Early Planning - Late Oct, Early Dec, Early/Mid Jan?

[Masiri]

I am tentatively trying to plan our next trip to Disney. Tentatively planning for late 2017/early 2018. (MY current thoughts are - week of 10/23/17, vs. week of 10/4/17, vs. 1/8/18?)

We are: Family of 5 - kids are: 2x currently in 1st grade, will be in 3rd grade at the time of the trip, 1x currently 3, will be almost 5 at the time of the trip (the plan is to go before she starts K).

I think I'm ok with pulling the older two out of school (Assuming they're doing ok academically, so far so good)

a) is there a 'better' time to pull kids out of school, given the general dates above? (my instinct would be for the two winter dates - December, they're winding down/prepping for the holidays, and Jan, they're just getting started back up again)
b) want to plan our dates for low(er) crowds. We went mid October a few years ago, and it wasn't too bad. We really liked the food & wine fest, and went to a MNSSHP, which was awesome. (I'd definitely consider MVPCP, but I worry it wouldn't be as good as the HP!)
c) how about weather for those dates? I know Oct will be hotter than the winter, but are we more likely to get 'decent' weather in Dec or Jan?

 

[justme0729]

I am a teacher and I don't think there is necessarily a better time to pull them out. My thoughts are that in October, the learning really starts vs. reviewing material from 2nd grade. In December, they are probably starting to wrap up a unit before break. In January, they're probably just starting a new unit. I think I would choose December but I wouldn't choose your time only based on thinking it would be better to pull in December because who knows

Ive heard that Early December is low crowds but haven't been there then myself. We were there 12/31-1/8 in 2015 and crowds were lessening on 1/7 and 1/8 but I thought it was still pretty busy. I haven't been in October.

I've read that Dec and Jan weather is unpredictable... For us, it was in the 80s and we went to the water parks. But some years people say it's very cold. When we left on 1/8, the morning was 30 degrees!

I think I would personally choose early December but I'm sure any time would be great!

 

[Nancyg56]

I have been in January, December, and in October. Weather wise, I like October the best. It is hot, but nor August hot, KWIM? But, the last October trip was way more crowded than the one I had taken a few years prior. WAY more crowded. If you are looking for "lower" crowds, this may not be the best time.

I have been in December a few times, and I like that time period a lot. It is stunning with the decorations and the Holiday events. But the weather is iffy. Sometimes it is nice and warm...you can enjoy the pool as well as the parks. Other times....COLD! You just do not know. Both times, with the exception of non party days in the MK, the parks were really manageable.

January is nice too, but the hours are generally reduced in the MK, and if there are attraction refurbished, this is when they get done. We had weather that was both warm and cold. You just do not know.

I think if you can pull your kids from school, choose the time frame that is best for you. I don't think there are really any empty times in the parks anymore, and the weather is really not predictable in winter, so look at your calendar and what you all want to do.

Fall is awesome with the Halloween parties and Food and Wine. Christmas is gorgeous, and of course there are parties and special holiday events, (my personal favorite time) and January is January. We like it then as well. For our family, in school, December was the least busy time for our DGD.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am a teacher and I don't think there is necessarily a better time to pull them out. My thoughts are that in October, the learning really starts vs. reviewing material from 2nd grade. In December, they are probably starting to wrap up a unit before break. In January, they're probably just starting a new unit. I think I would choose December but I wouldn't choose your time only based on thinking it would be better to pull in December because who knows

Ive heard that Early December is low crowds but haven't been there then myself. We were there 12/31-1/8 in 2015 and crowds were lessening on 1/7 and 1/8 but I thought it was still pretty busy. I haven't been in October.

I've read that Dec and Jan weather is unpredictable... For us, it was in the 80s and we went to the water parks. But some years people say it's very cold. When we left on 1/8, the morning was 30 degrees!

I think I would personally choose early December but I'm sure any time would be great!

When we took our DGD we found that December was the best time for her as far as time away from school. I wil say that I am glad we did this when she was young and was able to catch up. As soon as she hit middle school, that ship sailed. Now she is in HS, and even the thought of missing school would send her into a tail spin! Now we have to melt in the Summer in order to vacation with her! My DGD is an VOAG student, and her parents are prepared to even skip Summer vacations once she is a Junior and Senior...depending on her commitments she may not want to go!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

January is very often refurb and closure season, and can be iffy for swimming if swimming is a delight and a distraction while on holiday.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We had such a good time Dec 7-13 that we decided to go again in 2017 in that same time frame. The crowds were very manageable and the weather was great!

DD will be in 2nd grade by then, but I don't have trouble pulling her out of school that time of year. They aren't doing much new work at that time.

I really think it's the perfect time to go

 

[Nancyg56]

We had such a good time Dec 7-13 that we decided to go again in 2017 in that same time frame. The crowds were very manageable and the weather was great!

DD will be in 2nd grade by then, but I don't have trouble pulling her out of school that time of year. They aren't doing much new work at that time.

I really think it's the perfect time to go

I booked the 10th thru the18th for the same reason

 

[Satchmo128]

I agree that early December is a fabulous time to go to WDW (not so much for the CA parks, lol). Disney holiday magic with relatively low crowds!

 

[courtneybeth]

First two weeks of December are the best. We're going December 12-19 for this reason - good weather and low(er) crowds than Christmas week.

 

[AussieNSW]

Having been for the first time over the Christmas season you need to take them during this time. The Christmas festivities just add something extra. It brought the magic of the season to my children and they are teenagers so i can just imagine how fantastic it would be with younger ones. Go in early December we went at the busiest time between Christmas and New Year and even though the crowds were huge we still loved it.