Family is getting older, plans change...

[xipetotec]

So as DVC members, we go with the WHOLE family every couple of years. ( that is grand parents, brother and his GF, us and our kids ). this has been a group of 12-18 people depending on the year. We've been FORTUNATE in that the kids had the same spring break, even when the first two went to college. So that's what we've done since 2002.

Now however, as everyone gets older, one is in the workforce and can't really get HOLIDAYS off ( restaurant business ), the other is in a different college than the last one so their March breaks DO NOT match up. That leaves us with a conundrum, when to go now.

Being as we are Canadian, the idea was always to "split up" the winter, so we're not super into the idea of doing a *summer* trip since it's nice and warm here in Montreal in the summer. ( downright hot even ).

So we've narrowed it down to two times of year and I wanted to get people's feedback on those two times.

Basically very first week of January, before anyone goes back to school. I know the parks are pretty dead, but I also know it's not very "warm" at this time of year. Thoughts?

The alternative is last week or so of MAY when everyone is out of school. then we're not splitting up the summer much, but at least we get to go to Disney. and it's nice and hot. But I think the crowds start building up by then. Thoughts?

 

[han22735]

I'd say that the first week of January will be busier than the last week of May. With New years a lot of schools are off that week plus you get into the marathon weekend 5-8th. And yes it can be in the 80's and swimming one day and then 40's the next. I'd rather go in May.

 

[kwdw]

January will be less crowded but the weather is unpredictable.
May weather will be nice - but late May - crowds are picking up.

In January - depending on when January 1st falls and the marathon weekend - you can get some crowds hanging around - but I don't think this is bad.

In late May - you have to worry about the US holiday of Memorial Day causing an uptick in crowds. But few US elementary/middle/high school students are out yet - they tend to still be finishing up the school year.

I think both are still great times to go - it just depends on the weather you want..... May - warm - maybe hot and humid. January - could be in the 40's - could be in the 80's......

 

[Alesia]

The first week of January will be at least as busy, if not busier, than the last week of May. May has nicer weather, too.

I would pick May over any other time of the year.

 

[mds88]

I haven't gone during either time so I can't comment on crowds, but as far as weather, when we went in the middle December it was upper 80s lower 90s and we wore shorts and tshirts every day except one. But I have also heard people needing hats and gloves that time of year so like others have mentioned, it is unpredictable! Personally though I think I would rather tour in the cooler weather!

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I would pick May as well. It's a very nice time to go. Good luck!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

We've been both times and PPs all have valid points. The only think I don't see above is that it can actually be freezing in January. We were there one week that included Marathon Weekend and it also included ice and snow. It's rare, but does happen...

 

[anniemae]

Love January. I like the weather, great for park touring.

 

[xipetotec]

Awesome, thanks for all the great feedback everyone!

 

[scrapquitler]

Go whenever it works for your family. Personally, I like the warmer weather break in January. You're from Canada, even if the weather in January is 'cold' by Florida standards, its most likely going to be a lot warmer there than it is in Canada. When we went last January, it was in the mid 60s, and we were thrilled, happily in t-shirts and enjoying the 'warm' day. And there were people in line near us in Parkas, scarves, gloves and hats. It's all a matter of perspective.

 

[DisneyFive]

I don't think MOST schools are out in May yet. Maybe college level, but not so sure about younger kids. Around here, they are in school through early to mid June.

Dan

 

[hamilkm]

I went the last week in May this year. The weather was absolutely wonderful! It was hot, but not nearly as humid as summer. The crowds seemed to be about average to me. Less than spring break crowds but maybe a little more crowded than early September(lowest crowds I have seen). I would probably choose May!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

May if you can make the flower and garden festival.

Consider what is being refurbed in Jan. And see if it is something special to your family too.

 

[xipetotec]

Go whenever it works for your family. Personally, I like the warmer weather break in January. You're from Canada, even if the weather in January is 'cold' by Florida standards, its most likely going to be a lot warmer there than it is in Canada. When we went last January, it was in the mid 60s, and we were thrilled, happily in t-shirts and enjoying the 'warm' day. And there were people in line near us in Parkas, scarves, gloves and hats. It's all a matter of perspective.

Well I would mostly tend to agree with you. *Except* that there's been a couple of times we've been end of Feb/Beginning on March where we've had SUCH cold days that we were scouring the shops for gloves and hats. ( but then other days have been super warm, so who knows )

 

[scrapquitler]

Well I would mostly tend to agree with you. *Except* that there's been a couple of times we've been end of Feb/Beginning on March where we've had SUCH cold days that we were scouring the shops for gloves and hats. ( but then other days have been super warm, so who knows )

That's why I said 'most likely'. We spent one Thanksgiving week in WDW where Orlando was colder than Connecticut, which caught us totally by surprise.

 

[isabellea]

I'm also from Montreal and May would be my choice. Yes it's nice to escape winter but personally I'm not tired of it yet the first week of January and I'm not going to FL to freeze!

 

[bearzabout]

I love swimming and days at the waterparks, so I love to go in the spring when I can spend entire days in a pool without getting cold. If park time is more important, I'd go when it is cooler in January. We melt in spring/summer heat unless we are in a pool. If swimming is important, don't go in January.

The Flower & Garden festival will be at Epcot in May and is very nice. All the Christmas Decorations come down by about January 8 so the parks are a bit boring in January compared to other times when special events are scheduled.

 

[Doug S]

I have been twice late May/early June. Starting to get very hot and humid, but nothing like later in the summer. Crowds are busy, but manageable using crowd calendars & park recommendations. First week of January will be very busy for a few days after New Year's and refurb season will start. They use January & early February to get everything cleaned up and working after Christmas and before the President's Day crowds. I visited Busch Gardens & Universal late January this year the weekend there was that huge storm on the east coast. Didn't rain much while I was at the parks, but it was unbelievably cold and windy. We had to buy gloves and we're from Colorado!

 

[DisneyFive]

Personally, I would choose May over January. The only drawbacks I can think of for May would be more potential for rain, and the fact that you need to grind out the entire winter up there in Canada 'eh.

We prefer it warm/hot at Disney, so the thought of even remotely needing a jacket and pants at WDW doesn't really appeal to us.

Dan

 

[jtowntoflorida]

January is less crowded, but more rides also tend to go under refurbishment in January. For example, Splash is usually closed for maintenance then. Maybe Splash doesn't mean a lot to you, but a trip to Disney without Splash doesn't feel like a trip to Disney, IMHO. Also, the parks will close fairly early in January, leaving little to do in the evenings. I'm from just south of Canada and I will say that I was really surprised at how uncomfortable we were in the evenings at Disney when we went mid-December a couple of years ago. The nights are clammy, making them feel colder then they were. Or something.