April vs May 2017

[pf226]

Hi all! Looking for some advice about our next trip to WDW.

We went last time in July 2012 ... very hot and crowded, would not recommend! We always said for our next trip we were going to avoid times when it was hot AND crowded, because it was seriously so brutal.

My job sort of limits us to when we can go, so we're contemplating these two weeks:

#1) April 18th - April 25th
- Arriving day after Easter Monday
- Flower and garden festival
- Star Wars half marathon (S.O. is a huge Star Wars fan if that at all adds any benefit even though we won't be participating in the marathon)

#2) May 30th - June 6th
- Arriving day after Memorial Day
- Not much else going on that I know of
- Not sure when most kids in the U.S. are done school for the year, but I know it's around this time

Fully expecting both weeks to be busy in their own way, but just wanted to know what some more experienced travelers thought of our options. AKA which of the two weeks will most likely be less busy/we'll get more out of our time there.

We have the flexibility of moving our travel dates +/- 1 day, but while looking at flights it seems that flying on Tuesdays are significantly cheaper so far. Hotel wise, it was like a $50 difference between the two weeks.

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Accident]

#2 is right when locals end school. High school seniors normally gets out just before memorial day and the rest just after it. Also most states that start school in august also get out there so first week of june is when the spring crowds change to the even more packed summer crowds..

#1 can also be crowded with a lot of schools that get a week off around the country before or after easter. Also some cheerleader and band competitions generally going on at espn zone so values tend to be full and not just families staying in them.

I would go for #1 as the weather will just be starting to get humid and I love flower and garden (find it night and day better than food and wine food quality wise). Epcot is dressed to the nines for that event.

Something else to consider is avatar land will be opening in 2017 (I think it will be spring and disney will not let universal get their new "park" this summer without nothign from them) but there is a trade show happening in mid november where this land is a big part of the presentations and I'm expecting them to say when it should open. It's very possible if this is important to you that may might have it where april may not. it's also gong to bring in massive crowds so maybe going in april will be low crowd as people will start to move vacations that want to see this if they are just going to miss it and april will be very quiet.. either way, around nov 20th you should know what's going on with that new land to make an informed choice.

 

[pf226]

#2 is right when locals end school. High school seniors normally gets out just before memorial day and the rest just after it. Also most states that start school in august also get out there so first week of june is when the spring crowds change to the even more packed summer crowds..

#1 can also be crowded with a lot of schools that get a week off around the country before or after easter. Also some cheerleader and band competitions generally going on at espn zone so values tend to be full and not just families staying in them.

I would go for #1 as the weather will just be starting to get humid and I love flower and garden (find it night and day better than food and wine food quality wise). Epcot is dressed to the nines for that event.

Something else to consider is avatar land will be opening in 2017 (I think it will be spring and disney will not let universal get their new "park" this summer without nothign from them) but there is a trade show happening in mid november where this land is a big part of the presentations and I'm expecting them to say when it should open. It's very possible if this is important to you that may might have it where april may not. it's also gong to bring in massive crowds so maybe going in april will be low crowd as people will start to move vacations that want to see this if they are just going to miss it and april will be very quiet.. either way, around nov 20th you should know what's going on with that new land to make an informed choice.

Thank you for your reply! That gave us a lot to think about. I don't think planning our trip around Avatar land is something that's important to either of us, but if it just so happens that it's open when we get there, then great! But I agree, I'm sure the crowds will definitely be increased because of it.

 

[Accident]

Thank you for your reply! That gave us a lot to think about. I don't think planning our trip around Avatar land is something that's important to either of us, but if it just so happens that it's open when we get there, then great! But I agree, I'm sure the crowds will definitely be increased because of it.

Yeah, I'm expecting the next 5ish or so years to be really really bad. avatar next year (2017), toy story looks to be the year after(2018), star wars the year(2019) after which I assume wil lnot be just 1 year of crowds and that brings us to 2021 when it's the 50th and they are already teasing that more big unannounced things are coming to be completed for it. This is not even considering that universal this year acquired 400 more acres and they will probably build at least 1 more park and really expand which generally means disney will also respond in kind with a 5th park like they did when HS was rushed to open before them.

It's about to be really exciting but stoopid crowded around here.

 

[10MoreMinutes]

My last trip was the end of May and it was already really hot (highs in the 90s) and humid, so if you're wanting to avoid that, I'd go with option #1.

 

[klmall]

I've been both of the weeks you mentioned and hated the spring crowds of April. Some school systems have their spring breaks running the week after Easter.

I have been at WDW the first week of June and it was very comfortable; crowds were moderate and the heat very tolerable. I would choose the early June week avoiding Memorial Day.

Also, many school systems in the east are actually still in school through mid-June. Virginia for example has a state law forbidding school start until after Labor Day pushing school until early June or longer if snow days run over alloted number.

 

[HopperFan]

#2
There is also a non-Disney event that will not impact
other than each designated park day may be more crowded,
especially Magic Kingdom day since on a Saturday.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-gay-days.htm

 

[pf226]

#2
There is also a non-Disney event that will not impact
other than each designated park day may be more crowded,
especially Magic Kingdom day since on a Saturday.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-gay-days.htm

Yes I remember hearing about that on the podcast I believe. Thanks for reminding me!