Trip option 1 or 2 - what would you pick???

[delgrec]

Hi everyone! Please help me choose between these two trip options. They cost virtually the same (although there is a chance of a discount in option 2 which would likely reduce a bit and make it a slightly cheaper option). Please vote and if you would like to explain your choice, I would really appreciate it! TIA

Me, DH, DD 9/10 and DS 11/12

Option 1
December 25th, 2018 - December 31st
Animal Kingdom - Savannah bunk beds
Pros - It is sooner!, love the Christmas vibe and we would surprise the kids with this trip, don't mind the crowds as we have been enough times that we can live with missing stuff (although haven't done Pandora or of course, Toy Story Land - so those will be priority)
Cons - shorter trip, no pool time (even if we get lucky and it is warm enough, probably won't fit it in)

Option 2
August 15th 2019 to August 25th
split stay 6or 7 nights BC/3 or 4 nights CR
Pros - pool time and stormalong bay, longer trip, the slim possibility of star wars land being open and likely discounts (not taken into account yet when comparing pricing)
Cons - so far away!, takes the place of a beach trip we always take to my in-laws which is almost a free trip, heat

What would you do??? I'm so torn. I like the idea of Christmas trip but am worried that it is just a need for more immediate gratification and not the smart move.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Disneylover99]

Go for the longer summer trip.

While I love Christmas and New Years at Disney, arriving on Christmas Day seems like kind of a drag. I love all the festiveness before Christmas, not between Christmas and New Years. And leaving on New Years Eve? You're missing the biggest party of the year!

 

[JETSDAD]

I'd rather deal with crowds than heat so I voted for the Christmas trip.

 

[Farro]

Option 2! Longer is better, we missed pool time when it was too cold to swim on our trip and August will be here before you know it!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Beware of surprising your preteens last minute, as this is school vacation and they will probably have the normal plans with friends that could cause disappointment for them and even more so for you. I’ve seen many Disney surprise videos that totally didn’t get the reaction the parents were expecting, like kids crying over missing a sleepover or a party with friends.

 

[kniquy]

If you haven't done Christmas then do it. If this was your first trip I would say summer but because you are experienced and can brave the crowds and plan accordingly - going at a busy time is doable. I think the surprise of taking the kids for christmas can't be beat. We did it and it really is so much fun to tell them that they are going to see Mickey!! I also think that the weather will be much more bearable in December and there will be no threat of hurricane. It kind of depends on your kids ages and what they can handle. Younger kids (under 8 or so) will likely have a harder time with the summer heat and humidity - tired, cranky, hungry, hot kids is never fun. Remember it is the humidity that is worse than the heat. Plus if your summer trip would replace you time with the in laws then you are going to be missing out on that important family time.

Christmas is really magical, It will be insanely busy so maybe you will have to spend a little on special events that will help with dealing with the crowds such as doing a dessert party for the HEA fireworks.

 

[cadawson]

I'd go for the longer trip in August, assuming the children haven't started back to school - also assuming you all don't mind the heat of late August in Florida. Days are longer and your kids are a great age for the water parks. The pool at BC is so fun also! Plus, I don't particularly care to travel right after Christmas - we've done international once, I prefer to be home.
On the other hand, sounds like you'd be giving up a beach vacation with Option 2, which you might regret. Two trips better than 1? Decisions, decisions! I'm sure you can't go wrong either way. I'd probably have to take a vote in my family of 4. Be sure to let us know what you decide!

 

[dansdad]

Beware of surprising your preteens last minute, as this is school vacation and they will probably have the normal plans with friends that could cause disappointment for them and even more so for you. I’ve seen many Disney surprise videos that totally didn’t get the reaction the parents were expecting, like kids crying over missing a sleepover or a party with friends.

Although I did vote for the Christmas trip, this is something to consider.

 

[Tiki_Sara]

I would go for option 1. Crowded, yes. But August isn’t exactly a slow time and then you would have the heat to deal with. I know some people are ok with it but it really can be utterly debilitating.

