If you could go any 2 weeks of the year, when would you go?

[Jperiod]

Kinda like childbirth, DH has forgotten enough of our (not so magical) visit to WDW and wants a do-over. This would happen in 2015 or 16 with 10/11 yo DS and 4/5 yo DD. We're homeschoolers, so we can go any time.

Our priorities are probably crowds and weather. We don't like crowds/lines and we don't like the heat or rain at Disney.

We love love LOVE Christmas time at Disneyland, but we were very disappointed in the Christmas options at Disneyworld -- lack of decorations at the parks and had to pay extra for the party/parade/fireworks. The Osborne lights were very cool though. So going during the holidays isn't a big deal.

We'd be staying at a DVC resort, probably MK or Epcot area, not buying a dining plan, and might like to take advantage of the pools more than we did last time.

Sooooo, WDW vets and FL residents, what times of the year should we consider? January, May, November??

 

[mesaboy2]

Second half of January, given your constraints.

 

[sb682]

Mid-September, despite the heat. It's not as bad as the middle of the summer and the low crowds are SO worth it. We were there Sept. 14-22 last year and we couldn't get over how empty the parks seemed compared to February, July and early January, the times we've also been recently. Weather is warm enough for swimming but won't be ruined by daily thunderstorms.

 

[Chickkypoo]

I would choose the first half of November, especially if you want to avoid most of the heat, but still enjoy the pools.

January is nice, but can be cooler. If you are used to cold weather like I am, you may not mind swimming when it's cooler, but I find the pools more enjoyable in November.

I've gone a couple times in May, and have found it crowded, hot and rainy.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Second half of January, given your constraints.

January.

November can produce a larger crowd due to several special events (Food & Wine at Epcot, MNSSHP, MVMCP) & Thanksgiving.

May?? It's pretty warm then. If you're hoping for cooler temps and low crowds, you are left with 2nd half of January for sure.

 

[btk2333]

Kinda like childbirth, DH has forgotten enough of our (not so magical) visit to WDW and wants a do-over. This would happen in 2015 or 16 with 10/11 yo DS and 4/5 yo DD. We're homeschoolers, so we can go any time.

Our priorities are probably crowds and weather. We don't like crowds/lines and we don't like the heat or rain at Disney.

We love love LOVE Christmas time at Disneyland, but we were very disappointed in the Christmas options at Disneyworld -- lack of decorations at the parks and had to pay extra for the party/parade/fireworks. The Osborne lights were very cool though. So going during the holidays isn't a big deal.

We'd be staying at a DVC resort, probably MK or Epcot area, not buying a dining plan, and might like to take advantage of the pools more than we did last time.

Sooooo, WDW vets and FL residents, what times of the year should we consider? January, May, November??

I would go the last week of October and the first week of November

Relatively low crowds, Halloween Decorations one week then Christmas party available the next week.

I would stay at BWV or BCV if you're DVC and take advantage of Food and Win as well.

 

[NancyIL]

My favorite time is early December. I think there are plenty of free things to enjoy at that time, and I haven't noticed any lack of decorations. The weather is usually decent, although it was very cold (by FL standards) a few times - specifically mid-December 2010!

The runners-up are April (after Easter) during the Flower & Garden Festival and October during the Food & Wine Festival.

 

[Kristina4109]

Pre-kid, I went during all those months. Here are my two cents.

JANUARY - I always loved January 2nd - 9th, but now that Run Disney has really taken off, it might swell crowds.

MAY- we went May 13 - 20th and the weather was lovely, and the only park that was crowded was the Magic Kingdom

NOVEMBER - my first pick. The two first weeks of November will bring cool weather, maybe some rain but nothing terrible. Mind you, over the years it's seemed like the Food & Wine Festival has really exploded, so take that into consideration.

 

[jcjen519]

we've never been to disneyland but our favorite time at disney world is december. i'd plan it so i was leaving on the 23rd or so. We like the weather and the events but if you're not impressed with that time I'd go either mid september or january for crowds. september over january because of the halloween party and january over september due to weather. I like low crowds and cool weather.

