March 1 or May 3, 2014 - Which is Better Arrival Date for 1st Trip?

[Indecisive]

I am planning my boys' first trip to WDW for next spring 2014. It will be me, DH, our boys who will be 4 and 7, and my in-laws who are in their 70s. We hope to rent DVC points to get a 2 bedroom villa. We plan to take the kids out of school to avoid the crowds. I've been leaning toward a May 3 arrival date because it is low crowds, moderate prices, and the weather should be plenty warm for pools and wet rides like Splash Mountain, I think without being oppressively hot. However, DH and my in-laws lament that the weather in the northeast, where we live, will be nice by then and they would rather have a winter getaway than leave the NE just as the weather is getting good. Looking at the crowd calendars, I would consider a March 1 arrival, but I am hesitant. I know that pools are heated, but will the air temps be warm enough that we'll want to swim? And will we feel it's too chilly for Splash Mountain, etc? I don't want to spend all that money and then be too chilled to take full advantage. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[jcieutat]

Weather in Orlando is so unpredictable in March. One week it could be in the 80's and the next week it could be in the 50's. The pools are heated but they are still too cold for us. We are actually planning a March 1 arrival for our next trip. We are hoping to swim but not counting on it due to the weather. If you definitely want to use the pool, I would lean towards May.

 

[FiggieFan]

Mardi Gras next year is Tuesday, March 4. Mardi Gras was early this year and so it collided with our trip, and the parks were mobbed. I would lean towards May to avoid the Mardi Gras contingency if possible. A lot of southern schools have off for this and they head to Disney. It was crazy!
We also usually go early to mid-February. As the above post states, the weather is very hit or miss. We hit a record high last time at 89, but we have had other days that were way to cold to do water rides such as the Rapids Ride in AK, which we love. One day, we had a high in the 40's, so if you want to utilize the pool a lot, I would also leans towards May.

 

[wdwlver]

Definitely May.....so beautiful in May....March weather unpredictable.

 

[mmmears]

I'd pick May -- the weather should be nicer and there should be fewer people.

 

[Indecisive]

Thanks, all! I share my family's desire to have a winter getaway. However, your posts reaffirm my long held belief that Orlando is not a reliable place to do that. Our in-laws once coaxed us into a short trip to the Florida gulf coast in January and it was so cold and rainy, it was pointless. I think I just have to get them to shift their mindset away from wanting a winter getaway. This is not that. I just want it to be the best Disney trip it can be.

Thanks for the tip about Mardi Gras. Yikes! I'm going to have to email a couple of bloggers about their crowd calendars!

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with everyone else to go in May. Not only is March weather unpredictable, but that is also peak season pricing. May will be a little cheaper as the rates should drop right after Easter.