Is Late April/ first weeks of May a Great Time to go?

[Remmy]

For the past three years we had gone to Disney for the last week of January, first week of February time and loved every minute of it. We originally were planning another grand gathering for the same time period in 2013 but due to the other families not giving a direct answer they won't/can't commit to 2013 (which we all have been planning this from our last vacation in 2011 ).

DH has to pick vacation date this coming April and since no one is committing even going, we have decided to try to change it up and try late April/ first weeks of May. Are we crazy?

We love going when there are low crowd levels. Since we have some trips under our belts now and don't require maps, I think we can try a different time even if the crowds are a bit more but bearable. The only crowd levels we have had previous experience for are really low or really packed such as Presidents Day and Christmas which we vowed never to pay that much again for so little we experienced. Should late April, first part of May weeks be ok?

We are also thinking of trying the Deluxe Dining Plan knowing there is potentially a lot of food but have a DS that seems to be constantly growing taller and constantly hungry (thus he would be able to eat the extra portions from our meals, as children's meals don't always keep him full for long). We are also hopping by picking the Deluxe plan this will allow us to eat healthier with the many different choices available at most. We have previously done the regular dining plan twice and quick service once.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Remmy

 

[minnie mum]

So the weather will have warmed up considerably from the temps you're used to in JanFeb. But you should still be spared the worst of the humidity that comes a little later.

Crowds will be quite a bit higher than the pre-Presidents Day weeks,but nothorribly crowded as long as you're outta there before the Memorial Day weekend. You've been there often enough to know how to maximize your park time with RD and fastpasses.

Bonus if you go the last week of April/first week of May: Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. Everyone should see this for themselves at least once!!

I'm probably not the best person to ask about the dining plan. We've done the regular DDP several times, and don't think we'll do it again any time soon. We really find it hard to eat all the desserts and prefer the appetizers instead. From a healthy eating standpoint, I almost think it's easier to eat healthy using CS more: if you choose your CS restaurants carefully you can have quite a good choice of healthy and still delicious options. The Deluxe plan (at least for us) seems like such a LOT of food. And a lot of time that we have to take out of our touring day (a definite factor when the parks are more crowded). This is such a family specific question though: what works for us might not work for you.

 

[gilsan]

We went around that time a couple years ago, (we have moved to the end of Jan beginning of Feb), and thought the crowds were very manageable. It is hotter than feb obviously but not unbearable or to humid. The parks should be open more hours and you will probably have less refurbs.

The only thing we didn't like is that both of the weekend had grad nights so MK closed early Friday and Saturday both weekends. It limited our opportunity to see fireworks and the parade. We were also staying at GF and were awoken by fireworks at 2 or 3 in the morning. The Grad crowds were not a problem they did not appear to be in the park during the day.

 

[Remmy]

So the weather will have warmed up considerably from the temps you're used to in JanFeb. But you should still be spared the worst of the humidity that comes a little later.

Crowds will be quite a bit higher than the pre-Presidents Day weeks,but nothorribly crowded as long as you're outta there before the Memorial Day weekend. You've been there often enough to know how to maximize your park time with RD and fastpasses.

Bonus if you go the last week of April/first week of May: Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. Everyone should see this for themselves at least once!!

I'm probably not the best person to ask about the dining plan. We've done the regular DDP several times, and don't think we'll do it again any time soon. We really find it hard to eat all the desserts and prefer the appetizers instead. From a healthy eating standpoint, I almost think it's easier to eat healthy using CS more: if you choose your CS restaurants carefully you can have quite a good choice of healthy and still delicious options. The Deluxe plan (at least for us) seems like such a LOT of food. And a lot of time that we have to take out of our touring day (a definite factor when the parks are more crowded). This is such a family specific question though: what works for us might not work for you.

Thank you very much for your reply. It is good to know the crowds are not horrible and can be managed. We were thinking of trying this time once so we could see the Flower and Garden show at Epcot. We have read so many wonderful articles and seen many You Tube clips to convince us to try to go at this time.

We are swaying back and forth on the dining plan, as we have many restaurants we wish to try, but yes, it does take up a lot of park time. Good point to consider.

