Would you return the tickets?

[ekatiel]

I'll reiterate what a couple of people have said. July is HOT. Being from the Midwest, you might not completely understand how hot, humid, and generally oppressive it will be. It will also be very crowded (slightly less crowded than Christmas week, with the exception of July 4th, which will be more crowded than Christmas week). I'd trade lots of sticky, sweaty, stinky people, for a crowd in better weather any day. AND it will be Christmas-- the best time to see Disney, AND your son will be playing-- SUPER awesome!! I would definitely try to swing the December trip. You can use a planning app or software like touringplans or Ridemax to avoid most of the lines. Our last visit was Thanksgiving week (almost as busy as Christmas week), and we used Ridemax. The longest we waited for a ride was about 15 minutes, and we rode everything. The walkways were crowded, but if you play it right, you can avoid most of the lines for attractions. --Katie

 

[ceecee]

Honestly? I'd research it like crazy and GO. Your son is playing at WDW! How cool is that? Why not go see that? Will it be absolutely insane there? Sure. Do people go at that time? YES, that's why it's busy. Do people have lots of fun anyway? YES! I bet that it's mostly the people who think "no one will be here, everyone's at home" who get surprised and freaked out and have a bad time. But you know and you can prepare. Sure, there are traditions at home to do, but if your son's not there b/c of the trip, it won't be the same anyway.

I would much rather fight the crowd in the cool weather vs HOT and July is HOOOOTTTT!!! Too much with a cruise imo. I felt the pavement thru my tennis shoes when we went in July, never again! Plus your son's band is playing? That's a memory you won't get back. GO!!!!!!!!!! Read some books and have a plan, you can still get a lot done. The Memory is Priceless!

 

[daemom]

My DS stepped off Spectromagic when he was in his high school band. He loved band and loved everything about band, every competition--even the ht days of band camp. He had been to Disney World prior to the parade and knew what to expect crowd-wise. He said as they stood behind the gate waiting to start the parade he could feel the air vibrate, he could hear the people "just out there" waiting.....I don't think his feet touched the ground at all on Main Street (and I was worried that some kids might twist an ankle on the rails). It went by too fast.......we ran and took the shortcut through Adventureland to see them again.

The kids who had never been to DW thought this was "just another parade" were all higher than high! High-five-ing each other and screaming that that was the greatest thing EVER!! Four years later my son says this trip was the highlight of band for him--it was certainly tops on my list too. I'm glad I didn't miss it. Think about this trip--it is really special to see your child officially marching Main Street.

 

[danygirl]

Disney is magical at Chtistmas. The Osborne lights Are amazing. We went that week. It was crowded but the weather was cool and everyone was in a good mood

 

[jperrot1]

Keep the tickets. After the price goes up you'll be happy you kept the tickets.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I think you should keep the tickets. They go up every year so you wouldn't save a thing by returning them unless you really need the money.

I would go to see your son march. So what if it's crowded. It's an opportunity that probably won't come by again.

Our oldest played at DTD with his school band over Memorial Weekend when he was in 8th grade nearly 4 years ago and I was so glad we went to see him. I sure wish they'd marched down Main Street though!

My DD13 has that opportunity coming up in May 2014 and is saying it's going to be too hot and doesn't want to go. I'm a bit disappointed about that but it's her call.

 

[bumbershoot]

My DS stepped off Spectromagic when he was in his high school band. He loved band and loved everything about band, every competition--even the ht days of band camp. He had been to Disney World prior to the parade and knew what to expect crowd-wise. He said as they stood behind the gate waiting to start the parade he could feel the air vibrate, he could hear the people "just out there" waiting.....I don't think his feet touched the ground at all on Main Street (and I was worried that some kids might twist an ankle on the rails). It went by too fast.......we ran and took the shortcut through Adventureland to see them again.

The kids who had never been to DW thought this was "just another parade" were all higher than high! High-five-ing each other and screaming that that was the greatest thing EVER!! Four years later my son says this trip was the highlight of band for him--it was certainly tops on my list too. I'm glad I didn't miss it. Think about this trip--it is really special to see your child officially marching Main Street.

I just got goosebumps and welled up a bit. Sniffle.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

My DS stepped off Spectromagic when he was in his high school band. He loved band and loved everything about band, every competition--even the ht days of band camp. He had been to Disney World prior to the parade and knew what to expect crowd-wise. He said as they stood behind the gate waiting to start the parade he could feel the air vibrate, he could hear the people "just out there" waiting.....I don't think his feet touched the ground at all on Main Street (and I was worried that some kids might twist an ankle on the rails). It went by too fast.......we ran and took the shortcut through Adventureland to see them again.

The kids who had never been to DW thought this was "just another parade" were all higher than high! High-five-ing each other and screaming that that was the greatest thing EVER!! Four years later my son says this trip was the highlight of band for him--it was certainly tops on my list too. I'm glad I didn't miss it. Think about this trip--it is really special to see your child officially marching Main Street.

My son will play at wdw in 2015 during spring break. We are going and will fight the crowds just because he is playing. He loves band and wdw. We have decided that even if we only ride 1 ride all week it will be worth seeing him perform at our favorite place.

Sarah

 

[Alexander]

It sounds like you need the money. If you need that money to pay for DS's trip, then it sounds like you can't afford to also go. I agree that I would absolutely want to be there if my kiddo were playing.

