May 2012 & AP's?

[EnchantedRose]

Hey Everyone!

Haven't been on here in a bit...& I've missed the boards!!! I am so behind that I haven't even posted my TR - Which is mostly typed up! :shrug: But after that Trip I feel like we needed a do-over. A Disney Re-Do! The weather just really put a damper on our days & as much as I LOVED that I got to experience my mother's first trip to Disney EVER, our days NEVER started as early as I wanted them too - which was fine, but I want a trip where it's just US & Hubby KNOWS how I start the days early & he doesn't mind it...niether does our 4 year old - he is in Disney after all!

Of course I am planning another trip to Disney. Originally the hubby & I had said we weren't going back till Nov/Dec 2012. We have NEVER been during the holidays & I am dying to see the parks all decked out. We've gone in Sept a few times already & were DONE with dealing with the HEAT & HUMIDITY of that time. But - Nov/Dec is such a LONG wait - that the hubby said the most Magical words I could ever hear "If you can find a good deal & book a trip within a certain budget - lets go sooner!" Well at those words the wheels in my head started turning!:ROFLOL: Trying to reasonable I told him If i was ABLE to get some sort of Pin or Free Dining before summer hit then we would go, if not I wouldn't mind waiting till Nov & he agreed. I priced the trip with the Spring Room Discount & got a very reasonable deal, THEN i received a PIN for Free Dining through June - HOWEVER it's under my friends name (I am hoping i get it my name soon)

Since I'm trying to get us to go during different times to experience different events Disney has to offer I was planning on going from May 18-May 28 (we get an extra day due to Memorial Day), we get to enjoy Star Wars Weekends & the last day of the Flower & Garden Festival. I know crowds are bit higher than in Sept/Oct - but they are better than in July :ROFLOL: Then of course the wheels in my head turned once more - Why don't we get an AP! We are already planning on going back in Nov/Dec - This would save us some money & kind of force us to go again the following spring before our AP's expire - I let hubby in on my idea & he said GO FOR IT!:sohappy:

So since I have gone wayyyyyy of track here are my questions:

What do you think of that week in may? If you have gone during this time have you loved it? Hated it? How's the weather? ( I can do HOT, i just HATE humid!)

& as for the AP's - assuming I can get Free Dining - I know you have to book it & include park tickets as part of the Package. Can I take however many days I put on package & UPGRADE that to an AP once I'm at Disney? OR do I need to do this before?

Thanks for you help!!!!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

As far as your ticket question, yes you can upgrade your pass. You can't book the package with an AP, so just book it with as you would with the amount of days that you need. Then when you are there you can have them upgrade your ticket at any of the guest relations windows.

 

[Master Yoda]

I am there that weekend almost every year. Crowds will be in the medium to heavy category, especially on the weekends. The weekend will be very busy at DHS due to star wars weekends.

Hot an humid tend to go hand in hand in Florida. My money is on hot and humid for that weekend.

If you book under free dining you will need to purchase at least a 2 day ticket. That ticket can be upgraded to an AP anytime inside of 14 days from first use.

Just FYI....AP rates are available for that time frame. Depending on your party size and resort choice an AP rate might be a better deal than free dining.

 

[JCtheparrothead]

I have been there a couple times in May, the first and last weeks. I would say the first part of May is much better for what you are looking for. It is nice and warm and not quite as humid as the later part of the month. Plus it is pretty quiet there. I enjoyed both dates but the earlier trip was more enjoyable weather wise.

 

[wm49rs]

Hey Everyone!

Haven't been on here in a bit...& I've missed the boards!!! I am so behind that I haven't even posted my TR - Which is mostly typed up! :shrug: But after that Trip I feel like we needed a do-over. A Disney Re-Do! The weather just really put a damper on our days & as much as I LOVED that I got to experience my mother's first trip to Disney EVER, our days NEVER started as early as I wanted them too - which was fine, but I want a trip where it's just US & Hubby KNOWS how I start the days early & he doesn't mind it...niether does our 4 year old - he is in Disney after all!

Of course I am planning another trip to Disney. Originally the hubby & I had said we weren't going back till Nov/Dec 2012. We have NEVER been during the holidays & I am dying to see the parks all decked out. We've gone in Sept a few times already & were DONE with dealing with the HEAT & HUMIDITY of that time. But - Nov/Dec is such a LONG wait - that the hubby said the most Magical words I could ever hear "If you can find a good deal & book a trip within a certain budget - lets go sooner!" Well at those words the wheels in my head started turning!:ROFLOL: Trying to reasonable I told him If i was ABLE to get some sort of Pin or Free Dining before summer hit then we would go, if not I wouldn't mind waiting till Nov & he agreed. I priced the trip with the Spring Room Discount & got a very reasonable deal, THEN i received a PIN for Free Dining through June - HOWEVER it's under my friends name (I am hoping i get it my name soon)

