Best Time of Year to Hit WDW?

[agsmith]

We have always gone in March because of my wife's spring break, and by March we are always ready to head south for a week (not to mention Spring Training at the World Wide of Sports Complex!!)

But this year we are looking to go when it is a bit warmer. In March, there are always a couple of chilly/rainy days, and the pool is usually too chilly to go in.

We also would like to do Christmas/New Years one year...I'd love to see the decorations and lights

Soooo, what is your favorite time to head to Disney and why?

 

[MARDUN]

We go every year in October. Love the Food and Wine, Halloween decorations, warm weather and smaller crowds.

 

[twooley2]

most people will disagree but I love summertime. Everything is in full kick, usually all rides are operating and all refurbishments are done and swimming is not a question of, if we should because of cold weather although with everything in full swing so is the heat

 

[chalee94]

We also would like to do Christmas/New Years one year...I'd love to see the decorations and lights

Soooo, what is your favorite time to head to Disney and why?

after thanksgiving but before the week of christmas...the decorations are amazing.

 

[agsmith]

after thanksgiving but before the week of christmas...the decorations are amazing.

We've thought abou that too but it's supposed to be COLD during christmastime

 

[agsmith]

most people will disagree but I love summertime. Everything is in full kick, usually all rides are operating and all refurbishments are done and swimming is not a question of, if we should because of cold weather although with everything in full swing so is the heat

How hot are we talking in like early june?? Thats when we are looking to go this year

 

[Simba's Mom]

We go every year in October. Love the Food and Wine, Halloween decorations, warm weather and smaller crowds.

Our opinion of the "best" time also. For us, the Food and Wine is our favorite event. Trying to figure a best if the F&W isn't a factor, I'd probably go with mid-September (as long as love bugs don't freak you out). We've never been in February, March, or July, but all the other months. I've been a few times in early December and I can see how that time might be good for someone who wants to see Christmas decorations/shows.

 

[chalee94]

We've thought abou that too but it's supposed to be COLD during christmastime

i went a couple of weeks ago and the first couple of days were in the mid-80s, then it cooled down to the mid-60s.

it varies - and it's often too cold for swimming - but it's usually around the mid70s which is perfect for me...

 

[madthemouse]

We have been doing early May for the past 16 years and find that to be a great time. Moderate crowds, temps on the upper 80's low 90's, evening temps upper 60's to low 70's. It is also the Flower and Garden Festival. Great topiaries at Epcot. IMO, we enjoy this time of year.

 

[DisneyHotDog]

Hi I wouldn't recommend January or Febuary unless you don't mind 40 degree weather. The lines are short but the weather is cool

 

[katmittens]

We have gone twice in May, usually the week before Memorial Day and loved that time. September is also good, usually hot and not crowded, but the love bugs can annoy you. Once the decorations go up at Disney it is a wonderful time to visit. It may be too chilly to swim, but you should go at least once to see Disney at Christmas. The only months we have not gone to Disney in is February, April, and August. This year DH and I are going in February.

 

[eva]

We have been doing early May for the past 16 years and find that to be a great time. Moderate crowds, temps on the upper 80's low 90's, evening temps upper 60's to low 70's. It is also the Flower and Garden Festival. Great topiaries at Epcot. IMO, we enjoy this time of year.

Totally agree! The first two weeks of May are our favorite. The temps are usually in the mid to upper 80's and the humidity is still lower than the summertime. Another benefit is that you haven't hit the rainy season. Our last two trips the first part of May had absolutely no rain. Occasionally you will hit a bit of heat in the lower 90's, but upper 80's is more the norm. And the crowds are pretty low this time of year too. Not many want to take their kids out of school just a couple weeks before the end of school. Benefit of being empty nesters!

When we had the girls at home and they were in school we used to take them the last week of May and the first week of June. It is amazing how much difference three or four weeks make. During that time period it normally rains quite a bit and the temperatures can really soar. One year the highs were never under 98 degrees. And it is much more crowded. Although, the first part of the week in May isn't that bad. But by Thursday or Friday before Memorial Day the lines start getting long.

