Help me decide when to visit

[HHMcG]

Trying to decide when to take our next FL trip. It will be 2 days at Legoland followed by 4 at Universal (onsite w/ FOTL). Our first time at both parks. We are me, DH, DD(10), DS(8) & DS(5).

3 choices:

Choice 1 - Last week of Aug thru labor day
pros
no school/can stay an extra day or two
looks like least crowds/expense ?
cons
HOT

Choice 2 - Columbus week (Oct 8-15)
pros
not as hot
cons
how are the crowds?
miss a little school
miss sports events

Choice 3- "Jersey Week" (Nov 6-13)
pros
not hot
cons
how are the crowds?
miss a little school
miss sports events
water park at LL closed


I'm not sure what crowds are like at any of these times beyond a quick glance at a crowd calendar. Just saw reference to something called "hell week" that might apply to Oct choice??? Any thoughts or feedback appreciated!

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

We have gone to Florida in January - record setting heat wave, 95+ everyday. I vote August. Plan for the heat, beat the heat.

 

[macraven]

Choice 2 will have crowds that linger after Columbus Day
Some of the local school districts have days off in middle October

Check the school districts online to get their exact dates in case they have released their calendar

 

[dsmom]

I say choice two or three. I never find the crowds unbearable in October or November. We have been thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. We never go in August, it's too hot for us and I was born and raised in Florida and still live here.

 

[nkereina]

I would opt for 3. Fewer crowds than Columbus Day weekend and more tolerable weather than late August. But as a side note, I've been in early November before and the weather was too cool to swim. It was in the 50s and 60s. I don't think it's typical, but the later you go, you do run the risk of weather being too cool rather than too hot.

 

[jjas]

We usually take our Universal trips in March or November. Last year we went in the middle of July and had a BLAST!! Yes it was hot, but the water rides were so much fun - as we don't normally get to do those in March or November. If you really want to do water rides and swim - I would vote for option 1. You can always hang at the pool during the hottest part of the day - or do what we did - since you have express pass you can get wet on a water ride (I recommend Popeye's if you want to get SOAKED) get back off and get right back in line. I think we went either 3 or 4 times in a row - SO MUCH FUN!!

 

[flateacher]

Florida schools will be back in session by late August. So that week should be ok local visitor wise. But then get a little busier for the weekend. It depends on what experience you want. I love visiting in November because it could be a little cooler - but too cold for water rides (we live here). We also go over labor day weekend to ride all the water rides and get totally wet. We also visit the hotel pools in August. So for us each month is different.

As for October - I have always heard that week is busy for some reason.

 

[keishashadow]

I've done options #2 (often) & #3 (last year)

Temperature: October can be h-o-t! We had several cool days in November. We're from PA, of course we still did the pools and water rides. Have done May, June & July into August in the parks. Yes, it's hot & humid...yes, you're at the parks having fun, sure beats the alternative of sitting at home

Crowds: October has HHN. If you aren't participating, Studios closes early those dates. Jersey week was busy, not as crowded as Columbus Day time period imo.

Have you pulled up any of the crowd calendars to see how busy the last week in August is? It's my understanding that it is very do-able. Having the extra length of trip and kids not missing school is a big bonus. Hotel rates are reasonably priced then as many schools are in session.

 

[kohlby]

I like option 3 for the best weather. I'm not sure if option 2 or 3 is more crowded. We've been several times in November and the weather has always been great. It's always been plenty warm enough for us to go swimming and I'm a cold weather wimp.

In August, the heat can be terrible. We went to Disney for the first two weeks of Sept in 2015 and the heat index was over 100 several days. You can tour smart in moderate crowds or even high crowds. (Add in that you have express pass and it should work well). But you can't do much about changing the heat. The low crowds of early Sept were great - but we didn't last nearly as long in the parks as usual. Add in kids, and it becomes more complicated as kids are more likely to have meltdowns in the heat. (Though adults aren't exempt!)