End of August or Oct or Thanksgiving?

[marathon]

We just went during Spring break DD8 DS5, and we got hooked and upgrade to AP. Want to decide which time to go again this year to better use AP. Money part is similar as I checked for all those dates.

1. Last week of August. Pros: kids don' t have to miss school or any private music lessons, can stay for 8 nights, can visit beach in Tampa area and legoland and water park with plenty time . Parks are not crowded during that week. Cons:still too hot?(we are from up north), a little bit too closer to our past most recent trip Mar29.

2.Fall break end of Oct. Pros: pleasant weather,not very crowded either, can experience MNSSHP for Halloween. Just saw people said how fun it is, making me put more weight on MNSSHP. Cons:kids will miss school for 3 days and lost some private lessons . Will stay for 6 nights for the dates with reasonable airfare comparable to Aug dates.

3. Thanksgiving week. Pros: cool enough. No private lesson so to lose. Cons: crowded; take kids out of school for 2 days , too cold to visit beach?

Want to know how other people weigh on those dates. Will appreciate any comments.

 

[cindyfan]

I'd say go in Oct. The kids would LOVE MNSSHP! That in itself is worth it.
And at that age missing 3 days of school is not a huge deal. I used to pull my DD out for 2-3 days in Oct just to make a trip for MNSSHP.
And the other thing.... you can go to the Food and Wine Festival. Kids will love trying different foods and it gives you something for yourself to enjoy!

oh.... just don't hit the Food and Wine on the weekend! way too crowded on Saturdays especially!

 

[Disneylover99]

If I were you I'd go (and I do go) the last week of August, because 8 nights is better then 6 nights.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I agree with PP - I would do the August dates - 8 days are better than 6 and the kids don't need to be taken out of school.

 

[marathon]

Thanks for all the inputs... Please keep coming...

 

[TwizzleMouse]

We went 2 years ago end of August. Yes it was blazing hot! But it was a wonderful time!
You just have to remember that is prime hurricane season!

October is nice too. MNSSHP is a plus! I think the kids would really enjoy that!

Never Thanksgiving! Besides your kids missing school, the crowds are enough to keep one away! And it may be a little cool for the beach.

Just my 2 cents!

I hope you have a magical time regardless of when you go!

 

[Disfan1968]

Yeah, I agree with many of the posters here. If you are going to take kids out of school it REALLY should be for a good reason. For me those would be...

1. An incredible monetary incentive just as a huge discount for an off season visit.
2. A likewise off-season visit when park crowds are super low in numbers.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

We have been in August twice!! NEVER AGAIN. It WAS SO HOT!!! We are also from the North and we were reapplying sunscreen all the time, the kids were hot and sweaty so whining much more then normal. They also got tired much quicker in the heat. We always try for fall/winter now and it's helped our trips fun factor by a lot.

 

[CaffeinatedMama]

I pulled my daughter out for 1 week of 2nd grade (Nov 2012 trip) and 1 week of 3rd grade (Sept 2013 trip). I did it because the savings was huge with free dining both trips and low crowds both trips. My daughter got all of her assignments and had them done to turn in her first day back.

I will say that I much preferred the weather on the Nov trip. We went mid month on the Sept trip and it was still super hot and humid. Now I'm looking at doing Oct this year, and yes, I will be *that* parent who takes their kid out of school... Again.

My two cents, go when the weather isn't miserable and the crowds are low. It will be a much more enjoyable and magical experience. I've not once regretted the missed days or practices - you get so much more out of the family time that it's absolutely worth it.

 

[cgattis]

Yes, August is miserable. Weather should be nice Thanksgivjng week, and Xmas decorations will be up (but no parties that week). But I'd pick October--Halloween is my favorite time there. LOVE MNSSHP.

 

[vcr]

I live near Disney and we get seasonal passes because I can't stand the heat. The last 2 times we went in August we left after an hour and a half because I was miserable. We stopped to get frozen lemonade on the way out the last time at AK and the girl taking our order passed out from the heat. My mom is a nurse and took care of her until the paramedics arrived. I would rather have 6 days in October when I can be comfortable than 8 days in misery. Plus MNSSHP is awesome. Unless your kids struggle in school taking them out for a few days is no big deal.

 

[prisjoyce]

We have been late Oct & Thanksgiving week. I prefer Thanksgiving, my husband prefers Oct.

We did MNSSHP & really enjoyed it. The Oct weather was great: jeans & tees, but still good pool time. Crowds were moderate. My kids missed several days of school, which is always tough.

Thanksgiving week has Osborne Lights, some Christmas decorations, but heavier crowds. Weather is great for touring, but my kids turn blue in the pool. We missed no school, and it felt great!

They are both good times to visit, IMO. Can you get free dining in Oct? Does that matter to you?

Good luck w your decision & enjoy your trip!

 

[anniemae]

Would NEVER do August. Soooooooooo miserable, and oppressive. I would personally do October.

 

[JPDtheJD]

I would do October. Lower crowds and cooler weather are so much more important than any other factor in my book. The Halloween party is fantastic too.

 

[TuneTownMagic]

I have been at WDW both at end of August and right on Thanksgiving. August can be very rainy, but the crowds aren't too bad. Thanksgiving and beginning of December were very crowded. It gets especially crazy at the World Showcase in Epcot because people are lined up for the Candlelight Processional literally all day long, in enormous lines. If you like warm weather, this time of year is much milder. In fact, several days I was wearing pants and sweatshirts. All of this being said, it is SUCH a magical and unique time of year to go, and there are a lot of very unique things going on, including resort holiday displays, Osborne lights at DHS, Candlelight Processional with celebrity narrators, gorgeous Christmas trees everywhere, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, stage shows, and more.

 

[Disfan1968]

August is fine if you have a plan. There are some threads on this. As a teacher I have no choice but to go in the summer as I won't battle holiday crowds that accompany my other vacations.

What works for us in August is our kids sleep 11:00 pm to 9:00 or 10:00 am. This way we don't even head for the parks until about 3:30. Pretty much upon arrival we go to our ADR (always made for about 5:00 pm) and have an air conditioned dinner. We leave dinner at 6 or 6:30 and have 4 or so hours in the parks. Sometimes even more time as some places, like MK have midnight hours even without EMH. Our kids do just fine with it as they get nine or ten hours of sleep when we sleep in.

During the day we do the pool, or a water park, etc. It works for us, but we can stay 12 days so their is much less pressure to pack things in at the parks.

 

[marathon]

Thanks for all the comments. Originally I lean toward August, now seems the heat issue might be more than what I thought. The avg high during that week is 91, and los 72. We had 90s up north too, but humidity is different...and we stay inside usually when it's 90s outside...

Still keep weighing...tough one...