Would we be better off a month earlier?

dznygrl · 12-01-2004

DH and I will celebrate our 1-year anniversary on May 13, 2005. We want to celebrate at WDW, but money is certainly going to be tight.

Crowd-wise and resort price-wise, would we be better off celebrating a month earlier, in April? My first trip to WDW...in 2000...was in mid-May, and I remember the crowds being moderate to heavy. My family stayed off-site, though, so I don't know what resort prices were like then?

We will probably only be able to go for a short time, so if crowds would be lighter a month earlier, I want to consider that fact.

Also...any ideas for a one-day splurge for our anniversary? The whole trip is going to be really budget-minded...we are going to stay at a Value resort and bring a lot of snacks...but on May 13th I want to do something extra special. I was thinking of staying at the GF or BWI for one night. I hope DH doesn't read this, because I'm planning this trip from top to bottom and I want our anniversary splurge to be a surprise!

Any opinions help--thanx.

**Dana** · 12-01-2004

You could make your final night on the 13th and change to a different resort. If you are trying to keep money to a minimum, why not just go a night at the AKL? It's beautiful and can be totally romantic. It's still a deluxe, but not very expensive.

tigger · 12-01-2004

I hope you aren't driving this time

mickaholic4077 · 12-02-2004

I'd do what Dana suggests and go to AKL. I love that place!!!

aubriee · 12-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznygrl

Crowd-wise and resort price-wise, would we be better off celebrating a month earlier.
We will probably only be able to go for a short time, so if crowds would be lighter a month earlier, I want to consider that fact.
:

Are the crowds worse in mid-May than April? I purposely planned a solo trip for mid-May thinking it would be less crowded than March or April because spring breaks would be over with, but kids wouldn't be out of school for the summer yet. Was I wrong? According the Unofficial Guide crowds levels are moderately heavy the first three weeks of April and very light the last week of April and all of May except for May 27-31 when they're very crowded. FYI: March 26-27, 2005 (Easter weekend) is listed as exceedingly crowded-jam packed.

MerlinMatt · 12-02-2004

Kim:

We've gone two years in a row the first and second weeks of May and we think it's a GREAT time to go!

The weather is usually quite good, although this year, there was a heat wave that hit on the 19th, our last day.

It's Value season, so the prices are good.

And our experience is very low crowds (except Mondays at MK) For both trips, most lines were from 0-10 minutes and the longest were a 25 minute wait for Jungle Cruise and 30 for Splash Mountain.

April is tough because of Spring Break, so I think you guys will be better off in May.

EmpressJenny · 12-02-2004

My opinion is to avoid spring break crowds like the plague. If you want to really splurge, I'd say the GF is a great idea and also very romantic

hiner · 12-02-2004

We went this past May from the 12th to the 22nd. Got all the PS' we wanted with no problems and the crowds really weren't bad at all. I think the longest wait was 25-30 minutes. Weather was absolutely wonderful, mid 80's everyday and very pleasant at night. Even the waterparks were not crowded!! MGM had Star Wars weekend and wasn't really crowded either. Epcot had the Flower Festival, which was so beautiful. We are planning our next trip again around the same time in May 2005 (hoping for 2004).

mickaholic4077 · 12-02-2004

You will be going in the middle of the Flower and Garden Festival. How lucky for you!!!

Soundgod · 12-02-2004

We usually go on our coaster riding trips just after Memorial Day and even the most popular parks throughout the country have managable crowds. If you get out during the second week in May, I think you'll face October like crowds, and that's a good thing.

disneycouple30 · 12-02-2004

We been in May before, and the only time it was really busy was satyraday and friday nights the MK was closed for the differnent seniors nights.

dznygrl · 12-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger

I hope you aren't driving this time

LOL. OMG, Tigger...no, thank heavens we won't be driving this time!!!

I think that would be a *little* far for us...

