The only difference is the online weekly class, isn’t it? It would depend on whether you feel weekly classes help. I personally would go for the essential (did that for my own level 1).
Since you have plenty of time, I’d go with the essential package for now, which is what I did. Spend some time with the notes before the classes start in January, and you may decide that you don’t need the class. You can always register for classes later if you feel you do need them.