April vs. October

[maiapapaya]

We are just in the beginning stages of planning a trip. Our kids will be 7 and 5 when we travel. We are debating when to go. Would you recommend April or October? Why?

 

[SIMMSMOUSE]

We went in April 07 during spring break. Parks were packed. We went in Sept of 08 and it was great. Hot and humid with a chance of hurricanes but crowds were sooo much better. I would vote for Oct because anytime kids are in school the crowds are better.

 

[maiapapaya]

We were thinking late April/early May, after spring breaks would be over.

 

[DonaldsDaisy]

I would go April/May anytime over September.

We have gone the last 2 Septembers(07 & 08) because of free dining. After last year we would never go in September again. It was just too too hot and crowded. We have gone a few times in late April or early May and the weather has always been nice. I have never found the crowds to be all that bad in April/May either.

 

[MJAJmom]

Last year we went in both April and October and I enjoyed both of them.

April - We went from 4/28-5/2. I picked the last week to avoid the spring break crowds. The weather was sunny and beautiful. Shorts and tshirts all day/night. Wore a light jacket one morning at early EMHs. We swam each day. Crowds were light, probably a 4-5 each day. Unfortunately there was no Pirate and Princess parties the 5 days we were there. I would have liked to attend the party.

October - We went the 3rd week from 10/19-25. We avoided the week with columbus day, again to avoid crowds. The weather was great, shorts and tshirts, a light jacket one morning and one night. We went to MNSSHP on 2 nights and loved all the halloween decorations at MK. It did rain 1.5 days. Crowds were manageable, about a 5 level.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for the input. We are leaning towards April/May over October, but were worried that it might be more crowded.

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

I'd take October over April/May. October/November are my favorite times of the year - mild weather - not cold, not deathly hot haha - and the crowds seem better in October/November - plus you can always hit up the Halloween party

 

[puffkin]

October can be hit or miss with the crowds, but it is my favorite time to go. The weather is perfect and the decorations are neat. I love MNSSHP and F&W.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'd say April/May. I've been in May twice and loved it! (And we're going in April this year.) If I booked a trip for October, I would spend WAY too much time worrying about everything getting cancelled by a hurricane.

 

[tink_lover]

Last year we traveled both in April and October. Our April trip was spring break time and the parks were really, really crowded. The weather was beautiful - the nights cool and it rained once (P&PP night). We prefer October. The weather was very similar, but the parks were nowhere near as crowded.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Last year we went in both April and October and I enjoyed both of them.

April - We went from 4/28-5/2. I picked the last week to avoid the spring break crowds. The weather was sunny and beautiful. Shorts and tshirts all day/night. Wore a light jacket one morning at early EMHs. We swam each day. Crowds were light, probably a 4-5 each day. Unfortunately there was no Pirate and Princess parties the 5 days we were there. I would have liked to attend the party.

October - We went the 3rd week from 10/19-25. We avoided the week with columbus day, again to avoid crowds. The weather was great, shorts and tshirts, a light jacket one morning and one night. We went to MNSSHP on 2 nights and loved all the halloween decorations at MK. It did rain 1.5 days. Crowds were manageable, about a 5 level.

You're mistaken about the Pirate and Princess. We went 4/30-5/7 and there were about 3 parties during that week. We attended the party on 5/2. But I agree about the weather and crowds - absolutely fabulous on both fronts!

 

[Fall1]

We've been in October 3 times and LOVE it. The weather is great, crowds are busy but not packed!! I love it.

Go in October!

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

We are just in the beginning stages of planning a trip. Our kids will be 7 and 5 when we travel. We are debating when to go. Would you recommend April or October? Why?

In the last two years, I have been in both April (22-28) and October (first three weeks.)

I strongly prefer October. The week of April 22 was crowded and busy when compared to October.

My kids were the same age as your kids. They are a great age to enjoy/participate in the seasonal activities. If you do choose to go in April, I admit that my kids loved the EPCOT flower & garden festival. They were really into the topiaries and butterfly garden. In October, my kids love the Halloween themes all over the park - especially the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. (It's the BEST!)

October is definitely the best month to go in terms of crowds and weather.

 

[MJAJmom]

You're mistaken about the Pirate and Princess. We went 4/30-5/7 and there were about 3 parties during that week. We attended the party on 5/2. But I agree about the weather and crowds - absolutely fabulous on both fronts!

Not sure why, but MK did not have a midweek P&P party that week. They held one on 4/23, then skipped right to 5/2. Our plane left at lunchtime on 5/2 so we couldn't make it. Glad you had a great time, some day we'll attend if they decide to continue this party in 2010. The weather in late April is fabulous and the crowds are easy.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

late April/early May you can run into Grad nights. MK is closed off early (forget how early) for a "private" party for the graduates.

We were there 3rd week of April this year, but I seem to recall it was similar when we went 1st week of May a couple years ago.

 

[Denine]

That is a hard question. We usually go in both April/May and October every year. Those are our 2 favorite times to go.

April has the flower festival and October has the food and wine festival.

Weather is gorgeous both times.