Two trips planned - Which would you choose?

[Mickey-4-Me]

I went as a kid (age 14) once. My husband or children had never been. Our first family trip was August 2006 (free dining) and then again September 2007 (free dining). We decided to go in September 2007 hoping for cooler weather. It did NOT happen; it was just as hot and rainy as August. We booked a Bounceback Promo in September 2007 for the same week in September 2008. My husband suggested a December trip recently so I booked it. Now, I can't decide which to keep.

I am a RN and my hospital doesn't allow vacations 7 days before or 7 days after a major holiday. So, I would have to return to work on December 18th which led me to the dates December 10th - 17th.

Deciding factors:
We have been to the PPP and MNSSHP. I would like to go to the MVMCP.
My 3 year old is almost 39 1/2 inches tall. I am hoping he grows 1/2+ before whichever trip we choose.
The kids want to go in December. I told them this would lessen their presents. They don't seem to care, but do they really understand what that means?
I'm all for saving money. $1000.00 is a lot of money!
My ADRs are better in September. Yummy.
We like cooler weather better than warmer weather.
It IS Pop Warner Football week. (We aren't going to parks on the days they have EMH, so I hope we avoid a lot of that.)
We missed hurricanes in August 2006 and September 2007. Could we be so lucky again?

Edited to say:
My 7 year old and I took a Mommy and me trip in March 2008 and loved it! The weather was perfect! Shorts and light jackets. When I told my husband about it - he was sooooo jealous. He has a (as he calls it) "Disney Sheen" from the moment we step out of the room in the morning until we return.

I still don't know what to do.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I'm going to jump in again...hope this helps more than confuses you...

When we were there in 12/07 it was mostly because I really wanted to go see the holiday decorations and go to MVMCP. I think I was expecting to be "wowed" more, and I wasn't. Now I kind of feel like I've "been there done that" and almost wish I would have just went in October which is when we really like to go.

We've been to MNSSHP, MVMCP and P&PP and I hate to say it, but MVMCP was probably my least favorite one. I was disappointed in the parade...I really liked the Boo to You parade much better, the atmosphere of the Halloween party was much more fun with everyone in their costumes, and the fireworks at the P&PP were spectacular. Personal preference I guess, but even if I find myself there in Dec again, I don't think I'd spend the extra money...especially since the castle lights and 'twas the night before christmas were also going on during the regular park hours not just during the party. The decorations and lights were really nice, but I really don't feel the need to rush back to see them. I will admit that the castle lights did completely blow me away, but that was about it.

I am not a commando run myself ragged kind of person, and we were more exhausted than any previous trip after trying to balance all of the "special" things and our favorites.

Disney in December sounded like a great idea, and I thought I was pretty organized before we left. Until I got home and went into a panic that Christmas was a week away. This probably would be a non-issue for a super organized person that finishes shopping by Halloween and bakes and freezes their Christmas cookies before Thanksgiving. I'm not that kind of girl though. I'm not a last minute person, but that "missing" week in December definitely stressed me out before they holidays. We really did have a great trip - don't get me wrong. I loved being there...any trip to Disney is a good trip. I just think that the next trip I plan will be in the fall (probably Oct) rather than for the holidays.

 

[rt2dz]

I do think everyone should go for the Christmas holiday season at least once, it is wonderful! We went last year. The weather was mid 60s to mid 80s. Crowds were nice and low. HOWEVER, it made the Christmas holidays hectic, despite everything being pretty much “done” before we left. We keep our vacation and Christmas budgets separate, so it was not “THE” present. I really hate being there for free dining (we’re AP holders so no benefit for us regardless), but the price is much lower and you’ll save on the dining.

 

[sk!mom]

My husband suggested a December trip recently so I booked it. Now, I can't decide which to keep.

Deciding factors:
The kids want to go in December. I told them this would lessen their presents. They don't seem to care, but do they really understand what that means?

If your DH not to mention your kids have requested the December trip then that would settle it for me. You have gone several times in a short perod of time. My DH would be requesting a vacation somewhere else so if yours is still happy to go back to Disney then I would honor his request for cooler weather especially if the rest of the family feels the same way.

 

[mdsouth]

If your DH not to mention your kids have requested the December trip then that would settle it for me. You have gone several times in a short perod of time. My DH would be requesting a vacation somewhere else so if yours is still happy to go back to Disney then I would honor his request for cooler weather especially if the rest of the family feels the same way.

I agree with this discussion. If your DH and kids want to go in Dec. and your family prefers cooler weather than go in December. It sounds like you will enjoy the experience.

 

[abdmom]

One factor that I haven't seen addressed is your 13 year old's school. In December, will he/she have tests while you are gone or shortly after you return? As a teacher, I would suspect that even if they don't have exams at that time, they certainly will have several tests and major projects due. Since you will return so close to Christmas, there won't be any time to make these up, assuming that school is still in session, especially if the school is on a semester schedule. Most teachers end units/topics at that time of year. The classes will move on to something completely different with the new year. While school is in full swing the 3rd week of September, it would be much easier to make up anything that they miss.

This would make the choice of September a no-brainer for me.

My ds missed that week in 5th grade, and he didn't recover for the rest of the year.

 

[MonkersMama]

I'd do Trip #1 just for the cost savings alone. Both sets of ADRs look good. I'd put the difference in savings towards the NEXT trip.

 

[Disneygirl26]

Was both trips a choice? ok so I tried, I would pick Sept, because of the price and my family would perfer the warm weather, I would love to go during christmas a leat once but DH and kids love christmas and believe christmas just isn't christmas if you're not home with family so december is out for us.