What would you do?

[DisneyDreams09]

I have never been to WDW at Christmas time so I've been hoping/planning for a trip this year Dec 2010. Last night my husband asks me if I want to go this May instead. Here are the pros and cons of each.

May: pro- it is only 2 months away:sohappy:
con- none except I won't be able to go in December

December: pro- It's Christmas time at WDW and I've never been
Con- It's 9 months away
Con - My daughter is going to a new school next year. I would have to take her out of school for 3 days in Dec. I'm not sure of the school policy on that. It may/may not be a big deal.
Also, It may be really cold in Dec.

What would you do? May or December?
Thanks!

 

[DisneyJoe]

When in December were you planning on going?

 

[DisneyDreams09]

Around the second week in Dec.

 

[disneygirl76]

I have never been to WDW at Christmas time so I've been hoping/planning for a trip this year Dec 2010. Last night my husband asks me if I want to go this May instead. Here are the pros and cons of each.

May: pro- it is only 2 months away:sohappy:
con- none except I won't be able to go in December

December: pro- It's Christmas time at WDW and I've never been
Con- It's 9 months away
Con - My daughter is going to a new school next year. I would have to take her out of school for 3 days in Dec. I'm not sure of the school policy on that. It may/may not be a big deal.
Also, It may be really cold in Dec.

What would you do? May or December?
Thanks!

I've been at the end of May beginning of June - a brillant time to go. Sunny and warm and beautiful and not too busy. Around the 2nd week in June - it starts to pick up a lot. At Christmas - have been over week of Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas. It's AMAZING at Christmas!!! Nothing like it! The MVMCP is super fun too! The week before Christmas was great - except towards the end. We got in on the 16th and we could just walk right on rides. By the time we left - the 23rd - it was really busy!!

It depends on what kind of experience do you want to have? Is dining an important part of your trip? If so, you might not get the ADR's you want since they are booked 6 months in advance.

You won't go wrong either time you go. Have a great time!

 

[Master Yoda]

No question....Go in early December.

 

[DisneyDreams09]

The dilemma is, May would be a sure thing. It's soon and there wouldn't be a problem with the kids and school. I really want to go in Dec., but anything could happen between now and then, plus the new school may frown on taking kids out. But, then again the new school may be like the one we are in now and it's o.k. to take kids out for a few days as long as all work is made up. It would be soooo easy if we could go twice.:brick:

 

[gofylvr]

Don't mean to be a "downer" but May hands down.

We normally go in May but this December we decided to go to see Disney at Christmas and with my school schedule this year it was the only thing that would work for us. Now we did have a wonderful time but the parks were WAY more crowded than we like. (We were there from the 15th- 22nd). The beginning of the week was better but everything closes early and we like to be in the parks later than 8pm (or earlier if Mickeys Christmas party is going on).

In May it's way more laid back and we don't feel like we need to over plan our whole vacation in order to be able to do what we want. (which is what we ended up having to do in Dec.) That being said we go in the beginning of May so I don't know if its different later in the month.

Weather matters too if you want to enjoy the pool a bunch (May) or maybe not (Dec.) we did anyway- we were in Disney what the heck? right? But we were cold when we got out!! Still live to tell about it and we had fun.
Whatever you choose you'll have fun!! This is just our opinion. It is DISNEY after all!!!!

 

[jeffk410]

Christmas time is PACKED.... Im sure you already knew, but I mean Packed... But Osboure spectacle of dancing lights is amazing..

 

[Master Yoda]

Don't mean to be a "downer" but May hands down.

We normally go in May but this December we decided to go to see Disney at Christmas and with my school schedule this year it was the only thing that would work for us. Now we did have a wonderful time but the parks were WAY more crowded than we like. (We were there from the 15th- 22nd). The beginning of the week was better but everything closes early and we like to be in the parks later than 8pm (or earlier if Mickeys Christmas party is going on).

In May it's way more laid back and we don't feel like we need to over plan our whole vacation in order to be able to do what we want. (which is what we ended up having to do in Dec.) That being said we go in the beginning of May so I don't know if its different later in the month.

