WWYD New Years?

[OrangeBirdGirl]

Planning on heading to WDW for Marathon weekend in January. Our initial travel planning has getting down on Tuesday (Jan 2). We are off work the Sat-Mon before so we wouldn't use any additional vacation days and contemplating getting in on Sat (Dec 30), as we might be too antsy sitting around home the 3 days before vacation starts knowing we could be there and not use any vacation days from work.

Downside: We don't like crowds, hate them. I realize this is the busiest time of year.

If we did go, we'd probably go to the parks first thing in the morning and leave by early afternoon with the exception of possibly going for night fireworks (or view from a distance outside MK). This plan would also work to save our legs. I could FP+ us some attractions so we could actually do stuff.

We would never choose to travel during this time for a stand alone trip, just that heading out sooner would already be within a planned trip. I've heard horror stories about 45 minute wait for the restroom. Is it just too bad to even be enjoyable?

If we did do it, we have our DVC starting on Tuesday and don't want to spend the higher points for Dec 30 - 31 so we'd just stay someplace else Sat-Tues then transfer.

The 2 options are a value resort ($620 for 3 nights) or Shades of Green ($345 for 3 nights). Value would transfer our luggage to our DVC on Tuesday and we could have magical express. Shades the savings would cover the town car service to the hotel over ME and Uber to DVC on Tuesday. Shades we could easily walk to Poly to pickup Disney transportation to the Parks.

To stay at a value I'd be able to do the 60 day window on FP+ but I'm wondering if that is even going to help us. People might not be checking in on that Saturday, they might be staying the week before and then I'm already at the end of their trip so they would have been able to get the crack at FP+.

So first question, would you even go down for New Years weekend? And, second question would you stay at a value or save the $175 (after we pay for transpiration from airport and to DVC) and stay at Shades?

 

[glassslippergirl]

So first question, would you even go down for New Years weekend? And, second question would you stay at a value or save the $175 (after we pay for transpiration from airport and to DVC) and stay at Shades?

To your first question, yes. These few days are extra, so do what you can, but don't go crazy. Your plan to go to parks in the morning sounds good. Use the time to do the things you never get to like the trails at AK or the CoP in MK. I think it's worthwhile to see the fireworks on NYE, too. They are spectacular, really memorable. Of course, that means crowds. Get to the park by 7:00 P.M. When we went on NYE, we had 8:00 ADR at CP, then just walked out the door and stood on the porch to wait for fireworks. You could do something like that or start earlier, find a place to watch fireworks and settle in with some snacks and a drink.

To your second question, I say save the money. Put it toward doing something on your extra park days. Maybe avoid lines by taking a tour like KTTK. SoG has a much better location, and transportation will be easier. Values are out-of-the-way and noisy. You will still be able to get FPs 30 days out; you may just miss things like 7DMT and FEA, which you can get on your other days.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Are there no openings for a DVC resort or are you out of points? If out, can you rent or buy one time use points?

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

To your first question, yes. These few days are extra, so do what you can, but don't go crazy. Your plan to go to parks in the morning sounds good. Use the time to do the things you never get to like the trails at AK or the CoP in MK. I think it's worthwhile to see the fireworks on NYE, too. They are spectacular, really memorable. Of course, that means crowds. Get to the park by 7:00 P.M. When we went on NYE, we had 8:00 ADR at CP, then just walked out the door and stood on the porch to wait for fireworks. You could do something like that or start earlier, find a place to watch fireworks and settle in with some snacks and a drink.

To your second question, I say save the money. Put it toward doing something on your extra park days. Maybe avoid lines by taking a tour like KTTK. SoG has a much better location, and transportation will be easier. Values are out-of-the-way and noisy. You will still be able to get FPs 30 days out; you may just miss things like 7DMT and FEA, which you can get on your other days.

Thanks for the input! That is a great idea bout KTTK tour. DH loves the AK trails and to me I get a little bored, so that would be a good idea as well.

Are there no openings for a DVC resort or are you out of points? If out, can you rent or buy one time use points?

Thanks for idea on one-time use, didn't even think of that! I will have to consider a little more before I go that route incase we cancel as I believe you lose. I have a few points left over which'd be enough to allow me to buy the max of 24.