Recommendations/Thoughts Please- Long Term Plan

[pahoben]

We are a family of four with twin very active girls who will be seven in a couple weeks. We are trying to decide when next to visit WDW. We have long overseas flights to consider, prefer cool weather to hot weather, and prefer low crowds to high crowds. We usually visit once every two years and last visited November/December 2018. Please any thoughts on below options. What would be your personal preferences.?

1) Visit from 12/24/19-1/4/20 (RotR should be open) and then again in late 2021 for anniversary and GotG. The crowds are very high over New Years but weather is cool and this would be two visits in one year.

2) Wait until 2021 for anniversary and then see all the soon to open new attractions and schedule then (2021) for cool weather low crowds. I don’t see a visit in 2020 as a good option with the anniversary coming up and GotG to open.

I know ultimately it is our personal preference but I am a planner and like to consider everything I can before making a decision.

Also we used to stay onsite but last visit stayed at Holiday Inn DS (HI). Can anyone recommend a more upscale hotel in Orlando that is convenient and offsite? Early FP benefit is a consideration and is that expected to continue at offsite hotels? Are any of the Bonnet Creek hotels more upscale then HI and and recommended? Do any of the Bonnet Creek hotels have the early FP benefit? We used Uber at HI and it worked well.

Thanks in advance and just let me know preferences you would have and a short why.

 

[Disneylover99]

We are a family of four with twin very active girls who will be seven in a couple weeks. We are trying to decide when next to visit WDW. We have long overseas flights to consider, prefer cool weather to hot weather, and prefer low crowds to high crowds. We usually visit once every two years and last visited November/December 2018. Please any thoughts on below options. What would be your personal preferences.?

1) Visit from 12/24/19-1/4/20 (RotR should be open) and then again in late 2021 for anniversary and GotG. The crowds are very high over New Years but weather is cool and this would be two visits in one year.

2) Wait until 2021 for anniversary and then see all the soon to open new attractions and schedule then (2021) for cool weather low crowds. I don’t see a visit in 2020 as a good option with the anniversary coming up and GotG to open.

I know ultimately it is our personal preference but I am a planner and like to consider everything I can before making a decision.

Also we used to stay onsite but last visit stayed at Holiday Inn DS (HI). Can anyone recommend a more upscale hotel in Orlando that is convenient and offsite? Early FP benefit is a consideration and is that expected to continue at offsite hotels? Are any of the Bonnet Creek hotels more upscale then HI and and recommended? Do any of the Bonnet Creek hotels have the early FP benefit? We used Uber at HI and it worked well.

Thanks in advance and just let me know preferences you would have and a short why.

I’d go for option 2.

While I personally love Christmas/New Years at Disney, it’s the most crowded and expensive time to go. And you can’t even rely on cool weather. We’ve had two hot trips this time of year. I also don’t recommend staying offsite that time of year. Traffic is bad. Disney transportation is the way to go.

 

[pahoben]

I’d go for option 2.

While I personally love Christmas/New Years at Disney, it’s the most crowded and expensive time to go. And you can’t even rely on cool weather. We’ve had two hot trips this time of year. I also don’t recommend staying offsite that time of year. Traffic is bad. Disney transportation is the way to go.

Thanks-much appreciated input.

 

[mamaofsix]

Definitely option #2. Attempting to plan a trip this late in the game for this Christmas (option 1) will be problematic. Most hotels and dining reservations will already have been booked up months ago. Not to mention the crazy crowds.

As for hotels, if you want offsite and more upscale than the Holiday Inn, I'd go with the Waldorf Astoria or the Hilton Palace, both in Disney Springs. You'll still get all the perks of onsite (60 fp day booking window, EMH, fireworks views, etc.). Deluxe accommodations for much less cost than onsite Deluxe resorts. And you're right at Disney Springs for easy transportation.

 

[Alesia]

If you go with option 1, keep in mind that it's not just busy, it is the absolute busiest time of the year. I prefer to stay offsite, but I would never consider it during Christmas.

 

[YesterDark]

Don't go over the holidays unless you really want to go during that time. If it's just for weather reasons, then avoid at all costs. Avoid racing times and spring break times. Other than that, just look up weather patterns throughout the year and pick a time to go.

Avoid end of august/September as that is hurricane season at it's worse imo.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would not plan a trip over Christmas unless I absolutely had it on my bucket list, and I would have done the planning months ago. At this late date I think you may be scrambling to get what you what when you want it, and will have to add in extra time just to get from point A to point B.

I htink Plan B would bring more satisfaction because you can book the resort you want, and work it to the season you like.