Also if you do option 1, that’s Christmas sorted and you will have nothing much to do except relax and enjoy it. No grocery shopping, cooking or entertaining sounds like a great Christmas to me

 

[Ensusieasm]

I forgot to say I vote for the Christmas trip, but without the surprise. Mostly because I cannot stand the heat. I’m from Maine where you can count summer days above 85 on one hand. Summer in Maine is two weeks of poor sleddin’. Haha!

 

[DWillowBay]

Much as Disney may be magical...even more magical....at Christmas, I would always opt for August and a longer trip. Crowds at Christmas can be challenging for me (I realize that's a personal preference thing.) But, it can make ADRs, FPs, costs of flights...etc..also challenging. But, bottom line for me, more days at Disney is always better than less. BC and CR are two of my favorite resorts due to proximity to HS / EP and MK, respectively. AKL is a gorgeous resort, so maybe make a visit there. No matter what you decide....have a great trip.

 

[i luv the duck]

I vote for option 2, traveling on Christmas Day is not ideal. Also, your room probably won’t be ready until 4 or after. So what do you do in the meantime? The parks will be at capacity and the cool temperatures probably won’t allow you to go for a swim.

My take on the Summer is, it’s Summer in Florida. That being said you’re bound to have a rain shower 90% of your stay. This helps by A, cooling it off a little and B, getting the crowds to leave the park. Showers usually only last about 15-20 minutes but a lot of vacationers don’t know that. If you stick it out when it rains the lines for attractions get considerably shorter.

 

[delgrec]

Thanks everyone for all the thoughts! Considering all points. So confused!

 

[princessmocha]

If you haven't been at Christmas before, that would be my first choice. It is super crowded, but it was extra magical at that time of year. We did it once and I probably wouldn't again, but I loved it when we did. Also the cooler temps were a plus. We have been in summer several times and it is hot, hot, hot . . .

My vote is for Christmas. Good Luck deciding.

 

[nyy]

I voted for Christmas - much better weather and the fact that you can still go on the beach vacation.

Our kids are very aware of traditions we sometimes didn’t even realize were important to them. I know our kids would be upset if they missed a trip with their grandparents. FWIW, the grandparents would be very disappointed as well.

Life is too short to keep saying “next year”. Go to WDW 2018 and the beach 2019. Best of both worlds.

 

[Shanti]

I wouldn't want to compromise my actual Christmas Day and New Year's Eve by traveling on those days. That time of year is so crowded, and if there's a cold snap (like we experienced this past December), it can be bitter.

WDW in summer can feel wonderfully laid-back. The vibe of summer and of being at a theme park just seem to fit like a hand in a glove. And since you'd get to enjoy Stormalong Bay, that's like having a mini-vacation within the bigger vacation.

I also agree with PP that you shouldn't surprise your kids at the last minute, and that's not just if you have teens. I'm an elementary teacher & recently had a 3rd grader tell me that she hates the fact that she doesn't know what her school vacations are going to be like, because her parents like to make trips a surprise. Kids like to feel at least some measure of control over their lives like everyone else, and being whisked away at a moments' notice on a big vacation is not a way to feel like you have any measure of control over your life. In addition, anticipation adds to the pleasure that people take in trips.

 

[TOBS2010]

I voted for the longer trip in August. We went last time during that same time frame and the crowds were not bad at all---and I have been to Disney probably almost a dozen times in my lifetime. We walked onto most rides within minutes, even without fast passes. I had a close friend of mine there during roughly that same timeframe in December/January this year. She surprised her younger elementary age kids on Christmas morning that they were leaving in a few days. They were excited---but then they got to WDW and it the first day was cold----from that point forward it was freezing. They had to run out and buy gloves and hats for their kids. Then by the third day more than half of her family was down for the count with stomach bugs. Reminded me why we always plan for summer trips. Sure you could end up with a hurricane (which I have lived through before as a pre-teen with my family and Disney cast members were excellent)---but I would much rather take that then freezing temperatures and an increase of germs in the height of cold and flu season. Plus in August it could be a more low key and chill trip with it being longer.