2 completely different options, need help deciding

[Allisonjane]

Only been back 2 weeks and really want to book again for next year. This year we had 2 weeks at OKW followed by a night at Portofino Bay and a week in a villa. If we go next year the budget will be a lot tighter and also my daughter changes school so will no longer have 2 weeks off for May half term. I took her out of school for 1 week this year and would consider doing the same next year, but no for longer than a week.
So option 1, Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs for 2 weeks in May, half term and the week before, 14 days in Disney with free dining, but no other parks and just going off site a couple of time for outlet shopping.
Option 2 is completely different, the last 3 weeks of August, probably 2 weeks in a villa/condo, 5 nights at the beach and then back to Orlando for 2 nights to hopefully tie in the a MNSSHP. We would have a car for 3 weeks and only get tickets for SW, BG, Aquatica, maybe Legoland and Gatorland, trip to Space Centre, days round the pool, beach and Shopping. All the things we haven't done for years, because the last few trips can been mainly Disney and Universal.
I think when you factor in the flight prices for August and paying for food for 3 weeks the cost of going to work out to be similar. There are pros and cons for both but I'm leaning more towards the 3 weeks in August, but don't know if I'd miss Disney too much and if 1 night in MK for Halloween party would be enough.
Would be great to hear other people's opinions and all I get from DH is "I don't mind, you decide"

[coggie]

For me if the prices are similar and the choice is two weeks or three weeks then the latter wins everytime.

[Sweets]

I’d go for August. You say you haven’t done that type of trip for a while so I’m sure it’ll be a refreshing change.
Also, you can still visit as you say for MNSSHP.

I love Disney but our last trip we didn’t visit and I didn’t mind at all at the time and it’s made me look forward to this trip more.

I vote August.

[°o°-Hannah-°o°]

For me the longer the better. This year we’re doing 24 nights July/August and for the first time in 13 years we aren’t doing Disney

[Allisonjane]

Thanks for the replies, part of me feels like a need a break from Disney, we have stayed onsite 4 times in the last 5 years with the dining plan so have done the same things and eaten in the same places. Don't get me wrong, we have always had an amazing time, but I think cos we've just got back I'm feeling like I don't need to do it again yet, but then by next year I probably will be ready to do it all again.
We had said we would have a break and go somewhere different, but I love it there so much that nowhere else compares, so that was when I came up with the idea of still going but having a completely different type of holiday.
Think I'm going to have to wait and see how much August flights are going to be and then decide.

[tinytots]

A vote for august here

[mossyflossy]

August would get my vote: you've done Disney and DDP many times, now it's time to try something different that also won't involve taking your child out of school. And Disney and DDP will be there in the future if you decide to go that route again..

[Allisonjane]

Thank you all for helping to convince me that August would be the better option, think I will be excited to do things I haven't done for a long time and some new things too, rather than just repeating holidays we've already had.
I know the flights will be a lot more than we normally pay, just wish they were on sale now so I could start planning and budgeting, but then we will be saving a lot by not paying for Disney tickets.
There's always Disney Springs and some resort hopping and monorail and boat rides if I can't stay away from Disney completely.

[Nicki G]

We’re doing a no Disney trip this year aside from mnsshp as a treat starting with 5 days at beach. Make a nice change

[Beth_Disney]

I vote for August too. 3 weeks, experiencing new places, different restaurant options and not needing to take DD out of school.