Thank you EVERYONE! You have made me feel a lot better about going in May...I really didn't want to go a month earlier, cuz it wouldn't *technically* be our anniversary yet.

I really like the idea of spending a night at AKL. Should I consider concierge?

Okay, if I come up with more questions, I'll be back!

tigger · 12-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznygrl

LOL. OMG, Tigger...no, thank heavens we won't be driving this time!!!

I think that would be a *little* far for us...

...

You guys just seem to be such the road trip type couple...man that would be an expedition. Can't even imagine the flight.

(I'm such a traveling wimp -- I get kind of freaked if I have to spend more the 4 hours on a plane)

Don't worry to much about the crowds. With good planing and a thought out use of FastPass you shouldn't have to much problem with lines. Just think of all the wonderful daylight you will be able to enjoy!

(I'm totally expecting you guys having jobs by the end of your trip

)

Oh and let me be the first to wish you guys a Happy Anniversary!

E&B's Mom · 12-03-2004

We took the kids in mid-May 2003 to combine a trip with a friends' wedding. We tried to take advatage of fast-pass where we could, and I really don't remember waiting in any lines. I think it's a great time to go.

woohoo · 12-03-2004

If it were me I would splurge on a spa day or a really romantic dinner or something like that - the room to me is just a room. How about CG and Fireworks or something special like that -

12-01-2004	#1 (permalink)
dznygrl aka dizzygirl Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Beaver State Posts: 8,484	Would we be better off a month earlier? DH and I will celebrate our 1-year anniversary on May 13, 2005. We want to celebrate at WDW, but money is certainly going to be tight. Crowd-wise and resort price-wise, would we be better off celebrating a month earlier, in April? My first trip to WDW...in 2000...was in mid-May, and I remember the crowds being moderate to heavy. My family stayed off-site, though, so I don't know what resort prices were like then? We will probably only be able to go for a short time, so if crowds would be lighter a month earlier, I want to consider that fact. Also...any ideas for a one-day splurge for our anniversary? The whole trip is going to be really budget-minded...we are going to stay at a Value resort and bring a lot of snacks...but on May 13th I want to do something extra special. I was thinking of staying at the GF or BWI for one night. I hope DH doesn't read this, because I'm planning this trip from top to bottom and I want our anniversary splurge to be a surprise! Any opinions help--thanx. __________________ Proud former 2-time Disneyland CM Dizzygirl & Bella = MB BFF 2000 ~ off-site 2002 ~ Polynesian 2003 ~ All-Star Movies 2008 ~ All-Star Music

12-01-2004	#2 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 22,697	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? You could make your final night on the 13th and change to a different resort. If you are trying to keep money to a minimum, why not just go a night at the AKL? It's beautiful and can be totally romantic. It's still a deluxe, but not very expensive. __________________ 82 off-site ~ 91 off-site ~ 97 ASMusic ~ 00 ASMovies 02 Wilderness Lodge ~ 04 Animal Kingdom Lodge 05 Animal Kingdom Lodge & Polynesian 05 Port Orleans French Quarter~06 Old Key West 07 Port Orleans French Quarter ~ 08 Old Key West~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 10 day WDW blowout bonanza! 623 days 21 hours 1 minutes

12-01-2004	#3 (permalink)
tigger Sour Patch Kid Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 100 acre beach just south of MCO Posts: 2,821	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? I hope you aren't driving this time __________________

12-02-2004	#4 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,193	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? I'd do what Dana suggests and go to AKL. I love that place!!!

12-02-2004	#6 (permalink)
MerlinMatt DC Grand Poohbah Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 3,370	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? Kim: We've gone two years in a row the first and second weeks of May and we think it's a GREAT time to go! The weather is usually quite good, although this year, there was a heat wave that hit on the 19th, our last day. It's Value season, so the prices are good. And our experience is very low crowds (except Mondays at MK) For both trips, most lines were from 0-10 minutes and the longest were a 25 minute wait for Jungle Cruise and 30 for Splash Mountain. April is tough because of Spring Break, so I think you guys will be better off in May. __________________ Erin's still my favorite.

