What Date is My Best Bet?

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

We are looking at going back to Disney World in 2014...using our tax returns from 2013 to pay the bulk of the cost. We want to try and get the best price we can for our family of 5 and possibly my In Laws who want to come too. The dates we have tossed around are:

-> mid-march (my birthday is the 14th - so the 10th through 15th)

-> first week of December (11/30 through 12/5 but worried about not getting discounts)

-> last week of September

We did free dining last year in September and would really like to do that again if we can...is our only option September though since that has been the month historically that has always gotten free dining?

My only concern with going in March are what the cost of air fair might be having to book it so close to our departure date...as we will have to book as soon as our tax return money comes in some time in January. If we want to go march 10-16 is that too close? We don't mind spending an extra $200-300 on air overall for five people because it's so late...but we can't afford to spend $1000 overall more for tickets. Also what chances do we have that we might get free dining for that date in march?

I would appreciate any help/suggestions that can be offered!

 

[Belle5]

I don't know that I can fully answer your question but just wanted to tell you that your March dates are the exact spring break dates of many, many folks around the country. There is a spring break poll somewhere on the boards and I know our dates (March 10-15...that's our break in Texas) were very popular. The week before would be better.

 

[Belle5]

Also what chances do we have that we might get free dining for that date in march?

I would appreciate any help/suggestions that can be offered!

I would say no chance at all.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

I would say no chance at all.

Well, thank you for your very blunt but honest answer. I do appreciate it. I maybe got a false sense of hope seeing people getting PIN codes for free dining for dates booked the first week of March. My Mother just had a stroke this past week and I just found out my Grandmother is going into Hospice today so I was hoping for some good news!

 

[Belle5]

Well, thank you for your very blunt but honest answer. I do appreciate it. I maybe got a false sense of hope seeing people getting PIN codes for free dining for dates booked the first week of March. My Mother just had a stroke this past week and I just found out my Grandmother is going into Hospice today so I was hoping for some good news!

So sorry about the health issues in your family! I wasn't trying to be "blunt". My answer was brief because I had already written a lengthier explanation above it, but then saw the free dining part of your question. I was really trying to say, based on the fact that it is spring break, WDW has no reason to offer such an incentive. They will be packed!

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

So sorry about the health issues in your family! I wasn't trying to be "blunt". My answer was brief because I had already written a lengthier explanation above it, but then saw the free dining part of your question. I was really trying to say, based on the fact that it is spring break, WDW has no reason to offer such an incentive. They will be packed!

I understand, I'm disappointed not being snarky - inflection is lost via the internet! We were hoping we might go a little earlier than next September but it looks like not. The only good thing is now I have time to plan more and get the reservations I really want. If we go in March BOG dinner is pretty much out for us as they are all gone and I just don't have the time to sit online and try and get in like I did for some of adr's last year. Ugh. Thank you for responding though, I meant it when I said I do appreciate it.

 

[Lyndsey]

Never say never when it comes to disney. I have s/p/d for April spring break this year. Not as great as free dining and I had a free dining pin for March spring break 2 yrs ago..So anything is possible when disney starts busting out pin codes..

 

[islandtimect]

The third wk of Sep for FD is probably your best bet. Plenty of time to shop for reasonable airfare, less crowded, and great savings. A family of 5 is least expensive at POR. Don't let the BOG ADRs concern you if you decide to go to March. Wasn't able to get BOG at 180 days, but did at 14! We've been able to do this on short notice for several clients.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

The third wk of Sep for FD is probably your best bet. Plenty of time to shop for reasonable airfare, less crowded, and great savings. A family of 5 is least expensive at POR. Don't let the BOG ADRs concern you if you decide to go to March. Wasn't able to get BOG at 180 days, but did at 14! We've been able to do this on short notice for several clients.

Thank you so much for this I truly appreciate it. When I posted this I had much going on - my Grandmother just passed away this passed weekend. It has been an emotional roller coaster. The good news though is we did end up booking for POR for September...we ended up getting free dining since we had a few issues with our stay last visit. Huge relief to save the extra $$ and also know that I have plenty of time to plan! Thank you!

 

[islandtimect]

You are welcome! Hope planning your trip puts a smile on your face while dealing with your family's health issues.