When Should We Plan Our Trip?

[becka]

I thought we had the dates for our next trip planned but everytime we think we settle on something we change our mind. Our previous trips have been one in December, one in January and two in May. I thought that I might set up a poll and ask for other opinions since we are so undecided.

Option #1: November 30 - December 4
- This option will require us driving with our 18 month old son from Missouri because I do not want to fly over the Thanksgiving holiday. This will also mean the fewest number of days in the park but it would probably be the cheapest trip.

Option #2: December 6 - December 13
- This option will require us to fly and to rent a car so that ups the price. We could spend more days in the parks which is always nice and if by some chance if they extended the FTP for this time frame we could actually take advantage of it because we would be staying 7 nights instead of 4 like in Option #1 so in the long run it could end up being about the same price or just a few hundred more.

Option #3: January 10 - January 17
- This option will also require us to fly and to rent a car. Weather is always a concern in the winter. We are more likely to be trapped in Missouri and/or to experience really cold weather while at WDW. We froze in January 2001 although we still had an absolutely terrific time. I don't know too much about resort discounts this time of year because on our last January trip we had APs.

Option #4: January 24 - January 31
- Pretty much the same as option #3 just later in the month.

What do you guys think?

 

[nativetxn]

Okay, I was bad. I chose the first option because I will be there and so will a lot of our friends. I just want to meet you, so I suppose I didn't play fair, did I?

 

[JulesMom]

I chose option #2.

Longer stay and you get to see and do all the fun things at Christmas

 

[jaysue]

I am choosing option #4 - days are starting to get longer and parks should be quiet and maybe the weather will be warmer by then and yes yes I am cheating too since we will be there at that time and would love to meet you as well.

Texas doesn't have a monopoly on hospitality

Cheers
Jason

 

[FloridaCat]

Why the need to rent a car? You can shuttle to the park from OIA and transportation in the park is free.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.........................................Option 2.

You don't need a car to get from MCO to WDW. A towncar will do nicely for under $80 roundtrip, and you get a grocery stop on the way in.

For a family of four it is cheaper than Mears.

A bus that stops everywhere for the 50 people on board, or a private towncar, that makes a stop for you, drops you right at your destination, and charges less. Tough choice!

 

[becka]

I feel like we need a car because we will have our son with us for the first time and as much as DH and I love the Disney busses (we never rented a car during our previous stays). I feel like it will be best to be able to make a quick getaway in the car if DS is having a meltdown, etc..

We will hopefully stay at the Polynesian so we will only use the car for MGM and AK days, DD and/or any resort hopping and we will use the monorail for MK and Epcot. In this case I really feel like having a rental car is one of those better safe than sorry type of things for me. In the end it may end up being a little unnecessary but I would rather err on the side of caution.

 

[FloridaCat]

As a local I should make you aware you will pay a parking fee, (7.00). The lines getting in & out of there can be horrendous. Plus WDW assumes everyone wants to go to Orlando or I-4 and barracades and "only can go one way" is the norm.
This is no problem for us as that is what we want to do go home.
If your talking about a medical condition with your DC, First Aid would get you a shuttle right away.
I applaud your Motherly concern. My DD & I are in awe of the people bring Little One's to WDW and how exhuasted they are. My late Wife allowed none our children (3) to go with us on vacation until they were nine. Two reasons they would have little memory of what we did and she got to enjoy the trip more. It worked for us and both of my DD have followed her way, so it did not have any negitive effect on them..

 

[Granny]

I'm with the majority. Go during December when the decorations are up. Your son will love them and the whole Christmas feel!!

 

[becka]

Originally posted by FloridaCat
As a local I should make you aware you will pay a parking fee, (7.00). The lines getting in & out of there can be horrendous. Plus WDW assumes everyone wants to go to Orlando or I-4 and barracades and "only can go one way" is the norm.
This is no problem for us as that is what we want to do go home.
If your talking about a medical condition with your DC, First Aid would get you a shuttle right away.
I applaud your Motherly concern. My DD & I are in awe of the people bring Little One's to WDW and how exhuasted they are. My late Wife allowed none our children (3) to go with us on vacation until they were nine. Two reasons they would have little memory of what we did and she got to enjoy the trip more. It worked for us and both of my DD have followed her way, so it did not have any negitive effect on them..

I thought parking was free for resort guests? Have they changed this recently because I don't want to have to pay $7/day for parking!

This trip will be very laid back for us. DH and I have been to WDW 4 times since late 1999 so we have had a chance to do trips just for us. We really just want to go back and enjoy the atmosphere and introduce our little guy to the magic of Disney. We know he won't remember any of this trip but I am sure we will have many very special wonderful memories of his first trip. It will be very different from our past trips but we are really looking foward to it even if it means we end up riding IASW 5 times in a row! I doubt we will spend more than 5 hours in the parks on any one given day and we are building in lots of resort down time, etc. so hopefully none of us will be exhausted at the end of the week.

It looks like Option #2 is far and away the most popular choice. That was the week that DH and I were leaning towards the most. Thanks!

 

[nativetxn]

There is no charge for parking if you stay at a Disney resort, Becka. Unless that has changed since May. You could ask on the transportation board just to be safe.

 

[FloridaCat]

For those that are not in the know, your CC is charged when you make the reservation.

 

[KSgirl]

I agree with the majority here....I think the second week of December is the best. That's when we are going!

As far as a rental car, I think that is a great choice also. We have always rented a car (even when staying on-site) because of the flexibility it gave us. I don't want to have to wait around if we need to make a quick exit! We had no problem getting from park to tram to car to leave. One note...you may want to take your own stroller so you don't have to carry the little one all the way through the parking lot to the car

Maybe we'll see you there!!

 

[FloridaCat]

Chritmas is special in all the threme parks in Orlando. We have goe every year for the past ten and it never gets old.. My favorite is MK, but we love MGM also. walking down the main Street in the snow coming off the roof tops drinking HC and seeing all the lights. On these occasions we do little in the way of rides and shows as we try to be there in late aternoon. After dark there is someting that comes over the park and people. The crowds are more relaxed, and a glow comes over the park.
We alternate parks and go down midweek and I get just as excited as I am about checking into our resort next week..