Thank you again,
Remmy

 

[Remmy]

We went around that time a couple years ago, (we have moved to the end of Jan beginning of Feb), and thought the crowds were very manageable. It is hotter than feb obviously but not unbearable or to humid. The parks should be open more hours and you will probably have less refurbs.

The only thing we didn't like is that both of the weekend had grad nights so MK closed early Friday and Saturday both weekends. It limited our opportunity to see fireworks and the parade. We were also staying at GF and were awoken by fireworks at 2 or 3 in the morning. The Grad crowds were not a problem they did not appear to be in the park during the day.

It is very reassuring to know that the humidity won't be extreme at that time and the crowds were manageable. We usually take the weekends as our off time to avoid the crowds of locals (or so we think the majority come at that time as we aren't there to verify ).

It is very interesting you have changed to the same time our family usually like to go there. I think we may just try to go at this time once just to see the World at a different time and hope they have changed the floral displays in the various parks and maybe see leaves on the trees at this time. We actually had a chance to have a Photopass picture at a new location in Tomorrowland and we were so excited to have it taken there; only to discover when we got home there was a tree without leaves between us and the castle and it looks like I have a huge rack of deer horns coming from my head. It is a hilarious photo but I just think how much better it would have looked if the tree had leaves.

I appreciate your informative reply. Thank you very much.
Remmy

 

[PurpleEars]

We have done early-mid May twice. Both times it was hot hot hot (in fact, I got heat exhaustion one afternoon), so you will need to drink lots of water. You will also need to be more careful about applying/reapplying sunscreen in May if you burn easily like I do. Because of the temperature, you should be able to take advantage of the pools.

It is certainly busier in May compared to Jan/Feb. You can still easily do everything you want with Fast Passes and a little bit of strategizing. I believe Disney classifies early May as "regular season", so that should give you an idea that they expect a moderate level of crowds. The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival was lovely both times we were there.

One thing that people who were there a few years ago would tell you is that it could rain...a lot! It was nice and sunny every day when we were there a few years ago, but the day after we left, it poured for 10 days straight!

For my family, the regular dining plan is a good balance between trying fancier foods and still maintaining a healthy diet. I often get salads at CS restaurants. I prefer going to the resorts or WPE so I could ask for dressing on the side. Also, you can often substitue apple slices or baby carrots for the chips or fries. I do get less healthy items for desserts at TS restaurants (I can't turn down a piece of chocolate cake), but I have yet to gain weight from our trips.

In the mean time, here are a couple of pictures from one of our May trips to get you started:

(DHS, a few minutes before rope drop, notice how blue the sky is!)

(Fantasmic! I think we were there for the 8:30 show. The theatre was quite full by 7:44 on my watch. We had the Fantasmic! Dinner Package so we were in that section)

Good luck!

 

[Remmy]

We have done early-mid May twice. Both times it was hot hot hot (in fact, I got heat exhaustion one afternoon), so you will need to drink lots of water. You will also need to be more careful about applying/reapplying sunscreen in May if you burn easily like I do. Because of the temperature, you should be able to take advantage of the pools.

It is certainly busier in May compared to Jan/Feb. You can still easily do everything you want with Fast Passes and a little bit of strategizing. I believe Disney classifies early May as "regular season", so that should give you an idea that they expect a moderate level of crowds. The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival was lovely both times we were there.

One thing that people who were there a few years ago would tell you is that it could rain...a lot! It was nice and sunny every day when we were there a few years ago, but the day after we left, it poured for 10 days straight!

For my family, the regular dining plan is a good balance between trying fancier foods and still maintaining a healthy diet. I often get salads at CS restaurants. I prefer going to the resorts or WPE so I could ask for dressing on the side. Also, you can often substitue apple slices or baby carrots for the chips or fries. I do get less healthy items for desserts at TS restaurants (I can't turn down a piece of chocolate cake), but I have yet to gain weight from our trips.

In the mean time, here are a couple of pictures from one of our May trips to get you started:

(DHS, a few minutes before rope drop, notice how blue the sky is!)

(Fantasmic! I think we were there for the 8:30 show. The theatre was quite full by 7:44 on my watch. We had the Fantasmic! Dinner Package so we were in that section)

Good luck!

