HELP! When should we go??

[Picabo]

In the past (pre-marriage/kids) I've loved going early in Dec b/c of the nice weather and lack of crowds. I'm now reading that it's gotten crowded in early Dec. Not what I was hoping for!

I have a husband and two kids who will NOT be happy to wait in lines 30+ min to go on a ride. Not that ANY of us likes lines but it will really put a huge damper on the trip if I have to listen to them all complain. So I need suggestions of when has the least crowds and the weather isn't unbearably hot. (Trying to avoid that 90 degree heat an humidity!) Is mid November a good time? (I'd love to be able to see it decorated for the holidays if possible) How about October? I realize it won't be decorated but how is the weather and the crowds??? I really hate to wait till Jan/Feb 2010! And I don't want to go THIS Jan/Feb b/c i want the girls to be a bit older before we go!

So what is your experience/advice?? HELP!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Early December is still one of the "slow" times in WDW and the parks look very nice all decorated for the holidays. But it has become harder to avoid crowds as Disney likes to keep the parks for full for obvious reasons. But I have been in early Dec. and found the crowds very managable. I'm heading down the second week in Nov. and I too am hoping to avoid megacrowds and I don't think you wouldn't have too much complaining, just use the fastpass system to your advantage, when a ride has a big line grab a fastpass and head to the next thing on your list and then come back to the fastpass ride at the time on the ticket.

 

[kelleigh1]

We were there this past November, right after Thanksgiving and the crowds were very reasonable in our opinion. The only time it was madness was the night we went to MVMCP at MK.

We've also gone in January, the week of MLK day and other than the Monday holiday, the crowds were great. Very low for Disney! The weather was also pretty perfect. I can't deal with too much heat - very fair skinned, so going in the summer is never an option. The temps in Jan. were a little cool in the mornings and at night, but nothing unreasonable - take a sweatshirt or light jacket with you and maybe throw on pants. During the day, we were in shorts and t-shirts. It was perfect in my opinion. But of course, no holiday decorations by that point.

 

[skipperkim]

The last time I was there was in 03 for early Dec. I'll be returning this year the Sun after Thanksgiving.

 

[mericletwins]

I say go this January. I think our most "magical trip" was when we went when the twins were 3 and our DS was 2. They really believed that Pooh was standing in front of them. Of course, you are the best judge of how your kids would do. Our kids were good about sitting in strollers (never had any choice about it I guess) and were pretty good in restaurants. We made sur eto go back to our resort mid-day for naps/rest and used the EMH and FP. We also didn't feel the need to do and see everything. We figured we'd be back again and it would give us new things to see the next trip.

 

[ols386]

We've been to WDW 8 different months (not in the same year, just over the years). I think either January or November are the best. We experienced less crowds during those two months of the year, compared to other months. The weather in January can be 'iffy', but both times we went in January, it was in the 70s and low 80s. November was warm, but not overly hot. I think when we went in November it was around the middle of the month.

 

[Cindy F]

I would say to go the first week in December. Decorations are beautiful, crowds are manageable, and lines seem shorter when it's not 120 degrees out!

As many times as we've been, we ALWAYS plan our trips since we really do believe that is key to a successful WDW trip. Look up each park's individual "slow day" and visit that park on that day. Avoid MK LIKE THE PLAGUE on the days when they are not having the Christmas Party, that's when everyone goes because the MK operating hours are shorter on the days they do have the party.

We enjoy MK on a party day then do Epcot/MGM that night. Then go back to MK just to see Wishes/Spectromagic another night. Fastpasses help a great deal as well.

Hope you have a great trip!