Deciding when to go?

[avalovesminnie]

How do you decide? Background info- family of 5 coming from CA. We usually do DL yearly but like going to FL every 3-4 years. We have family we can visit but not close enough to the parks to stay with. It’s expensive just to fly across the country, so we like to maximize our time and trip.

Option #1 I like doing Run Disney events. Would love to do the Marathon in Jan or wine and dine in November. Downside is that things are probably more expensive and crowded. Also I think 2020 will be nuts?

Option #2 Combine with a work conference which is MLk weekend so go to parks either week before or after. Advantage- partly tax deductible

Option #3 I had a friend tell me about how quiet the last week of Sept is

Option #4 I would love to see the flower and garden expo. Maybe it’s still on when the Rundisney Star Wars weekend is going?

What would you recommend??

 

[Disxuni]

While I have an AP, in terms of making a trip in which I stay for a decent amount of time, I do that based off comfort when it comes to weather and low crowds. That being said January is preferred for me, I enjoy the cold weather. Some days it will be cold during the morning and a little warmer in the afternoon where all you need is a light long sleeved shirt, or it might be really cold all day, but at least you have a jacket.

You only get cool weather for a couple of months and while January has a race (as a whole) it's less crowded compared to February, which has the Princess race. However, races appear to be your thing so that might be a good choice for you. It's not only less busy during those months, but also the weather is cool for your run.

Also, January - February has the Art Festival, which is the same thing only different in terms of the Flower and Garden festival.

If you're wanting to be more responsible, also #2 is a good idea, as it's during that time as well, you have a work conference at the same time, and partly tax deducible, as you stated. While it might be busy, it's not as some of the other events, and if you plan ahead and go your FP right when they come available (if you stay on property), it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Shughart]

I have gone during the last week of September. We were hot and miserable (YMMV being from CALI, we're from IL). Crowds were not awful. It was busy, but not jam packed. Everyone is back in school, and usually aren't pulling kids out yet for vacations. It is during hurricane season if that's a concern. We returned from our trip and the next week Hurricane Matthew came through and Disney closed for a day.

I personally would love to see flower and garden. It's just a big time range to work with to. Because of the large time frame, I feel like there should be a run Disney event in that span of time.

Tax deductible is NICE, but I heard about MLK crowds and I would not want to.

My vote would be during Flower and Garden.

 

[Magical2017]

We used to go in January, which was great weather wise for us. Even if Orlando is coat/mittens/hat weather, it is still warmer than home nine times out of ten. Now that the kids are older, we don't take them out of school. Our options are summer, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. We cannot go over Spring Break because my boys' break does not coincide with the spring break observed where I work. We went at the end of August last year and it was a fantastic trip!

ETA: Now that SWGE is opening at the end of summer, September will most likely not be quiet.

 

[avalovesminnie]

Thank you! Does the art festival at Epcot have topiaries too? I saw them setting up while at Princess and they were so cool. I saw online the thing where you help paint a mural, what other special stuff does the art festival have?

I think I might be able to do the Marathon and then stay for the conference

QUOTE="Disxuni, post: 60346112, member: 573981"]While I have an AP, in terms of making a trip in which I stay for a decent amount of time, I do that based off comfort when it comes to weather and low crowds. That being said January is preferred for me, I enjoy the cold weather. Some days it will be cold during the morning and a little warmer in the afternoon where all you need is a light long sleeved shirt, or it might be really cold all day, but at least you have a jacket.

You only get cool weather for a couple of months and while January has a race (as a whole) it's less crowded compared to February, which has the Princess race. However, races appear to be your thing so that might be a good choice for you. It's not only less busy during those months, but also the weather is cool for your run.

Also, January - February has the Art Festival, which is the same thing only different in terms of the Flower and Garden festival.

If you're wanting to be more responsible, also #2 is a good idea, as it's during that time as well, you have a work conference at the same time, and partly tax deducible, as you stated. While it might be busy, it's not as some of the other events, and if you plan ahead and go your FP right when they come available (if you stay on property), it shouldn't be too bad.[/QUOTE]

 

[Disxuni]

Thank you! Does the art festival at Epcot have topiaries too? I saw them setting up while at Princess and they were so cool. I saw online the thing where you help paint a mural, what other special stuff does the art festival have?

Epcot always has topiaries, just always switching them out. They have Disney on Broadway, they have fun photo-op opportunities, different kind of food and drinks to eat that are aimed to be unique and look impressive, art projects that you do around the park, and art galleries to look at.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-festival-of-the-arts/

For more details click on the link above.

 

[mixmastertoy]

I know this doesnt help but xmas time is my favorite time of the year to go HANDS DOWN!

 

[kniquy]

Option #4 I would love to see the flower and garden expo. Maybe it’s still on when the Rundisney Star Wars weekend is going?

The best time to go is when you can go and it doesn't interfere with school and sports. Rundisney weekends can be busy but not insane. It depends on whether or not you want to get up at 3am to run. That can interfere with your vacation if you are trying to pack in a lot. I have done the star wars runs twice. I'll admit it is rather rough getting up that early and you need to get to bed early that night before. But it is a fun event to participate in.

If you are wanting to prioritize the weather then April would be by far the best - warm weather, little to no humidity and you would be there during flower and garden, a beautiful time at Epcot. September could be slower crowd wise but with it being hurricane season you will likely end up with more humid and rainy weather.