Help me decide trip 1st week oct or week before christmas or late july?

[dutton]

I have come to that point where i can't take time off except when kids are out of school, so i am trying to plan our next years trip. this year we went 1st week of october and really found it to be packed. i am attributing this to the free meal deal, and other schools being out that week. is the week before christmas comparable to that? Because I missed seeing the christmas decorations and find it better to be in parks if it is not 90 degrees - ha!ha! we love water parks but could do those another trip by themselves. i think i saw on a website where july is value season after the 4th? are crowds low? i subscribe to tourguide mike but went with a group in oct and nobody would listen to me--if we had followed his advice it probably would have gone much smoother. my parents have said they can't tolerate heat anymore, so i feel the week before christmas is only option---what are your opinions? i.e. can you compare crowd levels to another time? TG Mike gives crowd levels a 4, but doesn't deviate from normal planning advice until the 24th. Thank you for any advice!!

Suzanne

 

[dvcgirl]

The first week of October is far less crowded than the other dates you mentioned. The week before Christmas will easily be more crowded than the first week in October, and July is just packed.

 

[Demon Llama]

The first week of October is far less crowded than the other dates you mentioned. The week before Christmas will easily be more crowded than the first week in October, and July is just packed.

Agreed, dvcgirl. Next to September and January, October is the next best time to go AND it's still considered VALUE season.

 

[debloco]

Agree with both other posters.
In order I'd choose:
1st week of October
Week before Christmas

I wouldn't even go the last week in July. Too hot, too humid, too crowded.

 

[joeytiffany118]

We have gone the last 2 years in late July - Early August and the lines are not bad, but the heat is pretty bad. If you get an early start save shows for midday it is pretty good. Universal was empty the days we went and everything except MGM was pretty dead when we went. The only line we waiting in the entire time was the jungle cruise otherwise fast pass and luck were on our side.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We found the crowds at the parks to be far smaller during our late July/early August trip than during any other this past year. Also, the temperatures were lower than at home, where we left 100+ degrees.

We found the 2nd week of October to be QUITE crowded (and trip reports from the previous week stated pretty much the same). I don't think the crowds the first week of October were just because of free dining and such. There were NO deals available (no AP discounts for the first time in as long as I can remember!!!) during our stay, but the place was PACKED!!

We haven't been at Christmas in some time, so I cannot comment...yet. We'll be leaving in 11 days, so I'll let you know when we return Dec. 27th. I'm expecting very large crowds during this trip, but we're prepared.

If you will be only making one trip to WDW during the year, I'd choose either the July or October dates. You'll be able to visit far more attractions during your visit.