Thank you very much for your wonderful response. It is true we don't see much rain in Jan/Feb nor the crowds. I was wondering how hot it would be and DD can suffer from heat exhaustion when we go earlier in the year. I always blame from going from cooler mornings to warmer afternoons.

We were thinking of trying a different time of year to see the World but we do love the low crowds of Jan/Feb.

It was great that you posted the picture of the crowd at Fantasmic. It looks like we will be going to a restaurant with the package to guarantee seating to see that show.

Thank you again for your response.
Remmy

 

[vacation_junkie]

For the past three years we had gone to Disney for the last week of January, first week of February time and loved every minute of it. We originally were planning another grand gathering for the same time period in 2013 but due to the other families not giving a direct answer they won't/can't commit to 2013 (which we all have been planning this from our last vacation in 2011 ).

DH has to pick vacation date this coming April and since no one is committing even going, we have decided to try to change it up and try late April/ first weeks of May. Are we crazy?

We love going when there are low crowd levels. Since we have some trips under our belts now and don't require maps, I think we can try a different time even if the crowds are a bit more but bearable. The only crowd levels we have had previous experience for are really low or really packed such as Presidents Day and Christmas which we vowed never to pay that much again for so little we experienced. Should late April, first part of May weeks be ok?

We are also thinking of trying the Deluxe Dining Plan knowing there is potentially a lot of food but have a DS that seems to be constantly growing taller and constantly hungry (thus he would be able to eat the extra portions from our meals, as children's meals don't always keep him full for long). We are also hopping by picking the Deluxe plan this will allow us to eat healthier with the many different choices available at most. We have previously done the regular dining plan twice and quick service once.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Remmy

We usually go in April.
Ours sons birthday is the 19 so we are usually there for his birthday. Spring breaks , All-Stars World cheerleading competition...All-stars dance competition ...long line ups.... that has been our April experience for the past few years. So instead we are going in 2 weeks. Going to try the World when its a bit quieter.

As Far as the DXDP..too much food for us and too much time scheduled. We felt rushed and always looking at our watches to meet 3 table service meals a day.

 

[snarfieca]

Late April/early May is our fav time to go.
This year we're there for a week starting a week starting May 10.

The weather's been great; not overly hot. The crowds are manageableWe enjoy the Flower & Garden Festival.

Brenda
from MB

 

[PurpleEars]

Thank you very much for your wonderful response. It is true we don't see much rain in Jan/Feb nor the crowds. I was wondering how hot it would be and DD can suffer from heat exhaustion when we go earlier in the year. I always blame from going from cooler mornings to warmer afternoons.

We were thinking of trying a different time of year to see the World but we do love the low crowds of Jan/Feb.

It was great that you posted the picture of the crowd at Fantasmic. It looks like we will be going to a restaurant with the package to guarantee seating to see that show.

Thank you again for your response.
Remmy

You're welcome! I think the two times we were there in May the day time high would be around 30 degrees C. I guess I would say is that you can pack shorts for May, whereas you can't count on being able to wear shorts in Jan/Feb. Our Jan/Feb wardrode ranged from shorts and short sleeve polo to jeans, fall jackets, and gloves! I think the main reason I got heat exhaustion that one time was because it was my first trip and I was trying to do too much. Since your family had been previously, I don't think it will be a big risk.

I have mixed feelings about Fantasmic! The only reason why we got the package for the 2009 trip was to make sure our travel companions got to see it. I know there were people who had the dinner package tickets and not able to get in the show that day (it may have been shortly after they cut back the show to 2 days a week, so things could be a little crazy). I don't know if they will be offering it daily so it may impact your decision in terms of the dinner package.

If you like the low crowds in Jan/Feb, try the week after Labour Day. The parks were so empty that it was almost scary!

 

[3pletprincesses]

we went the first week of May last year and loved it. It was hotter then average with a few days where we hit the 100F but the crowds were low. Most rides were close to walk on except of course for the most popular. I would go back that week anytime.

 

[pigletto]

Well this is all good to hear. We're going the first week of May. Our other trips have been late August, late September and February. The February trip had the highest crowds. Low crowds for the other trips but hotter than the face of the sun
We always manage to have a good time, but boy am I hoping this May trip will be nice moderate weather and moderate crowds. I can live with slightly longer line ups if I'm not baking in the sun.

