Which season would you go? Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas/Summer?

[laurabelle]

Telly,
I haven't been right on Thanksgiving weekend, but one year we went down the Monday after. Seeing the park transformed and all the Christmas events and decorations is so magical! I think your parents would love it! I know you don't go "commando" and will be very conscious of how your parents are holding up, and your children as well. BTW- my kids are in 4th and 7th grade and they won't miss school for more than one day... they freak out over make up work, it's too much stress on all of us!

I'd change my vote to Thanksgiving if I could. I'm getting so excited for our surprise early Dec. trip too!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Glad you are skipping summer. I'm not old and I can't take the heat!!!!!! I voted for Thanksgiving. This is a really great time to go for all the reasons mentioned above.I am confused about who you won't see if you go on Thanksgiving? Can you plan on seeing them during the Christmas holidays?

I will be traveling to Disney for my third trip leaving the day after Christmas for a week. We go then because it is the only vacation time the kids have that is the same (different schools=different vacation schedules ) I would not take your parents then because the parks are way too crowded.

I like your idea of staying in an Epcot resort. This should work the best for your parents( my favorite place too). Hope you have a wonderful time. These will be special memories

 

[Uncle Servo]

I have to admit, I'm a little biased in my opinion because my first WDW trip with Season was Christmas of '98. But without a doubt that's my favorite time of the year -- it's absolutely beautiful down there.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'd say definitely not summer... too hot for older people. I'd say definitely not Easter... much too crowded. So that brings us down to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Having been during both of those times I would choose Christmas because to me it didn't seem as crowded as Thanksgiving. Also I love the weather during Christmas time and all the decorations. I think older people would prefer that.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Yaaay! More responses! Thanks guys!

I am confused about who you won't see if you go on Thanksgiving? Can you plan on seeing them during the Christmas holidays?

My brother and sisters and their families. We always have Thanksgiving dinner every year. If we go during the week of Christmas, we can go between Xmas and come back after NYE.

Would the parks be really crowded even early in the morning during Xmas week? I mean, we're not planning on staying at the park all day. So Thanksgiving is less crowded than the week of Xmas.

Yes, I think I need to skip summer. I don't think with my parents' age, they will not be able to handle the heat. Besides, since this will be their last trip here, I kind of want them to go during Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday so they can see the Christmas decorations.

I think it will be a a little cheaper (resort rate) to go during Thanksgiving than to go during Christmas. That's something to consider also.

 

[maryfree]

I just made plans to stay atThe Polynesian, with my son and his children,Im very excited,as We have never stayed at The Poly before...Any way we are going fron 11-28-through 12-02...I hear that the crowds are pretty managable at this time..We went last year and stayed at GF, a truly wonderful time with the Christmas decorations up...My Grandchildren are 6 yrs and 3yrs..Im hoping they will enjoy all that The Poly has to offer....

 

[*Fantasia*]

I just made plans to stay atThe Polynesian, with my son and his children,Im very excited,as We have never stayed at The Poly before...Any way we are going fron 11-28-through 12-02...I hear that the crowds are pretty managable at this time..We went last year and stayed at GF, a truly wonderful time with the Christmas decorations up...My Grandchildren are 6 yrs and 3yrs..Im hoping they will enjoy all that The Poly has to offer....

I'm sure your family will enjoy the Polynesian. Great time to go... low crowds and nice weather. As for me... unfortunately, they will be back in school on Nov 28. If the children were a little bit smaller then I'm sure I can take them out anytime. But with my son being in 3rd grade...he said "no" to me... he does not want to miss a day of school, which is fine with me. Have a wonderful time!

Hmmmm.... the air fare cost more to fly during Thanksgiving that a few days after Xmas. This might be a deciding factor... but then again, if we go during Xmas... the resort rate will go up too! Just can't win both. Still debating here... HELP!!

 

[laurabelle]

Telly- Is it a big difference in price between the higher airfare vs. the higher resort price?

