New member planning trip, need advice.

[Canucky]

Hello all, new member.

My girlfriend and I have decided to go to WDW next year, before we have offspring, with the intention of having a bit of adult fun without any additional "two-legged strings" attached. I haven't visited the World in over ten years and she has never been further south than New Hampshire. I'm sure we'll return someday with ankle-biters in tow.

I've done a lot of research already, reading several guides (my favorite seems to be the Unofficial Guide to WDW 2001 and 2006) and having spent hours on the internet.

We're going to stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I know the downside is the location relative to the other theme parks (other than MK), but everything else is a plus to us.

Our main concern is the time of year to go. Our criteria? Weather, crowds, and a (relatively speaking of course) lack of children.

We are NOT going during hurricane season. I worked in the travel industry and I know first hand the number of vacations ruined (or at least dampened) by flipping a coin in September. Summer is out: too hot, too crowded once school is out. January and February (like Oct-Dec), though less busy, might be a little too chilly. March break and early April have peak rates and of course are very busy times. We think May might be a good time to go: it's just after March break, it isn't too hot yet, parents are a bit more hesitant to take their kids out of school for a week or two when there is only a month or two left to catch up. Most of the guide books show a marked drop in park attendance from late-April to late-May, though resort rates are the same at this time as they are all summer.

Opinions? I'm under no illusion that there is a real "off season" at Disney, it's a matter of whether 35,000 or 70,000 people show up that day. I also know that there are always kids everywhere, so I'm not expecting quiet meals and a calm pool every morning. Everything's relative! But is my reasoning sound by anyone's experience? Also, what kind of hours do the parks usually keep during May?

Thanks in Advance,
Canucky

 

[NancyK]

Welcome to the DIS!
We have been at many different times of year. Early May was not bad as far as crowds go. Epcot was busy because of the Flower & Garden Show but certainly not unmanageable. We found it quite warm in May but not as humid as the summer months. September had the least amount of school children but lots of cute little ones under 5. We lucked out this year - we went during a week when there wasn't a hurricane. We've never been in November, but I've heard that the weather is lovely and the crowds light with the exception of Thanksgiving week. I'm sure you'll find lots of useful advice on this board.

 

[hockey mom]

We love late April or early May and early October. April and October are very warm with May being hot. I have found all 3 seem to have about the same attendance. We never really have waited more than 15 minutes for a ride by using fast pass.

 

[mejaie]

November 3 to the 13th 2004. It was in the mid 80's most days, and only one evening we needed a sweater.

With each day that passed it did get busier towards the Soap thing.

Food and Wine at Epcot though during that time.

 

[SnowWhite]

Hi there, I think you should re-think going in October. We have been twice in October, early and late. The weather was great, and the crowds thin. Talking to the castmembers at the parks when we were just there Oct 28-Nov5 they said that they were not expecting huge crowds as historically they don't get too crowded at this time of year. We went to MK 3X, Epcot 2X, and MGM 2X and never waited more than 10-15 min for any of the rides. I thought after the first day that this was odd, but after talking to the CMs they told me that Disney keeps stats as to the history of attendance and predicts how many people will be attending the parks. Are you planning to drive or fly? Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful resort choice! Make sure to goto Whispering Canyon for dinner. You should make reservations for this 90 days in advance of the first day of your trip. If you are wanting to do some adult stuff then I would assume you plan to do Pleasure Island? I haven't been there yet, but I do hear that it is great for couples. Have a good time............Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[twinz]

We went one year the second week of December and it was sooo empty it was awesome! We had fabulous weather (80's all week). We did over hear people saying that "remember how cold it was last year", so I bet it isn't always warm at that time. The best part was that the Christmas stuff was out. We also went one year the last week of September and the first week of October and it was crowded (to crowded for me--Peter Pan was over an hour wait!). We also went the first week of September, it wasn't all that crowded but it was HOT and HUMID! have fun when ever you go!

 

[misslissa]

Last year, we also went the second week of December and it was very very quiet. We just came back but I think if I had a choice, I would choose the December time again. There is lots of Christmas stuff going on... but kids aren't out of school yet. So, there are more retirees than children.

The weather is really nice. I would definitely consider it!

Oh yeah, and the park hours are limited during the month of December but trust me, you will be greatful for that. It is too hard to spend long hours at the parks, and when they close early, you have time for outside of park things...

 

[ottawa-newbie]

Hi!

We just got back from our trip (Nov 12-19) and found it to be very quiet in the parks. Sunday the 12th was the busiest day, due to the end of Jersey Week and the Food and Wine festival. The weather was warm (got above 85 one day) until about Thursday, when it cooled down to mid 70's or so. (Ideal touring weather, IMHO)

I think this was the ideal time to go - no long waits for rides or character meetings and the weather was fantastic.

Have fun planning your trip!!