May or October

[trampslady]

It could possible scar me for life (ha!) if I wait all the way until October for our next visit to WDW (we've normally been going 3+ times per year since first visit in 2002). However, our plans next year include a 14 night cruise in April that's taking up much of my vacation time. We tenatively have May (around Memorial Day) booked, but we normally use annual passes, and I don't see us getting a good use out of them if we go in May (plus it's only four weeks after we get back from the Hawaiian cruise).

I was thinking maybe October for the Food and Wine festival, which would give us most of the next year to book again and use the annual passes.

Which time of year do you and your family prefer? Pros and cons of each?

 

[senecabeach]

WOW !!

That's a real toss up for me, since you've hit my 2 favorite months @ the World..
I enjoy the F&GF in May and also the F&WF in Oct.

Guess it depends on what else I'm doing in a given year and try to spread out the trips. You can't go wrong with either months.

 

[DVC Grammy]

We've made F & W, plus much of Januarys, our two mandatory annual trips. Any other trips depend upon our schedule for a given year, (or sometimes a great Ding and available villa, or a desperate need for a WDW "fix" ).
We always get at least 3 trips on an annual pass (and DDE). Then I can tell myself how "cheap" a WDW trip turns out to be !

 

[donmil723]

May and October are also our two favorite times of the year to go to WDW. Our May trip is usually more relaxing as we spend more time at the pool. In October, we love the F&W Festival and MNSSHP so it seems like we are on the go more then.

If I had just taken a 14 day Hawaiian cruise in April, I would probably wait until October to go to WDW. Of course, that is my practical side talking. The inner child in me would say go both times!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck in making your decision!

Donna

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Definitely October. You won't even have unwound from the trip if you go in May. Go in May and then you're really going to have a long wait until the next trip. Food & Wine Festival is a cool time.

 

[bcvillastwo]

To sharpen the point a bit more, we don't like the heat so we prefer going from mid Oct to Mid Nov as well as anytime in March, then last week of April/1st week of May. We were at WDW twice at the end of Sept and if you don't like the heat it can be iffy. Correspondingly, we've been a time or two after mid-May and again it can get rather warm then as well.

But, if you don't mind the heat well then everything I just said is not applicable to you.

 

[iloveokw]

We love Oct and the Food & Wine, but try to stay away from Columbus Day weekend - it just gets busier and busier!

 

[byoung]

Love going both months, Oct with the F&W gets my vote thought.

 

[3DisneyKids]

We went in both May and Oct. of 2006 and like Oct. much better! Less heat, less crowds (May was crowded, which surprised us), and F&W!

 

[keishashadow]

We love Oct and the Food & Wine, but try to stay away from Columbus Day weekend - it just gets busier and busier!

That weekend & the following were horribly crowded. Waiting in a 100 ft. line for a glass of vino isn't my idea of a good time.

It was more manageable during the week though.

Was hot & humid too (we luved it )

 

[goofy4dvc]

We usually go the first week of May. I prefer Epcot's Flower & Garden to Food & Wine. Weather can be warmer and more humid than I care for.

We just went the last week of October and the weather was beautiful, needed jackets in the evening, but humidity was much lower, crowds were half what they are in May. We walked on many rides that we waited in line for in May. My brother and SIL went with us (their first trip to WDW) and I kept telling them that walking right onto the rides was not NORMAL! The only exception was World Showcase in Epcot. LOTS of people due to Food & Wine, which spilled over into Future World in the evening, but the daytime was great at FW. We also got to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party for the first time. It was great! Mid to late October is my new favorite time to go. First half of May is my second favorite through.

 

[BroganMc]

I love both times and planned trips for May and October next year myself. But given your cruise is set for only a month before, I suggest you save the points and go in October.

I was on a 10 day Caribbean cruise this October and had planned a 12 day trip to Orlando Dec 1. There was just enough time for me to decompress from one trip and begin to get enthusiastic about the next. Well barely enough time. I was making my ADR's only a week before the Disney trip because I was overwhelmed with cruise-itis.

May is hotter and more humid. Better pool weather but not so great for busy park hopping. I wouldn't want to touch it on Memorial Day weekend. October is warm, less humid, but it does have a tendency to dump rain on you. I went from burning in the sun outside the castle one afternoon to being drenched head to foot while watching the parade. Heavens will open up unexpectedly.

 

[bigsmooth]

Food and wine gets my vote. Plus, if you have kids the halloween party at MK is great as well.

 

[mikayla73]

We are going to DL in May and WDW in Oct. I really really wanted to go to F&WF and MNNSHP. I would love to slip in a Christmas trip to WDW also, but I am not sure that is in the cards.

If I had to choose between May and Oct at WDW, I think I agree with others that Oct would be a go. Although you can't go wrong with any month at WDW! Or so I have been told since our trip in Oct will be our first

 

[Lexxiefern]

We also go in May and October and also in January every year. Love them all for different reasons.

For your question I would probably pick Oct. I love the F &W. You should book soon though, to make sure you get what you want