Weather matters too if you want to enjoy the pool a bunch (May) or maybe not (Dec.) we did anyway- we were in Disney what the heck? right? But we were cold when we got out!! Still live to tell about it and we had fun.
Whatever you choose you'll have fun!! This is just our opinion. It is DISNEY after all!!!!

Christmas time is PACKED.... Im sure you already knew, but I mean Packed... But Osboure spectacle of dancing lights is amazing..

The OP mentioned that she would be going the second week of December which is still one of the slower weeks of the year.

 

[Andrew54]

I just went this last December for my first Christmas trip, it was incredible. I highly recommend hanging in there and going in December. Make sure and check out the Christmas Party.

 

[Lisalyn]

Kind of sounds like in the back of your head you have already made up your mind :ROFLOL:to go in May. Go in May of this year since that seems to be what you want to do...but plan for a Christmas trip NEXT year! That way you know what the new school system expects and can be extremely organized for that holiday trip when it's time comes up! I go the whole week of Thanksgiving to enjoy all the Holiday fun stuff (lights, decorations, Osborne Lights....fake snow, etc...did I say Osborne Lights?? LOL) So holidays are a special trip that you and your family really do need to enjoy - just do so when you can and are ready too.:xmas::sohappy:

 

[Purple413]

I'd definitely go in May. However, whenever you go, it's going to be amazing! Have fun!!!

 

[zurgandfriend]

We have gone to WDW in late May and early December.

DW and I say go in December!

Christmas decorations, Orsborne lights, Mickey's very merry Christmas Party Etc. These are experiences you don't get any other time of the year.

It will give you 9 months to plan, dream and get the ASRs you really want and not have to settle.

The weather was be a concern, we worried can we leave/come home to/from Boston, but we were lucky no big snow storms to delay us.

What to pack, we brought layers so that we adjust (i.e. a sweat shirt shirt, tee shirt, and pants and shorts. We did laundry once as it was warm that December and we ran out of light weight stuff.

Hope this helps.

 

[disneygirl1]

I've been to the World both months and I have to say... December all the way!!!

Weather is more comfortable, crowds are minimal and the Christmas ambiance... Well there is just no comparing it!

We are going in December and I just can't wait. My son in going to be missing a few days of school as well, and what I have done in the pass, is let the school know at the very beginning of the school year... My son goes to a private school too, and I have yet to run into an issue.

Good luck!

 

[lilclerk]

I may be in the minority, but I say May. I went in December for the first time last year and I was definitely disappointed. Not that it wasn't a great trip, but I am a Christmas-decoration NUT so I was really looking forward to seeing my favorite place all decked out... but I didn't like it. I especially didn't like hearing the same Christmas music loop everywhere (and I LOVE Christmas music so much that I play it in the summer :lol The only holiday event I really enjoyed in WDW was the Osborne Lights, that was absolutely breathtaking.

But that's just me. I don't know if it was too much Christmas or not enough, with all the cutbacks that have been happening. I just didn't feel it and wish we had kept our October dates. :shrug:

 

[Avenger117]

We went this past christmas, the week after christmas actually. It was great, the decorations and the "snow" on mainstreet are great. I guess the only drawback was the crowds, but everyone was having a good time and very friendly. This was the first time I had gone during the holidays and I definitely plan on going back.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

I wouldn't let school be part of the equation. Kids get to go to school everyday, how often can you go to Disney?

 

[RobnRachal]

I've been to the World both months and I have to say... December all the way!!!

Weather is more comfortable, crowds are minimal and the Christmas ambiance... Well there is just no comparing it!

We are going in December and I just can't wait. My son in going to be missing a few days of school as well, and what I have done in the pass, is let the school know at the very beginning of the school year... My son goes to a private school too, and I have yet to run into an issue.

Good luck!

Exactly!! Since when do schools dictate to us when we can or can't take our kids out of school. Within reason, I don't see any reason why a parent cannot take a child out of school (for a few days) to enjoy family time. I think the teachers are all just jealous cause they can't go that time of year
Do whatever feels right to you. Missing a few days of school shouldn't be a big factor.