May or September

[DisneyDreamer714]

Hello! New posting here, but been lurking for years. My husband and I have decided to go to Disney World in 2015. We are looking at the first week of May or the last week of September. I have been many times but usually the week after Thanksgiving or the second week of January. We will have 3 children: 1, 2, and 7. It is also my husbands first time! I saw that September will now have the F&W and MNSSHP. Now I'm torn and can use the help in deciding. TIA

Danielle

 

[plumsiren]

I vote May because I'm paranoid about hurricanes.

Also, welcome (officially) to the boards!

 

[chrissyc72]

We went 3 times in May! Loved it!!!! Go for May. Going in September this time & I hope I don't regret it!

 

[Loveslsu]

Another vote for May. No hurricanes to worry about either

 

[wendow]

May!

 

[teddygurl28]

i always go in september, but this year we did may, since we will have a 3 week old during our normal september week.

i noticed a slight increase in crowds, but nothing crazy. the heat during the day to me was pretty much the same, but at night May was more comfortable.

I dont think you could go wrong with either month.

However- i think september is value month and may is regular so pricing for hotels may vary

 

[MCO mama]

First trip - yay!! We've lived here 14 years and if I were you I would choose May. September is VERY hot/humid here. VERY. May will be warm, maybe hot. But Sept will be hot for sure.

 

[SnapesGirl]

I've been in both months and I far prefer May. September was incredibly hot and humid and we had rain every afternoon. May was still hot, but definitely not as humid and we only had rain 2 days out of 14. I didn't notice a difference in crowds between the 2 months. So my vote is for May!

 

[PrincessNelly]

We have done May twice and September twice.
Going again in September next year.

For me, I enjoyed May weather much better but September has wayyyyyy better discounts like free dining that ease the cost of a trip to Disney.

Plus lines are shorter in September.

May gets you Star wars weekends & Flower & Garden Festival while September gets you MNSSHP & Food & Wine Festival.

Tough choice but I'd pick with September if money is an issue, May if money isn't.

 

[DisneyDreamer714]

Thanks everyone! The price isn't much of a difference. It's about $60! May is sooner so I'm hoping that works out! My brother and his family will also be joining us. He will be returning from a deployment. Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed he comes back on time!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We've been several times in May and several times in Sept/Oct -- both are great, honestly!

May: You'll catch the Flower and Garden Festival -- pretty nice experience, with some kid-centric stuff to do -- free

Sept: You can catch the Halloween decorations (free), and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party (not free!) -- we love the party and this time of year


Welcome, and enjoy your trip... whenever you settle on!

 

[Raenstoirm]

We go those exact times almost every year! (April 30th for my birthday and Sept 25th for out anniversary). I find the temps similar. Spring "may" be cooler, but we haven't gotten lucky yet . Hey, it was 90* most days when we went in December, so maybe that is just my luck.
May has flower and garden and given that easter is early in april next year, very low crowds.
Sept had the party which is not to be missed, but there is a caveat there. You have babies. Can they stay up late and actually enjoy the evening? If they are going to be cranky you won't have any fun at the party so it is not worth it to plan a trip just for that. Same goes for food and wine. It is more of an adult thing.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Thanks everyone! The price isn't much of a difference. It's about $60! May is sooner so I'm hoping that works out! My brother and his family will also be joining us. He will be returning from a deployment. Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed he comes back on time!

Is that with discounts?
September offers free dining which tends to save us a ton! And we love our food!

 

[DisneyDreamer714]

We are not eligible for the free dining as we get military tickets and the military room discount. I actually priced oop and free dining if we opted for a package. The free dining vs. paying oop with the military only saved about $12. If they threw the MNSSHP year around this wouldn't be an issue! I really think it's the only thing I'm struggling with. The babies,I believe, would be alright. However, that is something I hadn't really considered. I should talk to my dh about it. The other thing is our son would miss days at the end of the year as opposed to the first few weeks which worries me.

 

[DisneyDreamer714]

Also, one more point my husband suffers from PTSD and anxiety. So crowds definitely need to be low. Is the MNSSHP busy? If it gets to busy he will retreat to the room but I'm hoping to go when he can enjoy it the best.

 

[PrincessNelly]

We are not eligible for the free dining as we get military tickets and the military room discount. I actually priced oop and free dining if we opted for a package. The free dining vs. paying oop with the military only saved about $12. If they threw the MNSSHP year around this wouldn't be an issue! I really think it's the only thing I'm struggling with. The babies,I believe, would be alright. However, that is something I hadn't really considered. I should talk to my dh about it. The other thing is our son would miss days at the end of the year as opposed to the first few weeks which worries me.

Ahh I see then. Well then I guess it comes down to MNSSHP or Star Wars weekends.

And as far as crowds... they are close but the week of labor day is by far the best week to go. We arrive on labor day or the day after and have never waited in line. Our trip last year, Space Mountain and big thunder never got pass 25-30 minutes.
Night extra magic hours were empty! Walked on to everything in NFL except Peter Pan which was 25 minutes at about 9pm. We rode Splash mountain 5 times in a row at 10 pm, then BTMRR 3 times in a row around 11pm.

 

[lustergirl]

I have visited both times. During May you have the flower festival at EPCOT and late September I believe is the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT, plus the Halloween Party at MK.

What a tough decision. Good Luck

 

[Raenstoirm]

Also, one more point my husband suffers from PTSD and anxiety. So crowds definitely need to be low. Is the MNSSHP busy? If it gets to busy he will retreat to the room but I'm hoping to go when he can enjoy it the best.

MNSSHP can be packed especially during fireworks and parades, but honestly any parade or fireworks will be packed no matter when you go, so your dh is going to have to find a "safe" place to be at those times.

If you think your kids can handle being up till midnight, I would go for Sept. MNSSHP is our favorite disney thing!