Sept/Oct vs Dec/Jan

[5ofus]

WE have been planning a big trip for 2015 for forever (six years and counting). We always said we'd go over the Sept school holidays and do Halloween, but now we are starting to rethink. All three boys will be going to schools that cost a fortune (to us) and since they only get two weeks off over this time, wed be taking them out of school for at least three weeks - which we'd still have to pay for. So now I'm thinking we might go mid-December. We were planning to do WDW, Disney cruise and any combination of Washington, Disneyland and/or San Francisco, but apart from WDW and the cruise, we're willing to change it.

So, my questions...
Where would be a good place to spend Christmas Day itself if we wanted to have a white Christmas?
Are we completely nuts to take 3 small boys away for Christmas?
What's WDW like for the two weeks before Christmas - I've been during the first week of Dec, but I'm guessing crowds pick up?
Will my mother ever forgive me if I take three of her grandchildren and her second favourite daughter (sad but true) away for Christmas?

Any help, opinions and advice are greatly appreciated

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have no pearls of wisdom for this one. I think it comes down to what your family would like to do and the economics of the two options.

Good luck with the decision and planning.

And if it were me, I'd ask your mother along. Then if/when she refuses, you're clear and free of guilt about taking away her grandchildren for Christmas.

 

[australiankaren]

i thought you wanted to know who was better..the sept/oct crew or the dec/jan crew......personally sept/oct rocks..but thats just my opinion....maybe a poll is needed...

so what was the question again???

 

[5ofus]

i thought you wanted to know who was better..the sept/oct crew or the dec/jan crew......personally sept/oct rocks..but thats just my opinion....maybe a poll is needed...

so what was the question again???

Well clearly (since we're in it) Sept/Oct is the best!

Another question... What are flight prices like in December?

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Better before 9 Dec

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Which is why are are flying out on 9 December .

I can't say yet which is better but will be able to soon.

I will say that our NYC accom was sooooo much cheaper for 9 days over Christmas than when we have been in Sept 2 times previously. Also booking the accom 1 year out was good, once it was under the 6 month mark the prices jumped.

I can get back to you re crowds at WDW soon. We are there from 9-20 Dec

 

[5ofus]

Which is why are are flying out on 9 December .

I can't say yet which is better but will be able to soon.

I will say that our NYC accom was sooooo much cheaper for 9 days over Christmas than when we have been in Sept 2 times previously. Also booking the accom 1 year out was good, once it was under the 6 month mark the prices jumped.

I can get back to you re crowds at WDW soon. We are there from 9-20 Dec

Ohhhh, Shuttergirl, I will be very interested to read all about the pros and cons of your upcoming trip! The primary school two of the boys will be going to breaks up on the 9th, so at most I guess they'd miss two days...

 

[Travel Mum]

I was just going to say to wait to Ms Shuttergirl gets back! I too am waiting to hear her opinion of Dec/Jan vs Sept/Oct

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Since all my kids have been doing at school for weeks is watching movies, I don't mind that they are missing a few days of school .

Saving so much on the flights it's well worth it.

 

[Franrose]

I will say that our NYC accom was sooooo much cheaper for 9 days over Christmas than when we have been in Sept 2 times previously. Also booking the accom 1 year out was good, once it was under the 6 month mark the prices jumped.

Good to know!! I wish it was the same with flights. (Or, maybe it is?)

 

[marvel]

Its not just the flights, i worry about the weather. We have only ever travelled april/may and sep/oct. I love the warm weather and some consistency which is not what we get in melb, it was 17 today. But i cant wait for the trip report as going around xmas would be nice.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Marvel this is a good point. If you are people who hate the cold, I would guess going to the US or Europe at this time of year wouldn't be the go.

We like cooler weather although I'm sure what we are going to encounter is cooler than even we could imagine .

For us it's all part of the experience. With kids our kids ages, we need to embrace holidays in Dec/Jan if we want to go away for longer periods so we are hoping that as a family we don't find the cold too challenging so we can do future trips same time of year.

 

[5ofus]

Marvel this is a good point. If you are people who hate the cold, I would guess going to the US or Europe at this time of year wouldn't be the go.

We like cooler weather although I'm sure what we are going to encounter is cooler than even we could imagine .

For us it's all part of the experience. With kids our kids ages, we need to embrace holidays in Dec/Jan if we want to go away for longer periods so we are hoping that as a family we don't find the cold too challenging so we can do future trips same time of year.

Well, I don't really like the cold, all four boys (incl DH) don't feel it. DH has ALWAYS wanted to do a white Christmas. I have never seen him show this much enthusiasm about an upcoming trip. I have Internet friends in Wisconsin and Illinois who have invited us to stay too. Don't know if I'd stay WITH them but maybe renting a house nearby might be a nice way to soak up local traditions and enjoy an American Christmas.

Just throwing around ideas

Oh and DH didnt even baulk at the idea of leaving Florida for Christmas and then coming back for a cruise! He must be keen!

 

[marvel]

I definetly want to go during xmas as well, it would be magical.

 

[Beee]

From a purely emotional rather than rational level I would pick December in a heartbeat and I would want to be in New York for Christmas. I have visions of it being like all those Christmas movies I watched as a kid

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I'm hoping the reality of a NYC Christmas meets the dream.