Early Oct. vs. early Dec.?

[MrsMud]

We are looking to go to US, IOA and Seaworld either the 1st week in Oct. or the 1st week in Dec. I had opted for Oct. just because the Dec. weather is so unpredictable and I don't relish the idea of getting soaked in 60 degree weather. Also , my girls have off from school on the 6th, so they would miss 4 days vs. 5 days of school. Now I'm wondering, are the crowds much different at the two times? If there will be crowds and long lines in Oct., I may opt to go in Dec. instead. Any opinions?

 

[h20jag]

I'd take early Oct. Still get some hot days sometimes, and the crowds aren't too bad till Saturdays.
The area will become congested late pm if this is a date for HHN though. Easy to plan around!
Jim

 

[YenSid1222]

I would take December hands down. December is usually part of the dry season (this past year was an exception to that, however). Mainly, I would do this for crowds. The first week of December, you will have the parks to yourself, and the Christmas decor will already be going. In October, you will have to go up against Halloween Horror Nights...which is the biggest attendance of the year for the events. The weather is warmer...but this is still Florida where it can be unpredictable.

So, take December...thats my favorite time to visit all the parks...we feel like VIPs walking around!

 

[MrsMud]

Oh, no, YenSid! Now You've got me doubting myself. Actually we were at Disney the 1st week in Dec., 2001. We loved all the Christmas decorations and festivities. And the weather was PERFECT, in the low 80's the whole time, and only rain one morning. We said we would never go at any other time! BUT... I have since come to learn that we had unseasonably warm temps for Orlando at that time of year. I watched the Fla. weather this past Dec., and it was COLD. Are there really crowds for HHN that early in the month? I thought the party didn't start until the following week. I guess I'll have to keep considering. Does anyone else have an opinion?
Maybe November??????

 

[YenSid1222]

Even this year, it was never so cold to be unbearable. As far as HHN...the weekends start with it at the very end of September. The parks during the day arent so bad...but just the crowds bearing down on CityWalk can be a mess. And remember that HHN broke all kinds of attendance records this year since it was at IOA, I am sure that the upcoming year will be along the same lines now that the word is out that it was a great HHN year.

Personally, I have always felt that the first two weeks of December are THE time to go to Orlando. They are historically the lightest attendance days for all of the parks in Orlando, and you get the benifit of the Christmas stuff too. November isnt bad either...but you may hit a large number of school groups and cheerleaders.

Anyway...there are plusses and minuses to anytime of year I guess.

 

[JessicaR]

I have to go with early December. Yes the weather can be iffy but we go to Orlando the first or second week every year and have had only 2 years that I considered cold/bad weather. A few times we encountered exceptionally warm weather!

This is our favorite time of year to visit. The decorations are all up and the crowds are non existent.

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Hi! We have been both of the times you mentioned. We love going in early December, although this year it was cold and rained a few days. Still, a great time.

When we went in early October a few years ago it rained half of the days we were there - downpour actually. It was also sticky humid. It's kind of close to hurricane season (?) in early October. You can never be sure about the weather in Florida, so I wouldn't make that your deciding factor. You can still enjoy the parks when it rains.

The crowds were light both times. The Christmas decorations are beautiful.

Happy planning.

 

[Turtlegirl]

Are you staying onsite? The hotels have value season rates during December, but not October. That may help in your decision.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks for all your replies. I'm a little surprised that almost everyone is recommending December. Then again, I'm not surprised. I would love to go when all the christmas stuff is up and crowds are really low. But what about the weather???? For those who say you have been in early Dec., have you gotten soaked at Seaworld and IOA, and did you really enjoy yourself being cold and wet for the rest of the day? THAT'S what I'm afraid of. Any other votes for October?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I haven't been in either Oct or Dec, so I'm not much help. However, there are so many water rides at the parks that I would prefer being there when it is warm.

 

[Beccabooey]

Just a thought if you're concerned about the weather. Try this webiste: www.wunderground.com. If you put in for Orlando, Fl, it will initially give you today's weather. But at the bottom of the chart, it has a place where you can enter in the dates for past weather. I've looked up the dates we were looking at (also in the beg. of Oct.) and for the last five years there has barely been any rain at all. Try your December dates, too, and then you can really gage what time of year you would prefer. Hope this helps -- happy planning!