Mid-May vs Mid-October

[MuchLovedMama]

Was looking into either a 5/10/14 trip or a 10/11/14 trip for 7 nights.

5/11 would be Mother's Day & 10/13 is Columbus Day.

Was peeking at crowd calendars and they look pretty much about the same. I hate crowds so we usually stick to September but was trying to pick a time that would work better with the kids school schedule.

I'm used to crowds of 1-3. Crowds look to be about 4-5 for those weeks. Will it feel way too crowded to me?

We're skipping Disney this time so maybe those numbers aren't quite that high at the other places. We went to UO last Sept and compared to Disney it seemed empty.

This time we're planning 3 days Universal, 1 day Discovery Cove, 1 day Sea World, 1 day Aquatica & 1/2 day downtown disney.

Anyone have a preference to May vs October and the reason? Thanks!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Admittedly, I've never been to wdw or us... But we've done both dates for DL... And around Mother's Day was always much better than around Columbus Day... A lot of schools are adding a fall break in mid October, plus you have parks all done up for Halloween and special parties... All of that equals more crowds, then may, almost everyone is in school, no special decorations or parties... Hth!

 

[macraven]

i have done the parks in that same time period in May and October.


i would lean more towards going May 2014 for your trip.
crowd level decent, weather fine.


if you went october 2014, and did the darkside for the m-t-w for the parks, that would be okay. (oct 12-3-4.) lower crowds than the coming weekend.

thu-su the studios closes at 5:00 for hhn.
ioa closes at 7:00, unless this changes for next year.

weather will be decent and less chance of rain.

the other places you listed shouldn't be crowded either during your stay.
exception would be if the weekend has great weather, more locals might be attending seaworld, aquatica, etc also.

 

[DCTooTall]

One thing to consider too...

Harry potter Phase 2 is supposed to open "summer 2014". It's very likely it won't yet be open for a mid-May trip, but will be open for the October trip.

That could also impact the crowds in October from people wanting to experience it.... but might also be a reason for you to consider October over May.

 

[MuchLovedMama]

One thing to consider too...

Harry potter Phase 2 is supposed to open "summer 2014". It's very likely it won't yet be open for a mid-May trip, but will be open for the October trip.

That could also impact the crowds in October from people wanting to experience it.... but might also be a reason for you to consider October over May.

I know that's played in my head a lot too. We're huge Harry Potter fans so would love to see it but I think my hating crowds outweighs that.

The kids have 3 days off in October so I thought that would be great not missing much school but Mid-May they never seem to have any homework because they're mostly done with everything for the year. Decisions Decisions!!

Thanks for all the replies though. Was leaning more towards October but now I'm thinking May would be better.

 

[macraven]

when hp2 comes out, it will change the crowd levels and touring plans for a few months.

there are many that get off columbus day and have teacher workshop days in mid october, 2nd week that is.

it does bring more families in to the parks.

last two years columbus day was busy around noontime.

like i posted before, the t-w-th after columbus day could be a lot slower in the parks.
hhn will be held on the th night but that won't be an issue for you.
just means the studios closes at 5:00.

who knows if the summer opening of hp2 will continue bringing in crowds over the 3 day weekend.

i am aware not all states have that day off work/school.
but, there are a substantial amount that do.

you could play out this senario anyway.
less crowds in May for your time period as peeps are waiting for hp2 to open later, or hp2 opens June and not July and the parks won't be affected in Oct.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I would personally pick October over May because the weather should be cooler in October unless there is some freak heat wave like there was in 2010.

Crowds should be a little better in May I would think.

I have only been mid April not May but even mid April the weather was 90 degrees on 2 different days during our week. It was miserable.

 

[MuchLovedMama]

I would personally pick October over May because the weather should be cooler in October unless there is some freak heat wave like there was in 2010.

Crowds should be a little better in May I would think.

I have only been mid April not May but even mid April the weather was 90 degrees on 2 different days during our week. It was miserable.

We're used to the September heat so I don't think May's heat will be that different for us. I can handle the heat. What I can't handle is crowds so maybe May would be better for us this time around.

 

[RMulieri]

If you can't handle crowds I would do May..Once HP opens in the summer, it is going to pack the parks for awhile after

 

[Metro West]

I would personally pick October over May because the weather should be cooler in October unless there is some freak heat wave like there was in 2010.

October weather can be anyone's guess. I've lived here for nine years and have seen temps in the 90s and 60s and since October is still in hurricane season, tropical weather has a much better chance of heating things up than in May.

Still...I agree with you. October would be my choice over May as well.

 

[sjs314]

Since the Heat does not bother you I would go with May over October, the decideing factor BTG which frequent the parks the week of October 12th ("Dia da Criança", many schools have no classes during this week).

 

[cieslack]

Since the Heat does not bother you I would go with May over October, the decideing factor BTG which frequent the parks the week of October 12th ("Dia da Criança", many schools have no classes during this week).

Is it the week leading up to October 12 or the week following? I was just about to book a week beginning the 12th.

Are these groups a deal-breaker for anyone?