayed at the Contemporary, DxDP that we did really well with and our park hoppers for the entire time we were there. DS had a blast and my parents now want to make this an annual thing - vacation together shortly after DS's birthday when it's "value" season and less crowded.
While September had great rates, it was still hot-hot-hot each day and we missed out on the International Food & Wine Festival that started soon after we left. So for next year, I'd like to try to get maximum bang for the buck by planning October 30 - November 10.....Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, the International Food & Wine Fest AND the first day of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (which should be 11/09/09)
Since the Halloween party doesn't require a park ticket, we'll start in MK on the party ticket on our evening of arrival since I think Halloween night is probably going to be more crowded. Does anyone have any experience going to the Halloween Party on the 31st? Is it really crowded?
Then we'll start our 10-day park hoppers on October 31 and those will take us until November 9th, so we'll check-out on the 10th....hopefully the Christmas Party kicks-off the same week next year as this year, so we can get to do that too on the 9th.
I'm still working out the numbers for our accomodations. While the contemporary was nice, the room was too small for three adults and one child....sorry, but to me the daybed with DS next to me was uncomfortable and that's what I had since I let my parents have the bed.
There are some great deals off-site, but then I'd lose the dining plan option and my parents, being older (in their 70's) prefered the table service for each meal over counter service and snacks. Do you think it would be worth maybe booking a campsite or a value resort (have a room to crash in during the day) to get the dining plan, parking and use of the transportation system? Would that be worth it?
I'm considering that since it looks like I can rent a 2-BR timeshare unit for around $100 a night, so even if I did the campsite or value resort add, it's still less than staying at one of the deluxe resorts for the 10-days!
As plans progress, I'll report back! Wish me luck!
