Trip dilemma..geez!

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Okay, here I go again. I have another choice to make . We stayed at Windsor Hills for 2 weeks last summer. We spent many days at the parks, as well as the water parks/DisneyQuest/DTD/Fantasia golf. We even took a day trip to the beach.

Well, we had a good time but some complained about the heat alot! And, yes, it was very hot last June. So, fast forward...for this year I booked an October trip thinking it would be a bit cooler and we could do MNSSHP. Of course since it will be during fall break we can only stay 1 week. Also, with the PIN I'm using, the kids will miss one day of school.

Fast forward a bit more...a few weeks ago the kids started saying how they really wanted go when they could stay longer even if it was in the summer! AGGH! They say that they want to make sure that they have time to go to the water parks, DQ, etc. DH and ds also found out that the Expedition Everest race is going to be in June. Also, the whole "summer nighttastic" sounds appealing. It would be nice to see new fireworks, new parade, AK open later, new TOT surprises!

So, I am looking at booking WH again. DH does like this idea because he still cannot fathom the idea of the small space we would have onsite compared to our 3b.r./3ba. townhouse with splash pool. He says he is fine with whatever I choose though. I'm still not sure about the heat though. I know that June 2009 was hotter than usual, but still!

Anyhoo...1 week of better temps and Halloween festivities or 2 weeks of everything Disney has to offer plus another day trip to the beach! What would you choose? Also, is October that much less crowded than the first couple weeks of June?

I wanted to add that we could stay offsite at WH either month, so what I am mainly asking about is the time of year, length of trip opinons since we could only stay 1 week in Oct.

 

[njsweetP]

Since my kids don't like to go during the school year (they don't want to think about going back to school while on vacation, and they don't want to miss any school work) we've been taking our trips in June. While last year was hot, the year before was even hotter and rainy! But we had a blast and were expecting it. We are going again in June 2010 and we love going at that time. It's sort of a celebration of school ending and the beginning of summer !! The kids don't have to worry about missing school work (I know you mentioned yours would only miss 1 day) and they look forward to the summer ahead. We don't mind the heat, it really doesn't bother us too much...you're in and out of rides, great weather for the water parks, etc. I would vote for the June trip. We also stay offsite at Cypress Grande Villas and love the space!

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Since my kids don't like to go during the school year (they don't want to think about going back to school while on vacation, and they don't want to miss any school work) we've been taking our trips in June. While last year was hot, the year before was even hotter and rainy! But we had a blast and were expecting it. We are going again in June 2010 and we love going at that time. It's sort of a celebration of school ending and the beginning of summer !! The kids don't have to worry about missing school work (I know you mentioned yours would only miss 1 day) and they look forward to the summer ahead. We don't mind the heat, it really doesn't bother us too much...you're in and out of rides, great weather for the water parks, etc. I would vote for the June trip. We also stay offsite at Cypress Grande Villas and love the space!

That is something we discussed that was a pro for the June trip. I don't really want to think about having to come back from the trip and get up and take them to school the next day!UGGH

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

we do 2 weeks, every other summer. We do one week off-site, then 1 week on (in DVC, so it's a little different from a hotel room). Yeah, it's hot, but the kids really love the private pool, and the more rleaxed touring pace. Plus the special things like you mentioned--being at EMH until the wee hours and so forth.

We rent a house in Windsor Hills, and just love it there. Can't say enough good things about it.

 

[StephMK]

I would vote June and a bigger place. Even though you might not be there much, it's still pretty tight for a family of 5. We are trying to go next June if we can swing it & plan to stay offsite for the space.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

we do 2 weeks, every other summer. We do one week off-site, then 1 week on (in DVC, so it's a little different from a hotel room). Yeah, it's hot, but the kids really love the private pool, and the more rleaxed touring pace. Plus the special things like you mentioned--being at EMH until the wee hours and so forth.

We rent a house in Windsor Hills, and just love it there. Can't say enough good things about it.