 

[pookadoo77]

I performed at Disney twice when I was younger we danced on the Fantasy Fair Stage. It was a unforgettable experience. You get to see behind the scenes a little too. Hope he has a blast!!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Keep the tickets. The prices went up since you bought and may go up again depending on when you buy next year. Unless you really need the money you won't save anything returning the tickets and rebuying.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[crisi]

I wouldn't be caught dead in the parks at Christmas for any reason, including my kid playing in a parade. I hate crowds. Love Disney, but it isn't worth crowds.

We've been in Summer and are from the Midwest. Honestly, its been hotter here in the Summer than days at Disney. It isn't unusual in Minnesota to have a week in the 90s with oppressive humidity (that week is this one, by the way). And when we go (which does tend to be later in August) crowds aren't bad at all - the farther you can get from the 4th of July, the better off you'll be for crowds. With a cruise, you have either before or after the cruise - so it shouldn't be difficult to miss the 4th.

 

[Luvchefmic]

My DS stepped off Spectromagic when he was in his high school band. He loved band and loved everything about band, every competition--even the ht days of band camp. He had been to Disney World prior to the parade and knew what to expect crowd-wise. He said as they stood behind the gate waiting to start the parade he could feel the air vibrate, he could hear the people "just out there" waiting.....I don't think his feet touched the ground at all on Main Street (and I was worried that some kids might twist an ankle on the rails). It went by too fast.......we ran and took the shortcut through Adventureland to see them again.

The kids who had never been to DW thought this was "just another parade" were all higher than high! High-five-ing each other and screaming that that was the greatest thing EVER!! Four years later my son says this trip was the highlight of band for him--it was certainly tops on my list too. I'm glad I didn't miss it. Think about this trip--it is really special to see your child officially marching Main Street.

THIS talk about priceless memories for the whole family

 

[Sandi]

I wouldn't be caught dead in the parks at Christmas for any reason, including my kid playing in a parade. I hate crowds. Love Disney, but it isn't worth crowds.

We've been in Summer and are from the Midwest. Honestly, its been hotter here in the Summer than days at Disney. It isn't unusual in Minnesota to have a week in the 90s with oppressive humidity (that week is this one, by the way). And when we go (which does tend to be later in August) crowds aren't bad at all - the farther you can get from the 4th of July, the better off you'll be for crowds. With a cruise, you have either before or after the cruise - so it shouldn't be difficult to miss the 4th.

I agree with Crisi. I only went to WDW one time during that Christmas/NY week and will NEVER do that again. We've gone many Spring Breaks and all of the summer months. I'll take heat over the "so crowded you literally cannot move" season any day. As for the heat, my part of Michigan has been 20 degrees hotter than Orlando for about the last week. That's supposed to break this weekend.

To the OP, keep your tickets if you'll be going in July. Just put them somewhere where you won't forget them!

 

[Texan]

My DS who will be a Senior this year had one chance and one chance only to march at DL his freshman year. It was to be on the tues of Spring Break, so DH and I went to see him; well we had a great time but on that tues DL changed the time of his parade march to late that day, and we had to get our flight back; no other flights were available from ANY airport due to SB; so we had to leave and I was incredibly disappointed; it is something I will always regret but have taken the attitude things happen; DS was so disappointed too; I would go, it's an amazing time of the year at Disney; plan accordingly; take breaks; just enjoy all the Magic and memories

 

[WDW_Diane]

We had planned to visit WDW the week between Christmas and New Year's Day since our son's marching band is performing there. After much discussion--and reading a lot here--we've decided not to go. It would be my husband and my first time there and we just don't feel comfortable as first timers fighting the crowds then. Surprisingly, our 12-year old daughter was fine with going some other time (we do have a lot of fun with Christmas traditions around here!)

I have already bought from Undercover Tourist. I bought 4 MYW tickets for five days just before the prices went up. The total was $1083.80. If I return them I would pay the 5% return fee, so $54.19.

Other detail, when I bought them I completely forgot to use the Mousesavers discount link. So if we wanted to buy the tickets again at a later date, I would remember to use that link and assuming same prices, save about $44 over what I paid before. Essentially, the net cost to return the tickets, assuming I buy again later is $10.

Now, one more detail: we will definitely be in Florida next July for a cruise. It seems like a good plan to do WDW then, since we live in the midwest and it would save travel costs if we do it all in one trip.

One more detail: the $$ I get back would pay for our son's trip (the one in the marching band) He's definitely still going with school.

What would you do?
**Keep tickets that you are not sure when you will use?
**Return the tickets, pay the $54 return fee and buy tickets again when we know we're going for sure?

Thanks for reading this far, I hope it's not too confusing!

Having watched my daughter march down Main Street USA during her junior year of high school, I can't imagine if I had missed that, but most of the parents did not go. They weren't Disney nuts like me, no way would I not be there with the camera rolling. If you go, Sure, it will be crowded.
Are your tickets non-expiring? If so, use only the days you need and bring them back with you when you have you cruise next summer. At any rate, . I don't think it would be cost efficient to return tickets to purchase the same tickets again. How many days are you spending at WDW in the summer? That would make a difference ...

 

[horseshowmom]

If you should go, invest in TourGuideMike (discount on the Dis) or something like that. We went the week leading up to Christmas, and my husband was amazed at how well we missed the crowds (he does NOT do long lines - ). Of course, the week leading up to Christmas is nowhere near as bad as Christmas/New Year's.