Of these choices, when would you go?

[lemondog]

Trying to travel in the value season with 3 kids. Here are our choices:

First week of October 2005
First week of December 2005
Anytime in January or early Feb 2006

Our older will be 4 years old, our twins will be 20-23 months old, depending on exactly when we travel.

If we go in October we can do MNSSHP, but if we go in December we can do MVMCP. For those who have done both, which is better?

A little worried about the weather in January. What is the weather usually like?

How do the crowds compare for each of those three times? Minimal difference, or is it dramatically less crowded in January than December?

Basically, we are looking for a low-crowd time when it's not too hot and the hotels are cheapest. It's the only way we can afford, and assure that our 3 young kids won't be overstimulated or overheated.

Also, is swimming an option during these times. I assume in early October it will still be warm enough, but not sure about Dec. or Jan.

Thanks for the input!
Angela

 

[cokegal19]

I think that Jan and Feb would be too cold. I would say October would be a good time to go. The crouds won't be to big, the weather won't be to hot or to cold, and you could go to MNSSHP. I think december would be more crowded because of christmas break.

I'm going in the middle of October, 2005.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Personally, my family enjoys MNSSHP more. There's alot less people, and you can get much more done. Plus, the candy is all good candy.

That said, if I were going to choose between these weeks, I would definitely choose the first week of December. The crowds in early Dec. are very manageable. Your family will enjoy MVMCP, plus there is so much more to see and do at WDW during the holidays. Our favorite is the storytellers in Epcot. Osborne lights are not to be missed. The resorts are beautiful. The weather is great. Oh I give, there's just too much to list it all. I have been all different times of year, and IMO the first week in Dec. is the best week all year.

Whatever you decide, I hope you guys have a great trip.

 

[LovePug]

The first week of December all the way. It is beautiful there with the Christmas decorations. We avoided EMH days and walked on almost everything.

 

[F1Julie]

October is regular season, not value season. Plus, it can be pretty warm in October. We went last October and it was in the mid 80's the whole trip. It wasn't terrible, but I'm looking forward to cooler weather on our upcoming trip in December. I'd either do December or January/February.

 

[lemondog]

Originally posted by F1Julie
October is regular season, not value season

Actually, in 2005 value season runs through October 5. That way if we begin our stay on Oct. 1 (DH's birthday) we can still get in with value rates.

Thanks for the excellent input everyone. Keep it coming!

Angela

 

[Mom to Jordan]

We have done two of these times and my sister's family does the other so a little of experence here. WE love both early december and January. The temps are about the same. Mostly jeans and t-shirts and add a sweat shirt at night. Swimming is iffy at best though DS gets at least a day or two in each time. DEcember is great for the Christmas activities and the decorations. WE love stayting at the Wl during this time. January is best for NO crowds. Early DEc. used to be peged as the slowest time of the year, but we found it much more busy than early January.
October can be hot, and have more crowds that either of the other two due to Halloween activities and the food and wine festival. Good luck choosing.


Jordan's mom

 

[mudnuri]

first week of december!

We will be arriving Nov 27th, 2005 and staying till dec 3rd. (value season the whole time)..

For me, it means pulling the kids out of school, however this is our last trip as DD8 as a child, and the last time I want to pull her from school, since after this she'll be middle school.

Also- the resorts and parks are decorated for christmas, and historically its one of the lowest attendance weeks...add to that MVMCP...and this is the week we chose

Brandy

 

[BevS97]

we did the 1st week of December last year and it was great - not at all crowded, but it was a little cold a couple of days and we didn't do much swimming (just one day)

this year we are doing the last week in Oct/first in November and I am hoping it will be a bit warmer

 

[summersfam4]

We just did the 13th through the 24th of September so I'm voting for the 1st week of October. Mild temps (IMHO) of mid 80's all 10 days so it was perfect for swimming, very low crowds we never waited more than 10 minutes for any ride except Dumbo where we probably waited 20 minutes but that was the only day during that week that they were showing Spectromagic so it was a bit more crowded. I want fairly warm weather when I'm in Florida because I hate the cold, so this time of year was perfect for us. My family has been in the Spring and Summer, and we ALL agreed (and that's hard for any family to do) that, this was the best weather, temps, low crowds ever and our next trip will be during the same time! Good luck with your decision!

