Decisions on Dates/Dining

[NCRedskins]

Hey yall,

My wife and I had our trip with the kids planned for early December, but we just got our daughter's track assignment (year-round school) and it looks like we didn't get our first (or second) choice, which means the week we had planned on isn't ideal.

She has a big break for 2-3 weeks in September, which seems like it might be a better idea since there will be low crowds, nice weather, more potential pool use, etc, but I guess there are concerns I have about heat, hurricanes, etc.

So question #1 is - stick with the December trip or go in September?

On another note, I have a time share in my family I can use for either date for a transfer fee of about $249, and then we just have to cover tickets/food. At the same time, I know I might be able to get a free dining package for the fall, and then just have to cover the room/tickets. If I'm doing my math correctly, it comes out to be about the same.

So, question #2 is - should we stay in Disney with the hopes of getting the free dining deal and all of that, or go with the time share and try to be frugal on food?

For context, we would be booking the lower tier of resort (Pop, AoA, etc). Also, I have very little concept for how much I should expect to spend on food for the week. Our kids are 5, 3 and 1, and we assumed we would do mostly counter service kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance for the help. We're first timers!

 

[Lucky]

September - weather is nice, and you can probably get free dining. The chances of being affected by a hurricane are very low.

 

[NHMouse]

I love Disney in the fall, nice weather, lower crowds. You may be able to go to Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party. You get some nice perks when you stay on property like Extra Magic hours and Fast Pass Selections at 60 days versus 30 days and free transportation to and from airport and the parks!

 

[bigorangeandy]

I tend to use about $11 per adult for counter service meals for our planning purposes. We typically have water to drink water with each counter service meal, so if you want a drink, it would be more. Kids meals work out to be about $6 per meal. One of the nice advantages of staying onsite is being able to catch a bus if you want to go back to the room for a nap or hit the pool. We drive down so we are able to carry a lot more stuff with us, and usually bring items for breakfast in the room each morning, which not only saves some money it saves time as well. I wouldn't worry to much about hurricanes as it has been years since one caused DW to close, but it could happen. I think that you will have a good time no matter when you go. Have fun and remember that you can't do it all, it just means that you'll have to come back again.

 

[Gaston's gal]

We have always preferred staying on property. We like the extra perks too.

 

[disneygirl76]

September is a nice time to go and for the most part, the weather is nice. But just a heads up...its can be rainy. Not hurricane rainy or "hot summer random down pour Florida" rainy, but some days can be totally washed out super soakers rainy. I just wanted to give you the heads up on that. I always prefer staying on property. I love being immersed in the magic of Disney and not having to worry about transportation. I stayed off property once before and it just didn't work for me and decided that I wouldn't do it again. Determining FL is so hard. We went one November and were frozen...like had to buy gloves frozen! And one December, I was melting I was so freaking humid!

 

[JohnD]

September: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Food and Wine Festival (probably more emphasis on food than wine with your family)
December: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Osborne Festival of Dancing Lights (HS), Christmas Processional (Epcot), Christmas decorations at parks and resorts

Both are good times to go. But if you had already planned on September, and can make it work, that may be the better time. More pleasant weather. Fall rates, lower crowd leves, etc. I would also choose staying on property for being able to choose FP+ 60 days, EMH, and convenience of transportation.

 

[NCRedskins]

Thanks everyone - we decided to go in September for all of the reasons listed. It looks like we might stay offsite, but very close to the parks, since we will have an extra bedroom and that may preserve our sanity for the week.