We also love Windsor Hills. Every year I say I am going to try onsite to see what this "magic" is about and everytime I cancel and book WH because it is so roomy, close , and very nice. The last two times we have had condos, but this time it would be a townhouse with a nice, little splash pool!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

While I think that your family has their hearts set on staying longer, I really enjoy our Sept/October trips...

My kids love the weather, it is still very warm. We do go 7-8 days so a little longer than you could, BUT we always get a waterpark day in, Disney Quest night, golfing and mini-golfing, and we also do MNSSHP. Plus it would be F&W festival. I know that it is harder sending them to school the next day (well for them, not for me) I find that the whole day alone, I get all the wash done and the house organized etc. while they are away.

I would put down a schedule for yourself, pros an cons and put the new stuff you could do in a different color. Then have you and your hubby decide if you want to make the decision on when you are going, or if you want to do a family vote. Don't forget, Moms always are the tie-breakers! Whatever you choose, enjoy your trip.

 

[TnTWalter]

It is MUCH less crowded in October from my experience. What about taking TWO vacations....1 week in October and 1 week in June somewhere else. Can you rent a lake house or beach house closer to home for a week? Just an idea....

We did 2 weeks last year the day after school ended we left. First week at WDW. Weather wasn't too hot yet! Then we went to the beach for a week house with pool at Anna Maria. It was a fantastic vacation.

MNSSHP is loads of fun. Focus on the events and not the rides to get most out of it. Weather is great.

Trish

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

It is MUCH less crowded in October from my experience. What about taking TWO vacations....1 week in October and 1 week in June somewhere else. Can you rent a lake house or beach house closer to home for a week? Just an idea....

We did 2 weeks last year the day after school ended we left. First week at WDW. Weather wasn't too hot yet! Then we went to the beach for a week house with pool at Anna Maria. It was a fantastic vacation.

MNSSHP is loads of fun. Focus on the events and not the rides to get most out of it. Weather is great.

Trish

We have definitely thought about doing Disney in Oct. and the beach in June. But, we like to drive, and truthfully we just hate the long drive more than once a year. Also it works out to be less expensive when renting a condo longer as well as buying tickets. You know with Disney you always get more for your money if you stay longer!

On another note..I see from your ticker that you have stayed at WH, Poly and2 rooms at POP. Could you tell me which you liked better for a Disney vacation?

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Okay, this was a quick decision! Talked to my dh again and I think that we both know that keeping our onsite Oct. ressie will be best because we got such great deal(PIN code). We are hoping for free dining which would be an even better deal. We spent quite a bit on our 2 week vacay last year between buying food/souvies. I think having it prepaid will help this time.

DH also didn't seem totally against us doing a short beach vacay this summer! I would love to go to a gulf beach since the kids weren't impressed with the sand at Cocoa. I think we can get to a beach in 7-8hrs.

I feel much better as far as the budget is concerned now because I already have half of my Oct. trip paid for, dining plan and all! Also, our oldest needs to be home for soccer conditioning in June and July. I wouldn't want him to get into any trouble for missing part of it!

I guess I will finally know if onsite is all that they say it is! LOL

 

[TnTWalter]

You may want to consider 2 rooms at POP...when we did POP it was just about $100 more than 1 room at POR. I see you're a family of 5 so it might be nice especially with the older kids and 1 vs. 2 bathrooms. Especially in October, connecting should not be a problem.

We also drive so that's why I suggested driving to a lake or beach closer to home.

Have a great trip!!!

forgot to answer your question...my fave was POLY...we had a pin and my parents came with us. We had a BLAST.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

I actually have been considering two rooms at POP, but when I price it out if I remember correctly it comes out to about $500 more! Of course this is with me having the 20/30/40 PIN. I really love the POP decor though!

 

[TnTWalter]

BUMMER the discount isn't the same for values as moderates...

$400 is quite a bit; I'm just afraid you'll be cramped for a whole week.

We spent $450 total on Windsor Hills for our week...it will be hard to stay onsite again!

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

If we get FD it will be better for us than almost any discount. But looking over my figures, it looks like POR would be around 950 and 2 rooms at POP about 1500 tax included using the 20/30/40% PIN. But FD would be so much better for us than the PIN!