Help me choose dates.....please!!

[MagicalWorldMommy]

So, we are back from our first family WDW trip 11/28-12/4, and we are hooked......of course!

We are looking at dates to come back in 2010, and I wanted to get the "pros" opinions on the best choice! We are looking at doing either 10/9-10/15 or 11/13-11/19. Let me know which is the better option. Please take into consideration crowds, discounts normally offered, ect.

TIA for your help!!!

 

[MagicalWorldMommy]

Anyone....please?

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

We are going in October because of MNSSHP among other things! The F&W festival will be going on, and I am hoping the weather will be warm, but nice. We are starting our trip Oct.11 because of a PIN code we received. We were going to go the 9th, but the code wasn't in effect then because of Columbus day. It would have cost of $500 dollars more to start our trip the 9th instead of the 11th. So that is something to look out for assuming you want to go the 9th...there is usually a blackout period for the Columbus day weekend (as far as discounts go). Good luck deciding on everything!!

 

[MagicalWorldMommy]

Wow BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM, thanks for the great info. I didn't think about Columbus Day!

 

[Disney Fool]

Ditto, all discounts are non-applicable between 7th of Oct, and the 11th. I notice too that (especially this year) airfares were higher on that weekend.

 

[sandymandr]

Hey there! I agree with the other poster. Columbus day crowds are usually higher than other dates in that period, plus you have more locals with long weekends who come in to the parks. Weather would be about the same at either time. Between your two dates, I would choose the Nov dates because the week (or two) before Thanksgiving are usually pretty slow. The downside is that the park hours may be shorter, and you are after the Halloween Party, but before the Christmas party dates if you are interested in either of those. Shorter park hours are never a problem for me, because honestly with less crowds, you get a lot more done, especially if you make it early in the morning. And we are usually ready for an early bed time after a long day in parks with kids anyway. Also, shorter park hours means more time to unwind at resort or shop at DTD, or try DisneyQuest or a dinner show. I love the slower seasons the best!! My best advice is to keep watching these boards and join the October and November code watches, check them often and you will know as soon as discounts for those periods come out, then you can refine your dates based on cost. But it will probably be another month or two before codes come out for that period. Good luck!! And glad you had a great vacation

 

[MagicalWorldMommy]

Again, thanks so much for the feedback! I am almost leaning towards November, as sandymandr suggested. I think I would rather have lower crowds, than chance it Columbus Day weekend.

Thanks to Disney Fool for the airfare tip, I didnt think about that either!

What would I do without the Dis??

KEEP 'EM COMIN'!!

 

[cbg1027]

I took a look at the crowd calendar and it's actually calling for lower crowds on the October dates.

But the crowd levels aren't supposed to be that bad for the November dates either.

If it were me, I would pick the November dates in the hope of cooler weather.

 

[mmmears]

I've been there twice in October and both times it was hot, humid, and rainy (tropical thunderstorms many afternoons). If it were me, I'd choose early November for the weather.

 

[vicki_c]

Pros to the October dates (if you're interested in these): MNSSHP and Food & Wine
Cons for October for me -- too hot

Pros for November - better weather

I'd pick November.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

You guys are scaring me with all of this talk about it being so hot in October! We were there for 2 weeks in June this past summer during all that sweltering heat, and my dh did not want to go back in the middle of summer!! Therefore we are choosing October this time (also because we have never been during MNSSHP or F&W).

The heat/humidity cannot possibly be as bad as the middle of summer...can it??? I mean, seriously, this summer we barely got out the door in the mornings before we were drenched in sweat!!!

 

[karibritt01]

I think I would pick Oct to visit during MNSSHP. We have been during June, July, August, and Oct... Oct was hands down better weather! LOL It did get hot, but not unbearable. We were only in Orlando 3 days pre-cruise, but did not have any issues with rain like we do in summer. Perfectly nice for swimming in the evenings, too. If your dates are at all flexible, you might want to look at the very end of Sept/ Early Oct. If you can check in before free dining ends, then it is good for your entire trip. And then you will be gone before the Columbus Day crowds roll in.

 

[cbg1027]

You guys are scaring me with all of this talk about it being so hot in October! We were there for 2 weeks in June this past summer during all that sweltering heat, and my dh did not want to go back in the middle of summer!! Therefore we are choosing October this time (also because we have never been during MNSSHP or F&W).

The heat/humidity cannot possibly be as bad as the middle of summer...can it??? I mean, seriously, this summer we barely got out the door in the mornings before we were drenched in sweat!!!

It's not AS bad as June. This past October it stayed hot for longer than it normally does. I was there Oct 29 - Nov 3 and it was still too hot for me to call it comfortable! It was in the mid-upper 80's during the day. It's always humid in FL, but again, not as bad in October. If you're choosing between June and October, I would always stick with October! And F&W Festival is yummy!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

November before the Thanksgiving rush. We were there this year the first week of November (and back in 2000). Both times the crowds were manageable. Better chance of a little cooler and dryer weather, however we were told the week before was hot and humid. We landed on the first and it was sunny, hot and humid, front moved through over night and it was perfect the rest of the week.