Kelly

 

[4greatboys]

Well either Oct or Dec 2005. We love MNSSHP and MVMCP. If you are really into to Christmas decorations then Dec would definately be the time to go. Though weather is a tab unpredictable then.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

I have gone to Disney at pretty much all months (growing up my parents and I always went twice a year). My family now enjoys going in late Jan. into early Feb. (we are going Jan 24 -Feb 4 in 2005!). We LOVE this time of year! We have been the past 3 years at this time, and it has been mostly in the 70's during our stay, but we think of this is warm since we are from New England! My son (4) swims with no problem in this weather. (however, the pools have been heated). Last year, we brought our neice and nephew (8 and 10) with us and they swam also with no problem and they wore shorts pretty much every day. I personally would say it is jeans and t-shirt weather, with the early morning and evening being cooler (sweatshirt weather). And yes, you may get some rain, but we have never had anything unbearable, mostly just sprinkles. We took a trip in Sept. last year, and it was HOT!!!! I would never go again that time of year. My husband could barely deal with walking around the parks. My son is sensitive to the heat, so I feel that going in Jan/Feb is the best time to go. It is comfortable to be walking around the parks all day, and the crowds are next to nothing. We have never waited more than 15 min. for a ride (with the exception of Winnie the Pooh.....). So Jan/Feb is my vote (before Presidents day weekend of course).
No matter what you choose, you will have a great time!
BTW..... my husband thinks I need help with my Disney obsession...... anyone else? He just doesn't understand it. I just love Disney so much... I never want to go anywhere else!! Maybe growing up going there so much, and such great memories.... ??? I think my son is getting the Disney bug too... at 4 years old! Hopefully, he will continue to love it as much as I do!
Good luck!
Jen

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

I have gone to Disney at pretty much all months (growing up my parents and I always went twice a year). My family now enjoys going in late Jan. into early Feb. (we are going Jan 24 -Feb 4 in 2005!). We LOVE this time of year! We have been the past 3 years at this time, and it has been mostly in the 70's during our stay, but we think of this is warm since we are from New England! My son (4) swims with no problem in this weather. (however, the pools have been heated). Last year, we brought our neice and nephew (8 and 10) with us and they swam also with no problem and they wore shorts pretty much every day. I personally would say it is jeans and t-shirt weather, with the early morning and evening being cooler (sweatshirt weather). And yes, you may get some rain, but we have never had anything unbearable, mostly just sprinkles. We took a trip in Sept. last year, and it was HOT!!!! I would never go again that time of year. My husband could barely deal with walking around the parks. My son is sensitive to the heat, so I feel that going in Jan/Feb is the best time to go. It is comfortable to be walking around the parks all day, and the crowds are next to nothing. We have never waited more than 15 min. for a ride (with the exception of Winnie the Pooh.....). So Jan/Feb is my vote (before Presidents day weekend of course).
No matter what you choose, you will have a great time!
BTW..... my husband thinks I need help with my Disney obsession...... anyone else? He just doesn't understand it. I just love Disney so much... I never want to go anywhere else!! Maybe growing up going there so much, and such great memories.... ??? I think my son is getting the Disney bug too... at 4 years old! Hopefully, he will continue to love it as much as I do!
Good luck!
Jen

 

[Everyyeardisney]

I would not recommend going the first week of Oct. We just got back from the first week of OCt and it was packed and very hot. My 3 and 1 year old liked spending time in the hotel pool than in the parks. Any of the other dates I would recommend to be better.

 

[lemondog]

Thanks so much everyone! I think we have decided on January 2006. We nixed October 2005 b/c of some of the crowd and heat comments. I nixed early December because there is absolutely NO WAY I could do a Dec. trip AND Christmas. I think January will work great for us. Although there are no special parties like MNSSHP or MVMCP, that's one less thing for us to spend $$ on. Plus, it gives us even more time to save $$. And we're going to make the trip a big gift from Santa that year for our 4.5 year old. She will flip!!!! Of course, we won't be leaving until a couple of weeks after Christmas day, but it will give her time to stew over it and get good and excited.

Thanks again!
Angela

 

[long4disney]

We have done both MNSSHP and MVMCP several times and we like them both the same. The weather is warmer in Oct. usually the mid 80's when we have been there, and in Dec. it has been in the low 70's usually during the day, but it is very comfortable. We love the Christmas decorations everywhere!!! My kids like the MNSSHP better because of the costumes and all the candy!!! But my dh and I love the MVMCP the best. My dh likes to go when it is not too hot and humid, so the Dec. temps are more enjoyable for him.

I think you will enjoy October and December better than January or February just because of the extra things to do with the holidays!!!