Of these choices, which is the best time to visit?

[mikana876]

These are the choices I'm stuck with:

-The last week of December through the first week of January
-Spring break (usually mid-march for us)
-Summer vacation (last week of May to first week of August).

Which would you choose? Which is the best for crowds? Cost? Weather?

 

[Robo]

.

 

[christine*]

^ I agree. Unless you're used hot humid weather, you'll find December the most enjoyable.

 

[mikana876]

Are the crowds usually pretty light during that time? I thought that crowds were heavy during the holiday seasons, but perhaps that's only DLR. What about park hours during that time? Do the parks open later and close earlier? Also what about the water parks during that time? I would definitely like to visit them at least once during our trip.

I actually don't mind hot weather. But the one and only time I've been to WDW was end of June and it was definitely humid and unpleasant! Is it humid during mid-march?

 

[GovieMom]

Mid-March would be my pick, for the weather alone. There will be lots of spring-break crowds at that time, but not as bad as the end of December (which is the most crowded time of year). We love the weather in March-April.

 

[CarolineB]

Spring break -- good weather and not as crowded as Christmas and the summer months.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Are the crowds usually pretty light during that time? I thought that crowds were heavy during the holiday seasons, but perhaps that's only DLR. What about park hours during that time? Do the parks open later and close earlier? Also what about the water parks during that time? I would definitely like to visit them at least once during our trip.

I actually don't mind hot weather. But the one and only time I've been to WDW was end of June and it was definitely humid and unpleasant! Is it humid during mid-march?

The week between Christmas and NY is increadibly busy! Chances of discounts during that time are pretty slim. The parks are open early and close late (except AK which would probably close around 8pm). 1 water park would be open during that time (other closed for rehab).

 

[Figment43]

Another vote for Spring Break. Warm but not hot and very little chance of rain. There will be crowds, but not as bad as those other times you mentioned. As for cost, you'll obviously pay more than off peak times, such as early May or mid August through September, but it'll probably be more affordable than in summer or Christmas/New Years.

 

[cfw213]

I think the lowest crowds would be as late an August as you can go. Of course it would be VERY hot but it depends on what is more important to you. We were there on the 22nd of December this year and the Christmas crowds were just starting to roll in. 2-3 hour waits on the "headliners" in DHS that day - no thank you! We were leaving the 23rd and I was so happy to be out of there!

But that's just me - you may really hate hot weather so December would be better for you. I think with advance planning you can make it work. And the Christmas decorations are amazing!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I'd go for spring break.

Mid-March isn't terrible crowd-wise.

You couldn't pay me to go between Christmas and New Years or during the summer UNLESS it would be the last week of May/first of June. Anything past that is intolerable weather-wise.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'd say last week of May! Yes, it's hot, but the costs aren't as bad as summer/Spring Break/Christmas, and all the summer hours, shows, and other goodies are underway with less crowds that you'll see during the holidays.

 

[Paradise18]

Despite the crowds, I would vote for the week between Christmas and New Years. The temperature would be quite comfortable for touring the parks.

 

[RMulieri]

Mid March..Spring break crowds are hit and miss throughout March and the weather is nice.The last week of December ( week between Christmas and New YEars) Is the single most busiest week of the year for crowds.It is also the most expensive .I would rather sweat to death then deal with the epic sized hordes of Christmas.Plus the weather that time of year can get downright frigid

 

[HWY20RIDE4MYSON]

Thanks for posting this i was debating mself, we went this year the last few days of April till the 5th of may and it was perfect, but my son starts K this fall so his SB would allow us to go 3-8/3-17, or we could go the MEM week so im not sure yet, anyone know how late the parks are open during SB? guess I can look that up

 

[redheadx3]

I will confuse you and tell you I would go late May, 1st week in June.
If you have kids, leave the day they get out of school or soon after. If you are around Memorial weekend, plan accordingly it is a holiday.

Yes the weather is nice in Dec but way too crowded, busiest week of year.

March is good but if your spring break is the 2nd or 3rd week next year, many of the southern school have spring break these weeks, too crowded for me.
And easter week, before and after is 2nd busiest weeks.

We went 2 summers ago, arrived evening of June 3 and stayed 10 days.
Crowds were good, popular rides had waits but used FP and rode multiple times on same day, other rides were walk on or less than 10 min wait. Summer crowds started to show up 2nd weekend in June, just as we were leaving. Weather was good, warm & little rain. We took breaks in afternoon to avoid the hottest part of day.

I think our June trip was better for weather and crowds than our trip in October over columbus weekend but not at good as our trip in early Dec.

 

[GovieMom]

Despite the crowds, I would vote for the week between Christmas and New Years. The temperature would be quite comfortable for touring the parks.

Ummmm ... while it would seem that way, not always. Unfortunately for us,
as it was freezing cold that time we went.

 

[kerriemiller]

Are the crowds usually pretty light during that time? I thought that crowds were heavy during the holiday seasons, but perhaps that's only DLR. What about park hours during that time? Do the parks open later and close earlier? Also what about the water parks during that time? I would definitely like to visit them at least once during our trip.

I actually don't mind hot weather. But the one and only time I've been to WDW was end of June and it was definitely humid and unpleasant! Is it humid during mid-march?

Have you heard of touringplans.com? Ive used this site for our trips. We like to go at cooler times of the year but not the same time every year. This site has a crowd prediction calander that I have found to be very accurate.

All the dates you have listed you are looking at maximum crowd levels. But weather wise mid March would be nice warmer then Dec. We've been in Dec and couldnt swim. The summer days may just be too hot.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Spring Break isn't too hot or cold, or as crowded as Summer or Winter. Go with that.

 

[katiemely]

my vote is mid March. Christmas/ny week is an absolute madhouse. we went for our honeymoon late July/August and I'm from south ms and used to the heat and humidity. I can promise thrs I will never again go during that time. it was too much for me and I'm used to it.


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[hookedonears]

These are the choices I'm stuck with:

-The last week of December through the first week of January
-Spring break (usually mid-march for us)
-Summer vacation (last week of May to first week of August).

Which would you choose? Which is the best for crowds? Cost? Weather?

Going to have to buck the trend here. Last week in December/first week in January can be frigid. It was this past year. Also, it's just as crowded, or more than the other 2. Summer is just too hot, and way too crowded with a bazilion Brazillions. Spring break stretchs over several months. It's not like spring breaks occur over a 1 or 2 week period. They pretty much run from the 2nd or 3rd week in March to the last week in April. We've been twice during that period and we expected the worst for crowds, but they weren't bad at all and the weather was great.