 

[jtopp]

Have been there every month except February. Favorites, in decending order:
1- First two weeks of December-decorations, decent weather, no crowds.
2- Last two weeks of October- Warmer weather, minimal crowds.
3.-First two weeks of September- Still hot, Kids just back to school.
4.-Last two weeks of May-Nice weather, kids still in school for finals
5.- Last two weeks of April- Warm weather, beware the HS senior trips.

Of course, any two weeks there is better then two weeks at work!!!!

 

[Jperiod]

I'm not stuck on Jan, May, or Nov, just throwing those out there as my assumptions of lower attendance times (as they are at DLR). Sept would be too hot (and that's major refurb month at DLR, which is lame, but I know it's probably not the same at WDW?). And I'm not opposed to Dec, just mentioning that the decorations don't trump crowds. Dec is increasing in popularity at DLR, to the point that we'd only consider going the first week of Dec now -- but I don't know how that compares to WDW.

Now thinking about it, I think we'd probably go in 2015 because we have southwest FF points and companion pass that expires next year. So january is out because we'll be at DLR the month before. And looking at the SW points fares, it looks like it's cheaper to fly in Nov as opposed to Dec.

I've heard the MNSSHP is really good at WDW compared to DLR, and I like the idea of being there for some of the Christmas stuff (since we won't be getting our DLR Christmas fix that year ), so how would the end of Oct/beginning of Nov, like Oct 31-Nov 12 be compared to Nov 29-Dec 11? I guess there's a pop warner thing in Dec though? I'm concerned about F&W too.

 

[Itinkso]

I'm not stuck on Jan, May, or Nov, just throwing those out there as my assumptions of lower attendance times (as they are at DLR). Sept would be too hot (and that's major refurb month at DLR, which is lame, but I know it's probably not the same at WDW?). And I'm not opposed to Dec, just mentioning that the decorations don't trump crowds. Dec is increasing in popularity at DLR, to the point that we'd only consider going the first week of Dec now -- but I don't know how that compares to WDW.

Now thinking about it, I think we'd probably go in 2015 because we have southwest FF points and companion pass that expires next year. So january is out because we'll be at DLR the month before. And looking at the SW points fares, it looks like it's cheaper to fly in Nov as opposed to Dec.

I've heard the MNSSHP is really good at WDW compared to DLR, and I like the idea of being there for some of the Christmas stuff (since we won't be getting our DLR Christmas fix that year ), so how would the end of Oct/beginning of Nov, like Oct 31-Nov 12 be compared to Nov 29-Dec 11? I guess there's a pop warner thing in Dec though? I'm concerned about F&W too.

We've been there for both of the timeframes you are considering.

For Oct-Nov: Avoid Epcot on the weekend evenings and you will be fine. Plan on a weekday early afternoon for F&W and there shouldn't be much of a crowd. Purchase your MNSSHP and MVMCP tickets as soon as you decide on your travel dates.

Nov-Dec: Pop Warner isn't even noticeable in the parks. The only thing you will notice is DHS closes early one day which means the crowds there are very light on that day.

The Christmas Parade tv taping takes place at MK the first weekend in December. So, you can choose to go in and watch or avoid MK. This past December it was very warm - in the 80s - and it made for enjoyable MVMCPs.

Regarding September, it is true that refurbs happen at DL but most refurbs take place beginning in January at WDW. September is still hot and humid with daily thunderstorms.

 

[jiminy.cricket]

My favorite time is September/October, as long as you avoid the love-bug week. The weather and crowds are just perfect, and you arrive at the wonderful combination of the Halloween Party and the Food and Wine Festival. You can take your time meandering the parks. The parks are chilly but pretty empty the beginning of December, and I imagine before Spring Break is a nice time too. May through early June is also a nice time where the weather is warmer and crowds are still low.