It's probably been asked a million times . . .

[lfeikert]

but could you please bear with me. I've been lurking here for awhile, but not alot of posts. We've planned for a long time to go next summer for our first trip as a family. It's been a long time since I've been to WDW and my husband has never been there. He's very hesitant because to him it sounds more like work than a vacation, but he does agree that the kids will love it We have the choice of two weeks. Which week would be best: March 26 or June 11? We really could go anytime in the summer, but the 11th is the earliest we could go and I think that's bestt to go early in the summer, right? I'm afraid we'll hit huge spring break crowds during the week of March 26th. Our kids will be DD6 and DS3 at the time. Good ages? Thanks in advance. I'm really excited about going and want to do it right! I know from all I've read that I've come to the right place!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We have been the second week of June before. It was VERY hot, but then again maybe we were wimpy. You can beat the heat by planning things for night time since you will enjoy longer hours in the parks. The crowds were not too bad.
I would try not to go around the spring break time just because the crowds would make things unenjoyable

 

[cinderkelli]

I would say March. You may hit some of the spring break traffic, but I would think most of that would be over by then and it will be MUCH less hot! We were there at the end of April and it was very warm. Wouldn't want to go much later in the year than that.

 

[AJKMOM]

Also, the end of August is better than the middle of the summer, too, as far as crowds go. Those ages for kids are fine as long as you take breaks and bring a stroller. The crowds in March will be larger if it is the Easter week. That, along with Christmas & New Years, and July 4 are the busiest weeks of the year. If you can stay onsite, it is best ,IMO, for a first time visit. Check the Family Board for other hints. Also, the Budget Board.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Even though I'm unable to predict crowd patterns and weather conditions. I personnally would go in March, no doubt about it. It will be crowded at both times but the weather will be nicer in March.

 

[laura001]

I am not sure which of those times is the best to go....although I would say that if you like the heat June 11th would be best.

I know what you mean about your DH not being too interested, mine really goes to keep me happy. When I plan, I make sure that I include things that are important to DH, ie, he likes nice dinners, loves the water parks, mini putt etc., so I make sure we do all of that. He always has a good time, and he loves that it makes me happy , he is also always amazed at how I can plan everything and make it work, so I get a very heartfelt thank-you at the end.

Next spring we are going ( I cohersed him into it with some help of fellow DISer's ), and I am going to surprise him with where we are staying and I think a Seguay Tour.

Have fun, and try to involve your DH in picking what you want to do.

 

[jbdreamer]

Sorry but I am not a fan of either of your choices. It will be crowded either time. March would be less hot though.

If you can go anytime in the summer I suggest end of August. It will be hot, but not nearly as crowded.

 

[DLBDS]

That's a tough one. I guess it depends on which you find the least appealing...heat or crowds. If you decide you would rather tough it out with the crowds then I highly recommend you subscribe to TourGuideMike (click on the banner above and save $3. That drops the cost down to $18.95). He can recommend which parks are the least crowded to go to for each day of your trip. If you decide his information isn't benefiting you, you can get a full refund. I've been a TGM member for a few months now and wouldn't dream of cancelling. His information is wonderful and completely up-to-date. A lot of people find his website hard to navigate but I think it's pretty easy. If you decide to give him a try, be sure and follow his instructions once you've enrolled. Oh, be sure and sign up for your month's vacation club too (March or June) and meet others traveling the same month as you. They can be quite informative also. (TGM has his own forums section also.)

 

[helenm29]

I would go in March because of the weather. August to me is like the pits of H...! WAY TO HOT! but then, I AM a whimp! don't do hot AND humid very well at all. We have been in March before and it just seems to me that the crowds aren't really much more then usual but then I'm used to going to Disneyland during the summer which is ALWAYS crowded! We are going in October of this year to DW and from what I've heard it's still pretty hot even then! but we are also going in March 2007 to DW and am really looking forward to it! JUST HAVE FUN no matter When you choose to go!

 

[jmurphy625]

Also, the end of August is better than the middle of the summer, too, as far as crowds go. Those ages for kids are fine as long as you take breaks and bring a stroller. The crowds in March will be larger if it is the Easter week. That, along with Christmas & New Years, and July 4 are the busiest weeks of the year. If you can stay onsite, it is best ,IMO, for a first time visit. Check the Family Board for other hints. Also, the Budget Board.

