July or October . . .Help Me Decide

[Wish Upon A Star]

I am trying to get advice/opinions on what everyone would choose if they were in my place. I'm really getting antsy waiting for my vacation and I want to go NOW. But here are my options:

We can go July 2 - 9 OR
October 27 - November 2

We've been two years in a row now in the Summer and the heat/humidity wasn't really a factor, so take that out of the equation.

To me . ..Summer equals longer park hours, more attractions open, and we can spend 7 nights/8 days because of no school.

October - We've never seen the fall decorations, MNSSHP, but it would also mean shorter park hours, kids would miss 2 days of school and we'd only be there for 5 park days. DD would be in 10th grade and DS 6th . . .so its not like missing elementary school (work wise)

I don't know what to decide . . .

HELP!

 

[#1hockeymom]

October! Low crowds, you can see anything and everything, you'll notice things you never saw before due to the fact you couldn't see across the walkway during the summer! If your children are good students and hardly ever get sick, I would go with October. I would also contact their school(s) and see how they feel about the two days.
I finally took DS in January, missing two days of school,(both of us), and we had a fantastic time! It was a great bonding experience and it created wonderful memories for both of us! Before that it had always been Easter or Summer with the entire family going.

Whatever you do... you're going to Disney World!

Debbie

 

[DisneyLisa]

That's a tough one to answer...we've done both summer & October...but I'd have to say that if the heat/humidity doesn't bother you...I'd go for spending more days at WDW in the summer.

As you mentioned, parks are open later in the summer & I missed that in October. MNSSHP was great but I'd rather take more late nights at MK than 1 MNSSHP. Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'll get lots of replies to help you decide.

 

[jel0511]

I'll preface this by saying I'm a WDW summer nut!! So, or course I'd vote for summer. I prefer summer so much, mainly for the extended hours. It's so nice to eat dinner and be able to either go to the parks, or already be there, with the exception of Epcot. We went ONCE during off season, last Feb, and it was a complete waste IMO. We don't spend much times in the parks, usually only a few hours at a time, and then relax back at the resort in the afternoons. Well, it wasn't warm enough for pool time, and then after dinner, we just twiddled our thumbs since there was nothing to do. Now, this is what works for us best, mornings at the parks, afternoon naps and swims, dinner and then back to a park after dinner. We're not late owls either, usually all in bed by 10PM (kids will be 6 and 3 this summer) but this is how we like it. We vowed to never go to WDW except for the summer, because that's when we enjoy it. I'll get off my summer rant now!! The only good thing about Feb, was the weather was GREAT!!! Not too hot or too cold, and I don't even think I broke a sweat the entire week!!! It truly is up to you, but we choose summer due to school, and DD is only in kindergarten. I'd rather go for longer over the summer (two weeks this year) than take a couple quick trips during the school year, for me it's more relaxing this way.

 

[magooflorida]

I would absolutely go in October. I live in FL and even I steer clear of Disney in the summer! It is crowded and the heat is brutal and the lines are too long! I would def. vote for the fall months to see the decorations etc....

Therese

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hi there! We'll be returning to WDW again this summer, for our 3rd July trip. We've been in both July & October, and I'd definetly take July for the extra days! Have fun!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

October all the way . I will never go in the summer again ! I get more done in October even though the hours are shorter because there are less people there.

Wishing a Tagged night
Mishell

 

[keriannhoward]

Absolutely October, I'll be there October 27th through November 1st for ds birthday. I don't ever ever go in the summer anymore, the crowds are difficult to wade through, the lines are SO much longer and the heat just drains me. Even though the park hours are shorter, the days are shorter too, so you still get that "Disney after dark" feel. Also, Epcot food and wine festival is going on at that time and that's always a lot of fun.

 

[leopardspot]

Can you go BOTH months?!?!

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Hmmmmm seems like its a pretty split decision . . .

leopardspot: One of these days I would love to go more than once a year . . .Our Anniversary is in October and maybe one day we'll be able to go and celebrate it without feeling nervous/guilty about leaving the kids behind.

We are still deciding . . . .

 

[Mymatisse]

I too would definately choose October. Recently we have been going when there are very low crowds, Sept. and Jan and it is AWESOME!!!! I haven't been in October but I would imagine it's similar. There are no lines, you can basically walk onto everything, and even though the parks close earlier you will have seen everything you wanted to see and then some.

I love low crowd seasons!! Can't imagine waiting hours just to get on a ride .

Just my two cents.

 

[jel0511]

Something else that might sway your decision. NJ week starts on October 30th this year, so there will be higher than normal crowds especially with Halloween thrown in for half of your trip.

 

[colleen costello]

Friends of mine went in October and loved it. You would have to be prepared, though, for MUCH shorter hours -- the parks close around 6pm, I think. That would be OK with me, because I love to resort-hop and would have dinner after the parks.

My friend said that sometimes they would be on a little path in a park "and no one else would be there but them..." Having gone only in summer and Spring break times, I oculdn't even IMAGINE that! Someday I would love to experience WDW "not crowded!"

 

[keriannhoward]

What do you mean by NJ week?

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

NJ Schools have some time off during that week . . .so they usually travel to WDW . . .

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by keriannhoward
What do you mean by NJ week?

NJ Week is a week in NJ where the teachers hold their annual conventions. It usually is the first week in November. Public Schools are always closed the Thursday and Friday of that week, and some districts have Election day off as well. Some districts close for the entire week, making it a perfect time to get away to WDW. In DD's class last November, half of the class headed down to WDW and I'd say that about half of the school went as well. I can say that I personally knew 20 families that went down to WDW that week. We didn't go though, we went to St. John. There are numerous stories of the entire park being from NJ and when a CM actually meets someone not from NJ during that week, they are amazed! It doesn't get as crowded as summer or holidays, but it is more crowded than you'd expect the first week of November. This year NJ week is October 30 - November 7.

 

[keriannhoward]

Ok-thanks for that information! As a native, I try to schedule my trips around the times that I think the parks will be least crowded. I think, with us leaving on the 1st we might be ok, just overlapping a day or 2 with the NJ crowd. I can remember when I would go in September or October and there was nobody around, we would ride Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain twice without having get off.

 

[DennisP]

The "NJ Week" is actually teacher's convention week. Most schools are closed and a lot of families travel to WDW.

I've been to WDW only once during "NJ Week" and it was just amazing to see how many people from NJ were actually in FL. In fact I met 2 other fellow fire fighters from the volunteer department I belonged to during this trip.

 

[cdpa4d]

No question! October all the way. Crowds are way lighter. The temps are much more comfortable making for a better trip. You won't be sorry. I understand your point about longer park hours, however, the longer park hours don't mean much when you are swealtering in the heat. The heat can take a lot our of you. In most cases you would probably be too tired and worn-out to go back to the parks at night if the heat has drained you during the day.
Good luck in whatever you decide and have a great trip!
ADP

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

We went in October 2000 and loved it. We were at the parks early and ready to go home before the parks closed. Here are a few things to think about:

1) The parks did close early.
2) They also cut back on other things. For instance, they only had the electric light parade on Tuesday and Saturday. I believe some of the water park hours were cut too? I could be wrong here.
3) You'll be there during Halloween. I've never been there then. I hear it is really wonderful. It is also supposed to be crowded.
4) The weather was great. I am from Texas. Heat and humidity do not bother me. However, it was nice not to be sweaty all day. On the down side, it was too cold for my guys in the swimming pool at WL. There were some people swimming. However, if you're used to the heat, it may be too cold for you too.


Hope this helps.