Best time to go-March thru early August and need budget advice

[ksumn1]

Almost have DH convinced to go back to WDW next year-after we see how much our tax return is yada, yada, yada. I already have a budget I've been planning our next trip since we came back in Aug 2001. Our budget will be about $3000 for 2 adults, 1 child, driving from GA, so no airfare.
Food costs come to $675 (deliberaltely planned for breakfast, lunch, snack AND dinner so I'd have a nice cushion, just in case) 2 adult, 1 child 4 day PH around $570
Souveniers will be a t-shirt apeice, some postcards for DD's collection, and some magnets. Probably $150-$200.
Resort-we want to stay at POFQ if we can swing it. If not, a Value resort will be OK too, but my DH really liked POFQ. So, if we go during regular season around $850-$900 for a moderate, IF no codes come out.
So total estimated cost $2345, going with the higher figures, not including gas or expenses on the way down and back.

Now, I need advice on the best time to go, because I need to figure what season it is to do my final budget. We'd like to go when it's not totally packed. The only other time we went was late August before Labor Day. Hot, but the crowds were minimal.
And how does my budget sound? Of corse, the cheaper the happier my DH will be. I've been begging, pleading, nagging, dropping hints for the last 6 month....and I'm sooooo close now. I want to keep him happy, but also have a nice trip, too.

Thanks so much, ya'll

 

[Debi]

Early May is a great time to visit. Crowds are light, weather is great, and the Flower and Garden Festival is going on in Epcot. It's a great time to visit!

 

[Amirah95]

^5 on the early May suggestion from Debi!

 

[old lost boy]

Another early May vote. Rates are lower, it's not rainy season and while it is plenty warm enough for the pool it isn't blazing hot with 100% humidity.

 

[ksumn1]

So it looks like the date will be early May by the majority, as ling as I can get the OK from DD's school. If not, we'll work something out. Anyway, I have 2 final budgets that allow a little room to fudge-but not much. 6 nights , 5 day PHP's, food, and souveneirs with a Value resort-$2150, the same, but at a moderate $2500. This is if we go in regular season, with no discount codes. I think DH will pick Pop, but I really want to do POFQ. How do I convince him it's worth the extra $$, or should we compromise and do 2 days at POFQ and 4 at Pop?

 

[LMC]

If you can't go in early May, then go right when school gets out at the end of May. From what I have read the crowds don't pick up until after the 1st week of June. We went at the end of May this year and LOVED IT!!!

 

[luvthatduke]

Just a heads up w/advice I rec'd:
I'm going, too, the first 2 weeks of May 2005,
and the kickoff for DisneyLAND's 50th
anniversary will be that week (5/5/05).
Just be sure to remember that this year,
even tho it's a year-long celebration throughout
the Land and the World, there may be bumps
in attendance...
The World is premiering a few new attractions,
but no one is sure if it will be the
week of/ weekend after the 5th, or not.
So, we're going w/ open minds that this year
may not reflect what May is usually like,
and we may be pleasantly surprised to find
nothing out of the ordinary!
Just wanted to let you know what I'd been told...
Have a wonderful time!

Edited to add - Right after I posted I found this accidentally on the Resorts board (moved to Theme Park Strategies):
"I've been to Star Wars Weekends a few times and it's been fairly busy to very busy (depending upon the weekend schedule of events). Next May is when Star Wars III comes out, so I suspect that SW Weekends will be crazy."
I checked out a link & these weekends were Fri, Sat, Sun
Mid-May thru Mid-June, 2004 at MGM.