If you had to choose between a summer trip or......

[dianeschlicht]

The very worst for crowds was spring break and 12/25 (12/20-24 was not bad at all...started to get busy on 12/24).

Is there any way you could go before Xmas like we did? It really is perfect up until the afternoon of the 24th...the 25th was the most unbearable day I have ever spent at WDW...couldn't wait to get out of there. We are also thinking of going again next Xmas...will do the 20th to the 25th (won't even go into the parks on the 25th...will have breakfast and fly home). If this is not possible for you, then I would suggest August (or June). You may also consider Thanksgiving...if your kids are all off school. Some Xmas decorations are up then...it will be busy but I don't think it's as bad as 12/25-1/1.

So glad to read this post!!! We are planning a family trip in a GV for Christmas this year, but we want to leave on Dec. 23 so as not to have impossible crowds. It looks like I may have guessed right about this timing! In fact, I might even extend through the 24th, since we are driving anyway. THANKS!

 

[lovin'fl]

I agree with this. We are about to go for a few days at the end of January and we will be able to do EVERYTHING we want to.

And I think the few days before Xmas will be bad this year...we did 12/20-26 in 2011 and it didn't get bad until 12/24 and that's because 12/24 was a Saturday and kids were all still in school 12/20-22 (we took ours out of school just to go early and beat the crowds). This year 12/24 is a Tuesday and the kids are off from Sat 12/21 to 1/2 and that entire time will be crazy crowded. It's made us re-think going for Xmas this year.

So glad to read this post!!! We are planning a family trip in a GV for Christmas this year, but we want to leave on Dec. 23 so as not to have impossible crowds. It looks like I may have guessed right about this timing! In fact, I might even extend through the 24th, since we are driving anyway. THANKS!

I have to revamp my 1st post. See my latest post above. This year the days before Xmas are weekend and will be busy. Check out crowd calendar on this link: http://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/disney-world-crowd-calendars-2013.html Basically the weekdays before the weekend before (or of, depending on year) Xmas is a better time to go (so 12/15-20 2013 will be better and 12/21-1/1 will be varying degrees of crowded).

 

[rocketriter]

We don't do well on summer trips to WDW. The temperature gets up over 100 and just walking from one attraction to another becomes a sweaty trudge. Pretty soon everybody gets crabby and we start to snipe and complain. So we've vowed to stick to winter months, even if the parks are more crowded.

 

[alldiz]

It depends on if you have been to WDW during holiday time. If not then it is a no brainer for me. Holiday decorations and special events are awesome. Just plan a different trip....looking at various hotels, and doing the xmas events with less time doing rides. Make ADR's for places you have always wanted to eat....now you will have more time for that taking the "chill" approach with less line waiting and more relaxing enjoying the holiday spirit
Hey you will be back
Kerri

 

[dbs1228]

I was as apprehensive as OP about holiday time but we went for it this year 12/26 - 1/5 since we have 2 in college and 1 in HS. I went with the mind set of enjoying the decorations, visiting the different resorts and shops and going with no expectations. All 3 of my DD's brought friends (1st time for that also). Everyone had a Blast! Weather was nice and we were lucky enough to get a Lakeview GV at BLT that was actually a MK view. My youngest DD (17) and her friend would sleep in most days and stay in the park until 1 or 2 AM. She said they were able to stay on Splash Mtn 4 times 1 nights and they never felt like they could not get on anything. NY day in the evening the rides at MK were 10 -15 min waits and my family did a lot that night. DH and I would get to the park between 8 -9 get FP and do what we wanted then would leave around 1 when crowds got crazy. It was a busy time but I am really happy I did it and would not hesitate to go again at that time of year again as long as I was able to get BLT, BWV, VWL or BCV for the walking convenience of going back and forth to the park. I have been in May, June and Aug and do not like the heat unless I can spend my day at the pool not in the park! Whatever you decide enjoy!

 

[edk35]

I was as apprehensive as OP about holiday time but we went for it this year 12/26 - 1/5 since we have 2 in college and 1 in HS. I went with the mind set of enjoying the decorations, visiting the different resorts and shops and going with no expectations. All 3 of my DD's brought friends (1st time for that also). Everyone had a Blast! Weather was nice and we were lucky enough to get a Lakeview GV at BLT that was actually a MK view. My youngest DD (17) and her friend would sleep in most days and stay in the park until 1 or 2 AM. She said they were able to stay on Splash Mtn 4 times 1 nights and they never felt like they could not get on anything. NY day in the evening the rides at MK were 10 -15 min waits and my family did a lot that night. DH and I would get to the park between 8 -9 get FP and do what we wanted then would leave around 1 when crowds got crazy. It was a busy time but I am really happy I did it and would not hesitate to go again at that time of year again as long as I was able to get BLT, BWV, VWL or BCV for the walking convenience of going back and forth to the park. I have been in May, June and Aug and do not like the heat unless I can spend my day at the pool not in the park! Whatever you decide enjoy!

Our kids are older toooo..which means they are night owls and they would probably do well late into the night. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

 

[nboicepardee]

We bought PAPs for the first time this year and are thinking of a summer trip so we can enjoy the water parks (as well as the parks). We were at WDW from 12/29-1/5 so I understand the crazy crowds of Christmas! Our first time ever going during a really busy time. If we vacationed in the summer, it would need to be late June (kids aren't done with school until June 19) to sometime in mid-August. My husband and I can't be away from work towards the end of August. Is late June/early July better for weather and crowds than early August? Crowds are probably similar, so if that is equal, wondering about the better weather. Thanks!