September or December

[bigcrit]

I am looking to go for a short stay (4days). I have a rate of $1000 for Pop, park passes and food for early September. I got a rate of 1300 for the same December 16 - 19. Which is less crowded? I prefer December because my girls will be turning 9 when we are there.

Has anyone driven from the Philadelphia area? How long is it. Any thoughts or ideas about driving.

Thanks in advance

 

[indigoxtreme]

The only thing about driving is the ice storms that the south gets in Nov, Dec, Jan -April. One never knows when it can happen. So literally you have the weather problem for both months. December will probably be less crowded, someone who has been both times could tell you. Sept may be a little more crowded due to the Free dining.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Its getting a bit too close to Christmas, so the parks might start filling up. We went 12/10-12/15 last year, and it was amazing! 5-10 Minute waits on everything! The weather was perfect for the parks. Not necessarily pool weather, we tried (to get in) but it was unsuccessful.

 

[nowellsl]

September is definately less crowded. December is nice because of all the Christmas decorations! If I had to pick I'd pick September.

 

[bigcrit]

The free dining is nice. I think I would like to see the decorations and be there on my girls birthday. Anyone ever driven to Disney? Any tips?

Thanks

 

[swilphil]

I think crowds will be up a little this September because of the free dining deal. It will also be hurricane season so driving could be a problem. Your dates in December are before schools are out for the holiday. I would go then so you can see the decorations and celebrate DDs' birthdays.

 

[bigcrit]

Has anyone driven to Disney from the Philadelphia area? I am curious to know if it is rough....


Thx

 

[bigcrit]

Has anyone driven to Orlando from the Philly area?

 

[paladin]

I love going in December - the holiday decorations and the weather. September should be less crowded, but still way too hot and humid (at least for my taste).

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Has anyone driven to Orlando from the Philly area?

We've driven from NH to Orlando, what a LONG trip. I will only fly from now on.

 

[mickeysaver]

We visited WDW in September of 2002 and in December of 2003. We enjoyed both. The heat and humidity in September was just icky, but it's still the best vacation that I ever had. Yes, we loved WDW in December too, but there was a little extra magic that September.....mostly because I finally got to meet Mickey Mouse, but that's a long story. Both months have pluses and minuses. Just remember that it's WDW, even on a bad day, it's better than being at work. Maggie

 

[MEK]

I haven't drive from Philly and I don't ever plan on doing it (but I admire people who can and do). My DH wants to, but I am afraid that it will have a bad ending. I work and I commute in bumper to bumper traffic. I absolutely do not want to drive on vacation!

Here is what I do - everytime my husband says he wants to drive, I say OK unless we can get cheap airfare. Got $430 RT last year from BWI (4 people) and got $488 RT (4 people) from PHL this August. We haven't had to drive yet!

So here is my suggestion - unless flying is completely out of the question - plan on driving and search, search, search for good airfare. Set the max you are willing to pay. If you find it, fly. If not, drive.

Whatever you decide, have a good time.

P.S. Don't forget - if you want to fly for cheap you MUST search everyday 2 -3X a day. There are deals out there (although probably fewer because of the high gas prices). For example - if you want to fly from PHL to Tampa in Sept you can book SWA right now for $66 each way. The only way to find the deals is to spend everyday searching sites and download ding from SWA.

____________________________________________

Max is my favorite cat!

 

[laura12581]

I was only 6 and it was excruciating (sp?) We stopped over-night, don't remember where. The driving time was about 18 hours (but traffic was probably much better then-1986.) We are going in Sept on Southwest Airlines for 350.00 total/roundtrip 2 adults. We are also going in Dec, but haven't gotten airfare yet, we were thinking of driving for a minute, but then DH pointed out the possiblity of ice and snow storms, and we would have more work vacation time eaten. Good Luck!
Laura

 

[laura12581]

I neglected to mention I am near PHL airport area.
Laura

 

[PatsGirl]

I have been to FL from MA by auto twice and keep saying NEVER again, with or without kids! Especially with the price of gas right now, I'm thinking that airfare (and a rental there if necessary) might equal out.

I now have a requirement for driving: for anything more than 2 hours, every additional hour requires a one-night stay So, for trips taking three hours we have to stay overnight. For a trip that takes 6 hours, it must be at least a three or four night stay.

So, if I were to drive again to FL from here and assuming it's 20 hours or better, I would need to be staying at least two weeks to make it worth it. I would definately do this, rent an RV and then stay at Fort Wilderness, given the opportunity! Only then do I think that it would be effective money-wise and time-wise.

 

[bigcrit]

Yeah I saw the airfare for the 4 of us at SWA it was 720. Nearly worth it.

 

[sportears]

The water parks, i.e. Typhoon Lagoon is as good as the parks. It's a must do when we go. I don't think the water parks are open in Dec.

 

[pennst8r]

I would go in Dec again--it's really nice seeing everything decorated for Xmas!

As for driving....we're near Lancaster. As for myself, you couldn't pay me to make the drive! I am completely exhausted after a trip to WDW and even if the drive down is fine with all the anticipation, the drive back would just be too much for me. Especially with 3 boys in the back of the van....
Did you ever look into Boscov's Travel packages? THey have their own charter plane that goes every week from Reading. 2 of my friends loved it and it seemed really reasonable compared to other flights

 

[Densgirl]

I'd pick December with your girls birthdays plus the decorations. I think it would've been a memorable experience for my birthday at that age.

We've driven many times from Boston. DH and my brother(other major partner in crime in these Disney vacations)used to refuse to fly. This past time in October however the costs were so close and the lure of getting to WDW in a few short hours almost changed their minds. This Sept. my DB and I are FINALLY flying again. I say fly-by the time you factor in everything you spend on the road it is pretty near the same amount.

 

[dtsaos]

Yeah I saw the airfare for the 4 of us at SWA it was 720. Nearly worth it.

I don't know if there are any Amtrak stops near you, but you could certainly check out that option. We're taking Amtak from NJ this year and for 2 adults and 2 kids round trip coach is costing us $465.00. Cheaper than driving with gas prices the way they are and Amtrak pretty much goes in any weather-it has to be really bad weather for the trains to not run. Flying's not an option for us. On the sept vs. dec thing, I personally prefer dec. for the decorations and cooler weather and no crowds, but you probably won't get to swim. Then again you could get lucky.... BTW, if you go on the transportation boards, you'll find out everything about any form of transportation!