 

[*Fantasia*]

I know the price to fly is about $400 something per person from DTW to MCO. If we fly between Xmas and NYE it's about $300 per person. And there will be about 5 of us. So that would be a saving of $500.

If I go during Xmas...and I change the date a little, then my last 2 days at Disney will be in the value season. (Jan 1-3) But Dec 29-31 will be the holiday rate. I think during Thanksgiving (Nov 23-27) is regual season. The best thing I see if we go during Xmas is that everyone gets to be with the whole family during Thanksgiving and Xmas. I do need to figure out what would be cheaper. I think with the Dolphin it's about $100 more during Xmas and no discount whatsoever. If during Thanksgiving, I can use my AAA. During Thanksgiving it will cost me $239.50 pn for 3 adults and 2 children. And for Xmas if I remember correctly it was in the high $300 close to $400.

What does Pooh say -"think..think..think.."

 

[drusba]

As I have been there all the times you mention, I vote for Thanksgiving if I am not given the alternative of taking none of the above. Easter weather is fine but the crowd is just as bad as Christmas (the threat of parks closing due to overcapacity exists during Easter and Christmas) and with someone in a ECV annoyances are going to develop -- there are just too many times of day where the streets in MK, MGM and AK are wall to wall people. In order of crowd sizes, the seasons you list are, largest to just large, Christmas, Easter, summer, Thanksgiving. It will still be very crowded at Thanksgiving but weather will be fine and Christmas decorations are up.

 

[laurabelle]

I know the price to fly is about $400 something per person from DTW to MCO. If we fly between Xmas and NYE it's about $300 per person. And there will be about 5 of us. So that would be a saving of $500.

If I go during Xmas...and I change the date a little, then my last 2 days at Disney will be in the value season. (Jan 1-3) But Dec 29-31 will be the holiday rate. I think during Thanksgiving (Nov 23-27) is regual season. The best thing I see if we go during Xmas is that everyone gets to be with the whole family during Thanksgiving and Xmas. I do need to figure out what would be cheaper. I think with the Dolphin it's about $100 more during Xmas and no discount whatsoever. If during Thanksgiving, I can use my AAA. During Thanksgiving it will cost me $239.50 pn for 3 adults and 2 children. And for Xmas if I remember correctly it was in the high $300 close to $400.

What does Pooh say -"think..think..think.."

Are you going to rent a car for the Dolphin or use a towncar? From what I understand, they've dropped their resort fee but charge $7/day to park. Of course if you stay at a Disney resort you can use DME, so that saves some $. I haven't done it myself, but I know others have checked in and out of the Disney resorts to get the different season rates. You would be basically making back to back ressies, going down to the front desk and checking out then in again...hopefully you won't have to switch rooms but it's possible. I don't know if AAA rates would be available for the Holidays, but maybe when it changes to Value season you could get it for those nights. You could fit 5 in a room at POR...

From the POR FAQ Thread:
963 rooms in Alligator Bayou are equipped with trundle beds. You may request a trundle room for an extra $15 per night. The trundle beds make this section an economical alternative for families of five. The trundle bed is not large enough for an adult but will fit a child.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Laura for sharing the info. I totally forgot, if I stay at the Dolphin, I can't use DME. I was also thinking of POR, but this would mean taking the bus to Epcot/MGM. I don't know... I guess I am scared to use the bus when my mom is using the scooter. I just feel that it will be too stressing to go up and down the bus and backing in on the steps. I've seen it done before, it looks kind of complicated. I thought if we use the boat to/from Epcot/MGM from one of the Epcot's resort, it will be much easier and faster. The scooter just rolls right in and out.

If I stay at POR, I can see myself missing POFQ I know they are sister resort and we can just boat it to POFQ to use their pool or to walk around it. We'll see. That maybe an option. Two rooms at the value resort is not an option. I prefer to just stick with either POR or one of the deluxe resort in the Epcot area.