We went one year when easter was in March and the crowds were unbearable...(I think my younger boys were about 3 and 6-and the oldest was in college on spring break). But the weather was so beautiful..mostly all swimming days.

The CM's told us it was because easter and spring break coincided that year. It looks like if you went in march you'd have the spring break crowds but you'd be out of there the week before easter.

Also we just went June 20-28 and thought the crowds were not that bad at all. And the pools were great.

My first choice would be March...I wonder if airfare would be cheaper in early June?

 

[lfeikert]

Thanks for all the help so far. I maybe should have mentioned that I'm a teacher so we are pretty locked in to either summer or spring break. We start school the third week of August so I think the idea of going then is out. It really either has to be that last week of March or June or July. I'll have to check and see when Easter is. Our school always does Spring Break the last week of March so it doesn't always coincide with Easter.

Thanks for the advice about Tourguide Mike. I am planning on subscribing. Is the fee monthly? If so, I think I'll wait until a little closer to our trip--if I ever decide when that is

Keep the suggestions coming. I'm getting excited just thinking about it

 

[88Keys]

touringplans.com gives a prediction for crowds every day --- best place to check --- each day gets a scale from 1 to 10.

 

[lfeikert]

Thanks everyone. I hadn't really thought much about the March option until today. I'll have to run that one by DH and see what he thinks. Would we save any money going in March? Are the rooms cheaper then than they would be in the summer? I've tried to price the trip on the Disney web site just to get an idea, but it won't let me enter dates for 2007

 

[monetnj]

touringplans.com gives a prediction for crowds every day --- best place to check --- each day gets a scale from 1 to 10.

I was about to recommend touringplans.com too. You can see the predicted crowd levels and best parks here:

Best Days

 

[babynurse1]

If you get Birnbaums Guide to Disney World ( at a bookstore near you), it will give you info. on what hotel prices are during different times of year. It also gives info. on approximate crowd size. If this is your first trip as a family, this book is great as it has information on every ride, hotel, restaurant etc. My first trip as a family was in June, and my two little ones at the time were simply miserable in the heat. We always go in October or early December now, even if it means the kids miss some school. Have fun!

 

[Brooknwdw]

Thanks for all the help so far. I maybe should have mentioned that I'm a teacher so we are pretty locked in to either summer or spring break. We start school the third week of August so I think the idea of going then is out. It really either has to be that last week of March or June or July. I'll have to check and see when Easter is. Our school always does Spring Break the last week of March so it doesn't always coincide with Easter.

Thanks for the advice about Tourguide Mike. I am planning on subscribing. Is the fee monthly? If so, I think I'll wait until a little closer to our trip--if I ever decide when that is

Keep the suggestions coming. I'm getting excited just thinking about it

March or June... that is crowds versus heat AND crowds...I would choose March.

Because you can use tricks to beat the crowds but can't do much about the oppressive HEAT! Especially with kids that young, the heat would be hard on you.

Crowds can be tolerated by using touring plans, or at least using tricks such as getting to the park at opening, using fast passes, etc. Get the Unofficial Guide book or similar. You will learn lots of great tips.

HTH! ~

 

[diselderm]

I was just going to comment that we went in June '04 with 2.5 y/o DD. We used TourGuideMike and got to the parks early and took afternoon rests. It was a great trip. Very minimal waiting following his plans.

 

[Straitlover]

Thanks everyone. I hadn't really thought much about the March option until today. I'll have to run that one by DH and see what he thinks. Would we save any money going in March? Are the rooms cheaper then than they would be in the summer? I've tried to price the trip on the Disney web site just to get an idea, but it won't let me enter dates for 2007 [/QUOTE

If you are staying onsite, rooms will be cheaper in June than in March. Your March date falls in the middle of Peak Season according to Mousesavers. The June date is either regular or Summer season depending on which hotel you pick.

Personally, I would do June as long as you stick w/ 6/11 and not later in the month. I went in May 2004 right before Memorial Day, and the heat was not bad. I can't imagine a couple of weeks making a lot of difference.

FYI, be sure to check the Swan and Dolphin hotels to see if they have teacher discounts during your time frame!