End of Jan Vs beginning of May

[rex9410]

We are planning a multigenerational trip to wdw in 2019, and are trying to narrow down dates. I am the point person, as ive been to disney nearly 25 times. i have been in may, but it was 16 years ago, and nothing is the same at disney anymore. There will be 7 adults and 3 children.

which is a better time, both crowd wise and expense wise?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Jan is cheaper but Jan is Florida coldest month. For example Disney closed their water parks and the resort pools this year because it was so cold. There is also a marathon in mid Jan and rooms sell out fast.
May will be hot and humid and more crowded than Jan. With the opening of the new Star Wars at Hollywood Studio in 2019 and the date has not been set for the opening, that can impact the crowd level immensely

 

[rex9410]

I should probably specify that we are looking at the last weeks in January or the first week in May. Are either one of those particularly better? We had originally wanted September but that won't work out for most of the group, so we are looking to the next best times to go. I know it's far out, but I anticipate getting an agreement on time to go to take a few months. I had thought I heard star wars opening end of 2019?

 

[Surgie2]

Not sure about Star Wars opening date but we are doing a multi-gen trip this coming May during the first week (May 4-13). I watched the weather and crowds during that same time last year. Weather was hot...in the 90s on many days and a few sprinkles but no real downpours from what I could tell from weather app. Crowds/lines were higher on weekends as expected (surmised from using Lines app). I have been to WDW in January three times - most recently last month, all times without kids. I would not choose January over May. As PP said, it was way too cold to swim all three times and our grandkids love the pool. January 27 was the most crowded I've ever seen MK and later saw it was recorded as a crowd level of 9 out of 10 (predicted to be 7). So cooler weather is a great trade off for lower crowds as we've had in past Januarys but not the case this year.

Also, we are really looking forward to the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot in May. We did see Festival of the Arts at Epcot in January and it was nice, but I think F&G will have more for the kids.

 

[starry_solo]

First week of May should be cooler. Last two weeks, hot & humid (I've been twice during the last two weeks)

 

[supitscarrie]

I've done a trip mid-January before and the key is just to pack layers. Lower park crowds and cheaper than booking in May, too, but if you guys want any sort of pool experience, you'll obviously want to go with the spring dates.

 

[beccasmom]

I’d choose early May. We’ve had great success with weather then although it can be humid. Our January trips have been pretty chilly, but that’s just the luck of the draw. We’re at WDW now and I had planned for warmer weather as it was very warm here last week. But it is 80 here right now and we can sure handle that.