Help me choose a time to go

cruisehopeful

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Oct 25, 2015
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I will be going to WDW fall 2022 for my first stay in my home resort at the Polynesian. I am a DL regular and plan to visit WDW every couple years solo (for the most part). Since I'll be booking at 11 months in advance, I need to plan dates. I am flexible and can go pretty much anytime, but have some preferences. I love the Halloween and Christmas theming at DL, but since I plan to visit WDW every couple years, that's not the biggest priority this time.

Here are my personal preferences:
  • Want to travel October, November or December
  • I hate humidity! I'd like to try to go when it's less likely to be really hot and humid
  • I'd like lower crowds
  • I can do a long weekend or a weekday only visit
  • I want to see the stuff we lost in DL (Country Bears, People Mover, Tower of Terror)
  • Flexible on all other activities as far as after hours parties, dining, resort activities - I like to go with the flow
With all that in mind, can you suggest the best weeks or dates to consider?
 
We went first week of November twice. First time it was perfect temp but some rain, second time (much more recently) it was warmer than I like. You just can’t predict the weather but you can check crowd calendars. Early November and early December before holiday crowds arrive seem like good contenders. October can have fall break visitors IIRC. November had Food & Wine Festival at Epcot which we enjoyed and MK was already decorated for Christmas.
 
The first couple of weeks of December are usually a great time to go. I have rarely run into much rain, the temperatures are usually great, though you might run into a cold snap once in a while. Crowds are quite manageable, and all the Christmas decorations are up.
 

We use to always go mid December leaving when the crowds were starting to show up.
Weather was perfect, Christmas was in full effect but schools were not out yet.
We went last year 3rd week in October it rained almost every day but the crowds were decent. Apparently some schools have a fall break that's not Thanksgiving and they were all there when we went.
Mid December gets my vote..

( my favorite time is January & February)
 
Definitely early December- just after the Thanksgiving crowds leave. October is still warm and humid down here. November you will have Food and Wine and Wine and Dine Marathon crowds followed by Veterans Day weekend crowds and then the Thanksgiving travelers.

Now that Pop Warner will be held at Universal, December SHOULD be a little less busy (fingers crossed).
 
I love going the first 2 weeks of December with just adults. The weather is always a guess. Typically days we wear short sleeves and leggings and nights we throw sweatshirts and joggers on. It's all decorated for Christmas with lights everywhere. The school kiddos are usually in the middle of finishing up essential last minute end of semester stuff, so the lines arent ridiculous. We love the Christmas party but can't speak on it since they are doing something different now, hopefully it will be back by next year. Good luck on picking the perfect time for you and as always, enjoy!
 
Thanks for all the replies. I looked at point charts with all of the above information in mind and decided to go early December. It has lower points and sounds like one of the better times to visit.

keep in mind the first two weeks of december dvc rooms go quick so it's important to make a reservation at your home resort 11 months in advance
 
I would ask, which do you like more...Christmas or Halloween? Early November or early December are great for Christmas and slower times before the crowds get nuts. October is a great time for a Halloween/fall visit. Humidity will be lower later in the year for sure, but I would go more off of decor and holidays if it were me. Sounds like a blast no matter what!!
 
We have been going mid November for the last few years now. Stay about ten days and avoid Thanksgiving! You get some Christmas decor/food and also food and wine is still going on. The weather is awesome! Never had bad weather yet. I guess we've been lucky. Evenings I need a sweater but my husband doesn't. Love November!
 
I will be going to WDW fall 2022 for my first stay in my home resort at the Polynesian. I am a DL regular and plan to visit WDW every couple years solo (for the most part). Since I'll be booking at 11 months in advance, I need to plan dates. I am flexible and can go pretty much anytime, but have some preferences. I love the Halloween and Christmas theming at DL, but since I plan to visit WDW every couple years, that's not the biggest priority this time.

Here are my personal preferences:
  • Want to travel October, November or December
  • I hate humidity! I'd like to try to go when it's less likely to be really hot and humid
  • I'd like lower crowds
  • I can do a long weekend or a weekday only visit
  • I want to see the stuff we lost in DL (Country Bears, People Mover, Tower of Terror)
  • Flexible on all other activities as far as after hours parties, dining, resort activities - I like to go with the flow
With all that in mind, can you suggest the best weeks or dates to consider?
Pre Pandemic we have been going to Disney late October to early November or first week in December. In late October/November we were able to get the Halloween parade plus the late fall decorations and then the first week in November we got to see the Christmas decorations at MK. Resorts are usually second to third week in November before you start seeing decorations. In late October also get food and wine plus eats to the beats concerts. Now with Covid, timing is not the same. I’m hoping for late fall in 2022 also but until Disney and the government in Florida get their act together we are hesitant to make arrangements. We will see. We do travel to Disney every couple of years so I understand your thought process. But a don’t want to make financial commitment until everything is back in order. Good luck in whatever you do.
 
I will be going to WDW fall 2022 for my first stay in my home resort at the Polynesian. I am a DL regular and plan to visit WDW every couple years solo (for the most part). Since I'll be booking at 11 months in advance, I need to plan dates. I am flexible and can go pretty much anytime, but have some preferences. I love the Halloween and Christmas theming at DL, but since I plan to visit WDW every couple years, that's not the biggest priority this time.

Here are my personal preferences:
  • Want to travel October, November or December
  • I hate humidity! I'd like to try to go when it's less likely to be really hot and humid
  • I'd like lower crowds
  • I can do a long weekend or a weekday only visit
  • I want to see the stuff we lost in DL (Country Bears, People Mover, Tower of Terror)
  • Flexible on all other activities as far as after hours parties, dining, resort activities - I like to go with the flow
With all that in mind, can you suggest the best weeks or dates to consider?
We have traveled to WDW in all three months mentioned. One year when there over Halloween it was 88 to 92 everyday. One time we were there in December and it was near freezing a couple of days and all plants were covered by Disney staff. So weather - hard to be exact. Crowds - We have never been at WDW when we thought it was not crowded except when the weather is rainy although we do like the first couple weeks of December best. We like weekdays better due to crowds unless holidays fall on weekdays. Bears and People Mover were opened for our beginning of July '21 visit. Tower of Terror - no idea as I never have ridden. Post covid flexibility is really important. And print our menues unless you want to try and read them on your phone.
 
I have to agree with early December. The park is still crowded, but its not insanely pact. And the heat tends to be a little toned down which is nice when your waiting in the lines under the sun. I do believe though, this December will be insane because of the 50th even during the first couple weeks. So maybe don't judge so harshly if you are going this year haha.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with any of those months. If you would enjoy the Food and Wine Festival pick times for it. It is more crowded at Epcot during this time.

Because WDW has four parks going for Christmastime is great, too. This would start with the week of Thanksgiving. You don't have four parks in Californis; so, it's enough different to go. My favorite week for this is right after Thanksgiving.
Also, if you spread your wings you can see Christmastime at SeaWorld and Universal, too.
 








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