Sept vs. Oct Planning Concerns

[peabody58]

Well I've pretty much made up my decision on this, but it's a slow night and thought I'd add to the collective data base.

We are planning a family GTG for next year at our home resort BLT - 2 BR. We have basically 2 windows of opportunity, early Sept or mid Oct. Our APs and TIW will be good through 9/11/2011, so Sept would save us a lot of $$. We are not planning on renewing the AP until 2013 the earliest.

My MIL and BIL/SIL have stated they really don't like the heat, so Oct would be more ideal. Additionally, there would be less rain in Oct.

I had everything ready to go for a call to MS at the 11 month mark, when the heat/weather issues stated to gnaw at me. DW and me can handle the heat, in fact we will be at BLT in just a few weeks. However, this could be the last time we get everyone together, and the MIL is getting up in years. Having the trip be as enjoyable for everyone involved is currently overriding my penny pinching side.

So mid-Oct it is and I will cheerfully use 15-30 more points and spend ~ $6-700 more for tickets and food, but I know it will be a much more enjoyable experience for all of us. At least I have 14 months to save up the difference.

So now my only decision is do we just buy the 6 day MYW tickets, or get the 10 day no expiration tickets? I know, I'll end up popping for the 10 day No Expire!

Thanks for listening.

 

[Sammie]

Just so you know October can be as hot as September, really hard to tell. Just did not want you to be surprised at the weather.

I would always get the non expire, you never know what could come up.

 

[eporter66]

We love October, and as you can see below most of our WDW vacations have been in October. October can go either way, we have had 90's, and also 70's. As the other poster, just wanted you to be aware of that. Best of luck.

 

[peabody58]

Just so you know October can be as hot as September, really hard to tell.

Absolutely correct, but you have to play the best odds, especially when so much is on the line; MIL's health and $$. Plus I just realized we'll be there for the F&W festival. BIL/SIL from upstate NY will really enjoy that. Should be a nice added bonus, although I won't be doing any of the $100 - $450 exclusive tasting/meals! Bad enough I get the opportunity to pay the way for my eldest DD and her 'never had a job' husband. But momma's going to be very happy.

 

[CarolMN]

My advice is to buy the 6 day base ticket and then see how things go. You can always upgrade while you are there to add hopping, waterparks, and the no -expiration feature. No need to decide in advance. Remember, no refunds once the ticket is purchased!

Keep in mind that the no expiration feature is a lot more costly than it has been in the past. You'll end up paying quite a bit for those 4 extra days. Be sure you do the math - that's the best way to decide.

You'll also want to consider the future. (you said you won't be getting an AP until 2013, but I don't know if that means you won't be returning until then).

If you plan to use the extra 4 days on a trip that is longer than 4 nights, you might end up buying an additional 2 or 3 day pass to supplement the no-expiration ticket. That could get expensive. Of course, you might also use the 4 day ticket as a reason to hang out a water park or do a resort only day. It all depends.

As you already know, only you can decide cause only you will be stuck with the results.

Good luck!

 

[emacek]

I vote for the 10-day non expiration option.
It will make it easier to do a trip that doesn't involve much park time in a non-AP year.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Every trip we were in WDW during October, we had tropical force rain and wind. The days it didn't rain, it was hot.

 

[simmons_m]

were your october trips early or late?

what have your experiences been the first two weeks of October?

thanks