May or sept 2021

[Nikkiahunter]

We’ve been both. May did have lovely weather but when we went last year it was just as hot as our sept 15 trip! I would truly say either is a good time to go, I do remember sept being a bit quieter however who knows this year! Disney is what you make it, there’s always pros and cons but the biggest pro is being there at any time of the year!

 

[Stratman50th]

May is nice. It has been pretty hot here for the past couple of months but the humidity very low, like 20%-40%. It's also before rainy season which starts mid May to first part of June. September is hot and humid, rain every day around 3:00-4:00 and within the last three months of hurricane season. Before we moved here we would drive down from Maryland. We would go in either May and Sept. more because of smaller crowds. I don't think there's such a thing as small crowds any longer so you might as well go for the weather.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would do September since it would give Disney more time to “get back to normal.”

 

[kylenne]

I don't think there's such a thing as small crowds any longer

I wouldn't be so quick to say this anymore. The impact of the virus is still yet to be fully seen. I wouldn't expect to see pre-COVID crowds back at Disney for some time, even once we get past the phases of intentional capacity restrictions. Millions of people are unemployed, and in an economic downturn, travel is the first thing to get cut in people's budgets. As well, if schools are mostly back to regular sessions, districts may not be so lenient about parents taking kids out of school in an era where distance learning is causing educational gaps. There's still a lot of unknowns and I wouldn't base any decision making for trip timing based on what we knew of crowds pre-COVID. We're going the end of next May because that's when my birthday is. If that falls through, we'll end up extending our October weekend trip.

 

[Farro]

I wouldn't be so quick to say this anymore. The impact of the virus is still yet to be fully seen. I wouldn't expect to see pre-COVID crowds back at Disney for some time, even once we get past the phases of intentional capacity restrictions. Millions of people are unemployed, and in an economic downturn, travel is the first thing to get cut in people's budgets. As well, if schools are mostly back to regular sessions, districts may not be so lenient about parents taking kids out of school in an era where distance learning is causing educational gaps. There's still a lot of unknowns and I wouldn't base any decision making for trip timing based on what we knew of crowds pre-COVID. We're going the end of next May because that's when my birthday is. If that falls through, we'll end up extending our October weekend trip.

I kind of think next May might be pretty quiet. Will be coming off another flu/covid season, and while hopefully it's nothing like this one, people may be all freaked out again. Also, even if there is a vaccine it won't have gotten to everyone by May. I think people holding off for a vaccine/cure may book later in 2021.

 

[kylenne]

I kind of think next May might be pretty quiet. Will be coming off another flu/covid season, and while hopefully it's nothing like this one, people may be all freaked out again. Also, even if there is a vaccine it won't have gotten to everyone by May. I think people holding off for a vaccine/cure may book later in 2021.

I agree. I also suspect a lot of the school groups we tend to see in May won't be taking those trips next year. I have a lot of educators in my friend group and districts all over the place are freaking out about making up for closures.

 

[Farro]

I agree. I also suspect a lot of the school groups we tend to see in May won't be taking those trips next year. I have a lot of educators in my friend group and districts all over the place are freaking out about making up for closures.

I like us. Putting it out there in the Universe why May will be uncrowded.

 

[Heather07438]

Choosing between the 2 we'd definitely pick May and only be swayed into Sept with great offers and a severe desire for the soonest trip. Early May is in our plans to try in the future.

As others said, the more pleasant weather in May can make a big difference to how enjoyable a trip is, there's much less risk for travel disruption, plus itinerary planning is annoyingly harder around MK's party seasons. Early May is lower crowds though still has better hours, more things open and more staff which keeps ride waits down, unlike Sept where hours & staff are cut.

 

[fumanchu2488]

I’m debating the same. When are we thinking they kickoff the 50th celebrations? I don’t really want to be there the first few months around the start of that. I know October 1 is the official 50th but I can see them starting the celebration early.

 

[Lionsfan]

There are parties in May. Villains event

 

[Hopfather28]

I agree with all the measures being taken currently to limit the spread pf Covid19 but I am concerned about my summer trip planned for 2021 and how these measures will impact my family. I have no issues wearing a mask around town but 10 hours in 90 degree heat and humidity? Not a shot.

If they're still making people get reservations for parks next summer and limiting capacity at restaurants I don't see how that will work for my family (again not complaining about prevention just saying how it impacts my decisions). I don't rent a car when we go so offsite meals are a non-option and even if we stay in a 1 bedroom, I'm on vacation and don't really feel like cooking meals. Not to mention I can see them doing away with Fastpass+ for good and potentially switching to the pay-to-play model rumored before.

TLDR: If I had the option to go in September rather than May, I'd go then as I suspect it will be closer to normal. If I wanted smaller crowds, I'd go in May because I suspect a lot of people feel like me.