Best time to go?

[sweetcanadian]

I did a search on this but it kinda became overwhelming.

We just got back from our first trip to wdw & for various reasons it sucked.

I would like to go back the year my son graduates high school with my husbands sister who loves Mickey. Our boys are the same age.

We would stay offsite so none of the perks make a difference.

What is the best time to go weather wise & crowd wise?

Being from canada i can handle colder temps.

 

[magicaldisney]

If weather isn't an issue for you, then you might want to consider January. The crowds are lower (if that's what the problem was). However, when you go during that time of year, park hours are shorter.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't have a good time on your trip, but if you let us know what you didn't like, we can help you find a better time for you to visit WDW.

 

[Metro West]

January is good weather wise (most of the time) and crowds are generally lighter. But remember...the tour groups from South America usually start taking their breaks around January/February and they cause kaos at the parks.

 

[alorac]

I went in January 2010 and it was a blast. Lines were short for absolutely everything (except Toy Story Mania... but grab a fast pass early and go do everything else in the meantime)

The only downside is that you may not have very good waterpark weather... so if thats something you are interested in it may be a bummer. Also, rides like Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain arent nearly as fun knowing you're gonna be cold afterwards.

 

[peoplesayatdis]

January-February is the best time to go

 

[LisaTC]

Sorry you didn't have a good trip Let's help you have a better one the next time! We went in October and it was glorious. Not too hot. We were there during F&W. It was about the 3rd week of October. Our arrival/departure dates were Saturdays. We managed well. We didn't go to Epcot on the weekends because of F&W. We used touringplans.com for crowd calendars and it was helpful. Staying onsite was a must for us and actually for the week for the 3 of us w/dining & park hoppers the cost was really reasonable. More than we'd have paid if we went to the beach, but that's only because we drive to the beach and we had to Fly to WDW. So, I'd vote October. I thought the crowds were very manageable. We went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSP) and have the BEST time. Walked on every ride.

 

[Bellestreak]

So I have been in January, May, Sept, and November. Overall I liked Nov best, for weather and light to moderate crowds (went near the beginning). I liked January, but it's not just the short hours, it's the many ride closures too. It was cold (Im Canadian too), but that wouldnt stop me, I think it may have been unusally cold that year. Sept has great crowds, but it's really hot. I thought Nov was nice middle ground.

 

[sweetcanadian]

November may be a possibility too. The rain sucked, we had 1 hot day out of the 10 we were there. It rained way too much because of the tropical storm which of course made it way more humid.

We have went to the waterparks already so that's not such a big deal.

It was also very crowded, for one of the "value" times of the year & florida kids being back in school there were still many ppl, a ton from the uk, not sure when they have school as this is winter there.

 

[BrerNate]

My wife and I generally go the last week in August, just before Labor Day, and we have always had great luck with crowds and weather. We were just there this year at the end of August and even though Isaac was bearing down on Florida, we only really had a half of a day rained out. That being said, I see that you just returned from a trip, so maybe this time isn't as good for you as it is for us.

 

[sweetcanadian]

My wife and I generally go the last week in August, just before Labor Day, and we have always had great luck with crowds and weather. We were just there this year at the end of August and even though Isaac was bearing down on Florida, we only really had a half of a day rained out. That being said, I see that you just returned from a trip, so maybe this time isn't as good for you as it is for us.

I don't know how you had a completely different experience than us.

The only really nice day we had thursday but the monday & tuesday before that weren't too bad. Friday the 24th the weather sucked, saturday it wasn't that good. Sunday it poured hard, monday it poured off & on all day, tuesday it poured off & on all day. That takes you right to the 29th & in that 5 days not 1 day was sunny. I come from a place where it is hot in the summer so no sun for 5 days sucked, it was depressing.

 

[BrerNate]

I'm surprised we had such differing experiences. We weren't too upset about a lack of sun because we were toting a 15 month old around the parks and some cloud cover wasn't such a bad thing in our book. That being said, we spent 5 consecutive days in the parks(sunday-thursday) and only monday morning was a complete wash for us. There were a few showers here and there throughout the week, but fortunately it was never anything that lasted very long. I'm sorry that your trip wasn't what you had hoped for. I'd hate to be disappointed after all of the time and energy spent planning for a Disney vacation. Hopefully your next one is better.

