July or December

[Notup2it]

Hey Everyone,

When would you recommend visiting WDW?
The industry I work in goes on a three week hiatus at
Christmas so was thinking of going then with more time
or trying to go for a quick vacation in July.

I am really interested in doing Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and
Universal (yes I am a Harry Potter Nerd)

Also I really love camping, has anyone ever stayed at
a camp-ground near any amusement parks?

This would be my first time to Orlando and I am
very excited.

 

[com_op_2000]

Time of year depends on if you like hot weather or cooler?
During the summer you will encounter more kids.
During the holiday period, you will have the holiday decorations up at all the parks and resorts.
Are you planning on staying onsite or offsite? If offsite will you get a rental?
Are you planning going this Dec and staying onsite? If so you may already be too late to book, at this time most people have there plans in place.
Since you are wanting to go to HP at US/IoA, I would recommend you get a room at one of the onsite hotels so that you can get the free front-of-the-line (FOTL) passes for onsite guests. You would only need one night onsite to get two free days of FOTL passes.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm a teacher married to a teacher with 3 kids who are students.

We go over the summer.

Yes, it's HOT and HAZY and HUMID. You've got to stay hydrated.

I've only been to Universal once: in CA in 1988.

But Disney World (and I'll assume Universal as well) is open early and stays open late. The days are long. We start early, tour till lunch, then head back for a swim or a nap until dinner time. Then we stay until fireworks are over.

But I think you'll find that you want more time than you've budgeted to really enjoy the parks.

 

[Notup2it]

Been to the middle east in summer so I can survive summer in Florida. I was planning on staying offsite no matter when I go down.
If summer I would drive down and stay at a camp-site if winter at a hotel in walking distance preferably. Thanks for the tips. How long would you say
would be a good time to stay to enjoy the parks. 1 week, 10 days or longer?

 

[com_op_2000]

You need to do some figuring.
Depending on what you are wanting to do my one recommendation:
Go to the parks for 2 days, take a day off, go to the parks for 2 days, take a day off, etc. This way you so not burn yourself out with touring all the time.

 

[Aliceacc]

We do Disney, no Universal.

And a week works well for us.

As to the hotels/ camping:
The only hotels within walking distance to anything are the Disney Deluxe resorts-- and not all of them. Walking to the Magic Kingdom is the Contemporary, walking to Epcot are the Beach and Yacht Clubs, Boardwalk, and the non-Disney-owned Swan and Dolphin. You can walk to Hollywood Studios from any of them as well. Walking to Animal Kingdom is the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

But Disney transportation is pretty solid. Anywhere on Disney property will get you bus service and/or monorail/ boat transportation to all of the Disney parks.

If you're really interested in camping for its own sake, take a look at Fort Wilderness. If it's saving money that appeals, take a look at Disney's Value resorts; All Star Music, AS Sports, AS Movies or POP Century

 

[Ensusieasm]

We do Disney, no Universal.

And a week works well for us.

As to the hotels/ camping:
The only hotels within walking distance to anything are the Disney Deluxe resorts-- and not all of them. Walking to the Magic Kingdom is the Contemporary, walking to Epcot are the Beach and Yacht Clubs, Boardwalk, and the non-Disney-owned Swan and Dolphin. You can walk to Hollywood Studios from any of them as well. Walking to Animal Kingdom is the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

But Disney transportation is pretty solid. Anywhere on Disney property will get you bus service and/or monorail/ boat transportation to all of the Disney parks.

If you're really interested in camping for its own sake, take a look at Fort Wilderness. If it's saving money that appeals, take a look at Disney's Value resorts; All Star Music, AS Sports, AS Movies or POP Century

December.

 

[siskaren]

Walking to Animal Kingdom is the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

You can't walk to Animal Kingdom from Animal Kingdom Lodge - there aren't any sidewalks.

 

[automaticsoap]

I would choose December as well for the better weather.

 

[danny1649]

Another vote for Dec. if one of your weeks , except one week is Christmas week crowds are very heavy. Also take clothes that you can to wear in layers , Dec. weather can be cold , cool , warm to hot. Plus you will be there during the parks when they are all decked out for Christmas. Whatever you decide I wish wish you a magical time at WDW. Danny

 

[rangerxenos]

First or second week in December would be a great choice. You will not be able to stay off property and walk to any of the parks, you'll have to rent a car or take public transportation/taxi/etc.

 

[HM2012Butler]

I would say its a matter of crowds vs less crowds not a matter of hot vs cold. When does your break fall? If you can go the week or even more before Christmas, I think that's a nice time. Plus its all decorated for the holidays

 

[Notup2it]

My break starts from Dec 18th - Jan 4th. Would the 1st/ 2nd week of January be a better time to go with less crowds.
Thanks for all the tips and feedback its very helpful for a first time trip.

 

[ajenks22]

We are going to WDW Dec 17-24. This will be our 3rd time to go during Christmas. I am and teacher and so is my husband, so December is a logical time for us. Our friends went once in July and said they would never do that again...that it is too hot and humid. They are going with us on our trip over Christmas. We went in 2010 when it was so cold and in 2013 when we could swim during the day. Either way, it was WAY better than the heat of summer. (And don't underestimate the tiring effect of humidity combined with heat.

If you stay at Fort Wilderness Campground, the RVs and campers get all decked out for Christmas. That might be fun, if you're into that.

To me, Christmas is just so magical!

 

[lustergirl]

early December is great, July is too hot.

 

[Grumpy247365]

I'd go in December. Better weather, less crowds. Have fun at both Disney and Universal.

 

[Shanti]

Hey Everyone,

When would you recommend visiting WDW?
The industry I work in goes on a three week hiatus at
Christmas so was thinking of going then with more time
or trying to go for a quick vacation in July.

I am really interested in doing Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and
Universal (yes I am a Harry Potter Nerd)

Also I really love camping, has anyone ever stayed at
a camp-ground near any amusement parks?

This would be my first time to Orlando and I am
very excited.

1. A longer trip is better than a quick trip, especially for a first-timer.

2. Camping in Orlando will be a lot more pleasant in December than in July.

3. We loved tent camping at Fort Wilderness & highly recommend it- right across the pond from the Magic Kingdom.

4. I recommend going as early in December as you can.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hey Everyone,

When would you recommend visiting WDW?
The industry I work in goes on a three week hiatus at
Christmas so was thinking of going then with more time
or trying to go for a quick vacation in July.

I am really interested in doing Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and
Universal (yes I am a Harry Potter Nerd)

Also I really love camping, has anyone ever stayed at
a camp-ground near any amusement parks?

This would be my first time to Orlando and I am
very excited.

July is too hot!
Disney has a campground called Fort Wilderness that is very nice, and just a quick boat ride to the Magic Kingdom
Since you have three weeks, plan your trip for the week furthest from Dec 25 through Jan 1 that you have available so crowds aren't as bad

 

[Deanie1]

Another vote for Dec. The weather is cooler and if you go earlier in the month, the crowds won't be as busy.