December or April school break?

[widget]

Am thinking of booking 2 weeks either during the April break next year or around 19th December covering christmas and new year. Theres myself and my son who will be 15/16. We are splitting the time between i.drive and POR. Can anyone advise which of these times would be the best to go in terms of weather/crowds. I know UK children will be off at that time and never expect anything than crowded at WDW anyway but we went mid December a couple of years back and it was quite chilly especially swimming. Just cant decide!! Cost is an issue. Booked this year for September but the school policy changed and was forced to cancel. But the Disney bug keeps nibbling. So c'mon all you planners - help me please please please!

 

[disneyholic family]

Am thinking of booking 2 weeks either during the April break next year or around 19th December covering christmas and new year. Theres myself and my son who will be 15/16. We are splitting the time between i.drive and POR. Can anyone advise which of these times would be the best to go in terms of weather/crowds. I know UK children will be off at that time and never expect anything than crowded at WDW anyway but we went mid December a couple of years back and it was quite chilly especially swimming. Just cant decide!! Cost is an issue. Booked this year for September but the school policy changed and was forced to cancel. But the Disney bug keeps nibbling. So c'mon all you planners - help me please please please!

that period of december is the MOST crowded time at WDW.
I would definitely avoid it if i were you.

 

[widget]

Thanks for that fast reply!! Was thinking the same thing really!!! But wondered what April would be like

 

[neilsalop]

We're going 12/12 for 14 nights off site. We'll do the main parks (MK, DHS, US, IOA and SW) in the first week to guarantee that we get on pretty much everything.

The second week will get busier and busier up to the big day (haven't been there on Xmas day before so not sure what to expect, last time we flew back on the 25th), so we'll probably only do half days for that week and the less important parks. Epcot doesn't appeal to wife and kids and neither does AK as a full day park.

We'll probably get an 1 day 2 park express ticket for US/IOS in the second week just to do everything again or stuff we missed first time.

For WDW I'd suggest getting in early and being prepared for a long day and when on-site make good use of the EMH.

The good news is that the water parks should be quieter than April, the locals think that the 50s are chilly (wimps).

 

[Chilly]

If Christmas/New Year at Disney isn't important to you then I think April would be much better.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for that fast reply!! Was thinking the same thing really!!! But wondered what April would be like

i don't know when in april....but in general, even if it's crowded, it will be better than xmas and new years, which are the most crowded times..
april weather is very nice...more dependable than december (which can be warm or cold - no way of knowing)...

if it were me, i'd go for april...
we've often gone in december, but at the beginning of december...
i would never aim for xmas there.....too crowded...

 

[widget]

I think i am moving towards April but then again ive just totted up the prices at that time of year!!! Blimey!!! Arm and a leg im thinking lol!! Maybe i will have to wait another year and go in 2010!! Pity the school dissallowed my two weeks in September which was such a good deal! Thank you for your replies x

 

[nibbo]

We've been in December twice and are booked up for 3 weeks next Christmas. As others have said, the weather is hit and miss regarding temperatures but we've always had very pleasant temperatures, generally warm/hot during day and a bit cooler in evenings. As long as you go prepared for cooler days and evenings it should be no problem.
Because we book from about the second week in December it's almost the cheapest time of the year and enables us to do 3 weeks cheaper than 2 weeks at other times of the year. Christmas at DW is just so extra magical. You have the Osborne lights at Hollywood Studios, snow falling in the evenings at Main Street, a Christmas Finale at the end of Illuminations which has to be seen to be believed, all the parks decorated to the hilt with decorations and all the disney characters dressed for Christmas.
It does get busy from a couple of days before Christmas until New Year but if you arrive a week or two before you have plenty of time to do everything while the parks are very quiet and then just soak up the atmosphere Christmas week.
If you're thinking of doing Discovery Cove, book it for Christmas Day as it's no busier than any other day there and you avoid the hustle and bustle of the other parks. We rounded Christmas day off with Epcot in the evening after DC and were surprised at the crowd levels....not too bad at all.
Whenever you go you'll have a fantastic time but for us christmas is our favourite.

 

[earthelves]

Well I'm Booked For 2 Wks Sept/Oct 08,Booked Again For April 2009.Decided That I Would Love A Wk Between Xmas & Newyear 2008/2009,I'm Just In The Process Of Sorting This Out,The Reason Being I Personally Would Prefer 1 Wk Between Xmas & Newyear Than 2Wks At Easter,Also I Had Found A Great Deal For Embassy Suites/Jamaican Court,I Drive For Easter 2009 But On Enquiring It's Even An Even Better Deal For The Week Between Xmas/Newyear....

GoodLuck With Your Decision