Now.. I am kind of leaning towards December. Four nights at Disney may not be enough time to enjoy without rushing my parents if we go during Thanksgiving. If we go during December, we can stay there for 6 nights. And I think 6 nights would be just enough to do the things we want to do and see. I know we will not be able to do everything...but that's not my intention.

Thanks Laura for your suggestions and everyone for sharing your thoughts. Is Xmas week really going to be that bad? We are not there to hit all the rides. Only a few rides, but mostly to see the Osbourne Lightings and the Candlelight Procession and to check out Christmas around the World.

We want to ride Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, The Great Movie Ride, Muppet 3D, The Little Mermaid show, The Backlot Tour and WWTBAM (is that the right abbrev?).

OOOOPPsss... gotta go.. gotta pick up my kids from school!

 

[laurabelle]

Telly,
You're a Disney Vet, I think you have the right idea for Christmas... hit the rides you can and enjoy the shows and atmosphere! I bet your parents will be happy to tour that way. Maybe you could ask on the DISabilities board about how it is for older folks getting on and off the bus with the scooter? I love the Epcot resorts too, very convenient. I can't wait to hear now what you end up deciding!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Laura. Me too!- I can't wait to see what and where we are going to end up with. I'll just surprise myself one morning and say "hey.. it's BC in December!" Yes, I did check the disAblilities board and they are very helpful there. For convinience, I know staying at the Epcot resort area will be the best thing for us to do. Never done Epcot resort, so this will be a treat for me! And would be nice for my parents. As much as I want to do WL during the Holiday... I think I better stick with any Epcot resort just for my parent's convinience. This is their trip of a lifetime!

I am going to do some reseach on the Epcot resorts...but who knows... maybe I may end up at the Polynesian!

Thanks again.
Telly

 

[dvc guy]

Just to add my few thoughts, yes it will be that packed during christmas.
We go every year over Christmas and it is as busy or busier than they saw. If you really want to go over Christmas look at the calender and try to go a few days before most people get out of school. It makes a HUGH difference, with each day closer to Christmas getting more and more crowded, Christmas day at MK is like grid lock.
Don't get me wrong I love the atmosphere and the decorations, but since we are DVC members and go every year, we have no urgent need to see anything. We do a 3/4 day trip and then head down to SoFla to visit relatives and relax. Enjoy your trip and let me know if you have any question

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks dvcguy for your suggestion. I wish I can leave on the 22nd of December, but the only thing is that I don't think my sisters and their family and my brother and my in-laws will be too happy if my parents are not there or my children on Xmas and Xmas day. The Holiday is a family thing and I hate to break the family thing. I want to, but it will be too selfish of me if I do that.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Telly,

We do the Family thing too and so we leave on the 26th to come down for a week.

I would recommend that you stay in an Epcot hotel with your parents. The atmosphere is wonderful and I think you will all love it there. You will able to come in and out of Epcot with out any problem. You can walk in or take a boat. You can also stroll the Boardwalk with your parents and children. It is really nice. With the high crowd volume I think you feel it the least crowded at the Epcot resort area. This is especially true for New Years Eve. I think it is so wonderful there you really can't go wrong. I have stayed at all of the resorts there except for the Swan and am on my third trip at Christmas( 26th ...) if you have any questions about the resorts please don't hesitate to ask. Is it this Christmas season you are looking for? If you come in after Christmas there aren't usually any resorts discounts though except maybe at the Dolphin or Swan. We have stayed at the Dolphin then and think it is great! Have fun!

 

[donaldtutter]

my favorite time to go was not listed I like to go during the food and wine festival

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

. but there is something very magical going to bed Thanksgiving night and waking up to the parks being decorated for Christmas

so that's when the decorations go up? the day after thanksgiving?? Are the decorations up at the resorts then too??? Thanks!

ps--Hi Telly!