When would you go...would you do an AP?

[rdominy]

Trying to decide what we want to do. We have gone to Disney 3 times as a family, DS 3 went for the first time last year. I am a over planner and not intimidated by large crowds as missing school isn't an option and a good game plan makes sure just about anything is possible.

Our options:
Option 1 - Hoping for free dining and would do a package Thanksgiving week 2018 DD11, DS4 (would turn 5 March 2019...but 48" rides still will probably not be an option), DH and me. We would convert to APs while there and add three more trips including Dec. 29-Jan 5, our Spring Break in March, and the first week of June. We would stay off property in a house for all but the first trip and do some meals there to save money. We are also planning to try to schedule MK fireworks party for Dec. 30 early fireworks if they are the Fantasy in the Sky ones.

Option 2 - Wait until June 2019 to start the APs (make it the first trip). Son would probably make the 48" rides for at least the following Spring Break (final trip). Star Wars would also be open for part of the time APs are active, but I'm assuming crowds will also be up because of that.

Option 3 - Just do the week of Thanksgiving and then save money for a trip later...or possible APs another year.

We will go back to Disney at some point whether or not we do APs or not. My plan would probably be to get to Disney again in 2021 or 2022 since we all have tickets hanging out in MDX but would need to be used before DS turns 10.

I lean toward Option 1, but just because it gets me to Disney more often quicker...but I'm not really objective (not that anyone on these boards is either)...

 

[Bete]

Free dining has zero chance of being offered Thanksgiving week. If you can go just before that week you have a chance. The cutoff may be the weekend before, but all you need is the last day available that the promo is offered in November to be eligible. Then, this year the week after Thanksgiving had free dining starting on the Sunday after.

Option one certainly sounds like you would get the best use of an annual pass.

 

[rdominy]

Free dining has zero chance of being offered Thanksgiving week. If you can go just before that week you have a chance. The cutoff may be the weekend before, but all you need is the last day available that the promo is offered in November to be eligible. Then, this year the week after Thanksgiving had free dining starting on the Sunday after.

Option one certainly sounds like you would get the best use of an annual pass.

We would check in on Saturday. Based on the last few years that would work. I know nothing is guaranteed but still hoping.

Question is do we need to do that. I know only my family can decide what is right for us but just trying to see what others would do.

 

[Monykalyn]

We got AP for first time in August (dtr was in Disney college program last fall). We did the Thanksgiving week-it can get crazy busy, but yes-having a game plan definitely works! I think free dining ended the week before thanksgiving this year-would not count on that at all this year as with Toy Story Land opening I don't think Disney is gonna have any need to fill rooms-especially with the move to open Good Neighbor hotels in Disney springs to EMH and 60 day FP.
We also did Dec 30-jan 4 (picked up DD) and that week is NUTS. I actually would not recommend it with kids. It was just me and DH and the 2 of us were fine, but crowds were unbelievable. You likely won't get many rides in, even the less popular attractions will have long waits. IF you decide to go anyway-yeah-the dessert party is the way to go (we did the terrace seating one and it was perfect as Fantasy in the Sky isn't as projection heavy). Weather is also unpredictable and we FROZE the rest of week. With the crowds it is also extremely difficult to maneuver a stroller, so try to get him accustomed to going without by then if at all possible. Also with an AP you know you will have more trips, and the ticket is "already paid for" so may not feel as much pressure to "do" everything.

I actually prefer early June-and have booked our next trip for then already...If you wait another year, you could still get a holiday trip in, and with a child who is older and maybe better equipped to handle waits and crowds...but I get the waiting is hard thing LOL!