Since I'm trying to get us to go during different times to experience different events Disney has to offer I was planning on going from May 18-May 28 (we get an extra day due to Memorial Day), we get to enjoy Star Wars Weekends & the last day of the Flower & Garden Festival. I know crowds are bit higher than in Sept/Oct - but they are better than in July :ROFLOL: Then of course the wheels in my head turned once more - Why don't we get an AP! We are already planning on going back in Nov/Dec - This would save us some money & kind of force us to go again the following spring before our AP's expire - I let hubby in on my idea & he said GO FOR IT!:sohappy:

So since I have gone wayyyyyy of track here are my questions:

What do you think of that week in may? If you have gone during this time have you loved it? Hated it? How's the weather? ( I can do HOT, i just HATE humid!)

& as for the AP's - assuming I can get Free Dining - I know you have to book it & include park tickets as part of the Package. Can I take however many days I put on package & UPGRADE that to an AP once I'm at Disney? OR do I need to do this before?

Thanks for you help!!!!

When we go in May, it is usually around this time. It's hot, but not quite as bad as you might get later in the summer. And you're not going to escape the humidity simply because it is Florida. That said, I've found the crowds to be lighter in number, and if you're staying on property it's pretty easy to head back to your resort and enjoy the pool during the hottest time of day. We found by doing that and then going back to whichever park had EMHs the heat and humidity weren't that much of a bother.

 

[EnchantedRose]

Thanks for the help!

As far as your ticket question, yes you can upgrade your pass. You can't book the package with an AP, so just book it with as you would with the amount of days that you need. Then when you are there you can have them upgrade your ticket at any of the guest relations windows.

Thanks!! I wasn't 100% sure about this.

I am there that weekend almost every year. Crowds will be in the medium to heavy category, especially on the weekends. The weekend will be very busy at DHS due to star wars weekends.


Yea the Crowds I expect. But since this isn't our first trip & won't be our last we won't be too disappointed if we dont' get on certain things or see certain things...we'll probably try to do as MUCH Star Wars stuff as we can!!

Hot an humid tend to go hand in hand in Florida. My money is on hot and humid for that weekend.

Yeah....i figured:brick: LOL. We're from NY & our summers are brutal when it comes to humidity. I just hope it's not as bad as this past september...we were MELTING!

If you book under free dining you will need to purchase at least a 2 day ticket. That ticket can be upgraded to an AP anytime inside of 14 days from first use.

Just FYI....AP rates are available for that time frame. Depending on your party size and resort choice an AP rate might be a better deal than free dining.

Thanks! I wasn't sure how many days was the minimum. I thought it was just 1 - however we may just buy the most we can since we're paying for it before hand this way once we get there & upgrade we don't pay such a huge amount when were there. It's just 3 of us - 2 adults 1 child...we were actually looking at a value since I'm trying to stay with in a certain budget. For the AP rates - can you book it without having the AP - since I plan on Upgrading once I am at the parks? How does that work?

[/SIZE]

When we go in May, it is usually around this time. It's hot, but not quite as bad as you might get later in the summer. And you're not going to escape the humidity simply because it is Florida. That said, I've found the crowds to be lighter in number, and if you're staying on property it's pretty easy to head back to your resort and enjoy the pool during the hottest time of day. We found by doing that and then going back to whichever park had EMHs the heat and humidity weren't that much of a bother.

In 2010 we went for Mother's Day weekend & the week that followed & had a very nice time. It wasn't that crazy with the heat & humidity. I know it's hard to really escape the humidity in Florida most of there...Unless it's Dec! lol. We'll probably be staying in one of the Values. The whole Mid Day break is a life saver! I love getting to the park at opening & then leaving when it gets really crazy & coming back at night.


Thanks for all the help guys! This info is really helping me choose a week to go in May.

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks! I wasn't sure how many days was the minimum. I thought it was just 1 - however we may just buy the most we can since we're paying for it before hand this way once we get there & upgrade we don't pay such a huge amount when were there. It's just 3 of us - 2 adults 1 child...we were actually looking at a value since I'm trying to stay with in a certain budget. For the AP rates - can you book it without having the AP - since I plan on Upgrading once I am at the parks? How does that work?

Yes you can. You will have to book over the phone or through a TA but you can do it. They will ask you for an AP at check in (if they ask at all) and you just need to tell them that you are getting one and they will check it later. Now that they sell them at the resorts you might be able to buy one right when you check in.

 

[EnchantedRose]

Yes you can. You will have to book over the phone or through a TA but you can do it. They will ask you for an AP at check in (if they ask at all) and you just need to tell them that you are getting one and they will check it later. Now that they sell them at the resorts you might be able to buy one right when you check in.

Thanks so much!!

