Help me decide which week to go in 2012!

[BobbidiBoo's Mom]

I'm trying to figure out when to make our next trip to WDW (hooray!) Historically we have gone in November but last November it was really cold. Also I live in New England and this has been a really bad winter so we're thinking a winter get away next year would be great.

I have daughter who will be in 1st grade and I do plan on taking her out of school. I can't go away too close to February vacation (last week of Feb) because then she would be out of school for 2 straight weeks.

Part of me wants to go in January (that's my birthday month) but I'm afraid it will be cold in January in Orlando (it sure was cold this past January!)

So I think we're thinking that March 2012 is the right time to go. What is the effect of college spring break on park crowds and on flights (we're flying from the Northeast). I'm thinking that the 2nd or 3rd week in March would be good but I've never traveled to Orlando in March.

We plan on staying on property which we've never done. Are there peak times in March that the prices are higher? I'm trying to plug in dates for this March on the WDW website to get a sense but so many hotels are booked that I'm not getting any concrete info.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[jlm]

We have always traveled in December to Disney...yes this year was cold. In fact record cold!!
It taught me you can plan and plan....but you can't predict the weather!! I would go when it is convient for you. With that said being a former travel agent....all of March is spring break. Colleges & schools all have different weeks for spring break....it tends to be a bit more expensive and more crowded throughout the month.....
Sorry I couldn't be more help...
Jen

 

[kstrong001]

We went in October two years ago and had a great time. Low crowds, and the halloween stuff was a lot of fun, worth the extra admission.

 

[sue_88]

How cold was it in November?
I have gone in November in previous years and it was warm enough to swim. But, of course, any year could be different. I am going this November and I will be disappointed if it is cold. I love the Festival of the Masters art show at DTD that is held in November. It keeps me from choosing a different month to visit.

 

[BobbidiBoo's Mom]

Last November was very cold (for Florida). It was probably in the low 40's. Floridians had on hats, scarves, gloves. The November before that was very warm so yes it varies year to year. In general this was a cold winter for Florida. Also for me, I've been 2 Novembers in a row and just want to try a different season. And we had a really really bad winter here in New England I would have loved a March Florida break from the weather here. That's all.

 

[mlynn]

We went in October two years ago and had a great time. Low crowds, and the halloween stuff was a lot of fun, worth the extra admission.

I always go in Oct.We are planning a 2012 October trip.We love halloween at Disney.It really is worth the extra admission.

 

[ThreeKMom]

We also usually go in Nov./Dec. We were there the week after Thanksgiving the last two years in a row. We did get to swim in the day for most of our trip, however the mornings and evenings were COLD!

We decided to try the end of August this year, I know it will be hot and probably a little rainy but at least I wont need to worry about not having enough layers to put on!

We did travel in the beginning of February many years ago, and it was too cold to swim for the entire trip! However the parks were not crowded at all!

 

[Virtucomp]

Since your able to go during school time I would highly recommend the end of October. One of our best trips what over Halloween. The weather was very comfortable and the crowd level was great.

We are from New England also so we don't want to got to Florida in the cold.

The second week of November is usually Jersey week so we try to avoid that.

 

[raenyny]

I have to say end of October also...One of our best trips was also Halloween...The kids loved the MNSSHP!!

 

[denverloxguy]

I used to live in northern Florida. End of October is ideal because its the small window between the rainy season(June to Late Sept.) and the cold months (mid Nov to Feb).

 

[ccgirl]

Since your able to go during school time I would highly recommend the end of October. One of our best trips what over Halloween. The weather was very comfortable and the crowd level was great.

We are from New England also so we don't want to got to Florida in the cold.

The second week of November is usually Jersey week so we try to avoid that.

This. We are from MA so we know about the cold. We tried December last year. It was during the record cold. As a matter of fact, a couple of nights it was colder down there. No swimming for the kids. IMHO, it just wasn't the same without swimming. Plus, in the winter you have a better chance of cancelled and delayed flights.

We love October and May. My DD will be in 3rd grade next year and we no longer want to pull her out so we are going to try April vacation next year. It does not coincide with Easter next year so we're hoping that keeps the crowds down. I'm sure the airfare will be horrendous though.

 

[disneyred]

close friend of mine went this past dec. and she loved loved the xmas decorations.. she would go back in a heartbeat...

 

[jjpope1]

we went last year in march and it was end of march, weather was GREAT!!! i think it rained 1 time while we were there! but carry a small jacket at night! we are planning too for a march 2012 vacation, but it wont let you plug stuff in, date is too far away. and if you call they will give you the top dollar amount due to them not knowing what the room rate will be yet. i hope this helps and that you have a great time!!!

 

[antree]

I say go for the week after Easter. The weather is great crowds were fine and you get the Flower & Garden Festival. We went last year at that time and loved it. With Easter so late this year we are waiting for next year to go at that time again.

 

[Mom2HandR]

We did our first ever trip March 12 to 19th. I would never go at March Break again. Way too much time spent in line or dashing for fast passes. It is extremely busy, especially at MK.

 

[readytogotodisney]

We go every year over MLK week. We love it.
We're from IN so to be able to get outside with only a lightweight sweatshirt is considered a heat wave, exactly what we need in the middle of the nasty winter (and we don't even have it as bad as you do in the Northeast).

Plus it's so nice to have something to look forward to after Christmas is over and all you see is gray skies.

 

[Tinker mouse]

We have gone the last week of January for several years. We are from MA. It is usually quite brisk. Jeans and a jacket are normal. We feel blessed if the temp gets above 70 and we turn our faces to the sun. You can almost judge the crowd levels by looking at the hotel prices. If it is "value season" the crowds will be minimal. Do a web search for Disney hotel "rack rates" and you can see the price fluctuations that coincide with crowd fluctuations. If you want to swim stick with times between March and October. All other times are iffy.

 

[rcollins10]

We also usually go in Nov./Dec. We were there the week after Thanksgiving the last two years in a row. We did get to swim in the day for most of our trip, however the mornings and evenings were COLD!

We decided to try the end of August this year, I know it will be hot and probably a little rainy but at least I wont need to worry about not having enough layers to put on!

We did travel in the beginning of February many years ago, and it was too cold to swim for the entire trip! However the parks were not crowded at all!

Hello I was wondering how the crowds are the week after Thanksgiving? Thanks