if you HAD to choose

[skd333]

would you go during Christmas Break or March Break. I teach (in Ontario) and those are my only options, I went in the summer twice and I refuse to go again in that heat. Thanks for any advice (if it matters this trip is planned for 2012 ).

S

 

[alohamom]

would you go during Christmas Break or March Break. I teach (in Ontario) and those are my only options, I went in the summer twice and I refuse to go again in that heat. Thanks for any advice (if it matters this trip is planned for 2012 ).

S

I wouldnt go to Disney@ Christmas unless you like shoulder to shoulder crowds, huge line ups and an hour of waiting just to exit each night.March break isnt as bad and I would go then if christmas and march break were my only options. If you just want the atmosphere and dont care about crowds and line ups then it would be ok-I know many people who post on these boards love to go at both of those times

 

[ccgirl]

would you go during Christmas Break or March Break. I teach (in Ontario) and those are my only options, I went in the summer twice and I refuse to go again in that heat. Thanks for any advice (if it matters this trip is planned for 2012 ).

S

We went Dec 2 - 12th this past year. Although the decorations were beautiful we have no desire to go back at that time. It was freezing, and I mean literally freezing. No swimming for us. I would pick March as it would be a good deal warmer than December.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I would go in March Break .... Xmas is already upbeat at home and I'm not sick of the winter yet. By March, I need a break from the Snow and need something to bring spirits up.

 

[fitmom3]

I would go March break. We just got back from taking the kids Feb 12-19. I really enjoyed a week of sunshine to beat the winter blues. I was so pumped after Christmas about the trip - so it really helped me get through the winter. We're busy around Christmas with family and friends so I don't personally feel the need to get away. We are looking at booking our next trip for March break 2012...but this time NO Disney or only one day at Epcot.

 

[nexttripdisney]

I would go March break.

If you go Christmas, you will hit the same vacation schedule as everyone else.

If you go in March, not everyone is off school during the same time frames and it may be less crowded. However, it WILL be very crowded either way.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I've done March Break twice, and summer twice. I love both. I wouldn't go at Christmas, mainly because I like Christmas here, and I'm pretty limited with the time. I'd go after Boxing day though, if my break was long enough. March Break was nice. The first year I went, it was warm, the second year it was a little cooler. I like the summer for the prices and the deals, I find I get more options than in March for deals. But it is hot, and if heat bothers you, it can cause issues.

Wunderground has March temps listed as this:

March 1-15

Average high 24 (range of 11-31)
Average low 13 (range of 1-22)

Celcius of course.

For Dec 20-31

Avg high 21 (range of 7-29)
Avg low 11 (range of -2-21)

Then you jump to August 1-14:

high 33 (25-37)
low 23 (22-26)

But then add in the humidex and it's a lot hotter, isn't it?

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Bertie9396]

March Break for sure. Really, for me it would be all about the weather and the excitement. Like other posters have said, chances of better weather in March and its fun to have something to look forward to after all the excitement of Christmas and New Years. January and February are so depressing, I've enjoyed having something to look forward to this year.

 

[pooksma]

March Break but... it's a tough one. I am also a and the rule here is that if you take the day before MB or are stranded and cannot return for the first day back, you lose your pay for that day. Cannot use sick days unless you have a doctor's excuse.

We are talking about going MB 2012 and I'm still iffy. Let us know what you decide.

 

[lady_bug_888]

March break hands down! I love Christmas and spending Christmas in Florida would sort of ruin it for me. It's still chilly here in March and everything is brown and muddy and I am so sick of winter by then (even if things are starting to get nice). I would love to be in Florida enjoying the heat at the most magical place on earth at that time!

 

[mtmbyck]

I've been there for both. March Break is our preference. Mostly for the reasons posted.

That being said, Christmas is a beautiful time to go. The decorations are amazing and it is a must see for regular Disney fans.

 

[aristocat65]

Another vote for March. Christmas break is almost the same for everyone, whereas Spring Break can fall anywhere between the beginning of March to mid April, which obviously will spread out the crowds.

 

[tgropp]

If you love the Christmas spirit, there is no place like Disney. My favorite place to be at that time of the year, but has been posted, the weather is hit or miss. I have been there when the weather has been in the 80's and other times in the 50's. My advice is to try one break now and your next visit, try the other.

 

[capitalmom]

The school calendar for next year just came out and schools don't go back until Jan. 9 in Ottawa so we're actually thinking about going just after Christmas for a week - flying down on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1, because after Jan. 2 the crowd levels tend to be really low (according to "The Unofficial Guide to WDW with Kids" - our Disney bible). We've booked a cruise (non-Disney) out of New York for March break to avoid having to fly anywhere that week... I hope the Christmas decorations will still be up though - does anyone know when they take them down?

 

[ferris198]

We went a couple of years ago, a few days after Christmas and I have a picture of my dh and son standing in front of the fully decorated Christmas tree at Epcot and they are in shorts and t shirts.
The weather at the time is/was similar to what our spring weather would be.
Crowds were great, not many people.

 

[skd333]

thanks for all the replies guys!!!

capitalmom - we got our dates too and that is the same date that we go back, so I am thinking about moving up our trip 1 year. Do you really think crowds will be less? Is it noticeably less? Thanks for the advice!!!

We have 5 other families going so I can't wait to impart some of 'my' Disney knowledge (gathered here, of course!!)
S

 

[papertraveller]

I would vote for March break - the Christmas crowds are nuts. At MK this past year I think we managed only two or three rides per day. Fortunately we were able to be creative and still managed to enjoy ourselves immensely.

 

[Tower]

The school calendar for next year just came out and schools don't go back until Jan. 9 in Ottawa so we're actually thinking about going just after Christmas for a week - flying down on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1, because after Jan. 2 the crowd levels tend to be really low (according to "The Unofficial Guide to WDW with Kids" - our Disney bible). We've booked a cruise (non-Disney) out of New York for March break to avoid having to fly anywhere that week... I hope the Christmas decorations will still be up though - does anyone know when they take them down?

Capitalmom, based on your experience, does the Ottawa board schedule tend to match that of other school boards in Ontario? Trying to arrange a 2012 getaway ourselves.

 

[capitalmom]

@skd33 - "The Unofficial Guide" Crowd Calendar rates crowd levels at WDW on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (insane). Their predicted crowd-level ratings for that week in January 2012 are as follows: Jan. 1: 10, Jan. 2: 9, Jan. 3: 2, Jan. 4: 2, Jan. 5: 4, Jan. 6: 4, Jan. 7: 3, Jan. 8: 4. By way of comparison, the predicted levels for next week (i.e. March Break 2011) are Mar. 12: 9, Mar. 13: 9, Mar. 14: 10, Mar. 15: 10, Mar. 16: 10, Mar. 17: 9, Mar. 18: 9, Mar. 19: 10. Of course on the flip side, the weather in March is nicer, but I would rather avoid the crowds...

@Tower - not sure about other years, but the 2011-12 Christmas holiday dates for the Ottawa Board are actually different than the dates recommended by Ontario Ministry of Education (which are Dec. 19 to 30). But I believe each individual school board can choose their own dates, but they have to be approved by the Ministry. So I guess at this point the Ottawa dates are still "provisional" until formally approved, which should happen sometime in the next few months.

 

[Sue M]

Christmas for sure will be more crowded, weather is unpredictable. It can be warm or freezing!
Spring Break March is also quite crowded, but maybe not as much.

I work in a school- support staff, and I go in Jan. during semester break, and late August. Both are value season- so low crowds. And lower price too.

I'll take the heat above crowds any day