When would you go?

[mouschievous]

We have a DVC rental credit that needs to be used by August 2023. We tried to use it for our Jan 2022 WDW trip, but to no avail. So Husband said "well, I guess we'll have to plan another trip" and I said "oh darn!"

I think we'll likely do DL and stay at VGC. Probably 3 nights, maybe 4. Our 20th anniversary is Dec 2022, so we were thinking somewhere around there and call it our anniversary trip. Now, for the difficult bits - Husband has blackout dates Nov 1-Dec 31, with the exception of Thanksgiving (Thurs/Fri). I'm a teacher, so while I can take personal days and be gone, there are times that would be bad (beginning of Sept, first week back after winter break, etc).

Obviously we have no idea what things will look like in late 2022/early 2023, but if you were planning with our restrictions when would you plan for?

 

[StarlitNight05]

When do you typically have to go back after winter break? After New Year's may be a good compromise since your DH can't go until after Dec 31.

 

[mouschievous]

Well, usually the Monday after the 1st, but since the 1st is a Sunday in 2023, I'm guessing we'll go back the 3rd or 4th. I can't really be gone that week, but could do the next week possibly.

 

[edhmom]

Well, usually the Monday after the 1st, but since the 1st is a Sunday in 2023, I'm guessing we'll go back the 3rd or 4th. I can't really be gone that week, but could do the next week possibly.

In 2019 we went Jan 10-13. The crowds were low, but not everything was staffed, so for example it took longer to get food than you would imagine. Also while some of the holiday decorations were up (Small World) most were gone. HM was shut down to remove the overlay, so if that ride is a priority keep that in mind.

 

[Tracieee]

My husband is also a teacher so we're restricted in which days we can go too. We've been over MLK weekend in January, and I honestly thought the crowds were very manageable. We even did the Parkeology Challenge one day of that trip, and we fit in 40 rides in a single day! This was with Maxpass and Extra Magic Hour, to clarify.

Obviously this was before COVID, etc. so who knows, but I think it could be a good time to sneak in a trip given your limitations. Depending on the timing of refurbs, and on Disneyland continuing the holiday overlays, Haunted Mansion and/or It's a Small World may be down at that time to remove the holiday theming. But in my experience, they usually don't close both at the same time in January, so odds are at least one of the two will be operating. Sometimes the water rides (Splash/Grizzly River Run) also go down for their annual refurb starting in January, but the weather doesn't always warrant a water ride at that time of year anyway!

 

[mouschievous]

My husband is also a teacher so we're restricted in which days we can go too. We've been over MLK weekend in January, and I honestly thought the crowds were very manageable. We even did the Parkeology Challenge one day of that trip, and we fit in 40 rides in a single day! This was with Maxpass and Extra Magic Hour, to clarify.

Obviously this was before COVID, etc. so who knows, but I think it could be a good time to sneak in a trip given your limitations. Depending on the timing of refurbs, and on Disneyland continuing the holiday overlays, Haunted Mansion and/or It's a Small World may be down at that time to remove the holiday theming. But in my experience, they usually don't close both at the same time in January, so odds are at least one of the two will be operating. Sometimes the water rides (Splash/Grizzly River Run) also go down for their annual refurb starting in January, but the weather doesn't always warrant a water ride at that time of year anyway!

Thanks! HM being down would be a huge bummer. H has only been on it with the HMH overlay, and I want him to be able to go on the normal one. Although we'll be in WDW in January, so hopefully we can go on it then (fingers crossed it's not closed!). He hates Small World so if it was closed he wouldn't be mad!

 

[Tracieee]

Thanks! HM being down would be a huge bummer. H has only been on it with the HMH overlay, and I want him to be able to go on the normal one. Although we'll be in WDW in January, so hopefully we can go on it then (fingers crossed it's not closed!). He hates Small World so if it was closed he wouldn't be mad!

We love HM too. If you want to play it safer for riding it, I’d say later in January or February is a better bet that the ride will be reopened by then.