How fun to be planning your first trip to WDW! So first question, September or October? The good news is that with both dates you'll have the opportunity to go to
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, but an October visit may be the only time to visit
Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival. Overall, the crowd levels will be relatively the same, but the weather will be slightly different. Sept.'s average temp is 82 with an average of 14 days of rain; Oct.'s average temp is degrees with an avearage of 9 days of rain. For me, I'd prefer an Oct. trip.
Now, which resort? While I think very highly of
Pop Century, my preference is the
Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) if your budget will allow the upgrade. Every time I walk into the resort, I'm amazed at how beautifully rich the design is & am wowed by all the animals that roam the savannah surrounding the resort.There are rooms that even have savannah views; imagine sharing your morning cup of coffee with a giraffe. As a deluxe resort, you'll also have more amenities. The rooms are 344 sq feet & have queen size beds. At Pop Century, the rooms are 260 sq feet with double beds.
While I love the AKL, if you are on a strict budget and think you'll be in your rooms to only sleep, staying at the Pop Century will still be just as magical. Being "financially relaxed" while at WDW is so important.
PS Often discounts are offered in the fall, so keep checking
here to see if one becomes available during your dates of travel.