Help me decide a date.

[Tina Rosetta]

Our family, DH, 2DDs (10 & 7) and myself have been to Disney as a family four times. We have always gone in either October or March during our kids break from school. We are trying to plan a date for 2006. We either want to go in May, October, or Thanksgiving break in November. Our school system normally gets a fall break in Oct but they are discussing giving us a week in November at Thanksgiving instead. I know it will be great in Nov due to the decorations for Christmas. However, I do not want to WAIT that long to go and was considering the last couple of weeks in May. We usually stay a week. Please give me your thoughts on when would be the best time to go based on CROWDS and weather. All comments will be appreciated. Thanks for all your help.

 

[maxiesmom]

My favorite time of year to go is October. The parks are usually not too busy, but the weather can be all over the place! We have sweated our hinneys off, and been pretty darn chilly, all in the same trip! I actually took my first May trip this year, but it was too hot for me. So it is back to October next year.

 

[binkertell]

You're most likely to be successful in beating the crowds when it's not that close to a holiday. Late May is when the kids get out of school, and Thanksgiving gets pretty crowded, too. Just like maxiesmom said, it's better to go in October, preferably early October. Also, if you plan on staying for a week in one of the WDW hotels, you can get into any park an hour and a half before it opens, before any other crowds. It's one little secret that not many people know about.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

What are the details about getting in an hour and a half early? I am a fanatical planner and never seen that before. Sounds good though!

I have visited in late May, early June, and this week. Our trick is get there at opening, ride the most important things first, nap/pool/dinner from about 2-7, and go back in the evening until we've done what we wanted to do. This has been foolproof b/c we beat the crowds and go back when they are thinning. I can't complain about crowds on any of the trips really. This last one was the most crowded, so avoid the holidays. I heard from a CM that early December is the least crowded followed by early May, although your kids will still be in school.

 

[binkertell]

Well, I searched around a little more and came across something called "Extra Magic Hours" where each day, Disney Resort Guests can get into the park an hour earlier than regular visitors (I thought it was an hour and a half, but apparently not), and other days it stays open three hours later. Of course you have to have a ticket also, but it's pretty good if you want to get on a ride that usually has long lines!

 

[Jenn9]

I would go in May since it is the soonest, but October would most likely be the nicest as far as temperatures.