WWYD: One long trip or two short trips?

[phillymummer]

Hello DISers!

Would you rather take one long trip (Sat to Sat) in late August 2015 and get to do everything you want OR would you rather take two short trips (Wed to Sun)- Nov 2014 and Nov 2015 and split up what you want to do over those two trips?

Here is my situation: I am a teacher. We have taken two short trips in Oct, but we had to pick-and-chose what we do and try to squeeze everything in. I want to take a trip where I don't have to do that. I want to spend three days in the Disney Parks (stay on site), maybe do a water park or DQ and spend two days at Universal (stay on site there). I don't want to go to a park the day we arrive or the day we leave (I think it is too exhausting!) The only time I can do this between my schedule and my husbands is late August. Here is the thing: We HATE heat and humidity. I know what August feels like NJ, I don't even want to imagine Orlando!! My hubby has a hard time dealing with it. Maybe he could do it for two or three days, but 7? Going in August could be a recipe for a seriously miserable trip. We have been THAT family in Disney having a meltdown. I want to avoid that!!

So, I was thinking of maybe trying to split up the trip. In Nov of 2014 (at the end of Jersey week) we could hit Universal. In 2015 we would go again and hit up Disney. How is the weather in early Nov? Would it be warm enough for a water park (and by warm I mean 75+ degrees)?

But we would have to fly and flying is expensive. Paying for airfare twice when we could do it once seems silly. Even if we go in August we would fly bc driving from NJ just isn't going to happen!! Extra pixie dust for all of you who do it!!

Here is another thing to consider: My parents go to Disney every December. They want to take my DD7 (who will be 9 by then) with them next year and I have already approved it. If we split up our trips, that would mean my DD goes to Universal in Nov and Disney in Dec!! Too much?

I know in the end I am the only one who knows what is best for my family and we have to make the decision that works for us but I've grown to enjoy reading the opinions and suggestions from people on The Dis, so I wanted to ask.

What would YOU do, DISers?

 

[timandjanl]

Weather and crowds will be much better in November as long as you don't go during thanksgiving. That would be the end of my decision process probably. Also in November you can see the parks decorated for Christmas and do some of the holiday events. Hands down my choice.

 

[phillymummer]

So +1 for the two November trips. Thank you for your input!

 

[eyehartdisney]

you'll probably get more done in that shorter trip than you would on a longer trip in august. This isn't comparing apples to apples... if it were, I would say hands down longer trip, but since the other option is a summer trip? No thanks. Put me down for the shorter nov trips. It would be even better if you could do the week after thanksgiving, not sure when that falls for your school vacations, but it has some of the lowest crowds of the year.

 

[souris]

I'm also from the north and a teacher. I'm taking advantage of my maternity leave to go in November... Excited! I have been at the end of August. I thought it was a great end to the summer holiday. When we have gone during the school year I've always had so much work to do beforehand (marking, planning...) We loved how empty the parks were! The heat and humidity were crazy! There were also storms everyday that did not last too long. (The parks would be pretty empty afterwards). We would go back in August when are daughters are older (8+) if we could not go for Spring Break. I personally do not like short trips... I would much rather have a long trip, see all that I want. In the end, there is not a wrong decision.. I'm sure your family will have a blast.

 

[LSchrow]

we prefer longer trips - the first and last day of vacations (long and tiring) are not very relaxing, imho.
2 5-day vacations means four days lost, so really a 6 day vaca.

have you considered going right after school ends (late may/early june - temps are bearable, little rain, and lower crowds than july/august).
i know it can be difficult with doing lesson plans/preparing for new school year, but the last week of august thru labor day is a really nice time also (hot, but lots of places & ways to cool off, noticeably less crowded than even the week prior).

a 10-day vacation would cost less than 2 5-days (half the airfare), and be more like a vacation should be: relaxing & fun

 

[pepe of ohio]

Long trip... Short trips, you no sooner get there and it's time to leave... we will do 7 and over, 9 being the best and over 10 overkill ...

Most of a vacation money is in the travel... If we're going 1050 miles, we're going for a good while and enjoy and relax...

 

[PWammy]

I prefer shorter trips - we usually go twice a year in late-October and in April. The weather is decent during the days, kids sitll in the pools in October, I imagine it's a tad cooler in November, but you will definitely need jackets in the late-afternoon/evening. It, of course, gets dark pretty early in the late-fall, so factor that in. My daughter is still young though, so week-long trips at Disney don't interest me at this point.

 

[phillymummer]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

To address a couple of things that people mentioned:

The trips in Nov would be early in the month, when I would normally go to the Teacher's Convention (so tail-end of "Jersey Week".)

We could not go the last week of August into Labor day weekend bc we already take an annual vacation with friends. It's become a tradition. Hubby would not be willing to give that up, even for Disney!

We can not go in June for two reasons: #1- Usually my school gets out late, typically around the 18th-20th. My hubby has a regional managers meeting the third or fourth weekend in June that he cannot miss. I won't go the week leading into July 4th.

I don't mind short vacations. In fact, that is mostly our style. I'd say our typical vacation is only 4-5 nights. Spending 7 nights in Disney might be pushing it! The thought that is killing me is paying for airfare twice. It's not that bad flying out of Philly, but really..... it is, especially if I can't be flexible with my days. In November, I definitely would not have much flexibility... I would have to fly out late Wednesday (after school) and fly in sometime on Sunday (when everyone else from NJ is flying home too!!).

But August..... the heat and humidity...... a cranky hubby....
Originally, I thought we could try "reverse RD strategy" and hit all the parks when they had late EMH, but they seem to be getting phased out so I don't think I can rely on that strategy.

Oh so much to think about!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I'm going to put in another vote for two trips. If you hate heat, you will be miserable in August. Heat plus crowds equals misery.

 

[eyehartdisney]

If airfare is killing you, look at southwest's "wanna get away" pricing. I'm going from MN-FL round trip for about 200. It's hard to argue with that price. They let you check 2 bags free, *and* I've never had to share a seat with anyone on a flight... I won't fly any other carrier.