April or May

[Tina16]

We normally go to WDW in October for the F&W but we just found out that this year it will not work for us. We are thinking about checking out the Flower & Garden Festival next year for the first time. I need advice as to when is the best time to go to miss the crowds and also miss the heat since we do not have an air conditioner in our pop up.
Thanks

 

[BRDof3]

We normally go to WDW in October for the F&W but we just found out that this year it will not work for us. We are thinking about checking out the Flower & Garden Festival next year for the first time. I need advice as to when is the best time to go to miss the crowds and also miss the heat since we do not have an air conditioner in our pop up.
Thanks

We went twice during the last week in April, first week in May. Perfect weather, low crowds since Spring Break is over, and a lot of fun. Grad Nights cut into Fri and Sat MK hours, but otherwise the perfect time to go.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Easter in 2011 is late- April 24th.

If you are used to October crowd levels, you don't want to be at WDW the week before or the week after Easter.

If it weren't for Easter, I would say go from mid to late April.

But, for 2011, I would say go the first week or two in May.

It will be warm, but I don't think it will be too hot. Probably not any more so than October. And, probably less humid.

Have fun.

TCD

 

[DL55]

We don't have AC for our pop up also. We have been to WDW in May but not at the Fort. I don't recall being too hot so we are going to be at the Fort the first two weeks of May. Maybe we'll see you there.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I should have mentioned that in recent history there have been big triathlon events scheduled at the Fort for the first two Sundays in May. These do disrupt things on the days they are conducted, but if you head out to the parks early, it'll all be over by the time you return in the afternoon/evening.

TCD

 

[DL55]

Thanks TCD- I'll make sure we get the heck out of Dodge (Fort) early on Sunday.

 

[Tina16]

Thanks for all of the feed back. I didn't realize that Easter would be that busy. I have a couple more questions if you don't mind.
How long does the Flower and Garden festival run into May? If I change my vacation to the first full week in May will I still catch it but miss the Easter crowds?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The weeks before and after Easter are typically among the most crowded of the entire year. Any time kids are out of school, count on WDW to be busy. Easter remains a very busy time even though most Florida public schools no longer schedule Spring Break to coincide with Easter. Enough schools in Florida and other places do to make Easter a very busy time.

It looks like in 2011 the Flower and Garden Festival runs from March 2 to May 15.

So, yes, you would be able to catch the F&G and miss the Eater crowds by planning for the first couple of weeks in May.

The only bad thing I will mention is that I have found the displays at the F&G Festival to start looking a little run-down by the time May rolls around. By this time, the flowers have about had it with the heat, and things don't look quite as nice as they do in late March/early April. I am not saying things look bad, but you can tell that it is time for the festival to end.

Is there any chance you can go in late March or early April? That would be a better time both weather-wise and F&G wise.

TCD

 

[Tina16]

We are really open to went ever to go but what about the spring breakers durning March/April?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

We are really open to went ever to go but what about the spring breakers durning March/April?

For the past few years, spring break for my DD's has been the last week of March. We did not go in 2010, but we visited the Fort for that week in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

I didn't find the crowds to be bad.

And, it is definitely cooler then than it will be in May.

May is nice, but if I had a choice, I would go with late March/early April.

TCD