 

[Remmy]

Late April/early May is our fav time to go.
This year we're there for a week starting a week starting May 10.

The weather's been great; not overly hot. The crowds are manageableWe enjoy the Flower & Garden Festival.

Brenda
from MB

Woo Hoo! Thank you for words I was looking to read. We were thinking that even though the crowds might be more than we are use to, we want to see it at a different time of the year, especially for the Flower and Garden Festival. This past year with Cars and Toy Story, my children would have loved it so much. I can't wait to hear 2013 theme. I'm happy so far everyone has been positive about the Flower and Garden Festival.

Thank you.
Remmy

 

[Remmy]

You're welcome! I think the two times we were there in May the day time high would be around 30 degrees C. I guess I would say is that you can pack shorts for May, whereas you can't count on being able to wear shorts in Jan/Feb. Our Jan/Feb wardrode ranged from shorts and short sleeve polo to jeans, fall jackets, and gloves! I think the main reason I got heat exhaustion that one time was because it was my first trip and I was trying to do too much. Since your family had been previously, I don't think it will be a big risk.

I have mixed feelings about Fantasmic! The only reason why we got the package for the 2009 trip was to make sure our travel companions got to see it. I know there were people who had the dinner package tickets and not able to get in the show that day (it may have been shortly after they cut back the show to 2 days a week, so things could be a little crazy). I don't know if they will be offering it daily so it may impact your decision in terms of the dinner package.

If you like the low crowds in Jan/Feb, try the week after Labour Day. The parks were so empty that it was almost scary!

Our DD loves Fantasmic but the rest of our family are so so about it (no flames please), thus if we could not see it, it would not be the end of the world. We usually wait at least an hour before we are allowed in just to make certain we do get in. Good to know not to leave it until the last minute and still expect to get in to see the show.

Great news about the low crowds the week after Labour Day. Currently, we don't mind pulling the children out of school in the middle of the school year for a vacation but I think it might be hard if they miss the first weeks of school. That trip at that time is on my wish list for when the children are grown and out of the house, for our couples trip. This DH and my little secret.

Remmy

 

[Remmy]

we went the first week of May last year and loved it. It was hotter then average with a few days where we hit the 100F but the crowds were low. Most rides were close to walk on except of course for the most popular. I would go back that week anytime.

Thank you for this great information. I'm hoping for the same when we wish to go, maybe not the 100F but still nice weather. Except for the weather, it sounds like when we go in Jan/Feb.

Thank you.
Remmy

 

[333disneymom]

We love that time period. If you get out early, you can get a lot accomplished. The afternoons were actually more crowded than I expected, but much better than summer. The weather can be very pleasant, but can also get a little humid in the afternoon - again much better than summer. The Flower and Garden Festival is great. I think it's worth trying May once to see if you like it. Good luck!

 

[Remmy]

Well this is all good to hear. We're going the first week of May. Our other trips have been late August, late September and February. The February trip had the highest crowds. Low crowds for the other trips but hotter than the face of the sun
We always manage to have a good time, but boy am I hoping this May trip will be nice moderate weather and moderate crowds. I can live with slightly longer line ups if I'm not baking in the sun.

I wish you a magical trip . When did you go in February to experience high crowds? Was it near President's Day weekend or later? Did the rides have very long waits? We don't mind when we go the first week of February.

Remmy

 

[Remmy]

We love that time period. If you get out early, you can get a lot accomplished. The afternoons were actually more crowded than I expected, but much better than summer. The weather can be very pleasant, but can also get a little humid in the afternoon - again much better than summer. The Flower and Garden Festival is great. I think it's worth trying May once to see if you like it. Good luck!

Thank you very much for your positive remarks. We hope to go early to the parks and take advantage of the pool at the resort. That is one drawback when going when we do; that not everyday is a pool type of day.

It is wonderful to have confirmation that the Flower and Garden Festival is a must try at least once. We enjoy gardening and appreciate beautiful gardens and parks. Not that Disney World isn't beautiful when we usually go but it would be nice to see an explosion of color compared to when we go.

Thank you. Remmy

 

[Remmy]

I wish to thank everyone that has kindly replied to my inquiry. I believe with this great advice we should be able to have an enjoyable vacation at a different time then we usually go.

Remmy