 

[dsneprincess]

We were there on Friday 8/24 too & spent a beautiful day at Typhoon Lagoon. There was a "Florida" thunderstorm around 530, cleared up & we spent a beautiful night at MK. Saturday was HOT, did AK with no shade, so I know it was sunny all morning, did cloud up in afternoon, but we didn't even hit a shower that day. Sunday we were at Epcot until at least 2 on way to airport. Isaac was headed in & there was lots of winds, it was gray, but just some fast moving showers. I've found Florida weather is hit or miss....we've hit Augusts with tons of rain, only 1 with none. Some Decembers are warm, others are freezing. We went to MVMCP 1 December & it was 90; following year 40. We are from the dreary gray northeast, but a RAINY day at MK beats a sunny day at home!

 

[wishing4PA]

If I understand OP correctly, rain really is not something OP likes on vacation, but cool weather is fine.
So, I'd say go in late January or early February. If you check the average precipitation, you'll see Jan/Feb is toward the lower end. As mentioned above, there can be some drawbacks, but it can be a pleasant time to visit.

 

[sweetcanadian]

If I understand OP correctly, rain really is not something OP likes on vacation, but cool weather is fine.
So, I'd say go in late January or early February. If you check the average precipitation, you'll see Jan/Feb is toward the lower end. As mentioned above, there can be some drawbacks, but it can be a pleasant time to visit.

I expected rain everyday, but not the downpours & hours it did on 3/4 of the days we were there.

Saturday was a bit hot in the morning but it was more humid than what it seemed to be in previous days. It was nice in the evening though.

Sunday was rain all day almost, same with monday, tuesday it poured much of the day.

We were on our honeymoon & i had been told to expect it to be hot & humid with a bit of a shower in the afternoons, so i expected it would be hot. I guess i am just disappointed. We do not do much here when it rains the way it did there.

Our trip wasn't all bad, but for the most part our park days sucked so ya i guess i would like cooler weather so we can at least get most of the good rides in.

 

[LovePug]

I'm so sorry your first trip was a bust for you! Pure bad luck . I'm glad you're going to give it another shot, though. I moved to Kissimmee a year ago and had been on many trips previous. What I've learned over the years...like you, I do not want to be rained on. Some people don't mind it, but that would ruin it for me. I also wouldn't come in the dead of summer...between the increased rain, heat and humidity, and the crowds, I didn't go to the parks all summer. Of course, if it's the only time people can go, then that's a different story. If you have the ability to go different times of the year, my suggestions would be November (not Thanksgiving week), early December, and mid January through mid February. I also like October, but risky as far as hurricanes/tropical storms. If you celebrate Christmas, my VERY favorite time is early December. That was when I took my first trip and it was absolutely MAGICAL! I hope your next trip is better for you...

 

[LovesChristmas]

Hello all!
OK so thank God I found this site BC i'm really trying to plan out our first Disneyland Christmas visit...and guest services atDisneyland in Anaheim CA seemed just as lost as I am...maybe he was new?
Anyhow, I would like to go during the Christmas decorations, snow and things but I was wondering when its the least busiest time so we can really enjoy ourselves you know?
Like I said this will be my 7 year olds very first visit, as well as mine during Christmas...if I heard correctly, decorations don't come down and the parade a well as snow spent go away until January 6 2012?
I have a couple of days to work with as far as getting off of work..would it be better to go Thursday before Christmas..our perhaps January 2nd?
HELP

 

[Glittercat]

I lovvvvved WDW in May- but that was 13 years ago for our our honeymoon! Just this past December (3rd-9th) we took our two children and weather was quite beautiful most of the time. Most days were in the 70's with a few chilly ones, it rained a time or two- but nothing severe. We did have one cold night, but all agreed next time we would just be pre-perpared with jackets and a small lap blanket. It was not warm enough for swimming, but it was warm enough for Kali River Rapids! *don't miss it! at Animal Kingdom!*
We're headed back September next year to (hopefully see Food & Wine festival) and hit the pool a few times at our resort, along with the usual parks! I'm glad you two have decided to give Disney another shot, with just a little luck, and a bit of planning hopefully this will be a Honeymoon do-over worth remembering! ~Rebecca