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

[edk35]

a trip Dec. 26th thru Jan. 2nd which would you choose? We have been on a few summer trips. It is really hard to plan a trip with two kids in college and one who will be in high school next fall. We were thinking of going over Christmas break since we would be celebrating our 25th anniversary and our dd graduation from college. HOWEVER....the crowds are scaring me for a Dec. trip during that time frame. I am thinking early Aug. vs. Dec.

 

[WsPrincess]

We have done August and June (I am a teacher) and hands down we all thought June was much better than August! Now that said, we are doing June 2013 but Christmas 2014!!! I know the crowds will be nuts but we will be back and I want to experience Disney at Christmas while my kids are still young (they will be 5 and 7). So I think regardless of what you pick it will be great!!!

 

[spiceycat]

love early Dec - but during xmas to ny - the busiest week - no

would go with Aug - besides you have to try out the water parks with the PAP.

water parks should be easier to do in Aug than Dec.

 

[edk35]

We have done August and June (I am a teacher) and hands down we all thought June was much better than August! Now that said, we are doing June 2013 but Christmas 2014!!! I know the crowds will be nuts but we will be back and I want to experience Disney at Christmas while my kids are still young (they will be 5 and 7). So I think regardless of what you pick it will be great!!!

Our first DVC trip was mid to late August and the others were July. Hot yes but doable. My fave time is late Jan. but now with college schedules those have been checked off the list. Did you like June better for less crowds or a bit cooler?

 

[zavandor]

Before making a decision look for pictures takes during Christmas week in the parks. They are scaring.
As long you know what to expect and plan accordingly, you can have a wonderful vacation (hundred thousands people do). But be prepared! You cannot tour the parks like you would in other periods.

 

[Caseheidi]

I am glad I do not have to make the choice yet as my kid is not there yet. I think it depends on which works better for your family. Weigh the cons of both and choose the lesser evil

For me the cons are:
* Summer: crowd level high until later August, very hot and high humidity. It is important to stay well hydrated and avoid heat stroke (which both DH & I had when we honeymooned there in late July- early August.) Also, lots of sudden rain showers.

On the Pro side, parks open late each day, so you can work your schedule if willing. Arrive at parks for rope drop, leave at lunch time for a siesta and hanging at the pool, and return later in the day as it starts to cool down some. There are also available other outside activities outside the parks if your family enjoy them (golf, water activities, beach time).

* Over Christmas: crowd level highest of the year, weather more unpredictable. (however it does tend to be dryer)

On the pro side, there is nothing like Disney decorated for Christmas, and there are extras that you only get this time of year.

For my family, we would probably choose Christmas as we do not deal well with heat & humidity and have a hard time waking up early enough to get the early start before the heat sets in (we are from the Pacific NW, so body clocks 3 hours behind.)

 

[drfish54321]

The light are beautiful at Christmas but the weather is so unpredictable. We have had temp from the 30's to the 80's so it is more difficult to pack for. The crowds are horrible Christmas week. I saw a 210 min wait for space mountain yesterday. the extra magic hours are very early around christmas usually at 7 am- 8am or very late from 12-3 am last night at magic kingdom so tough to do with a young family. I like the summer.

 

[zavandor]

Are you sure you want to deal with crowds like this?

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2012/12/theme-parks-expected-to-be-very-busy.html

Those are pictures from last year, but it should similar this year (and next one).

 

[WsPrincess]

Our first DVC trip was mid to late August and the others were July. Hot yes but doable. My fave time is late Jan. but now with college schedules those have been checked off the list. Did you like June better for less crowds or a bit cooler?

Both actually. The humidity seemed to be less in June and just all around more comfortable. The crowds were not a lot less but we did seem to be able to do more with less wait. Now we did go mid-August and mid-June so I am sure things could be different on different weeks.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'd probably go with summer. If you have the choice of summer months, I'd agree that June is more pleasant overall. But, we've done late July, and it was bearable. We hit the parks at open each day, had a sit-down lunch, and retreated to VWL for the afternoon before returning in the evening. We were not able to do a World Showcase afternoon, as we would during our February trips, but the kids enjoyed having more pool time.

 

[lovin'fl]

We have done Disney in Sept, Jan, July, March (spring break) and Dec (12/20-26 of 2011). The very best for crowds was obviously January (which is why we are going back this coming January). 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). Next worst was when we went in July (end of June through July 4th- 9 day trip)...that entire time was steady busy and July 4th was crazy busy. September was nice as was January. And we just went to Vero Beach and Universal Orlando this past August (last week before school started) and it was not busy at all then...walked on most rides and got on every Harry Potter thing without too much trouble (did have to stand in line for that stupid wand shop for 45 minutes...big waste of time). Aug-Sept in Orlando area is hot...but maybe you can add a day at the water parks.

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.

 

[jahber]

a trip Dec. 26th thru Jan. 2nd which would you choose? We have been on a few summer trips. It is really hard to plan a trip with two kids in college and one who will be in high school next fall. We were thinking of going over Christmas break since we would be celebrating our 25th anniversary and our dd graduation from college. HOWEVER....the crowds are scaring me for a Dec. trip during that time frame. I am thinking early Aug. vs. Dec.

