Need advice - when to go for the holidays?

[ReadytogotoWDW?]

Hello!:wave: I need advice from the experts! My husband and I are planning a trip to WDW for the holidays (2011). We have never been during this festive time of year.:xmas: We are deciding between Nov. 26-Dec. 3 or Dec. 3-11. We are planning to stay at the WL (stlbobby talked me in to it!). Here is my thinking...

Nov. 26-Dec. 3: The Saturday after Thanksgiving at airports (busy? cost of flights?)? Crowds at the parks (touring plans shows Sat. & Sun. as busy but the rest of the week as low)? All the holiday festivities in full gear right? Will there be "no room at the inn" when we check in (will we get a bad room)?

Dec. 3-10: Pop Warner (shouldn't be bad at the parks right? or at WL?)? Busy first weekend due to parade taping? colder weather?

Which week do you think would be better, regarding crowds? Which would you pick?

By the way, I received a card in the mail yesterday for 40% off deluxe resorts for 11/27-12/3 and 12/11-12/24 (12/3-12/10 was blacked out). So, I guess picking Nov. 26-Dec.3 would save me about $900.

Thanks for your advice! Take care!

 

[DisneyFan1003]

I'll be curious to read the replies - we just booked our trip for Nov. 30 - Dec. 7. We've been many times at the holidays, but never earlier in the month. Due to our schedules, we had to be back prior to the 10th!

Perhaps we'll see you there! :xmas:

 

[chama1]

Travel Plans

We will be going, with our family Nov 18th (Very Merry on a Friday) thru Nov 28th. I've done this for 4 yrs now and no problem with crowds, cost, etc. The airlines are cheaper also. All the decor is up, tours of the resorts are not crowded, parks are a dream to walk and weather is just right. Thanksgiving dinners are served outside of Disney properties at a reasonable price and the money you save can be used for Xmas shopping I also hear that the Sea World Holiday function is wonderful so we are trying it this year also. Hope this helps. :wave:

 

[dreamfinder]

The first week of December is a fairly popular time. Not as busy as later December, and it still falls under the value pricing for the most part. They seem to have enough demand to not offer the same discounts, but not enough to raise the room rates.

As you said, that November week should be a little busy that first weekend. Your flight out may indeed be more. But the actual week itself shouldn't be too bad. Pretty much everything should be in full swing at Thanksgiving time.

We just did the first week of December this year, and didn't have any issues. Never really saw the Pop Warner groups (there were a few out towards the end of the week) and if you stay at WL you should be ok.

Either week should be fine, and I bet that $900 discount looks mighty attractive.

 

[MissM]

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is definitely busy. But $900 is a significant savings and would probably make it worthwhile.

The Parade taping is a pain in the butt at MK. I prefer not to go to MK that weekend, but that's just me. The other parks are fine though that first weekend, so it depends on how you want to plan your days.

To me, I'd deal with after Thanksgiving crowds for $900 in savings but it really depends on how much that savings is worth to you and how you like (or dislike) crowds.

Oh and weather...? Total crapshoot here in Florida. December could be in the 70's or 40's in the day - you just never know what fronts will be around until a few days before your trip.

 

[dreamfinder]

Oh and weather...? Total crapshoot here in Florida. December could be in the 70's or 40's in the day - you just never know what fronts will be around until a few days before your trip.

Second that. Not only did we happen to go down during that freak cold snap in January, we were down there again in December when we had several days where we were lucky it hit 40. But that was bookmarked by some 70's & sunny. It will cool down at night, and in all honesty two weeks later won't make that much of a different.