Best time to go in 2020 for two weeks - can't do September

[maxiv]

Hey guys,

my girlfriend and I are planning a trip to WDW for 2 weeks in 2020. We're flying in from Germany and originally wanted to go in September, but due to job reasons, we now probably can't do September.
A possible alternative would be mid-end August, or after mid-October.

We originally loved September because of lower crowds, cooler weather, Food & Wine and possibly MNSSHP.

Now, looking at August, I'm fearing huge crowds, high prices or hot weather.
What do you think? Prove me wrong!

 

[Rowlf the Dog]

Hey fellow countryman,

I never was in August, because of the temperatures. From my experiences I can recommend end of February and early March and the first 2-3 weeks of December. This year I'm going from end of October til Mid-November, to catch Halloween as well as Christmas and Food & Wine.

 

[glocon]

We’ve been in early August the past two years, not mid August. The weather is seriously hot and humid... and it’s hurricane season. I do not think we would go back then unless it was the last only option. Crowds were predicted to be lower but it seemed very busy to me. October is a busy season too with the Halloween party. I would try early in the year before spring breaks start.

 

[Leigh L]

You're not wrong with your thoughts about August weather! We just did a summer trip for the first time mid to end of August. It rained every day like clockwork and it was hot/humid. If you do decide Aug, definitely plan to pack lightweight ponchos and beach footwear, some of those short storms dropped a LOT of rain. Ours got a lot of use .

Crowds were way better at end of August than they were the third week of February in 2018 though (U.S. President's week). We were able to do everything in Aug. we wanted and more, including MNSSHP for the first time, which was awesome!

It's been a while (2011) but weather in the first week of November was great. Back then we caught the end of the Food & Wine and, while we missed MNSSHP, it's fun to watch MK transform from Halloween to Christmas. Any other time we've visited WDW has been in January or February. Weather is pretty decent at those times. Not sure about current crowds.

Agree that hurricane season is also something to consider. I worried about that for August and was checking constantly in the week leading up to our trip.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Just want to say that September is not “cooler weather” by any stretch in Florida. It is still summer weather with temps routinely in the 90s (Fahrenheit), high humidity, near daily summer storms, and is prime hurricane season. As far as weather, it’s pretty much a toss up between August and September.

October will be somewhat cooler, but far more crowded. Both August and October will have MNSSHP, either to attend or work around, depending on your perspective. Late August is your best bet if lower crowds are important to you, as most US schools start then, but the weather will be a challenge.

If you’re looking for cooler (but still warm) weather, you might want to push the trip to November (avoid US Thanksgiving week) or early December.

 

[tzeitel]

I agree with ClapYourHands - Sept is as hot and humid as August. October used to be a great month to go but last 6-7 years it has been getting worse and worse. With F&W and Halloween it is now a very popular time to go - but I would go anyway for F&W.

Avoid the big holidays (even some minor ones). Early Nov, early Dec, late Jan, Feb are good times to go. By March you have to be careful because of Spring Break. We went in April one year and the Spring Break crowds did not bother me since the weather was perfect - sunny and cool. I walked around wearing a denim jacket during the day! I really did not think the crowds were bad at all during that trip.

 

[kwdw]

Of your two choices - I would pick after mid-October. Weather will be great - and with two weeks - you'll have time to get everything in. Yes - it seems like crowds are a tad lower late August/September - but man - that weather is HOT and HUMID. For a trip that long - you are going to have plenty of time to do a LOT - and because you don't have to squeeze in all the "big line" rides into just a couple days - you should be able to avoid the crowds. And as a couple - I think you'll enjoy F&W - and the Halloween party.

 

[GovieMom]

The other posters are correct in that September is sweltering, and the weather can stay hot and humid through a good bit of October as well. I've found the month of November to have the best weather overall, which is what I recommend.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

First two weeks of November is what I would choose in your shoes.

 

[DisneyandBeerLover]

First two weeks of November is what I would choose in your shoes.

Same.

I would also say February or early March but you're too late dining wise idk if that's a factor for you.

 

[maxiv]

Thanks sooooo much for your input guys, especially so quickly!

I'll check in with my GF, but to me early November and early December 2020 sound really great!
Spring 2020 isn't possible since a) we won't have the $$$ by then and b) we're huge foodies and want to try all the new great restaurants (Boathouse, Morimoto, Sanaa, Jiko, Cali Grill, Tiffins, etc.) so reservations are a necessity.

We were planning to stay at the cheaper DVC Deluxe options via DVC rental, but I recently learned that those cheaper rooms are rarely available to renters, so we're likely going to look at Value (AoA or Pop) or Moderate....it's just hard for us to justify spending more than $200 per room per night, so we're not sure yet what to do here.

Dining plan might be an option, but it seems really hard for me to figure out which option might be best, and I have come to think that just paying out of pocket and taking advantage of hotel discounts might be better for us.

Can you recommend a Disney travel agency that specializes in getting the best deals for Europeans? Apparently there are quite some good deals available for Europeans.

 

[Rowlf the Dog]

Can you recommend a Disney travel agency that specializes in getting the best deals for Europeans? Apparently there are quite some good deals available for Europeans.

I always was better with booking all myself, package via the UK-site (or the Irish site because of BREXIT) or hotel via third party and UK-ticket. There are agencies in the UK, who offer Disney vacations but there are not so called "Authorized Disney Travel Agents" in Europe, as far as I know. Don't know if the UK agents are still possible for us after BREXIT...
If you need help or advice, PM me, perhaps I can help you with a few things.

Kind regards from Berlin ;-)

 

[CynBeth]

I would go the beginning of December to experience the holiday stuff.

 

[gharter]

We love mid October. Its still busy, but not crazy. MNSSHP is going on if you want to do that.
My personal favorite is end of November and early December. You get some of the fall decorations as well as all the Christmas decorations. And the Christmas shows. Cooler weather. While not as quiet as before, forst week of December is still quieter.