August,September,October,November,December -- which would you choose and why?? HELP

[DISNEYmooner2008]

DF and I are honeymooning January 2008 at AKL and are already planning another trip for 2009. We are taking my mom and dad along with us as well. We know we want to stay towards the end of the year (august-december), but would love some recommendations as to which month is best in your opinion. We want to go when it's still warm enough for waterparks, but maybe not SWELTERING hot. Also would love to go when there are generally discounts available. Thanks for any help you can provide!!!

 

[DeterminedOne]

End of Oct to early Nov - not too hot but you can still swim, low crowds depending on the week you choose, Christmas decorations (early Nov). I have gone during those times and it was great. August & September are sweltering hot. JMO

 

[redmonster]

There are several things to look at when choosing the month to go. Due to the free dining plan being offered September is quite busy and still fairly warm. If we can, we always add a trip during this time to take advantage of the free dining, because the (+) out weigh the (-), and not just our pant sizes You can catch the Not So Scary Halloween Party during this time if you plan ahead. Otherwise you run into the Epcot Food and Wine Fest which is another excuse to make a trip to Disney. If you want to you can still do the Not So Scary Party. November was a good time to go up until Thanksgiving week it got busier as it got closer but it is great to see Christmas decorations and if you time this right to catch the Osborn Lights. Do to work restrictions we have never gone in December but I understand right after Thanksgiving to the week of Christmas is least busy. For us taking advantage of the free dining which is what we did with my parents this year is the best bet. We love to eat our room cost for free. Anytime you go will be a great time...
Red

 

[Bloomingbeauti]

November, no more hot miserable days, I suppose Oct is nice to but Sept is hot! Dec good up til like the 20th then busy busy

 

[D&DDisney]

Late October - lower crowds during week, nice warm weather, free diners are gone, and plenty of discounts come out for this time.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Late October - lower crowds during week, nice warm weather, free diners are gone, and plenty of discounts come out for this time.

So the weather will still be very warm?? Warm enough for DF (will be DH as of then ) to enjoy the water parks?? Also, even though the end of October is Halloween and MNSSHP is promoted so much, the crowds will still be low??

 

[D&DDisney]

Yes - the temps are usually around 78 and sunny. It was also pretty humid this year. We've even hit the waterparks on visits in Nov. You should be fine.
The crowds are very manageable on the weekdays. The parks are not empty by no means, but reasonable. (low wait times for rides)

 

[ellyn2000]

Sept. could mean free dining and lower attendance if the trend holds out. First week of Nov. is usually very nice weather, low crowd attendance, food & wine festival and it's value season. Either of these would be nice for adults only trip. I'm going Sept. for the first time next year and am looking forward to it.

 

[Twitterpated Dad]

There are several things to look at when choosing the month to go. Due to the free dining plan being offered September is quite busy and still fairly warm. If we can, we always add a trip during this time to take advantage of the free dining, because the (+) out weigh the (-), and not just our pant sizes You can catch the Not So Scary Halloween Party during this time if you plan ahead. Otherwise you run into the Epcot Food and Wine Fest which is another excuse to make a trip to Disney. If you want to you can still do the Not So Scary Party. November was a good time to go up until Thanksgiving week it got busier as it got closer but it is great to see Christmas decorations and if you time this right to catch the Osborn Lights. Do to work restrictions we have never gone in December but I understand right after Thanksgiving to the week of Christmas is least busy. For us taking advantage of the free dining which is what we did with my parents this year is the best bet. We love to eat our room cost for free. Anytime you go will be a great time...
Red

Free dining has been available in late August too. It's a little busier. See the Unofficial Guide.

We've gone to water parks in December and January. You might want to take a rash guard, summer suit or just a vest. It's the air that's cold, not the water.

My personal favorite time is the first two weeks of December. I love a Disney Christmas.

 

[rk5798]

I would always say December. This will be our 4th time going between Christmas and New Year's and we love it. The only thing I would do different if we could(we are teachers, so on teacher schedules)is go in the beginning of December to avoid the crowds. It is so great going and experiencing Disney at Christmas and while you can go in November and experience it with all the decorations up(they put them up early) it is more fun to go after Thanksgiving to get the real feel of the holiday spirit. I am one of those people that gets driven nuts by all the Christmas commercials that are on before Thanksgiving. Anyway, that gets my vote. I have never been but I have heard that October is fun if you are into Halloween but it may be more fun if you have kids. I don't know. We also love going in December b/c the weather is so much more manageable and cooler than in the summer. When we have been in the summer, so many days I would rather just sit by the pool than go walk around a park and sweat. I know we will go again sometime in the summer but in my opinion, the winter(December) is my favorite time to go!

 

[Rochmom]

We're about to leave on our second trip at this time of year. We're going the last few days of November, first few days of December.

Here's why we loved it: the rates for both airfare and resort were fantastic, the crowds were very small (what crowds?, actually), the Christmas decorations were gorgeous and the place was very cheerful, and the weather was absolutely perfect! You get all of the special events available for the holidays without the holiday rates or crowds.

That being said, we did not spend much time in the water. The kids went in the resort pool a few times (heated), but we did not attempt the water parks. But not having to buy the Ultimate Park Hopper pass saved us money on the park tickets. So if you want water, you should go earlier. But that's the only real drawback we noticed.

 

[wiggles02]

I would choose October. We have been a few times in October, both beginning and end. I think beginning was less crowded but hot. Late October was more crowded but the weather was better.

 

[AARCLUKSCH]

The first couple of days are busy, but we schedule lightly then. But after that, it is smooth sailing. You cannot beat Disney to get you in the Holiday Spirit. The Osbourne lights are spectacular & Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party is something you have to try at least once. We have gone 4 x's this week & love it. As long as we can, we will continue to go this week (kids are getting bigger & missing school will become a major issue). We have swam this week & worn gloves some evenings. The weather is hit or miss. But it has never been bad enough to change our minds. I highly recommend it!

 

[disneybride96]

The first couple of days are busy, but we schedule lightly then. But after that, it is smooth sailing. You cannot beat Disney to get you in the Holiday Spirit.

The week after Thanksgiving was going to be my suggestion too!