DW week after thanksgiving 2016

[persa]

Hi all! We're FINALLY planning our DW trip for the week after thanksgiving 2016, just under the wire for ADR's. It'll be me and H and our then just-turned 6yr old daughter. We have twin boys that will be almost 2 but the plan is for them to stay with my in-laws but they may come up for a day or two if we could find suitable affordable accommodations for them.

As of now, I have a room at the Poly, theme park view booked for 5 nights, from Sun Nov 27 through Friday Dec 2, which gives us 4 full days at DW. I have the plus dining plan for now but may need to upgrade to deluxe for more character meals. Haven't added park hopper yet, not sure if I will. But Holy expensive Batman!! 

SO a few thoughts/questions:
1. is 4 days enough? if not, should we book a day extra at the front end (Sat Nov 26-Fri Dec2) or the back end Sun Nov 27-Sat Dec 3)?

2. Despite the reservation, I'm still considering looking into a 1 BR DVC rental at the contemporary or Poly, if there are spaces available. Worth it money-wise? We definitely want to stay at a monorail resort and Contemporary and Poly are our preferences and would love a theme park view, just for the magic of it.  

3. For a newbie, whats the best way to keep track of all this info about different park, ride, ADR, FP, event, yada yada recs, etc? Should I create some sort of word document or spreadsheet? My brain feels full already and I haven't even figured out my ADR preferences.

I'm sure there are other things to consider, please guide me if you will. TIA!!

[krystee]

Free dining is eligible beginning Monday, 11/28, if that is something you're interested in. I think we'll be there at the same time! We are planning on going Monday-Thurs (a shorter trip since H's parents love nearby and we want to visit them too).

[alleinesein]

1. I would add on at the end of the trip since Thanksgiving weekend tends to be a madhouse at both WDW and DLR

2. A 1 bedroom DVC villa will definitely be worth it.  Your DD can sleep in the living room and that gives you and your DH some privacy and also lets you stay up a bit later if she crashes out early.

3. Plan your parks around where you will be eating.  Having breakfast at Chef Mickeys- go to the MK that day.  Doing dinner at EPCOT- plan on spending the afternoon/evening in that park. A spreadsheet can be helpful to let you see your plans.  For rides- have your DD pick 3 things at each park that she wants to do/see and make that a priority.  Dont try to do everything; all you will succeed in doing is driving yourself insane!!  Mickeys Xmas party will be going on during that time so you need to account for that since the park will close early.  There is a party on Nov 27th and if you arrive in the afternoon you might want to look into doing the Xmas party that night.  It will give you an 'extra' day and you can start off the trip at the MK.  It is a separate admission so you will need to purchase a ticket for it.

Dining/Dining Plan- Price out where you want to eat; you might save some $$ even with doing character meals.  

I prefer to park hop because I love to have dinner at EPCOT every night.  It also gives you some flexibility during the day and you aren't stuck in one park that you might not be enjoying (AK is not a fun park if it is pouring down rain or really cold)

[Deleted]

So poly doesn't have 1 bedrooms. Just studios ( largest studios at WDW) or the bungalows ( which are crazy $$$)

BLT - DVC side of Contemporary is very nice. The pool isn't as great as the other DVCs bug you can use the Contemporary's pool too. Main advantage to BLT is walking too & from MK.

If you are staying on the monorail park hoppers make 100 percent sense. It's easy to get to MK & just pop in for a minute to pick up your ear hats or grab a balloon & see the parade.

[ilikedonuts]

That's the busiest Disney vacation club week. I just checked and there is no availability at Bay Lake (all three studio and 1 bedroom views) or Poly studios.

[ilikedonuts]

I'd add add days at the end rather then the beginning. Through the 27th will be crazy because of thanksgiving.