Best time to take toddler?

[sweet7696]

Hi everyone! My husband and I would like to plan a trip for our daughter. We'd like to go sometime next year, but need input on what would be the best time to go. She will be 3 next year and is a very very active little girl. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Jess

 

[staci]

Well, I would make sure to go before her birthday as it will save you a ton on park tickets and character dining.

I would also make sure to go during a slower time of the year so she isnt overwhelmed with crowds. (ie. not spring break, heat of summer, or holidays).

I would personally shoot for Jan, early Feb, maybe very late April/early May, or October/early November, or first two weeks of Dec.....

But again, I would personally just pick a time before her birthday as the most important thing, then pick from those months when the weather and crowds will be the most manageable.

HTH!

 

[las3888]

Ditto on the age 3 issue...we just took DS who just turned 3. It was a lot more expensive than we were used to. If you're considering it, take DD before she is 3, even the week before!!!!

Other than that, I believe Sept. is nice, although with free dining lately, the parks are medium crowded, but restaurants are impossible.

May has been nice for us too, and most older kiddies are still in school....

We have been taking DS since he was 8.5 mos. He is now about 38 mos...we've done 8 trips...mostly May, Aug/Sept. and Oct/Nov. No real problems, except August/Sept can be HOT!

Good luck!!!

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

We have 2 toddlers, and for us weather is a major factor. I would never go May-September. We went last end of April to the first wk of May, and it was so hot. The heat made us and the kids much more irratable and way more tired.
I also recommend going before she turns 3, you will save money, and she old enough to enjoy it.
Happy Planning...

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

3-ish is a great age to start going! That's how old my youngest was on our first trip. So many fantastic memories!!!

 

[sweet7696]

Thanks so much guys! She won't be 3 until June 2009, so we've got plenty of time! I just know how miserable I get in the heat of summer, so there's no way I would take her then. What about mid-April??? I've only ever been to Florida in the summer, so I don't know how the weather is. Or is that a really busy time of year for Disney?
Jess

 

[DVCsince02]

You may run into Easter break. I would check the calendar and avoid holidays and spring break times.

 

[staci]

Thanks so much guys! She won't be 3 until June 2009, so we've got plenty of time! I just know how miserable I get in the heat of summer, so there's no way I would take her then. What about mid-April??? I've only ever been to Florida in the summer, so I don't know how the weather is. Or is that a really busy time of year for Disney?
Jess

Mid April would still get into some spring breakers, I have been told. We are heading out in 1.5 weeks, in hopes that it is late enough to miss out on the spring breakers, but too early for kids to be out of school. Here's hoping anyway I am sure others could answer that question for you, but I would think it would be a good time. My dd will actually turn 3 in July 2009, and we are wanting to make a short trip before her birthday, if possible. So I was thinking the same time next year (end of April/early May). Good luck!

 

[Skwinkles]

If you're looking to go closer to your daughter's birthday, early May is supposed to be a good time. We're heading there for the second week of May this year. April is tough b/c of Easter (usually April) and many of the Northeast states have a week long school vacation some time in April (Right now this year!).

We, however, love to go in January. The second week, just after New Year's but before MLK Day. Crowds are low and the weather is cool.

 

[ChristusG]

Being only 2.5 hours from Disney, I've gone at all times of the year. I havent gone during the summer in years though....I just refuse to do it again. It is just too hot....miserable, really.

We usually take our annual family trip in late October or early November when it is just beginning to cool off. However, my fav trip we took was probably in late February one year. It was actually really really cold one day, the day that we went to Sea World. But the other days were comfortable. We had to wear jackets, but that sure is a welcome change from the Florida heat. We have gone in May before as well, and while it was starting to get pretty warm during the day, the humidity was not there.

I think a great time to go would be March....or maybe early April. Definitely before it gets hot, and definitely before your DD's third birthday. Maybe go in early March to avoid the Spring Break crowds.