Do You Prefer Spring or Fall Trips?

[Jabroniville]

Just a bit curious- I used to consistently do Spring trips between holidays, maximizing park time while also having better weather than the summer. These were usually fairly quiet times (comparatively) and made it easy to visit and see attractions multiple times. Still extremely hot (to the point where I avoided some queues).

I did fall in Nov. 2021 and it was INCREDIBLY busy, but this is believed to be the classic "revenge travel" post-COVID and seemed abnormal (the CMs in the parks were astonished it was so packed). The weather seemed nicer, at least. It was also more Halloween/Christmas-y and I did like the change a bit, but would still like to see the "classic" park décor. Part of me wants to try it again just to see, and to get their sooner (a yearly wait vs. a 1.5-year wait), since I want to visit the parks a lot before too much changes AGAIN or I get too old to hoof it the way I can now.

I know park hours were all over the place in the past year, but how are they typically Spring vs. Fall? I like to maximize park time so later park hours are preferable. When ARE the parks typically open the latest?

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Just a bit curious- I used to consistently do Spring trips between holidays, maximizing park time while also having better weather than the summer. These were usually fairly quiet times (comparatively) and made it easy to visit and see attractions multiple times. Still extremely hot (to the point where I avoided some queues).

I did fall in Nov. 2021 and it was INCREDIBLY busy, but this is believed to be the classic "revenge travel" post-COVID and seemed abnormal (the CMs in the parks were astonished it was so packed). The weather seemed nicer, at least. It was also more Halloween/Christmas-y and I did like the change a bit, but would still like to see the "classic" park décor. Part of me wants to try it again just to see, and to get their sooner (a yearly wait vs. a 1.5-year wait), since I want to visit the parks a lot before too much changes AGAIN or I get too old to hoof it the way I can now.

I know park hours were all over the place in the past year, but how are they typically Spring vs. Fall? I like to maximize park time so later park hours are preferable. When ARE the parks typically open the latest?

November is usually busy, especially around Jersey week and again for Thanksgiving. Early December crowds are lower.

We had good luck in May 2021 but weather can be brutal.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Typically the busier periods will have extended park hours such as spring break or Thanksgiving, but as spring break is spread out into a multiple month period there are more days that have longer park hours. But something to keep in mind is that Disney hasn't really brought back their old park hour schedule and I'm not sure they will in the foreseeable future. I remembering going to Disney pre-Covid and the parks (or at least MK/Epcot) closing at 11, midnight or even 1 am.

My sister used to work in the Magic Kingdom and she told me that spring (March/April) is the absolute worst time to go crowd wise. At some points the crowd levels were higher than Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years. But that was pre-Covid so YMMV.

On the other hand I did a trip in September 2021 and the heat was BRUTAL. Worse than anything I had ever experienced. I probably would've collapsed from heat exhaustion if I didn't leave for a mid day pool break. I also did a quick weekend in November and while MK was okay Epcot was PACKED. The line to get into the Mexico pyramid stretched all the way out towards Norway/China.

 

[_19disnA]

We have been at Disney in both Spring & Fall. Like those times of year since it tends to be cooler. We would never go in July since it is like walking on the surface of the sun and just way too hot to be outside all day walking on all of those paved paths. Disney attracts so many people, it seems crowded no matter what time of year you go. Disney has also added in various special events to help fill rooms at what in the past would have been a normally slower time. Expect it to be crowded no matter when you go.

We used to like Fall after Labor Day since schools were back in session and it tended to be less crowded. I doubt that makes as much difference now.

 

[DaviVascaino]

I prefer winter trips. we always try to go on mid february. Perfect weather for us, not too cold, not too hot, we rarely get heavy rain and no hurricane season (plus it tends to be less crowded and cheaper).

I have been there in August, and NEVER AGAIN. too crowded, TOO HOT.

 

[peabody58]

DVC point miser here. Late Jan, Early May, Late Sept (1 BR BWV), Mid Dec are now our go to months. Used to enjoy Oct (for our anniversary), but point charts are higher now and very crowded.

 

[Jabroniville]

DVC point miser here. Late Jan, Early May, Late Sept (1 BR BWV), Mid Dec are now our go to months. Used to enjoy Oct (for our anniversary), but point charts are higher now and very crowded.

Nice! I was like "I'll do my usual spring trip in 2023!" but my travel-bug is biting again and I want to do things while I'm young enough, like I said... though September will be RIGHT when the GOTG ride opens in EPCOT, which might make it a mess.

 

[Jabroniville]

I prefer winter trips. we always try to go on mid february. Perfect weather for us, not too cold, not too hot, we rarely get heavy rain and no hurricane season (plus it tends to be less crowded and cheaper).

I have been there in August, and NEVER AGAIN. too crowded, TOO HOT.

I still kick myself for not doing a Feb. trip in 2020. I was sorta thinking about going ASAP after my spring 2019 trip, but was like "Nah, that's silly- parks might close sooner and everyone character's in winter gear, not their PROPER stuff!" and of course we know how a March 2020 trip went...

Were the park hours super short at the time? That's my only real concern about winter.

(PS I remember talking to a Floridian mom in line to meet Aurora once, and she said "Even WE don't come here in the summer!"- it was pretty clear that was always a bad idea, and mostly done by people who could ONLY get time off then)

 

[Jabroniville]

We have been at Disney in both Spring & Fall. Like those times of year since it tends to be cooler. We would never go in July since it is like walking on the surface of the sun and just way too hot to be outside all day walking on all of those paved paths. Disney attracts so many people, it seems crowded no matter what time of year you go. Disney has also added in various special events to help fill rooms at what in the past would have been a normally slower time. Expect it to be crowded no matter when you go.

