When Should We Go?

[disney junky]

I'm retiring from teaching in June (YAY), so my wife and I will be able to travel to our DVC much more freely. We are planning at 2015, October, November or early December trip. Since we've really never been there at those times, what are some of the advantages and/or disadvantages. Our plan is to book a 1br for 6-7 days. I know there is the Food and Wine Festival to consider. The Christmas decor. When does that start? I know points are slightly different for those times, but the difference isn't a real issue for us. I'm open to hearing any and all experiences since we will be making our final arrangements within the next few weeks.

BTW, we are planning a trip for the whole family (10 of us) in September or October of 2016, and we're hoping to be able to buy annual passes on the 2015 trip and have them for the 2016 trip.

 

[treehugnmama]

We go for a week early oct ( canadian thanks giving) at okw and then head to vb for a week. We love this trip. I love fall/ Halloween and the mnsshp is so fun ( I love villains). We find sept too hot. So we go first two weeks of oct now and the last 5 years we have had great weather. Still plenty warm to swim etc yet not too hot to enjoy. We have not been to food and wine so I can't coment on that.

This year we are trying a disney cruise before our stay an we leave in a couple days. I'm so excited but really missed the mnsshp. Halloween wasn't the same. Thanksgiving felt wrong having it at home and not at vero beach .

I'm a bit concerned with the nov weather but will report when I get back but is vote oct.
20 more years till I retire sigh. Congratulations the freedom of travel must feel great!!

 

[com_op_2000]

Christmas decorations are usually up before the week of Thanksgiving, about a week after F&W ends.
You can "Do":
BWV, BC, YC, Swan and Dolphin all in one afternoon stroll around the lake.
the monorail tour of resorts in about 2 hours if you do not linger, but at GF they have a band playing in the lobby that is a lot of fun to set and listen too.
At FWC, they have evening horse/buggy rides that give you a tour of the campsites.

 

[chalee94]

I'm retiring from teaching in June (YAY), so my wife and I will be able to travel to our DVC much more freely. We are planning at 2015, October, November or early December trip.

1) the week before thanksgiving is a great balance IMO. you get most of the christmas decorations with low crowds and the weather is pretty great (sometimes warm enough to swim - but typically 70s - at least as typical as FL weather can be... ).

2) the first 2 weeks of dec means the holidays are in full swing - you get the candlelight processionals and special events at epcot (canadian santa and such). all the big trees are up in the lobbies at the resorts.

on the down side, bring a jacket and some sweaters just in case. a few years ago it was really, really cold at night. also, the crowds are not bad but they are not as low as they were a few years back.

and keep an eye out for pop warner football week - which stresses some people out when the youngsters run amok with only intermittent chaperoning (sounds like more of an issue at the host resorts usually). the early guess is that pop warner week will start the weekend of dec 5 in 2015...so maybe aim for the week after thanksgiving.

if you've never been during the holiday season before, i would recommend this period for the full effect.

3) late oct and very early nov give you the F&W festival with reasonable weather.

but be aware of jersey week in early nov:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3276889

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=52489922

The Christmas decor. When does that start?

to sum up the above: starts on nov 1. big trees are usually not up in the deluxe lobbies till the weekend before thanksgiving. special events are not usually in full swing until thanksgiving and afterwards.

BTW, we are planning a trip for the whole family (10 of us) in September or October of 2016, and we're hoping to be able to buy annual passes on the 2015 trip and have them for the 2016 trip.

unsolicited advice: give late april/early may a shot at some point to enjoy the flower and garden festival at epcot.

 

[gmi3804]

I'm not going to tell you when to go.

Figure out what you like, and choose accordingly:

F&W/MNSSHP? Ocotber/Early November.
Christmas stuff? Mid-November through December.
Lowest crowds? November/December (except holidays).
Warmest weather? October, the earlier the better.

Lowest point requirements happen first two weeks in December. Second lowest the other times, except for Thanksgiving.