Would you move your trip dates?

[gopherit]

Our plans this summer: 3 nts at RPRH, followed by 7 nts in a 2BR at OKW.
The dates: Aug 9-12 for RPRH, Aug 12-19 for OKW.

But Disney now has their dining promo going, which starts Aug. 13.

We love mid-August @ WDW - typically it is fairly low crowds, with the long summer hours, as most southern schools head back into session around then. But now, we are a bit concerned that the promo will bring in lots of would-be "other-timers" into that same week of August!

So I'm wondering - would it be wise to simply flip-flop our trip? That is, try to get a 2BR @ OKW for Aug 6-13, and then move to RPRH for Aug. 13-16? Which is better - US before WDW, or vice-versa? (We've never done the "dark side). So long as a 2BR is available at OKW, that won't do us any harm there, will it? I think it will cost us a few more pts (15 to be exact, PROVIDED I can also still get a 2BR for the Sat nt on cash discount, which is what we have set-up now). At least I won't have pts "lost" or stuck in holding due to a switch, anyway.

I am quite conflicted on this - opinions welcomed, but stat! My 90 days for attempting to get an Illum cruise approaches fast - especially if I switch our trip dates!

Also - would you think starting your vacation on a Sat has benefits over a Sun in terms of selection? Just once I'd like to be close to the HH - we always get TP at OKW. We like TP, and ok, if we get TP again, we ain't gonna cry about it, but it would be nice to have a change (ummm, if it's a good one, that is. Must be careful what one wishes for.) I would think that many folks vacate on Sat. to travel home and avoid the Sat nt points, so maybe we stand a better chance. On the other hand, if folks book a whole week, and the week went SUn-Sun, well.....

Any help appreciated!

 

[KelNottAt]

Well, as someone who will be at WDW Aug 12 - 17, I'd thank you to flip your plans. JUST KIDDING!

Really, I'm not terribly worried about the crowds for that period. But, if it would give you a little peace of mind or elbow room comfort, go ahead and give it a try.

Something to consider...WDW prior to Aug 13 may have larger crowds, too; i.e., just part of the normal summer pattern. Disney probably picked 8/13 for the promo because they knew attendance would begin dropping off then. So, whether you're at OKW before or during the promo, there may not be a noticable difference.

Good luck.

 

[SLM]

I think you'll be fine either way-but I look forward to reading your trip report when you come back-you write the most interesting reports! Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[gopherit]

I think you'll be fine either way-but I look forward to reading your trip report when you come back-you write the most interesting reports! Have a wonderful vacation!

Aw shucks - you know how to make a gopher blush!

After great deliberation, I'd say we're sticking with the game plan. For starters, I just reallllly don't wanna mess with making all new ADRs! And secondly, I am probably not the only person with these thoughts, and earlier August does tend to be more crowded, so there's a distinct possibility I'd jump through all sorts of hoops just to have the same crowds or even worse! And what if we move our trip... and that's the week a hurricane hits? I think I'd stand more chance with my chicken-butt hubby of stating, "But honey, we ALWAYS vacation this time of year..." than having to listen to..."Well if you hadn't MOVED THE DATES we would have been fine!" (Actually he's fairly mild-mannered, so I doubt he would EVER say THAT.... think it, yes, :yes: But say it -- nahhh.)

It should be interesting doing the "Dark Side" at US/IOA for a change, too! We are total US/IOA greenhorns!

 

[Rozzie]

I think I am having a episode of Dejavue! or however you spell it!

glad you are sticking to your original plans....speaking of the dark side....

 

[gopherit]

I think I am having a episode of Dejavue! or however you spell it!

glad you are sticking to your original plans....speaking of the dark side....

Since it's a computer thread that you read on a screen, I guess it would be deja' VIEW?

Hey, this thread is a testimony to just how WORRIED I was - I needed more data! I'm still rather unsettled about it.... the "who's traveling in August" thread on the main DIS travelin' board looks UGLY for our week in August! I always thought data was my friend... not so sure anymore, not based on THAT thread!

By the way, speaking of threads and double-takes, I went all-out for this poll! I can name a few other websites and save ya the "haven't I seen this before" experience, if you wish, LOL....(ok, well, actually I CAN'T name them. You know how that is. )

Dark Side, eh... Well, you can tell others, but I'll deny it! Like the penguins say in Madagascar, "You didn't seeeeeee annnnyyyythinnnnng...." (And it takes a dark-sider to know one, eh...."Rozzie, I am your fah-tha...." )


(P.S. This thread will self-destruct in 30 seconds.)

 

[RobDoc]

...
Also - would you think starting your vacation on a Sat has benefits over a Sun in terms of selection? Just once I'd like to be close to the HH - we always get TP at OKW. We like TP, and ok, if we get TP again, we ain't gonna cry about it, but it would be nice to have a change (ummm, if it's a good one, that is. Must be careful what one wishes for.) I would think that many folks vacate on Sat. to travel home and avoid the Sat nt points, so maybe we stand a better chance. On the other hand, if folks book a whole week, and the week went SUn-Sun, well.....

Any help appreciated!

Saturday is usually a good for check-in since the weekends, in general, have more availability at DVC resorts. If you arrive early on Sunday, you would still be OK and might have a room available immediately, but Saturday (or Friday) would normally have more availability than Sunday.

Good luck!

 

[Rozzie]

this thread will self-destruct in 30 seconds......

5....4.....3.....2.....MO.....1.......

guess I've been busted by the gopher, huh???? So what do I have to do to keep this on the lowdown......

 

[melk]

We went the last 10 days of August last year and Disney was running the same eat free promotion. I was panicking. When I called to make PS arrangements (or whatever they're called now!), a lot was booked. But granted, we had a large group for some of our meals (11) so I think it may have been hard to accommodate such a group for popular restaurants. Anyhow, we found the crowds to be very manageable. The only thing that we really waited for was Soarin but it was brand new (and totally awesome and worth the wait, btw). But being "pros" from being at Disney so many times and being on these boards, we knew when to hit certain parks, how to avoid the crowds, utilize fast pass, etc. I think you're smart to keep your plans as is, you'll be fine. (I too, have a DH who would throw it in my face if we hit a hurricane after rebooking, lol!)

Have a wonderful trip and I too look forward to your trip report. I recently re-read your last Disney report, it's one of my favorites, your kids sound soooo similar to mine, and we too have been to Centra-care (actually twice) so I could completely relate to what you went through. Have fun planning!!

 

[shantay1008]

I agree with the other posters who said you should stick with your original dates. You picked them for a reason, and if you changed them you'd be opening yourself up to a lot of "why did we change?" moments.

Good luck!
Shannon

 

[Melrosgirl]

I'd cancel in a heartbeat. I was there last year during free dining promo and found the crowds at the sit down restaurants to be horrible. If you didn't have ADR's it was particularly bad.