October is nice too. We went the first week of the Food and Wine Festival two years ago and had a very good time. The temps were great and very little rain. But the love bugs were nearly intolerable. They were everywhere. Every time I would sit down food or drink I would find love bugs in it. If you go this time of year, be sure to brush off any bench or seat before you sit. I ruined a great pair of white shorts by sitting on a bunch of the little buggers.

If swimming is really important to you, I would skip from mid-November to the end of March. The weather is really unpredictable during those months. We went the first week of December a number of years ago and had a fabulous time. It was sunny and the temps were in the 80's every day. We had such a great time that we decided to take the whole family the following year the week of Thanksgiving. The whole week it was cold and rainy. The temps never got over 65 degrees. We had to buy more sweatshirts and gloves.

 

[rcchello]

Jan - Early March - Not crowded - walk on all the rides. Way warmer than NJ.

Summer - Open Late - Parks first thing, back to the pool, Parks in the Evening - Open til Midnight.

Fall - Concert Series, Food and Wine

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas - The decorations Lighter Crowds.

Holidays - The Excitment.

I am not sure there is a bad season, its better in Disneyworld.

 

[Mtnman44]

I've been in Dec, Jan, March, and July. Dec/Jan is by far our favorite time, weather wise. Our experience has been 50's to 80's, with the average daytime in the 70's. I don't consider 50's to be cold or uncomfortable. It is waaaay better than July, plus I don't have to lug around a bunch of water. The downside is the shorter park hours and more ride closures.

No matter what month, we've always had a serious rain day at least once per trip.

P.S. I just went back and checked our Dec 08 pictures just to make sure. I see that we are wearing T shirts day and night and even got wet on water rides. I know we also went swimming several evenings. I know that weather can fluctuate, but I'd say in general it is NOT very cold in Florida, even in Dec/Jan. It was below 30 degreees this morning where I live and I had to fight my kid to take his coat to school, so that should give you some idea of my perspective.

 

[eva]

I think that you are going to get varying answers for December and most of the winter months. Weather.com has Orlando's average high at 73 degrees and the average low at 53 degrees for December. I'm probably a sissy, but that is probably too cold for me to swim much. They just went through a major cold spell where the highs were in the 50's. Yikes! I've had warmer weather than that here in Illinois in the middle of winter. Unfortuantely, you are taking a risk on the weather if you go during the winter. I know you are taking a risk of bad weather anytime, but I think you have a greater chance of cold weather in the winter.

 

[OhioDVC]

With the kids grown, we like Sept and Oct

 

[Mtnman44]

LOL

....... but I think you have a greater chance of cold weather in the winter.

 

[a742246]

If you are from Vermont then anytime between Nov -April.

 

[IllumFan]

My absolute favorite time is October. The weather is warm, but not hot, the crowds are lighter, and Epcot's Food and Wine festival rocks.

If we can't travel in October, I usually plan a trip at the beginning of May when guests can catch the end of the Flower and Garden Festival. You just have to watch for Grad Nights since a park usually closes early.

The first week in December is my favorite time to see the Christmas decorations.

And last but not least, it's always a great time to visit Disney!

 

[palaemon]

I'd probably go with mid-September (as long as love bugs don't freak you out).

October is nice too. We went the first week of the Food and Wine Festival two years ago and had a very good time. The temps were great and very little rain. But the love bugs were nearly intolerable. They were everywhere. Every time I would sit down food or drink I would find love bugs in it. If you go this time of year, be sure to brush off any bench or seat before you sit. I ruined a great pair of white shorts by sitting on a bunch of the little buggers..

Now, I was in WDW & Longboat Key May 2007 and they covered everything in LBK. There were some in WDW, but it was crazy in LBK.

So, what other months are we plagued by love bugs? (May, Sept, Oct, I think I read Nov...)