Best month to go?

[Albertan mom]

We are planning a trip and are having a terrible time trying to decide when to go!

Can you tell me, from personal experience when the best/worst times are to go?

We were thinking of end of Aug/Beginning of Sept. Now with free dining, is it going to be really busy? And is it really, really, unbearably hot?

What about October? Is it busy? Hot? What is made to be Halloweenish?

December? Can you still do the waterparks? Are they both open? Is it busy?

Does the 50th celebration end Sept 30th or Nov 30th? Is it better to go and 'catch' the celebration, or is it not really a big deal?

Thanks in advance for helping a confused WDW rookie!!!

 

[DISUNC]

My favorite time is the beginning of December. WDW is all decked out for Christmas, the daily temp is in the 70's and at night a bit cooler. Also, it's probably the least crowded.
Never did the water parks that time of year, but used the heated pools!

 

[YesYourMajesty]

We have been in April, August and October...next trip in May.

April is gorgeous...perfect weather, perfect everything.

August...HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT. Good Lord is it hot and HUMID. The only reason we survived it is because we took a lot of naps and ton of water. Plus, it gets very hot and humid in Nebraska in the summer, but it is way worse in Florida. It is quite unlikely we will return in August. It is not very well suited for being in parks 8-12 hours per day. (Did I mention it was hot?)

October is GREAT! Weather is not too hot, not too mild. Probably 87-88. Decent humidity...but its Florida, so you have to expect that. MNSSHP is FABULOUS! WE LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT. Great fun and kids would think it was awesome. If you have kids, you have to take them to this. It is such a blast. MNSSHP is so much fun - MK is decorated in Halloween/Fall theme. Characters everywhere, everyone is costume. People are so creative with their costumes. It was just a wonderful time.

I almost forgot...Food and Wine Festival is going on at Epcot and that is great. Especially if you are a foodie....which I am. My husband had a great time doing wine tasting, we did a free beer seminar. It was wonderful. Cant wait to go in October again. Maybe 07.

 

[daretodream]

We went last year in September during free dining and absolutely loved it! Didn'dt wait for anything. Although December is just beautiful to see Disney. Enjoy

 

[Albertan mom]

The food and wine festival---is that at Epcot only?
What exactly does it entail? We don't drink, but what happens with the food? Is it like free samples, or pay by sample, or showing how to make foods, or what?

My kids are 8 and 11. So they would enjoy MNSSHP, but not as much as younger children probably.

Any other tips?