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Would we be better off a month earlier?

12-02-2004	#7 (permalink)
EmpressJenny MB's Half-Yard President Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 2,399	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? My opinion is to avoid spring break crowds like the plague. If you want to really splurge, I'd say the GF is a great idea and also very romantic __________________ Grand Floridian: Honeymoon 2003 - Coronado Springs: Spring 2004 - Polynesian: Sept. 2004 - Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jan. 2005 - Grand Floridian: April 2005 - PORiverside: May 2005 - Beach Club Villas: May 2005 - Boardwalk Concierge: Sept. 2005 Rescuer of MK Froggies

12-02-2004	#8 (permalink)
hiner Mouse Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Body: Worcester PA Heart & Soul: WDW Posts: 1,600	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? We went this past May from the 12th to the 22nd. Got all the PS' we wanted with no problems and the crowds really weren't bad at all. I think the longest wait was 25-30 minutes. Weather was absolutely wonderful, mid 80's everyday and very pleasant at night. Even the waterparks were not crowded!! MGM had Star Wars weekend and wasn't really crowded either. Epcot had the Flower Festival, which was so beautiful. We are planning our next trip again around the same time in May 2005 (hoping for 2004). __________________ I could be ready in a minute for WDW, just tell me when! 11/78 & 11/84- WDW - Ft. Wilderness 09/87 - Disneyland - Off Site WDW - Off Site 10/89, CBR 10/99, CBR 05/04, CBR 05/05, CBR 05/07 STEELERS WILL BE BACK IN 2008! YANKEES WILL BE BACK IN 2009! AND THE BROWN'S WILL BE BACK IN WDW 2009! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: The Brownies are returning to WDW 152 days 0 hours 16 minutes

12-02-2004	#9 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,193	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? You will be going in the middle of the Flower and Garden Festival. How lucky for you!!!

12-02-2004	#10 (permalink)
Soundgod Ride the train Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Laughing on the Laughing Floor Posts: 7,031	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? We usually go on our coaster riding trips just after Memorial Day and even the most popular parks throughout the country have managable crowds. If you get out during the second week in May, I think you'll face October like crowds, and that's a good thing. __________________ New co-host for Caveyfest/Tiggerfest December 13, 2008 Spoodles - 5:30 PM PM me if you'd like to attend (We finally have a confirmed reservation!!) ------------------------------ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Caveyfest at Spoodles Dec. 13 8 days 10 hours 1 minutes

12-02-2004	#11 (permalink)
disneycouple30 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: In the Boonies Posts: 438	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? We been in May before, and the only time it was really busy was satyraday and friday nights the MK was closed for the differnent seniors nights. __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Next Trip to WDW 361 days 4 hours 15 minutes

12-03-2004	#14 (permalink)
E&B's Mom Just keep swimming . . . Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,854	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? We took the kids in mid-May 2003 to combine a trip with a friends' wedding. We tried to take advatage of fast-pass where we could, and I really don't remember waiting in any lines. I think it's a great time to go. __________________ Maggie Avatar: New Years Resolutions Realistic - to get back into my best running shape. New Years Resolution Dream - to run a marathon 2006 - US Hard Rock Hotel 2005 - US Royal Pacific and Rennaisance at Sea World 2003 - All-Star Sports 2000 - All-Star Movies 1995 - Off Site My Disney Countdown Counting down to: RCCL Liberty of the Seas 197 days 7 hours 1 minutes

12-03-2004	#15 (permalink)
woohoo Newest DVC Neighbor!!!! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Twains World Parytime Excellent Posts: 3,708	Re: Would we be better off a month earlier? If it were me I would splurge on a spa day or a really romantic dinner or something like that - the room to me is just a room. How about CG and Fireworks or something special like that - __________________ avitar a day at the castle with Mama "Dorkman" and her little "dorkmans"

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