Logic of a quick trip in November with a big trip on the books for April

[DarthVader]

My wife mentioned she really wants to see the Osborne light show in HS, and I saw that with the building permits it may very well happen this year, though subsequent years it may not occur due to Disney renovating HS.

Anyways, i'm trying to justify a quick trip, flying in Saturday, flying home Tuesday. Cost of the resort and 2 day tickets is 1,300 bucks for myself the bride and my two kids for the POFQ. All star Music its 1,050. Add in flight, meal costs and we're looking in the neighborhood of 2,800 for a quick trip.

The issue is I have a 9 day uber trip (staying in the contemporary) for April 2016, and that's running close to 10k with flights, and meals. While it would be cool to surprise my kids, and enjoy a little Disney this fall, I don't know if its too much.

The really confusing matter will be the prospect of changing my current reservation on the books to use a bounceback promotion, I may save 35% if I call disney while in the resort and that could save me as much as 35%. OTOH, I'm hoping to see near 30% for their winter incentives.

Thoughts/opinions - am I crazy to consider a November trip with an April one coming down the pike?

 

[DarthVader]

OK, now I understand. You're pricing packages, not tickets only. This is the first you've mentioned it.

I always do packages, just because it easier to have everything in one place.

 

[DarthVader]

Well, I opted for a Saturday to Tuesday trip, we'll be staying at the all star music resort. I got that at 105, which is really really cheap. I also did get the annual pass, so if I see a good promotion, I'll jump on that. The AP is a sizable chunk of change but I think we'll make it work, including spending extra times in the parks in November and we'll see about another quick trip in October of 2016. That third trip will pay for the AP in that sense.

I'm also hoping that we can take advantage the bounce back promotions for our April trip and failing that, any possible AP promotions.

 

[Figgy1]

CONGRATS!

 

[Monty]

Well, I opted for a Saturday to Tuesday trip, we'll be staying at the all star music resort. I got that at 105, which is really really cheap. I also did get the annual pass, so if I see a good promotion, I'll jump on that. The AP is a sizable chunk of change but I think we'll make it work, including spending extra times in the parks in November and we'll see about another quick trip in October of 2016. That third trip will pay for the AP in that sense.

I'm also hoping that we can take advantage the bounce back promotions for our April trip and failing that, any possible AP promotions.

Don't forget to ask for AP discounts any time you're paying for anything at WDW. I forget a lot. Sometimes the CMs will spot my AP attachment to my Magic Band and remind me.

Also, when you book bounceback, you can call when the discounts are announced and ask them to check which is better. For room-only reservations, the bounceback rate is still better most of the time [with exceptions].

My first APs were a very expensive proposition... I was doing one trip per year and figured if I did one trip in early February and the next in late January, the overall ticket costs would save me a bundle. Then I did two "extra" trips in between. Boom! There went any "savings"! Of course, I had a great time doing it, so no regrets.

 

[DarthVader]

^^Good info, in a sense, I'm really hoping, and praying we'll see some discounts either from the bounceback or from the AP that will help increase the value of the money I'm spending. That was probably the biggest reason (the bounceback) why we're staying on property for this trip. I could have snagged a timeshare for 100 bucks (or there abouts), and a rental car for anywhere in the neighborhood of 75 to 100 bucks. Spending a little more gives us some opportunities that might save us more money in April.

 

[Monty]

Another nice benefit of an AP: Free parking at the parks when you're staying off-site.

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

Making great family memories is absolutely priceless. Especially if you know that it'll be an extra special trip for a family member. We love the Osbourne Lights too and seem to always incorporate pictures from there into our family Christmas cards. For us, we realize how fortunate we are and feel immensely grateful for everything especially our Disney trips. It's the place we make our most fond and lasting memories. Our family has grown up with Disney visits.

For further financial justification: I'm not going to question your family's spending habits, but for us we choose to use most of our discretionary income on things that will make the family most happy. We don't drive luxury cars, nor have a wardrobe full of designer clothes, or live in a house way too big for our needs. We aren't wired for that. My DW and I would gladly spend our $'s to create Disney memories. BUT, I implore you to fully scrutinize your financial situation carefully. In my line of work, I see way too many folks who put themselves into financial hardship because they made decisions too much from the heart and not the head. Gotta be a balance.

 

[lunchbox1175]

The bouncebacks I have seen on our last few trips were not good, so I wouldn't put your hopes in that too much. I have found that the AP discounts available almost always beat the bounceback offers. I would look for your rate at ASM to drop when they announce the AP discounts for the last part of the year, so keep an eye out for that.

 

[DarthVader]

The bouncebacks I have seen on our last few trips were not good, so I wouldn't put your hopes in that too much. I have found that the AP discounts available almost always beat the bounceback offers. I would look for your rate at ASM to drop when they announce the AP discounts for the last part of the year, so keep an eye out for that.

There's always a risk, I was able to reserve a BB the last time I was there and it was 35%, so I'm hoping that it will be available. I'm not counting on it, but it would be nice to have