Help me with my dates for WDW!!

[pbhall13]

Okay gang.........I am planning a trip for November (this is our typical time for going).......ex says he wants to go again and who am I to say no to WDW and when he pays all the expenses for one child!!!

My dilemna is which dates to choose. I am trying to work around the school schedule a bit. I always book it on a week that I know they have at least one day off.

The two weeks I am debating about:

First week of November. My dd8's birthday is Nov. 1 (sat) so we could leave on that day and make it even more special by arriving there that day. OR I was also contemplating flying out the afternoon before (Halloween).....we would get to our hotel by 7 and I would let the kids wear their costumes on the plane. I had been thinking about a costume party for dd8's birthday anyway so I am thinking they may be okay with not 'walking' around the neighborhood this year and starting off our trip that day at WDW.

A wrench in this one is that it will be bumping into what is refered to as Jersey Week at Disney. (NJ schools tend to have teacher conferences for 2 days and with NOv 4 being election day...most parents make this week into a vacation week since kids don't miss out on too much school)

I have been there many times during Jersey week....and it hasn't bee too much of a problem.......now that being said it has become more crowded over the years.


Next time frame thinking is Nov. 7 - Nov. 14:

Great since we have no school on 11/11 and one day is an early release, but flights get higher due to long weekend at the beginning of our trip. I also think we might just be sqeaking in for the food and wine festival (we missed it last year, so would be nice to go again)

I think I am panicking more about the airfare for this trip timeframe. Should I just suck it up and take this week (especially since I will only be taking care of 2 airfares instead of the 3 I usually pay for?)

I am all set with the meal plan since I am only a few dollars away from the mark here on SR (it will be payed for!) and I am pretty sure I am purchasing DVC so I can at least count on a discount for AP's (extra money I make on SR is going to help with paying for one childs)

Okay I have babbled on...........give me your advice........it is also killing me that they don't have the hours posted yet for Nov park hours!!

Thanks, Pamela

[bbangel]

I vote for the first week. Cheaper airfare trumps possible crowds and both weeks are likely to be similar in crowd level anyway.

The leaving on Halloween bit is trickier. I don't know how into the trick or treat thing your kids are. I would rather have missed that to be in Disney but maybe that is just me

[pbhall13]

I vote for the first week. Cheaper airfare trumps possible crowds and both weeks are likely to be similar in crowd level anyway.

The leaving on Halloween bit is trickier. I don't know how into the trick or treat thing your kids are. I would rather have missed that to be in Disney but maybe that is just me

I think you might be correct about the crowd level.....my girls are into Halloween, BUT like I said if we do a costume party the weekend before for my dd8 (dd9 as of Nov 1) and they have all kinds of school stuff that they dress up for I may be able to convince them to fly that day AND I will let them fly in whatever costume they want! That could be a good selling point....and we would be at our hotel before 7 so they could trick or treat at the hotel area (I know that they usually give out candy to the kids at the resort)

Thanks for input!

[bbangel]

Doesn't Downtown Disney do something for Halloween as well - basically let kids trick or treat at the stores?

[wilsonfamily4]

I too vote for the first week. I think that sounds like a good memory maker, halloween at WDW.

[fourfoxesinpa]

What about the week after Thanksgiving? Do your kids have off Monday? That's the week we always do the parks or cruise. Off 4 days and the crowds have left. It's really empty AND you can see the Christmas decorations.

[pbhall13]

okay dates are picked and TODAY I booked our flights.....YEAH!!!!!

We are going October 31 - November 7th.......very happy........girls are thrilled............I did book the first 2 nights at Poly (my 40th birthday treat to myself........hey I deserve it!!) Hoping that a discount code comes out...but I wanted to make sure that I had a room for the first 2 nights there. I think we will then move over to OKW. Our family loves it there and I figure it is usually the one DVC resort that always tends to have openings (although we would love it if by chance there is an opening at Animal Kingdom Villas...longshot I am sure)

I now have to make our ADR's. I do have one for Kona on Saturday night (Sydney's 9th birthday........it is her favorite...shhh don't tell her it is a surprise!)

I do want to book Tepan Edo, Bomas, 1900 Park Fare dinner, and somewhere for a breakfast, but I am not sure where? Any suggestions????

Let the rest of the planning begin!!!!

Pamela

[linanglab]

Yeah! I love booking flights! To me that makes it super official! I like the week you chose too! You are going to have a great time. And to stay at the Poly for a couple of nights...ooooo....that is my dream! That is definitely a great birthday gift to yourself! What an awesome time. Your girls will love wearing their costumes on the plane. What a memory this will be for them!

Enjoy your planning!

[Sunni]

Yeah Pam! How exciting ....dates and flights! Birthdays surprises....shhh.
I can't wait to hear what else you plan.

[pbhall13]

Thanks ladies for sharing in the excitement...........I think I am also going to join Tour Guide Mike this time just in case....always good to have a little help and it is relatively inexpensive.

I'll keep you posted!