Should we do free Dining or Christmas

[atisikitabasket]

Currently I have a Christmas trip and DS4 5th birthday trip for Dec 16-22 at CR 3A 1C with dining plan and park hoppers for $2842.XX should we do the free dining instead? We can do a moderate for around $2050.00 but would have to go in Sept. Would we be missing a lot of stuff not going at Christmasn. Also I love Christmas we have a theme decorated tree in everyroom of our house and even the gift wrap and bows match the trees. The CR is not available for the time in Sept.

but if we go in Sept. our friend might be able to go too and that would be a blast also. Whats your all's opinion?

 

[clombardi]

Currently I have a Christmas trip and DS4 5th birthday trip for Dec 16-22 at CR 3A 1C with dining plan and park hoppers for $2842.XX should we do the free dining instead? We can do a moderate for around $2050.00 but would have to go in Sept. Would we be missing a lot of stuff not going at Christmasn. Also I love Christmas we have a theme decorated tree in everyroom of our house and even the gift wrap and bows match the trees. The CR is not available for the time in Sept.

but if we go in Sept. our friend might be able to go too and that would be a blast also. Whats your all's opinion?

I had the same dilemna last year when free dining came out. I was planning a trip Dec. 8-13. But that free-dining seemed so hard to pass up! Anyway, we decided to go in December and I am so thrilled that we did. We had been to Disney many times but never for Christmas. It was amazing! We did all the Christmas things..MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, sleigh ride at WL.

I would not have traded this trip for anything. However, I also knew I'd be getting back to WDW within the next year and figured I could just go for the free dining if they offered it again this year. So you have to consider that!

Now I can't wait to book free dining when it comes out this week, but the feeling can't compare to how exciting the December trip was.

I say go for Christmas!

 

[PortieOwner]

I would vote for Christmas! More things will be open, and for longer hours, plus the Christmas displays, plus much better weather, and no risk of hurricanes.

In my case I have to worry not just about FL hurricanes but also about hurricanes back home (MD) and along the way there (if I drive) in NC, SC, and GA.

Portie

 

[Nutty4Disney]

We want to book at Christmas because we have never been at that time. We usaully go in January or February. With no kids we can go when we want, but is the free dining worth missing out on the decorations and holiday only events? We always get the dining plan and I have been able to get my DH to try places he wouldn't go otherwise - nothing to lose, he can always fill up on salad and dessert! Of course I have to let him eat at the Biergarten at least once each trip to keep him happy.

 

[atisikitabasket]

I calculated it and to stay at the CR during free dining would actually cost us $300.00 more then going in December with the dining plan added on.

Free dining cost $3150.00 3 A 1 C park hoppers and dining.

December with discount code $2843.67 also staying at CR for 3A and 1 C with dining and park hoppers.

I guess that takes care of it for that much cheaper we will be going in December for Christmas. We just went in Feb. But decided to fit one more trip before we start trying for another kid of course we have been trying for over a year but I think I need a break from that stress for a while. Atleast planning another trip takes my mind off things.

Has anyone been around Dec 16-22 what are the crowd like and weather?

 

[Vickie46]

Christmas for sure!

 

[DreaminDisney]

Christmas!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Has anyone been around Dec 16-22 what are the crowd like and weather?

I went last year 12/13 to 12/17 and it was much more crowded than I anticipated. Still managable with fast pass but we went to MVMCP on the 14th (Friday night) and it was so crowded that you could hardly move. My DS was 5 a the time so I couldn't stay out late enough with him to let the crowds leave-I think we left around 10pm.

Weather can be anything in Dec. On that trip it was cool and rainy a few days. On our last day I think it was in the 80's. I've been with temps in the 90's in Dec and I've been with night time temps in the 30's.

It really is magical there in December. I'm sure you'll have a great trip!

 

[Timmbco]

We have a big Christmas trip planned at Polynesian.... But I can't resist free dining with my teenage boys who love to eat. So we are going to scale back our Christmas trip just a little and sneak in a Labor Day weekend trip too at POR hopefully! Disney got us AGAIN!

 

[mickeyluv]

I vote for Christmas!! I saw that though because we have never been at Christmas either but we are this year. From everyone I've talked to they say if you've never been at Christmas you have to experience it just one time!! We're so excited!! Good Luck with your decision.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Your son will turn 5 during your Christmas vacation? If that's the case then definitely go in December! It'll be a birthday he'll never forget! What a present!! Not to mention all the decorations, Osbourne Lights, MVMCP, Candlelight Proc., etc.... Something everyone should experience.

 

[missmun52]

I would just go becuase your DS will be turning 5. I would love to do that for my DS but he was born the 29th and I am not sure I want to fight those crowds for this very busy week! If he was only born the two weeks before like he was supposed to

 

[DisneyBride'03]

"It's the most wonderful time of the year...." Christmas!!

 

[burberryplaid]

If I could go at Christmas I would.. DH won't wait that long for a vacation though!

 

[EEyorelover22]

Christmas. It was a dream come true last December for us.

 

[atisikitabasket]

After getting all excited from the responses about Christmas I now have my heart set on it. But my friends emailed they want to go in Sept. for free dining if we can go.

Now I am torn we will have fun with them but me and DH were really pumped about staying at CR for Christmas now we will have to stay in a Moderate. I am keeping the Dec ressie on just incase we win the lotto or they bail out on us or something. ha-ha I shouldn't of read all your replies before hearing from them. Plus I got the 40% code for Dec. that is the only way we could afford a deluxe at that time.

 

[BlueFairy]

I'm torn too. Unfortunately, we don't have a discount for Dec. But are booked at Swan in Sept. WL is our preferred, so I'm trying to get that with free dining.
BUT - I'm hearing horror stories about the wait at restaurants with free dining. With a 2 yo DD, that is just not good. So I'd really prefer a Christmas trip. Add the hurricanes and REALLY bad heat. If cost isn't a factor, then go in December.

 

[annakris1973]

I'll go against the grain and say September. After all the horror stories of the parks being overcrowded around the holidays last year, I'll pass. I just can't do crowds. Yes, it is hot during September, but I would trade Christmas cheer with free dining and walk-on rides any day. JMHO

 

[jgallant]

Been BOTH September and right over Christmas (the 23rd to the 29th),
CHRISTMAS is the busiest time of year at Disney, also the most beautiful and magical....

I wouldn't cancel my Christmas trip just yet either...it is the best place in the world to be at Christmas, you just don't get your money's worth if you like rides, that's all, plus think about the weather you want, do you care if it is cold or if it rains a lot? We had lots of rain when we went in December. And even though September is hurricaine season, we have been two Septembers in a row and it has only rained once out of a grand total of 22 days worth.

You have to weigh what's important to you and what you really want to do I guess.

Good luck deciding...either way your at Disney!

 

[clombardi]

Plus I got the 40% code for Dec. that is the only way we could afford a deluxe at that time.

How about this? Go for free dining in Sept, and switch your Dec reservation to a value so you don't have to win the lotto.

We had three great trips in a row-GF, Poly, then the granddaddy of them all, Poly Lagoon View Concierge. The next three trips, we switched to POP becuase we just wanted to be at Disney.

This last Christmas we were at POP and it was sooooo festive! People decorate their windows with lights and trees and other fun things.
Give it some thought. Christmas at Disney is great no matter where you stay.