So torn! What would you do?

[Luv2trav]

We have plans to go to Disney in June and Dec 08. These points are eating away at me and I would really like to go this January. However the cost of traveling to Disney 3 times in 1 year is a lot. I hate the thought of paying for airfare 3 times in 1 year.

If you had a choice which would you choose?

Studio Rooms Trips in Jan, Jun and Dec staying 6-7 days each

or

Studio Room June 12 days and 2 bedroom Dec 7 days(with family)

Tell me I can wait until June!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I guess you really have to ask yourself if you want to bring the family next December! It's great to share the holidays, MVMCP, CP, Osborne Lights, decorations with family. We have done that, that's the reason we bought DVC, and we used hardly any points while we accumulated them for DM's 85 birthday. After that, we bought more points so we can go more than twice a year. We do take airline "bumps" when we can to help with the travel costs, they just keep going up! We budget (use) lots of money for airfare, but it keeps us happy!

Enjoy your planning!

Bobbi

 

[Luv2trav]

Yes family is definately coming next Dec in both situations. We would just be in all studios vs 2 bedroom. I can't experience WDW at Christmas without my mom.... It just would feel right.

I guess my main factor is I really really want to go 3 times but I don't really want to pay for airfare 3 times. If I just wait until June I can longer NICER vacations and spend less. We budget for airfare too but I only planned on going in June and Dec and these points are really eating away at me....

The more I think about it I really can't believe I am trying to make the decision to go to WDW 3 times in 1 year vs 2..... I feel so very blessed...

 

[DMKEDM]

We're among the many whose trips to WDW increased significantly once we had those DVC points! As for airfare, I got an airlines-specific MasterCard that gives me miles for every dollar I spend...the airline in question goes to 3 of the 4 places I go to frequently (including Disney)...and I put absolutely everything on either the miles card, or on my Disney Visa ... including stuff I'd normally pay cash for...this year, I've gotten 3 sets of air fares on mileage as a result (combine that w/DVC and our APs, and we have one trip (coming in Jan) where it "feels free"...of course it isn't free at all...but the only cash I'll spend on that trip is for food. And I figure I'm buying food at home, too...and our eating habits "on the road" versus at home aren't really very different...so that Jan trip, w/frequent flyer mile airfare, DVC housing, and AP park admission, "feels free."

Don't know if this will help you go ahead and give yourself permission to plan that third trip or not...but hope it helps...and hope you "reward yourself" w/that third trip even if a "trick" like an AP or frequent flyer miles can't help make you feel more justified in incurring the expense...

 

[BroganMc]

Yes family is definately coming next Dec in both situations. We would just be in all studios vs 2 bedroom. I can't experience WDW at Christmas without my mom.... It just would feel right.

Let's look at this objectively.

Plan A) Go to Disney in Jan, Jun and Dec for 6-7 days and you do without:

- an in-room laundry (must take time out to launder washclothes, towels as well as clothes)
- an in-room kitchen (must eat out a lot or get used to microwave fare)
- and a separate living room space for gatherings (all those family togetherness times or post-park chill-downs take place on the sofa beside your bed).

Plan B) Go to Disney in June for 12 days and Dec for 7 with family. What you give up?

- A trip in January where the weather is bound to be colder and less Florida-y.
- A Pirate and Princess party.
- All those extra trips to the laundry room and extra meals out.
- Celebrating quality time with your mom by camping out on your (or her) bed while someone in the family insists you're disturbing their quality TV viewing time on the sofa.
- The in-room family feast you make and impromptu gatherings in the living room (i.e. when everyone else is asleep and two remain awake to talk).

I go by a rule of 3 days or less in a studio, 4 or more in a 1bedroom or up. Extended family vacations in a 2bedroom else we're just traveling at the same time and might see each other in passing.

 

[LindaBabe]

could you shorten your june vacation by half (hot and crowds) to go in January (cool, uncrowded) and keep December the same?

 

[Luv2trav]

Yes I could probably shorten the June trip and still keep December the same.

I like the idea of getting a frequent flyer credit card. We currently use Disney card for everything.

Broganmc-You have given me some things to think about. The 2bedroom at Christmas it very important. I don't want to give that up. Jan trip would be just us and the June trip would be with friends. So it would be 3 different trips.

 

[dwelty]

I go with the 2nd trip plan. June is Africa hot. Since you will be in your room more, just to cool off, or get out of the rain (June is the rainiest month in Orlando). I would want the bigger accomodations. You will also be changing your clothes alot more under these conditions, it will be nice to have the washer in your room.
We are in the same boat on airfare (although comming from LA with a longer flight and 3 kids) we are going from 2 trips a year in 08 to 2 a year in 09 with longer stays. I would skip January.

 

[Luv2trav]

We were there this past end of May beginning of June and the weather was very pleasant... Low 80's. I know this is not normal. We would be going the 2nd week in June so hopefully not too crowded yet.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree that shortening the June trip and the January trip if you have to just to keep the December trip in a 2 bedroom would be worth it. We HATE studios, because of the lack of laundry and Jacuzzi. We also love having the family together in one big unit, and that is why we love OKW so much.

