I just cannot decide when to go

[trirae]

So, I'm a college professor, which means I am primarily limited to the busiest times of the year: Spring Break, Summer, Christmas.

I had decided to plan on January '06 because I liked the idea of the reduced crowds/potential cost savings, etc. The downside is the crap shoot on weather. My dd (will be 4) may be sad if she sees a pool and won't be able to swim. Park hours will be shorter, but with the new extra magic hours, it won't be as bad as it had been.

Now, I'm thinking about this summer. It would have to be mid June through 3rd week in August sometime. Usually, I could go at the end of May, but I am teaching an early summer session then. I know it will be hot, with periods of rain, and busy.

It seems people here either love or hate the hot or cold. It stinks that I have to decide between the two extremes. I just don't know what to do.

Gut reactions anyone? What criteria would you use to make your decision?

 

[Leota]

When's your Spring Break? That might be your best option for a happy medium....

 

[trirae]

My Spring Break is the week before Easter, so I imagine just outrageously busy with no discounts, right? I don't know. I just wish I could go at a better time.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I've been in January twice now, and both times we had a fantastic time.

We're from Buffalo, so when southerners say that it's "cold", it's a relative term. Cold to me meant we needed a sweatshirt, or a long sleeve T-Shirt.

At night, it did dip to 30s and 40s, but you can easily just bring a heavy coat, and store it in a locker until you need it. And those were the only times we needed. It was cooler in the morning (50s) but by the time the afternoon sun came out, it was about 60ish. We even swam in the hotel pool.

I would HIGHLY reccomend going in January.

If you can't go at a low crowds time - then just take a sabbatical!

 

[henrylovespooh]

I would go in January. The pools are heated and the crowds are low. Trust me, I would rank low crowds as the number one factor in determining when I would go. You may find that with so much to do, your child doesn't want to swim that much anyway. We are rarely in the pool when we go. I have gone in the summer, and I will never do it again. Too hot, too crowded.