Since you are a TA do you know how much that AP discount is? If there is anything for that time. Also - what do you recommend? FD? or Discount?

Thanks so much!! I appreciate the help!

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks so much!!

Since you are a TA do you know how much that AP discount is? If there is anything for that time. Also - what do you recommend? FD? or Discount?

Thanks so much!! I appreciate the help!

How old is your child?

 

[EnchantedRose]

Yes you can. You will have to book over the phone or through a TA but you can do it. They will ask you for an AP at check in (if they ask at all) and you just need to tell them that you are getting one and they will check it later. Now that they sell them at the resorts you might be able to buy one right when you check in.

How old is your child?

He is 4. We're looking to stay in a Value.

Thanks!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

He is 4. We're looking to stay in a Value.

Thanks!!!

Right now free dining is not running for those dates so the AP rate will be the way to go. If it free dining does come out it will more than likely be the better deal. You will want to book as soon as you can as the AP rates have been working on kind of a sliding scale. The closer the date the lower the discount.

 

[EnchantedRose]

Right now free dining is not running for those dates so the AP rate will be the way to go. If it free dining does come out it will more than likely be the better deal. You will want to book as soon as you can as the AP rates have been working on kind of a sliding scale. The closer the date the lower the discount.

Thanks so much!! Right now were NOT 100% sure were going - it's more like 75% yes 25 % no...lol. I am going to call this weekend & maybe book the room so we have something reserved & if anything changes we will take it from there.

I have only heard great things about you guys at KK, & really appreciate the help & advice!

 

[Tiggerish]

Hi, Rose! Since I followed your pre-trip report, I'm looking forward to seeing the real thing!! :wave:

I've been going to WDW the first week of May for about 10 years, the weather is perfect. One year, because we were traveling with my in-laws, we had to go after May 15 instead of before. The difference in the weather is dramatic--the second half of May is hot and humid.

I swore I'd never go back at the end of May again, but lo and behold, just last week I bought airline tix (Delta out of LGA for $215 r/t--jump on it!) to go down May 20-24 with my mom-in-law, my mom, and a cousin. (can you still call it a girl's trip if two of the girls are senior citizens?? :lol. Those are the dates my mom-in-law wanted to go, and she is not the most flexible person in the world. I'll just have to brace myself for the hot & humid. :brick: Hubby changed jobs and doesn't have enough vacation time to go with us. but that didn't stop me.

Because I bought an annual pass last October and have DVC, all I have to pay for is the plane ticket and my food, so good thinking on getting APs for your family.

Maybe I'll see you there!!

 

[EnchantedRose]

Right now free dining is not running for those dates so the AP rate will be the way to go. If it free dining does come out it will more than likely be the better deal. You will want to book as soon as you can as the AP rates have been working on kind of a sliding scale. The closer the date the lower the discount.

Hi, Rose! Since I followed your pre-trip report, I'm looking forward to seeing the real thing!! :wave:

I've been going to WDW the first week of May for about 10 years, the weather is perfect. One year, because we were traveling with my in-laws, we had to go after May 15 instead of before. The difference in the weather is dramatic--the second half of May is hot and humid.

I swore I'd never go back at the end of May again, but lo and behold, just last week I bought airline tix (Delta out of LGA for $215 r/t--jump on it!) to go down May 20-24 with my mom-in-law, my mom, and a cousin. (can you still call it a girl's trip if two of the girls are senior citizens?? :lol. Those are the dates my mom-in-law wanted to go, and she is not the most flexible person in the world. I'll just have to brace myself for the hot & humid. :brick: Hubby changed jobs and doesn't have enough vacation time to go with us. but that didn't stop me.

Because I bought an annual pass last October and have DVC, all I have to pay for is the plane ticket and my food, so good thinking on getting APs for your family.

Maybe I'll see you there!!

HI!!!! How are you! hope everything is well! I know - i'm so bad I haven't posted it yet...hopefully i'll have some time this weekend to maybe put up a few posts on my TR! lol

Yeah we went in 2010 for Mother's day & it was GREAT! Now i'm kind of stuck - do I go in the beginning of May & miss out on SWW or do I just suck it up & go & deal with the humidity? I have to see what hubby says!

Yesterday I was looking at flights & they were all 215 from Delta...this morning I checked & they went up to $225...so if we are going I have to book soon!!!

Aww too bad Hubby can't go yet - but that just means you have to book another trip! & you have till October! lol

I never really though about buying an AP before....& said - looking back at our trips it would have saved us A BUNCH! but you live & learn!

Enjoy you trip! & Maybe we'll see each other there!!

 

[vcstr]

Oooh, thanks for asking about this week, I'm going the last week of May and we've never been in May! Last year we went mid-April but all our trips before that have been in July/August. I was expecting cooler weather in May but given our previous experience I know we can handle hot and sweltering just fine, lol