We used to like Fall after Labor Day since schools were back in session and it tended to be less crowded. I doubt that makes as much difference now.

Yeah, one thing that irked me when planning 2020/2021 trips (which I kept cancelling owing to lack of international travel- I'm Canadian) was that they tended to jam-pack the entire Fall with Halloween & Christmas afterparties, meaning the Magic Kingdom would be CLOSED early half the week! It was a nuisance trying to guess which days I wanted to be where months in advance with all those "Parks close at 6" things on the calendar.

 

[DaviVascaino]

I still kick myself for not doing a Feb. trip in 2020. I was sorta thinking about going ASAP after my spring 2019 trip, but was like "Nah, that's silly- parks might close sooner and everyone character's in winter gear, not their PROPER stuff!" and of course we know how a March 2020 trip went...

Were the park hours super short at the time? That's my only real concern about winter.

(PS I remember talking to a Floridian mom in line to meet Aurora once, and she said "Even WE don't come here in the summer!"- it was pretty clear that was always a bad idea, and mostly done by people who could ONLY get time off then)

not at all.

AK would open 8AM, close at 7 pm
DHS 9-9
MK 9-10
Epcto 10-10

 

[jennyq87]

We love early December and later in January for weather and crowds.

 

[loves to dive]

I've been every season, many times. I like April, usually not real hot yet (I'm from Georgia so real hot is over 90) and not as much rain as summer and into fall. I do go in fall because I love me some F&W at Epcot. I'm not a fan of how early they start decorating for Halloween, I like Christmas better. It is most likely going to be hot and rainy in fall, depends on when you consider fall ending. I've been in August (actually going this year the last week in August) and yes, it's hot but that just gives us an excuse to go back to the resort for some pool/refreshing adult beverage/nap in the room time. I've actually only had one trip where it didn't rain at least once (that was early April). Most of my Sept. trips it has rained every day, either a short shower, a short rain deluge, an all day light shower or mixture of light showers and deluges all day. Gotta love hurricane season. If I could only go one time a year, I'd do spring, probably early April. Which, next year 2023, that will be the case. Usually I go at least twice a year, F&G and F&W and sometimes throw in a short Christmas trip. My least favorite time is Feb. it can and does get cold in Florida and that's about the time of year it happens. I don't like cold, throw in rain and I'm not happy.

 

[Miffy]

Just to let you know, OP, early-December 2021 was crowded. Like, crazy crowded. So it's either no longer the ideal time it used to be or the so-called revenge travel was intense last year.

 

[Disney2022take4]

Heard April is great so trying it this year!

 

[Jabroniville]

not at all.

AK would open 8AM, close at 7 pm
DHS 9-9
MK 9-10
Epcto 10-10

9-10 in FEBRUARY? Man, the pandemic really HAS shortened hours! In November I’m pretty sure there were no 12-hour park days, much less 9-10.

 

[Anna131517]

Winter!!! Jan or Feb.

 

[Smugpugmug]

9-10 in FEBRUARY? Man, the pandemic really HAS shortened hours! In November I’m pretty sure there were no 12-hour park days, much less 9-10.

I remember I went in March 2018 for spring break and Magic Kingdom's hours were 8-12. Epcot and HS were 9-9 and AK was 8-10. Now THOSE are the park hours I really miss.

 

[luvthatmouseinohio]

Winter!!! Jan or Feb.

Agree100%! Love to get out of WV during those months

 

[CamMitch]

Just a bit curious- I used to consistently do Spring trips between holidays, maximizing park time while also having better weather than the summer. These were usually fairly quiet times (comparatively) and made it easy to visit and see attractions multiple times. Still extremely hot (to the point where I avoided some queues).

I did fall in Nov. 2021 and it was INCREDIBLY busy, but this is believed to be the classic "revenge travel" post-COVID and seemed abnormal (the CMs in the parks were astonished it was so packed). The weather seemed nicer, at least. It was also more Halloween/Christmas-y and I did like the change a bit, but would still like to see the "classic" park décor. Part of me wants to try it again just to see, and to get their sooner (a yearly wait vs. a 1.5-year wait), since I want to visit the parks a lot before too much changes AGAIN or I get too old to hoof it the way I can now.

I know park hours were all over the place in the past year, but how are they typically Spring vs. Fall? I like to maximize park time so later park hours are preferable. When ARE the parks typically open the latest?

I was there on May last year and it was fantastic. Not a lot of crowds and the weather was chill. My friends did the trip on November and it was a bad time for it (so much people).

 

[Jabroniville]

I remember I went in March 2018 for spring break and Magic Kingdom's hours were 8-12. Epcot and HS were 9-9 and AK was 8-10. Now THOSE are the park hours I really miss.

Oh yeah, tell me about it. I went in May 2019 and I swear it was 11-hour park days, plus more with EMH (I assume your 8-12 was EMH-related). And MAN did EMH really pay off if you were a tourist from far away.

I was there on May last year and it was fantastic. Not a lot of crowds and the weather was chill. My friends did the trip on November and it was a bad time for it (so much people).

Yeah, I went in November and it was PACKED, as I said in the OP. "Revenge Travel", they called it. The weather was a thousand times nicer than in May, though. But all my prior trips were in springtime between holidays, so it was calculated to be less involved with crowds.

But I've heard that the entirety of 2022 so far has been jam-packed, even "off-season" Jan-Feb.