Should we change our trip from Sept to Dec?

[JamieH]

It makes me sad in a way to even consider it b/c we hit the 50 day countdown today, but I really think that December would be a better time for us to go.

Right now, our trip is booked with free dining for Sept 28 - Oct 3 and the more I read and research, the more I'm realizing it may not be as ideal as I thought. It seems that b/c of free dining and F&W in Epcot, that this week will be a lot busier than I'd hoped. Its also not going to be much cooler.

Now that they've extended free dining, we could upgrade to the same dining plan and move our trip to a cooler, less busy time for the same amount of money. My husband thinks we should go ahead and move it, he said it would be better all around b/c of crowds, weather, the kids, money, etc.

I know it seems like a no-brainer, but I am so excited for this trip and the thought of pushing it back even further, even if its only 2 months, makes me so sad!!

What would you guys do? Do you think it will make that much of a difference in crowds, which is my main concern?

 

[happy.family.of.6]

Totally push it back if nothing was going to change. If its not going to cost any more, then why not? Plus, in December dont they have all the beautiful Christmas decorations and stuff?

 

[Fall1]

I would move it. I would love the cooler weather and the decorations!

 

[williamson_ja]

I wanted to move our trip from Sept to Dec. for all the christmas decorations and cooler weather for my parents that are coming with us, but alas our airline won't let us change our tickets.... well, we could but we would loose all the money we spent on tickets in the first place and have to rebuy them. We couldn't affor that, so we'll be off to the world next month.

 

[ms_missy66]

Definitely change it. WDW during the holidays is just spectacular! Just be careful to not schedule during the Pop Warner Superbowl. It's really crowded that week. Last year we went the week before Christmas and it was absolutely perfect! If I could go again this year that week I would! Instead I'll be elbow-to-elbow with every other nut the week after Christmas due to our school's ridiculous attendance policy. Hmph. If it will work out for you to switch to December - do it!

 

[HLAuburn]

I'd definitely move it...if just for the weather alone. We're going in Dec, and although I hear the weather can unpredictable, you pretty much can count the weather is going to be hot and humid in Sept.

I guess the hardest part is getting over NOT going sooner, since that what you guys had originally planned, but with school starting and the Fall holidays, I'm sure December will be here in no time! And I really like the planning part, so that helps, too. I'm also excited to see all the Xmas decorations.

Good luck deciding!

 

[pyrxtc]

I would change it. I have gone a few times in early December and loved the weather and the crowds. Always fun !

 

[jasliv]

Defianetly December! We went early December last year and it was the best! The weather was perfect for me- not hot, and at times cool enough to wear a jacket. The Christmas decorations were awesome! Perfect for starting off the Christmas season. I am planning our next trip for the first week of Dec. 2010.

 

[mouselovr]

MOVE IT!!! We went last year in DEC andd were not planning on going back until next year sometime. Gowever with Free Dining my DH (who I had to drag to WDW the 1st time) is wanting to go back and take the kiddos instead of an us trip to Cancun!! He would go every year the first of Dec now if I would let him! The decor is worth it and the crowds were great!

 

[YoMickey]

Move it. The only reason we're not going in Dec. is because our annual passes are expiring around Thanksgiving and we're not renewing them until later in 2010 maybe even wait until 2011.

We've been there for Christmas decorations twice. Once last Thanksgiving and the year before last during the second week of December.

We've never been there in September, nor have we been there during free dining. We go often so big crowds don't bother us. We're done with the see it all in a week trips. We go into the parks early, pick 2-3 rides, shop a little and try to be back at the pool by 2 or 3 every day.

Also, our oldest is going into middle school so we want to try to stop taking the kids out of school for vacation.

I think you'll thank us all later.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We LOVE December and in your shoes I would change it in a heartbeat. The only negative of December over September is that you have to pack more of a variety of clothes since you never know what the weather will do. At least in September you know it's going to be HOT!

 

[phins_jazy]

I'm with everyone else and say move it to Dec. We're going in Dec and I can't wait to see all the wonderful christmas decorations. The last time we went it was just too darn hot. I'm looking forward to cooler weather. And another poster is right. With school starting, the next few months will fly by. For us, I'm counting down by events. School starts, labor day, state fair, Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Halloween, Thanksgiving, BMX tournament, Christmas vacation, Disney vacation!

 

[keywestbride]

I'd definitely move it. December is amazing!

 

[JamieH]

Well, I had decided to keep it in Sept but after reading your responses, I'm having second thoughts again!

Does anyone know if I do decide to change it, can I exchange my MNSSHP tickets for the Xmas party? I'll have to research that ... I'd hate to lose that money.

My thoughts were that if I kept it in Sept and the crowds were bad, its ok b/c I am going with the expectation that it will be crowded, but if I move it to December and it turns out to be crowded, I'll be really upset. I've had a couple of people tell me that December is crowded b/c of that football thing, but most people tell me its not. Touring Plans has it as 4-5 which is the same thing they have for Sept ...

 

[AmyBWV99]

In the same boat you are and we moved our reservation Oct to Dec. I was sad about it I was really looking forward to leaving in under 60 days. Once it was moved I was fine about it. I hate doing so much planning and moving it. But there were 100 things telling us that we needed to, thanksgiving travel, family obligation travel, school for the kidlets starting, family wedding, death of our main TV, all happening in the next 3 months. We'll be so ready to get away by ourselves once it's all over and it'll feel like a relief vs one more thing in the eye of the storm.

Now I can't wait to share the Xmas decorations with the kids. We were last there in 06 for Xmas and DS#1 was only 20 months and he's now 4 so he'll be super excited as he's now 'geting it'.

 

[GoodFairies]

If crowds are your main concern, just know that early December is quite busy. It is no longer the slow time of year it was 10 or so years ago.

 

[Lost in Wonderland]

I wanted to move ours from August to Sept for the Halloween decorations. DH didn't want to lose money for changing our reservations through RCI. Do you think the kids would like being there during Halloween season or Christmas? Either way you would be able to see the parks decorated for the holidays. Let us know your FINAL decision...

 

[kalc12345]

My thoughts were that if I kept it in Sept and the crowds were bad, its ok b/c I am going with the expectation that it will be crowded, but if I move it to December and it turns out to be crowded, I'll be really upset. I've had a couple of people tell me that December is crowded b/c of that football thing, but most people tell me its not. Touring Plans has it as 4-5 which is the same thing they have for Sept ...

I honestly would keep it like you have it. We went to Disney last Dec. It was our first time there in Dec and we had heard the crowds would not be bad. WRONG!!! It was terribly crowded. We were there during the parade taping and then there was all the Pop Warner people. There were several days where it was hard to just get around in the parks because of all the people. We said we will not go in Dec again. I don't like it when it is that crowded.

This will be our first time going in Sept. Our last trip to Disney we talked with several CM's and they all said Sept was the least crowded time. I am crossing my fingers that they are correct

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

I think either would be amazing. But if you want cooler weather then go in Dec. If you want warmer weather so you can do water rides and what not then go in September. I have been the week after labor day and there was no one there and is was still HOT!

 

[JamieH]

Ok, I'm going to just keep them .. the balance is due Friday, so we'll just pay it before I change my mind again. Like I said before, I'm ok with going in Sept, prepared for big crowds and if it happens to be slow, then I'll be happy.

I'm really not too worried about all the decorations, so that's not a factor, either.

Thanks for all the tips!