Early March or July/August 2020

[GeorgiaHoo]

So in the process of planning our May 2020 trip I've learned that none of the May dates we were looking at work for our party. Can't do June because of work commitments, and the rest of the winter/spring don't work because of school. So I'm left with the 2d week of March when the kids are on spring break or any time in July or the first 2 weeks of August. March is significantly more expensive for the room ($783 a night v. $658 a night at Yacht Club) and tickets are also more expensive in March. I'm assuming it will be more crowded. July/August looks super hot and it looks like it rains more often. However, our current touring plan is to spend the day at the resort/pool and later afternoon/evenings at park so that may not be as much of an issue. Anyway, our past trips have been in January, early February, May and October/November, but never during spring break or the summer and not sure which would be a better option. Thanks in advance.

 

[sharonabe]

It sounds like a toss up to me.

That early in March will be the beginning of spring break season, but it's not Easter, so to me that just means normal busy (7-8 on a scale of 10). Weather will be much nicer than summer. If you can, check park hours for this past Mar and compare with what we have now for July/Aug. If you're not going to use the mornings, you need to know if there will be some late nights.

July/Aug has become one of the slower times and will be a bit less busy than Mar (6-7 on that scale). The heat and humidity is intense. The problem you may have with your touring style is that the early-late afternoon is when the thunderstorms usually blow through. If you're trying to get to the parks or just getting to the parks at that time, you'll need to find someplace to stay dry and safe.

You know your family best and what they can and cannot handle.

 

[epcotobsessed]

We have been both times and while March is more expensive it's also a lot more pleasant (weather, crowds, pools - there is a lot more rain in the afternoons in July/August than in March). We are going end of July/beginning of August this year because it was that or nothing but we would have gone in March if we could have.

 

[Alesia]

I would pick March. The crowds will still be manageable and the weather will be better

 

[summermac]

For 2020 I'd say March (as early as possible) for sure. Easter isn't until April 12 in 2020.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

So another option is Thanksgiving 2020. I assume the crowds will be a disaster, but any thoughts on whether that's better than summer 2020 (folks have ruled out March 2020)?

 

[sharonabe]

So another option is Thanksgiving 2020. I assume the crowds will be a disaster, but any thoughts on whether that's better than summer 2020 (folks have ruled out March 2020)?

Weather will be better than summer, but crowds will be worse.

 

[pf226]

The first time we went to Disney, it was July. Weather was disgustingly hot and the crowds were awful. The second time we went the first week of March. Better weather (albeit sometimes even a little chilly, we didn't go swimming, and I had to change into leggings in the evening sometimes). But crowds were better. We noticed a significant increase in crowds on our last day though, I guess because more schools were out for Spring Break.

 

[disneycat321]

In your position, I'd choose March. I'm a teacher and my spring break is always tied to Easter, but I'd do a spring break trip in a heartbeat for the weather if my break were that early. We do summer because, of the times I can go, it's the cheapest and the least crowded. I'd sure love to go when it's not so hot, though!

Edit: I just saw that March is out. Between Thanksgiving and summer (I've seriously considered both), you're really choosing between higher prices, worse crowds, better weather, and Christmas magic or lower prices, better crowds, and worse weather. It's a priority thing, in the end. I'd dearly love to go to WDW at Christmas time, so I think one day we will probably do a Thanksgiving trip and just prepare for the crowds. My big hesitation, though, is that we're coming from CA and flights that week are very expensive.

 

[samantha3590]

I’ve been Thanksgiving and honestly didn’t think it was that bad crowd wise plus perfect weather. Low to mid 70s and 60s at night. Easter was MUCH more crowded. I will never go Easter again!

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Thanks for the replies from everyone. I was leaning towards March but when I checked the weather in early March the last few years there were a number of days where the highs were in the low 60s, and since we want to spend a fair bit of time at the pool those temps are a problem. We ended up booking 9 days in July for now, although I'm not at all excited about the heat. We were able to book an extra couple of days since we are going in the summer and it is a bit cheaper, so that's a plus.

 

[glocon]

I’ve never been in March, but my son has for spring break- the second week in March. The pictures of the crowds were insane! We went last year and are going again this year last week of July. The heat and humidity is atrocious, but I’d rather have that than the crowds. The heat literally is daunting. But with stops in ac (restaurants, shops, bathroom breaks) and lots of water, it is manageable. The trick I think is to start your day with rope drop when it’s cooler out, then about 1pm head back to room for a rest break. Last year we couldn’t do the pool in the early afternoon due to thunderstorms, but the break in a cool room to rest and change sweaty clothes was nice. Then back out in the evening. Depending on when you go back to the parks you may get a late afternoon swim in. Last year was our first summer trip to wdw, but I think that weather pattern is typical for that time of year. We still chose to go back the last week of July this year....