Definitely early August! Yes, it will be hot (I live in Orlando, so I know how miserable it is), but honestly--the crowds at Christmas defy explanation. Pictures can't do justice to Main Street, which was literally packed the entire time we were there on Christmas Day last year. As in, everyone stopped at a standstill because traffic was trying to flow in all directions simultaneously. We also visited in the days after thinking it was a Christmas Day thing. Nope.

That said, if you are a morning person or a late-night person, you can make it work either time of the year. Granted, at christmas time the best touring scenarios for actually riding rides at MK and not contemplating bodily harm against your fellow guests seems to be arriving at rope drop (or EMH) and leaving around 10. Then returning very late in the evening (like, after 5) and staying until close (as late as 2 am next year, most likely). Sound like fun? Not to me. But lots of people have a magical vacation that way. And if you are set on Christmas, this could make it workable.

Good luck making your decision! If you're a flexible, easy going traveller I imagine you can make either scenario work. I don't have enough patience for WDW at Christmas, but that's entirely my own problem. Many people are much more patient than I am when they are experiencing the magic

 

[queendarvet]

It's a tough time trying to fit everyone's schedules. We are thinking of doing December 2013 before Christmas. We have a similar situation. Our 25th anniversary is in December as well. All of our kids are in college, the oldest is in grad school and the only break she has is winter break. So as soon as they are done with finals we are going for a short 4 night break to see the Christmas decorations. Might be the last trip together for a while! Since you have been so many times, Christmas week could be doable as long as you go early and just relax the rest of the time. With your daughter graduating in December, it could be the last time she can get away with you. Once the kids are working will they want to spend their precious vacation time with family?

 

[catherines_mama]

We have done after-Christmas twice and would rather do summer. We are doing late-July into Aug this year. We just plan a relaxed schedule so we don't over do it.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

We have done June (3rd week) and the week before Christmas (20 - 26). The weather in June was moderate (2012), not too humid nor unbearably hot. The crowds were not bad, we were able to get ADRs for all our favorites a month or so out.

The week before Christmas was not bad (we just did it). We again were able to get ADRs 2 weeks out at all "good" times (last minute trip). The crowds starting getting heavy on Christmas eve but overall we had a good time. However, the weather was flaky -- cold one day, shorts and tees the next...and sometimes in the same day.

If you pace yourself and do the FP+, or whatever they come out with, you should be able to manage either time frame. I would choose based on your weather preference and ability to tolerate heat/humidity.

Good luck!

 

[JasonDVC]

Are you sure you want to deal with crowds like this?

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2012/12/theme-parks-expected-to-be-very-busy.html

Those are pictures from last year, but it should similar this year (and next one).

Looks Mitt Romney under the people mover in Tomorrowland

 

[vandy]

I vote for the summer trip, as soon as possible after school is out. Crowds at Christmas time would be insane (at least for me) to deal with.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm in the same3 spot as you edk... one in college, one in highschool.

From Christmas through to the new year, the crowds can get as bad as running into a brick wall. Let me rephrase that: it can be worse than running into a brick wall, since we fall victim to the moving river of people and need to swim to the edge to get out of it.

If you choose to go at that time, you may already know, it's beautiful with all the lights and decor, people tend to be quite a bit friendlier than in the summer heat, and there are ways around the crowds (just not in the middle of the day or at parade time in prime viewing locations.) We've gone over Christmas week twice in the past and I can say we will go again, maybe next year if I can manage the airfare.

I love the summer in Disney (been 6 times in July/August at least). We sleep in, hit the pools and shopping mid-day and then the parks at night. Nighttime EMH really help get around the heat and crowds of people who are gluttons for punishment by being out there mid-day. We will be going in July this coming summer as I have points expiring before the eom and I just won't rent them out.

Both times are fun. Both have their ups and downs. Choose what you want to see, how you want to tour and make your decision from there.

 

[edk35]

Are you sure you want to deal with crowds like this?

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2012/12/theme-parks-expected-to-be-very-busy.html

Those are pictures from last year, but it should similar this year (and next one). scared1:1:

IS RIGHT!!!

 

[edk35]

We have done Disney in Sept, Jan, July, March (spring break) and Dec (12/20-26 of 2011). The very best for crowds was obviously January (which is why we are going back this coming January). 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). Next worst was when we went in July (end of June through July 4th- 9 day trip)...that entire time was steady busy and July 4th was crazy busy. September was nice as was January. And we just went to Vero Beach and Universal Orlando this past August (last week before school started) and it was not busy at all then...walked on most rides and got on every Harry Potter thing without too much trouble (did have to stand in line for that stupid wand shop for 45 minutes...big waste of time). Aug-Sept in Orlando area is hot...but maybe you can add a day at the water parks.

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.

We have done Thanksgiving week 4 times but now the college kids only get Wed.. through the weekend. Before when they were in school we get out the full week so we would head there the Thursday or Friday before Thanksgiving (kids missing a 1/2 day or 1 full day of school to go with the week off). My youngest is still on that schedule and it does not mesh with their schedule. The spring breaks aren't the same either. I was thinking of the early part of Christmas vacation too. That is a possibility but I know airfare will be a lottttttt more in Dec. than in the summer. So I need to ponder this a bit longer.