How do you decide when to go to WDW?

[milmore104]

I am having trouble deciding whenwe should go to WDW. We are booked for next May. And seeing as we went all out on our last trip, thinking we wouldn't be back until we added to our family it seems like a good time. We used to go in May for the Flower Festival every year but the last 2 years we have gone in Dec. and Nov. and I was thinking about maybe Oct? My DH really wants to go in May. He loves the heat! And in nOV. It was warm most days but there were times you had to wear pants (specially at night) so is Oct. like that as well? Thanks

 

[yooperfan]

If you are considering Oct., consider the last week. The humidity drops off and you could get tickets for the Halloween party one night.

 

[SuiteDisney]

I'll go any time I can talk DH into it.

 

[Sandiebean]

We go according to when we'll have enough money set aside to go. We like to pay for our trips completely in advance. That aside... we like the following:
1. Low crowds
2. E-ride nights
3. Any celebration. ie we've gone for Birthdays and Anniversaries
4. To get away from the cold winter months.

 

[Janet2k]

Milmore104, if weather is really important to your family, look through some historical weather data for Orlando. I found the following on Yahoo's weather page:

- - - - - - -
Records and Averages - Orlando Orlando

Month / Avg. High / Avg. Low / Avg. Precip. / Rec. High / Rec. Low

January / 70.8° F /48.6° F /2.3 in /87° (01/30/1991) / 19° F (01/21/1985)

February / 72.7° F / 49.7° F / 3.0 in / 89° (02/20/1988) / 26° F(02/05/1996)

March / 78.0° F / 55.2° F / 3.2 in / 92° (03/28/1994) / 25° F(03/03/1980)

April / 83.0° F / 59.4° F / 1.8 in / 95° (04/15/1999) / 38° F(04/05/1987)

May / 87.8° F / 65.9° F / 3.6 in / 97° (05/27/1989) / 48° F(05/08/1992)

June / 90.5° F / 71.8° F / 7.3 in / 100° (06/19/1998) / 53° F(06/01/1984)

July / 91.5° F / 73.1° F / 7.3 in / 100° (07/03/1998) / 64° F(07/01/1981)

August / 91.5° F / 73.4° F / 6.8 in / 100° (08/22/1980) / 65° F(08/28/1997)

September / 89.7° F / 72.4° F / 6.0 in / 98° (09/17/1988) / 57° F(09/20/1981)

October / 84.6° F / 65.8° F / 2.4 in / 95° (10/06/1986) / 44° F(10/31/1993)

November / 78.5° F / 57.5° F / 2.3 in / 89° (11/05/1992) / 35° F(11/22/1981)

December / 72.9° F / 51.3° F / 2.2 in / 90° (12/07/1978) / 20° F(12/26/1983)
- - - - - - -

 

[chrissyk]

We went in Oct. a few years ago and it was BLAZING hot! They said that it was some sort of record heat or something. We'd specifically picked that time of year because a book that we'd read on Disney said that that week would be the most temperate, LOL! We vowed NEVER to go in Oct. again, but we broke that vow and booked for this Oct. We also usually go for a week in May, but this year it was really hot and really crowded during our May week so we may be changing that one next year. I really loved going there in Nov. and seeing all the holiday decorations up...Overall, I don't think that there is a bad time to go to WDW

 

[MinnieGi]

We decide to go based on:

Lower attendance times,

NO high humidity,

Special events we might like to try like MNSSHP for this year!!

BTW, October can still be very hot and humid in FL so that may be a good time to go if DH likes the heat!

 

[dmonroe]

We usually decide when to go based on season--ie. we like to go in value season! Typically we go in mid-December because we like seeing the decorations. This year ds and I are going in Sept. with friends.

We ususally avoid June, July and August because of heat and crowds. Although, I don't know why--we live in the deep south and have the same kind of weather as WDW! I think because my first trip to WDW (in '76) was in July and it was soooo hot. After that my parents took me out of school for future WDW trips. We always went in Oct or Dec! I'm just keeping up tradition

 

[glo]

I try to sneak in some visits that are NOT in the summer months, but with school age kids it is hard. I like to go when there is stuff going on, and my favorite time is right after Thanksgiving, when the parks are not to filled.

 

[christianweecare]

Being from Georgia, we won't go in the heat. We always go in value season, either Nov., Dec., or Jan. Most of the time we go the first part of Dec. because we love WDW at Christmas! Last year DH & I went the week before Thanksgiving so we could get our trip in before AP's expired. A few Christmas decorations were up, but we especially enjoyed the lowest crowds we had ever seen. We have worked in a long weekend trip in Jan. the past few years. These trips have been enjoyable, as well. Of course, you can never predict the weather. One time the temp. can be around 80 during the day. The next trip we may have to wear jackets the entire time, so pack for any event!

 

[Laura1994]

Basically some considerations for us are not too hot, i'd rather slightly cooler, but warm enough to swim.

Another is crowds - we've done vacation weeks so we didn't have to take the kids out of school (crazy crowds!) This year we went before the vacation weeks started and pretty much walked onto most rides - Definately will be a huge considation on our next trip!!! Also we got the lower rates instead of higher ones by just going a week early!

Lastly we like to get away and break up the long winter months so we tend to want to go Jan/Feb.

 

[BethC1952]

There's no place like WDW at Christmas time! We prefer the first two weeks in December because of the decorations and the fact that it's value season. There's not much crowding and the weather is usually good (OK, it rained and was cold just about every day in Dec 2002!)

Also, December is just about the only month when I can take a vacation of more than a couple of days because of my work schedule.

Beth

 

[laceemouse]

I agree with glo. We used to take the kids out of school to go at not too hot or crowded times. Now our oldest is finishing her first year of jr. high. The work load is tremendous and missing an entire week is out of the question! Luckily, we are from the south and the heat does not bother us too bad. We love to swim when it is really warm! With younger kids, I would say try all different times of the year. Fall and spring weather is unpredictable but the crowds are lower. Christmas is beautiful!!

 

[Darian]

April is a fine time to go... it is peak season, but all the attractions are open and we love COP and timekeeper. We also celebrate our anniversary but thats another story.

Lately, we've been going in october for the EF&WF which is more fun than I could have ever imagined. I do miss timekeeper though... <whimper>

Darian

 

[sherry8253]

We usually go the first or 2nd week in December because we love the holiday season at Disney, low crowds, no cooler weather. We also like the middle of January because it is kind of despressing after the holidays are over and we have weeks of cold & snow to put up with. So, Disney in January is always something to look forward to after the fun of the holidays.