May or September?

[ElsasFan]

We just got back from our first family trip to WDW, and it was truly a magical time! It was so great that on the first day, my husband started talking about "our next trip!" I thought that he might be a hard sell to plan a return visit soon, but that has not been the case. We are trying to figure out what time of year we should visit, next.

This year, we went the week prior to Thanksgiving (so we left WDW just before the crowds picked up over Thanksgiving), but I don't think we'll be able to go again that time, next year. We are looking at either early-mid May (like starting May 9-right before Mothers Day) or September. We would like to stay longer than a week, which is a pro for May because the kids will be out of school, but I think the crowds might be heavier. I am not sure about the weather. We can take the kids out of school (we did so this year, their school worked with us and we made everything up), but we would have to work hard to get caught up afterwards if we went in September. Weather is also a consideration.

Does anyone who has been there both months have thoughts about which would be a better time to visit? I guess my preference is May because of having to make up school, but I would really like to visit at a low crowd time, and I think September probably has less crowds.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

It rained 5 out of the 6 days I was in Orlando in Sept. 2014. I mean all day, pouring rain not just showers. This was the 3rd trip I had that happen.

So I'm taking a break from Sept. for a couple of years. Also it was busier when I went this year than in past years - I think the secret is out, Sept. isn't really slow anymore unless you get lucky.

I'd try May - I've got the first weekend of May in 2013 and in 2012 and found the crowds low and the weather was nice. Not too hot for me at all but then I live in Georgia so what is not too hot for me is probably different than people who live further north.

 

[TillyMarigold]

I was there September 5-13, 2009, and May 14-22, 2010.

It was much hotter and more crowded in May (mid-90s vs mid-80s in September). We got two days where it rained hard for a couple hours each in September, none in May.

BTW, my husband was the same by the end of day 1 of our September trip. We didn't even have kids then, and we've done 2 Disneyland trips since 2010, but next month will be our first trip with our son.

 

[ElsasFan]

Sleeping Beauty-Wow, that much rain would be miserable. I don't suppose trip insurance coveres that, does it? (ha, wouldn't that be nice?) I hadn't considered that, only the temperature.

Tilly, thanks for the feedback about May crowds. We chose our November week because Touring Plans had estimated the crowds would be so low. They predicted a 2 for the MK on our first day, and afterwards said it was a 7! So we have been when it was crowded, but I guess I am gun-shy about going in May in case we happen to hit a time when their estimates are low again.

Lots to think about!

 

[Aurora0427]

Early May is awesome! We went right after Mother's Day 2013. The weather was great and the crowds totally manageable!

It rains much more in September than May. Having temperatures in the mid 80s in September is rare. It's usually brutally hot in September. We've been in both early and late May, and we prefer either time to September. I think the earlier you go in may the better. The crowds in September will be low, but the heat and humidity will be out in full force. We live in Houston, which is a similar climate.

Just my two cents!

 

[Aurora0427]

Sleeping Beauty-Wow, that much rain would be miserable. I don't suppose trip insurance coveres that, does it? (ha, wouldn't that be nice?) I hadn't considered that, only the temperature.

Tilly, thanks for the feedback about May crowds. We chose our November week because Touring Plans had estimated the crowds would be so low. They predicted a 2 for the MK on our first day, and afterwards said it was a 7! So we have been when it was crowded, but I guess I am gun-shy about going in May in case we happen to hit a time when their estimates are low again.

Lots to think about!

Not a fan of touring plans. Check out www.easywdw.com. Josh's crowd calendars are pretty accurate. Also plan your trip around his daily recommended parks.

 

[Hopefully]

I would choose early May for the weather. September Is HOT and HUMID. It may be lower crowds but the weather is miserable, in my opinion

 

[OHDisneyMom]

We enjoyed our September trip much more than our May-June trip due to the lower crowds and being able to do more attractions per day. We also really enjoyed Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

 

[Jfsag123]

We went in mid-May 2013 and crowds were great until the Friday leading into Memorial Day weekend. The weather was a little hot and it rained for a short time most afternoons, but we actually liked the rain because it cooled things off and cleared out some of the people. Have never been in September, but would do May again in a heartbeat if I could. Our kids' school schedules won't allow it anymore.

 

[ElsasFan]

Aurora0427, yes, I will definitely go by EasyWDW in the future. The two days that Touring Plans predictions diverged from EasyWDW, the crowds were greatly underestimated. Luckily, it was just the first two days of my trip. Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Aurora0427]

Aurora0427, yes, I will definitely go by EasyWDW in the future. The two days that Touring Plans predictions diverged from EasyWDW, the crowds were greatly underestimated. Luckily, it was just the first two days of my trip. Thank you for the feedback.

You're welcome!

 

[DOOM1001]

Both are hot,basically upper 80's-90's,if you get a day in the mid 80's you got lucky.More rain and humidity in September but the later you go in May the more chance for rain as rainy season starts in June,this year for example it seemed like rainy season came a bit early as we got a good amount of rain in late May.As far as crowds September is the better choice but May is not awful.

 

[amberg93]

This year we went May 11th to the 19th and September 19th to the 28th. May had a couple of showers, but it wasn't unmanageable. September was really dreary weather wise. Tons of rain and for much longer periods of time. Overall the temperatures were about the same for us, in fact, in May we had a cold day and none in September.

Crowds were a little better in September but not a lot. Especially if you're in MK on days without the Halloween Party and with F&W in Epcot, it got pretty crowded too.

I heard good things about the week after Labor Day but otherwise, September seems to be worse than May.