 

[Mickey'n'Me]

I would have to say cut it down to 2 trips. There is nothing like going to Disney as much as possible, but it is even better to go and enjoy it with the whole family.

 

[starbox]

I was in the same position last year - dying to use the points and could not wait till spring/summer break - so I did a January trip. Of all the trips I've ever taken, this was my only January trip and it was the worst. The weather was just icky - dark and drizzly and cold. I don't love getting rained on, but in the spring/summer heat it is bearable (and even refreshing). In the cooler weather (and this was Florida cool and not even "real" cold - as in 50's and low 60's) but without lots of (any) sun, there was not a chance to dry out (plus, most buildings/restaurants were still cranking the AC), and being damp all day was not fun. Add to that the fact that the parks were relatively crowded with international guests on holiday, plus the fact that it's the middle of flu season and it seemed like we were right in front of or behind people that sounded like they had walking pneumonia on just about every bus/boat/line.

I will never go to Disney in January again. I'd much rather have a longer vacation when I can count on not being damp and cold the whole time!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Studio Rooms Trips in Jan, Jun and Dec staying 6-7 days each

I was just thinking -- since you're from Ohio -- a January trip might be nice. We're in VA and LOVE escaping the winter for a week or so to go sit by a pool or visit the parks at Disney!

 

[BroganMc]

I was just thinking -- since you're from Ohio -- a January trip might be nice. We're in VA and LOVE escaping the winter for a week or so to go sit by a pool or visit the parks at Disney!

Now let's not build false hopes here. Ohio weather is not so different from my own Maryland. And I've been to Orlando in December and February. It is by no means pleasantly warm. In fact, even though it can be 20 degrees warmer than home it feels colder. I think it's because you just expect it to be hot & sunny in Florida, and possibly because every building seems to crank up the AC anytime while finding heat an anomoly.

We were so cold last December we broke out our heavy football weather jackets, even though it was 10 degrees warmer than home. No way did I even consider getting in a pool.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I would opt for option 1. You get three vacations!!!

 

[BroganMc]

Broganmc-You have given me some things to think about. The 2bedroom at Christmas it very important. I don't want to give that up. Jan trip would be just us and the June trip would be with friends. So it would be 3 different trips.

I see. You can always achieve your goal of private family time and guests with the June trip. Give yourselves a few days alone in a studio and share the 1bedroom and up accommodations with friends.

When my dad and I go in a couple weeks, we're getting a 2bedroom to share with my sister's family for 6 days. Then after they leave, we'll move to a studio for 3 days. That way we can commit to compromise with my sister on daily plans knowing that we get a few days later to do it our way.

Many members find the post-trip decompression is a necessity to the mental health of charitable members.

 

[Luv2trav]

I think we have opted for option 2. I am a little frightened by the iffy weather in January. I don't need swimming weather but I do like to feel warm on vacation.

Plus mix that with cold and flu season I can just imagine what my children will catch.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Now let's not build false hopes here.

LOL! Guess Florida weather is a crap shoot

We've been in early October when we had 34 degree mornings -- felt so sorry for the people in tents in the campground. And we've been in mid-January when it was in the 80's and we were in the WDW pools while there was an ice storm back home here in VA. Always gotta pack for the possibility of needing bathing suits or parkas, from fall-to-spring, I guess.

 

[BroganMc]

We've been in early October when we had 34 degree mornings -- felt so sorry for the people in tents in the campground.

I can't say I ever had a cold October day though there were some chilly May nights this year. (When the sun went down and the wind kicked up making that skimpy tank top and shorts seem like a bad idea.)

We went in March 4 years in a row. The first year we left a blizzard in Maryland to warm 80 degrees in Florida. It was paradise. (We bought our first timeshare on the spot.) The second year we had half sun and half clouds, temps decreasing by 15 degrees. (We bought our second timeshare.) Third year it was sunny and balmy when we arrived and then we had rain and cold every day after. (We passed on the timeshare.) Fourth year, we were in sweaters every day until we were set to leave. Then it was sunny and back up to the 80's. (We gave up coming anytime before April and swore off anymore timeshares.)

We went in October, then April/May when rain was just enough to cool off your sunburned skin. (We bought DVC on the spot.) We tried December to see all the Christmas festivities. We froze and my dad swore he'd kill me before allow me to send him on another 2 week trip to Florida then. (Mentioning a January trip is heresy to the man.) Funny thing was everyone kept telling us how great the chilly weather was to put us in the Christmas spirit. We said if it was this cold then there had better be snow falling, and we didn't mean "snow bubbles".

Now we will visit for NYE weekend but we're expecting to be just slightly less cold than home. Hard to tell these days. I remember a few years ago New Year's Day was a freakishly 70 degrees up here in Maryland. My luck it'll be suntan weather up here and Florida gets the "unexpected frost" this year.