Will I get early Oct 2004 at 5 months out?

[Ursula's Mom]

Hi all - we are new to DVC - just bought 200 SSR in September. We really want to use our points to visit in October, 2004 and attend the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. However, I learned on the trip planning board that the dates for the party do not come out until May, 2004. And because we are cruising on DCL in August, 2004, we really only want to go to WDW for 3 or 4 days around one of the MNSSHP dates, so I can't book one whole week in October knowing that the party will be one of those days.

Has anyone booked later than the 7 month window for dates in October? I will stay at any of the DVC resorts, it does not have to be SSR. And we will go toward the beginning of October, not on Halloween week. Do you think I will be able to do this?

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance, Kathy

 

[spiceycat]

book after the 15th - for at least 5 days - MNSSHP will be on at least one of the them.

I would expect it to be on 2.

I would go ahead and book and then if you need to change your plans - you probably can - but don't take the change that you might not get what you request - if you are just going for the Halloween party I would stay at VWL.

as soon as possible I would book at your home resort SSR - then at 7th month change it to the VWL if you can

 

[Michelemouse]

There was a MNSSHP as early as October 5th this year (and their might have been one before that as well). They took place on Sunday and Friday nights if that helps at all.

I would go ahead and book as soon as possible and then, if necessary, adjust the dates later. As long as you book for mid to late October you'll be fine.

Also keep in mind that the Food & Wine Festival takes place at the end of the month and is lots of fun (but also creates a big demand on DVC rooms).

 

[Ursula's Mom]

Thanks spiceycat and Michelemouse - I will try that. Although the Food and Wine Festival would be fun, we are going with my 6 yr old and my friends two young children (under age 5), so I think the kids would be bored and get cranky if we tried to do something too adult (and since we are now DVC members, we can try it another time!). Also, because of the demand for rooms during that festival, I thought I would be more likely to get something in early October rather than late October.

Again, thanks for the help!

Kathy

 

[Lesley]

As long as you'll still be within your banking deadlines or won't have to borrow I'd probably go ahead and make an educated guess on when the party dates will be based on previous years' dates...then book your stay at 7 months or earlier. If you're going to stay for 3 or 4 nights you'll most likely hit one. You can adjust later or cancel if you need to.

We made reservations planning to attend a Star Wars Weekend in 2002...when they ended up not having Star Wars Weekends. So we just cancelled and saved the points.

Also, F&W isn't really a problem with kids (unless, of course, you're planning on drinking a lot!)....we had one of us get in line for food while the other took the kids to do something fun in each country. They have the Kidcot stations with mask making in each country...and lots of the countries have other things the kids like as well. And the kids liked sampling all the international foods too (though a few things they didn't want to try!) Our kids love Epcot....so it drives me nuts when I hear so many people assume kids will be bored there. Then again, if you want to do wine seminars or any of the special dinners that's best done when you have a babysitter (which is why I've never done them!). But you can get a good "taste" of F&W with the kids in tow.

 

[Ursula's Mom]

Hi Lesley - you are correct - I should not assume that the kids would be bored at the Food and Wine Festival. I was first thinking that with a short trip with a 6, 4 and 2 year old, we would probably just go to MGM the day we arrive, then MK on whichever day they have the MNSSHP and AK the other full day. I was not planning on going to EPCOT. My daughter really wants to go to AK this next trip because we did not make it there this year (we did MK, MGM and EPCOT, but we traveled with a 13 yr old, 10 yr old and 6 yr old along with my daughter). I also was assuming that the 4 and 2 year old might be bored, but with kidcot and other activities, they may have lots to do and watch! I am sorry, I guess I should have explained my thinking on EPCOT for this trip in my other email.

Thanks again for your help and I think you are all making it clear that I should book at the 11 month window and make changes, if needed, later on.

I really appreciate your help! That's why this message board is so great!