When should we go??

[lolobug]

Hi!

I am planning a first time trip to disney world with my 2 year old and 4 (almost 5 year old). I am looking for the most bang for my buck. Do we go in December (2nd/ 3rd week) or the end of January (22-30)?
I plan on staying at Windham Bonnet Creek. I was quoted $529 for December and $739 for Jan. I want this to be a quality vacation, I don't want to worry about crazy crowds/ higher than normal prices. Suggestions?
My daughter will turn 5 at the end of January, we would be at WDW for her birthday if we go in Jan.
thank you!!

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Well since you said it would be your daughters B-day in Jan, I would go then. That is something that you will remember forever. Make sure to get her a b-day button and have her wear it all week. (not just the day of her b-day) Maybe also look at getting a cake for her and/or my personal favorite. look into WDW flower/gift shop and maybe surprise her with balloons/stuffed animals delivered to your hotel room. (check out www.disneyflorist.com) The week you are going is the week after Martin king b-day so crowds will be light.

Side note the 2nd week in December will be the least crowded of the weeks you want to go. (only thing going on that week is pop warner but as long as your not staying at all stars sports you wont notice it.) if you decide to go in Dec. that would be the slowest week to go.

Have a great trip

 

[lolobug]

Well since you said it would be your daughters B-day in Jan, I would go then. That is something that you will remember forever. Make sure to get her a b-day button and have her wear it all week. (not just the day of her b-day) Maybe also look at getting a cake for her and/or my personal favorite. look into WDW flower/gift shop and maybe surprise her with balloons/stuffed animals delivered to your hotel room. (check out www.disneyflorist.com) The week you are going is the week after Martin king b-day so crowds will be light.

Side note the 2nd week in December will be the least crowded of the weeks you want to go. (only thing going on that week is pop warner but as long as your not staying at all stars sports you wont notice it.) if you decide to go in Dec. that would be the slowest week to go.

Have a great trip

Thank you! We are staying off site, would that affect the magic of her birthday?

 

[dpswift]

Thank you! We are staying off site, would that affect the magic of her birthday?

I do not think so. On this board you are going to find people who will only stay on site and those who will only stay off site. We like to stay onsite for the convenience and we like to park hop. The resorts do not do anything for birthdays outside of saying happy birthday if they see the pin. The only inconvenience I can think of is in the parks the line may be longer to get the birthday pin than at the resorts.


My son refused to wear his pin outside of on his birthday.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'd go the 2nd week in December. We went then and it was wonderful. All the parks were decorated for the holidays and the crowds were light to moderate. The first half of the week it was pretty warm, shorts and t-shirts and swimming weather. The 2nd half of the week a cold front came in and while it was still warmer than at home (I live in NH), it was jeans, sneakers and fleece jackets/sweatshirts.

 

[JimPGH]

Hi!

I am planning a first time trip to disney world with my 2 year old and 4 (almost 5 year old). I am looking for the most bang for my buck. Do we go in December (2nd/ 3rd week) or the end of January (22-30)?
I plan on staying at Windham Bonnet Creek. I was quoted $529 for December and $739 for Jan. I want this to be a quality vacation, I don't want to worry about crazy crowds/ higher than normal prices. Suggestions?
My daughter will turn 5 at the end of January, we would be at WDW for her birthday if we go in Jan.
thank you!!

Both week's should be the same, with low crowds. I'd probably go in December, since you could save $200 buy going then.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

In December you'll save $200 on your room and the Christmas decorations will be up.

In January, you'll be going during your daughter's birthday.

Both are lovely times to go. (I'm told - I've never been the first week of December, but plan to do so at some point!)

I'd think about Christmas decorations + $200 against going on my daughter's birthday and then look carefully at my schedule to see which time might be easier.

Really, whichever choice you make, you'll have a magical time!

 

[Marionnette]

Hi!

I am planning a first time trip to disney world with my 2 year old and 4 (almost 5 year old). I am looking for the most bang for my buck. Do we go in December (2nd/ 3rd week) or the end of January (22-30)?
I plan on staying at Windham Bonnet Creek. I was quoted $529 for December and $739 for Jan. I want this to be a quality vacation, I don't want to worry about crazy crowds/ higher than normal prices. Suggestions?
My daughter will turn 5 at the end of January, we would be at WDW for her birthday if we go in Jan.
thank you!!

The first couple of weeks of December are becoming increasingly popular because of the lower resort rates and the holiday decorations. But the end of January includes MLK weekend (Jan. 17-20) and there are often people who extend their trip into the week following the holiday. If you're looking for low crowds, I don't think that you'll find them.

During slow periods, the parks close earlier, which concentrates guests into few hours. They also do more rehabs during slow times and they open fewer queue lines. For instance, they may only have one track running on Space Mountain or one pod open on Soarin'.

The weather for both times can be "iffy". I've been there in December and I've worn shorts and sandals. I've also been there in December when it rained the entire week and I froze! There's less rain in January but it can be equally cold.

Regardless, you will have a great time. Just choose your dates based on whether you want to experience the holiday celebrations or your daughter's birthday celebration. It will be magical either way!