March, April, or May?

[leopardspot]

When are the crowds the smallest? How is the weather in each of these months?

 

[cdpa4d]

I would say you want to go when Spring Break has ended (usually a week after Easter) and before Summer vacation has started (usually end of May). If I were you and have the flexability to do it, go the first week of May, or the last week of April.

Crowds tend to be moderate to light between these dates because of school schedules. The temps are somewhat warm but not overbearing (high 80s during the day and mid 60s at night).

Good Luck and have a great trip!
ADP

 

[liznboys]

We went the first week of March last year because we hoped that the spring break crowds wouldn't be there yet. That ended up being the case, there weren't any bad crowds.

The weather was warm enough to wear t-shirts and shorts most of the time, but a couple days we needed sweatshirts, and it did rain twice I think. We loved it though, we don't like to be there in warmer weather. We went at the end of May on our honeymoon and it was HOT. If we didn't have kids then it wouldn't be as much of a concern dealing with hot weather, but with young kids we will never go during the warmer months.

Good luck deciding!

 

[ILUVDXL]

One of the 3 times of year we choose from is the end of May. The weather is warm (sometimes very warm) crowds are low and you had the addtional treat of the Flower and Garden Show.

 

[castlegazer]

Last week in April first week in May is the best and still get that added bonus of the Flower and Garden show. It can get hot though. But crowds are low.

 

[HollyJoy]

I would think that the beginning of March would be the least crowded of those months, but then again, it depends on when Easter is!

 

[pouncingpluto]

We went the last week of April and first week of May last year, and we actually wouldn't do it again at that time because of the obnoxious senior night kids. A lot of them are at the parks during the day or for a a few days, rather than just at the senior night celebration.

 

[steveanddonna]

we had the same experience in 2002, pouncingpluto. We went the last week of April and the crowds were thin, but there were a lot of unsupervised teens behaving in very un-Disneylike fashion. I usually love to be around teens (worked with high school kids for many years in a theater program) for their energy and exuberance, but there were just a lot of rude, wild kids when we went. We're hoping the first week of March will work better for us this year. We're so spoiled by our usual October/November trips, because we never wait in line for anything.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Yeah, I mean... I'm no old grouch. I'm only 25, and I'm still youthful and exuberant! However, I really couldn't deal with the many large groups of teenagers cutting in line, shouting, ruining pre-shows (or the entire Muppets 3D... my boyfriend really almost "had words" with one group after that one) and just generally disregarding everyone around them. I did eventually reach my boiling point and tell off one group of teenagers in line at Rock N Roller Coaster who were trying to cut us and 100 other people to join their friends at the front of the line.

It's really unfortunate, because my birthday is April 25, which is why we went at that time of year, but now I feel that I can't ever do a birthday trip again now that I know what it's like.

 

[castlegazer]

I am sitting here trying to remember if we experienced this at all - and I can't remember it being a problem. We were able to hear the fireworks one night from the senior night celebration at MK and we were a little ticked by the lack of fireworks for the rest if guests due to it and the shortened hours - but I don't remember obnoxious teens in the parks - other than the normal variety you always see. We were there for five days so we did most of the parks. I think I was being observant but I may not have been affected by it because I had a one year old along and we didn't do many of the rides. But I did do RnRC and Tower of Terror and other adult rides and did not find lines nor obnoxiousness.

I did hate the heat, though. It was unbearable many of the days.

 

[JJsmama]

How would we find out when that senior night would be for 2--4 and 2005? I really want to go that April into May week 2005 but would NOT like obnoxious teens.

 

[tinkie]

What I wouldn't give for some unbearable heat right now! Well, at least for 1 day!

 

[TDS373X]

Been in March and always seemed to catch the unseasonably cold weather.. The end of April was a really good choice nice weather but if Easter is late crowds are bad and there are the love bugs to contend with...Last year I surprised my dd with a trip leaving the Thursday after mothers day for 4 days. I took pictures because no one would believe me when I said the crowds were at times non existant. I have pictures of Fantasyland at noon from high atop Dumbo and there are no people in sight..the downside is that it was 95 degrees everyday but we like it hot made the pool a really popular place. We did run into several high school music groups there for magic music days which would have been great had I not had dd with me but when they hit the pool it was impossible for her to be there she was only 3 at the time..This year we are going the same time for 6 days but we're staying at POR.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Originally posted by JJsmama
How would we find out when that senior night would be for 2--4 and 2005? I really want to go that April into May week 2005 but would NOT like obnoxious teens.

There's not just one senior night... they do them (I think Fri and Sat night) for a few weeks. That gives lots of high schools the chance to experience it.

 

[meganbear]

So senior nights are always Fri. and Sat nights??? I hope so, I'll be there May 9 thru 14---Sunday thru Thursday, so I should be missing the senior nights!!! *crosses fingers*

 

[wdwphanatic]

... and found it too hot. I also have 2 friends who went the 1st week of May (different years) and said the heat was miserable when they went as well... If you don't mind the heat, however, it's probably less crowded in early May than most of April and March. That being said, if I had my choice and Easter were late the year I was planning to go, I'd choose early March. Even if it's a little more crowded than May I'd prefer that to mid-90s temperatures!

Happy planning,
Sarah

 

[mommytotwo]

Is this flower and garden show also at Disneyland-California? If so, where is it located? We are thinking of going at the starting of May.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I don't know for sure... it's just my memory that that's when they were. If you do a search of the WDW website, I'm sure you can come up with the dates for 2004.

 

[DarthGoofy]

I found this on another thread after doing a search. Hope this helps.


According to the grad-nights.com, the dates fot the 2004 WDW gradnights are April 23rd, 24th, 30th, May1st