Do you get more in during winter vs summer?

[BensWife]

We are working on getting a 2016 vacation planned. I don't do well in heat, so we were thinking about January. The problem is if we go in the summer, we have a lot more days to stay since I am not in work (teacher). If we go in the summer, we could possibly do 8 days. But, if we go in January, we would only have 6 days. However, crowds in January are a lot lower, so do you think we can get as much in 6 days in winter as 8 days in summer?

 

[isestrex]

Easily.

I think you can get a lot more done with less people in the park. You might not get to waterparks and a few key rides might not be open but you'll have so much more time due to less time waiting in line.

 

[ArwenMarie]

And the heat. You can get way more done during the cooler, drier months than in the summer stormy months.

 

[ScottlovesDisney]

Winter months for sure. In 2007 my ex and I went for our anniversary in late September. The temps were always in the 90s with 80+ humidity. Though the parks were open later and the crowds were low we needed to take long breaks for naps/pool to catch our breath. When we went the week after Thanksgiving in 2009 we never went back to the hotel on park days. We were there from rope drop (and EMH) until the parks closed without a break because the heat, and humidity, weren't an enemy. Parks were low as well but they were in late September, too.

 

[cleophus12]

I agree that you can get more done in the winter months. We were there in February for a race weekend and did absolutely everything. Had FPs for the headliners, but didn't need FPs for many rides (waited 20-30 min for most, but that's not so bad). Because the weather was pleasant we didn't tire out too easily and stayed in the parks most of the day. Just returned in July and only did the rides we had FPs for. Other lines were atrocious and the heat just completely wore us out. We couldn't stand to wait around in the parks waiting for rides we didn't have FPs for, so we went back to the hotel and enjoyed the pool most afternoons.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm going to be the nay sayer and go with summer. The closest I've been to winter was Oct., around halloween and I almost froze to death so didn't spend as much time on rides since I wanted to be inside where it was warm. Summer doesn't bother me, I'm from Georgia so if I worried about heat I'd be in trouble. I've never noticed the difference as far as crowds from April, May, August or Sept. maybe I'm just used to it.

 

[GreatLakes]

Yes, I think you can easily get as much done in 6 days in January as you would over 8 days in the summer months. It is also just a more pleasant experience all around. Less hectic, less crowded, less hot cranky people, etc.

 

[Texas Barbie]

I agree with going in winter. Everything else aside, the heat just sucks the energy out of you, and it is physically harder to get as much done in summer.

 

[JennyDrake]

Yes, I think you can easily get as much done in 6 days in January as you would over 8 days in the summer months. It is also just a more pleasant experience all around. Less hectic, less crowded, less hot cranky people, etc.

YES! BUT if you go over federal holiday weekend, do not expect low crowds!!!

 

[librarymom2007]

Yes we went in January, arriving the day before the MLK holiday. We lasted much longer than we do in the summer. And the crowds were really not too bad.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

You miss the waterparks in winter if it's Chilly. We go late summer when it's empty. We have low crowds and awesome Waterpark days.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I'll go with Summer. The operating hours are longer which fits our touring style much better. We won't go unless at least 1 park is open until midnight during each day of our visit.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We went once in February. It was unusually chilly that week (upper 40's, low 50's for highs) and the parks closed earlier. We didn't care for it.

 

[kwdw]

I've been there in early Sept with 95 degrees and humidity and a freezing cold December with high temperatures in the 40's. I'd risk cold weather before ever going in August or September again.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I've been to WDW in every month of the year except June.

In short, there's no golden answer to your question. Every month has pros and cons. It really depends on you, your tolerance/endurance, and very much the weather
For a start, hurricanes/blizzards often = canceled flights. It doesn't always matter where you are coming from. A blizzard anywhere might mean your outbound plane can't get to you.

January =short park hours+ many closed rides, especially all water rides. It will also be COLD in FL =long pants the whole time. (Jackets, double luggage! ) One year, we saw frost every morning in FL! The pools are not appealing when it's 50. (hot tubs are fun!) In Jan, we opt for compact resorts like AKL. Spring/fall is ideal time for outdoor hotels like Pop, IMO.

Summer, as you know can = thunderstorms. Do you stop in rain, or take advantage? We get a ton done after dark IN SUMMER. For us, summer is the better time, but much of the bonus is late night rides.

BUTTTTT.... the BEST thing I can tell you is that for us, length isn't all that important. We get nearly as much enjoyment from two day trips as nine day trips. Crowds and the Disney food start to grow old.

Oh...one last thought on picking a time of year. Going to WDW = missing whatever happens at home that week. Not much happens in most of January, but Summer = tons of things I hate to miss. summer trips make it hard to garden. If your home= snowy place, Jan can = coming home to a snow bound car.

 

[danny1649]

I moved down tp central Florida from Indiana, so the whole year down here is summer to me.Just hotter at different times of year.When in Indiana we always came down in early Dec. and late Feb. to escape Indiana winters for a while.

 

[ErinCat]

We do not handle the heat, so always go in the fall/winter. Check the weather, pack layers. The pools are heated.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The pools are heated.

I dunno. I just can't bring myself to swim when it's below 70.

In Jan 2014, it was SO cold, the pool had great billowing clouds of steam in the morning. The first morning I saw it I assumed a large steam pipe had burst. Nope, just the pool. We sometimes use the hot tub on cold days. On many winter days the pools stay pretty empty.

Epcot seems the breeziest and coolest of the parks. AK is often the steamiest.

One year, we were in Epcot for the first day of the flower festival. We stopped by the butterflies in the a.m. They sat on their release box, then moved a tiny bit when a sunbeam hit them. That was it. We came back about 3:30pm, and they were still sitting in the exact same spot on the release box!

 

[bbjunkie]

You say January because of low crowds, but mention it is available because you are a teacher. If you are talking about the first week of January including New Year's Day - 6th, I am not so sure the crowds will be that much lower. It seems that is really still part of the holiday crowd. (Unless your school goes back unusually late or you are taking days off of work.)

 

[momimouse27]

Absolutely you will. January or February are great options.

Even if the parks close earlier than in the summer, the lack of crowds will allow you to see so much more. Check easy wdw, they have a list of the best weeks to visit, and I'm pretty sure some of those include January and February. I haven't been at those specific times, but the word is that its a great time to go. 6 days is plenty for that time of year.

I don't like the heat, but I hate crowds even more. September and the week before November are my favorites, but it sounds like your times will work great for your family.