best time of the year to go??

[tracyjane]

hi all
ive been twice in march, a very busy time, when is the best time to go? crowd wise! weather wise! I do love the heat but not the stickiness and humidity what comes with it ...............

 

[Miffy2003]

That's an interesting question!

Are you restricted by school holidays or work commitments at all?

I tend to go in August which is very hot and humid but the crowds are low in the last couple of weeks. It's a compromise I guess. I like the sunshine but it means my DDs are back in time for the school term.

I think if I could choose any time I might go for october, but I have not personally been at this time of year.

I have been in August, September & December so can tell you about those!

 

[Soprano]

Was it mid-late March you went? I presume so as you mention it being so busy so it could have clashed with Spring Break.

I have been Late Jan and early Feb. Both times have been very, very quiet, easy to get on busy rides. It was never too cold and very dry.

Mornings and evenings were cool days were very warm. May was warm, busier, but it rained almost every day for long periods, rather than the short showers Folrida gets. So I wouldn't travel then.

I like going early in the year, just after Christmas debt is cleared

 

[jen_uk]

Ive always been in November and its fantastic then! Its VERY quiet (apart from Thanksgiving), the rides are a walk on. The weather then is hot but not too hot, its just nice, you might need a jumper in the evening but thats it.

 

[k-herm]

We went this October and would definitely do the same again. Previously we had been in April, and while it was fine weather-wise, the crowds were too much. October was quieter and the weather was great - high 80s, hardly any rain. We did, however, leave on the day that another severe weather system was arriving and pitied those who were just starting their holiday.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I would say for a good combination of nice weather and low crowds October through to early November would be ideal. Avoid Thanksgiving week.

In addition late April, following Easter, through to the end of May also provides a good combination of nice weather and low crowds.

If you are not restricted to school holidays either of the above is your best bet.

Going February/March you run the risk of the weather being very unpredictable, we went for 2 weeks in March this year, quite often it was very cool indeed in the mornings - actually ruined our day at Discovery Cove, when the water was freezing cold.

Unfortunatley we have to go in August when it is too hot really, although the crowds are not too bad from mid-August onwards, the main downside of the summer is the inflated fly-drive prices. We try and make the most of it by going for 3 weeks.

Avoid July at all costs.

 

[gilld]

We tried September this year for the first time. It suited us very well as it was still really hot but much less humid than August. We waited once for 10 minutes but other than that it was a walk on for everything.

 

[carolfoy]

October for me, I went November this year and it was way colder than october last year although a lot more stuff was open and it was nice and xmassy with the lights etc.

 

[kristieuk]

Another vote for October or November. October is sometimes a little more expensive, but the chances of good weather is probably better than November. The parks are quiet during these months, save for half term in October and Thanksgiving in late November.

This year the Christmas decorations were up by mid November, and the weather was still in the 80's when we were in Orlando around the 12th - 14th. Some years we've been around the same time, and the temperature was a lot cooler in Orlando. Hope that helps!

 

[gilld]

Another vote for October or November. October is sometimes a little more expensive, but the chances of good weather is probably better than November. The parks are quiet during these months, save for half term in October and Thanksgiving in late November.

It's worth remembering that it can be very busy during the Food and Wine Festival - October to November.

 

[disneyholic family]

we used to go a lot in early december (when the kids were little), then for about the past 10 years, we've gone for 3 weeks every july.
but this year, in addition to the July trip, my daughter and i were able to go again in mid-August and then again in mid-September...

well....i'm a convert......September was WONDERFUL.....if you can manage September (we never could before, because of school) it's really a great time to be at WDW....
there were no crowds at all.....the parks seemed deserted in comparison to July.....and the weather was great....while it was hot, it was much much much more pleasant than the hellish heat of July....and there was much less rain as well.....

so my vote would have to go for September - no crowds and it's still nice and hot.....

 

[widget]

Can I sneak in here and slightly redirect the conversation? For those who have children in school and do not want to take them out, which would be the best time to go? I was considering September in 2 years time but if my son remains at school after his 16th birthday he runs the risk of losing his place if he is absent from school for more than 3 days (school rule). So I was wondering which would be the best school break to plump for. Prefer hot but not flat on the floor after 5 steps heat; obviously not too crowded (30/40 mins max waiting time would be most I would like) and reasonably priced for onsite stay. Many thanks in advance

 

[Miffy2003]

Widget! Welcome home, how was your trip??

We like the last 2 weeks of August for the reasons above - it is VERY hot and humid but the crowds are small

 

[cazzie]

We went in April this year and then in September, the weather in April was hot but we did have a fair amount of rain whereas September we didn't have too much rain but it was too hot for me. We are hoping May will be warm but not as wet as April. I didn't find the crowds too bad either time they were what I would have expected.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

we used to go a lot in early december (when the kids were little), then for about the past 10 years, we've gone for 3 weeks every july.
but this year, in addition to the July trip, my daughter and i were able to go again in mid-August and then again in mid-September...

can you tell me if the parks close very early in september?i usually go in june and enjoy being able to stay there until 10 or 11pm.

 

[gilld]

No, they were open until around 10pm.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

thanks,june is always so hectic that we were thinking of going in september next time.

 

[SammieG]

BY FAR my favorite time to go in End of April beginning of May. hot dry weather.. the lovely flower and garden festival and low crowds...
Sadly we cant go then any more as my son is in school..

sigh... but I can dream of when he is 18!!

 

[disneyholic family]

can you tell me if the parks close very early in september?i usually go in june and enjoy being able to stay there until 10 or 11pm.

from what i remember, the closing times were as follows:
--MGM closed right after fantasmic....i think at about 9 or so...
--Epcot closed right after illuminations at 9:30, but the future world part of it closed at 7 PM...
--Animal Kingdom closed at about 5 or 6
--Magic Kingdom varied....some nights it was at 10....however on the two nights of the Night of Joy, it closed at 6 PM, so there were no fireworks or night parade (well there was, but only for those people with the special night of joy ticket)...

the Night of Joy is actually quite special.....you only need the special ticket to get in (not a regular ticket).....it's supposed to be from 7 to midnight, but they start letting people in at 4 PM....most everything in the park is open and they have music performances by famous performers all over the park....famous in the world of Christian music....but really great performers.....of all types (rock, gospel, country, etc)...if you plan on going, the first night was much less crowded than the second night this year......but on the other hand, the crowds sort of lend to the experience of it....in any case, whether you're interested in it or not, you should pay attention as to how it affects your visit (since if you don't go, you'll have to be out of the MK by 6 PM on that friday and saturday)...
but i recommend attending it if you're there...
really great people attend it....it truly is a night of joy....
i think it falls during the second week of september...

 

[Clare D]

Another vote for October. We visited this year from the 5-19th and spent 10 days in Naples, left just before the hurricane arrived. I found the crowds no problem at all, the weather was hot and humid and the evenings were still warm but the humidty wasn't there. The only rain we had was in the evening.
I have been in June - hot, hot, hot and rainy
August the same as June and very busy
December - first week was warm, t-shirt and shorts and you didn't need a jumper at night but the second week was freezing.
In 06 we are visiting in November.