OK, I am rethinking our trip now!

[jhart1219]

We were origianally going to plan for December (28-Jan3), but after reading the posts I am a little nervous. This is our first trip to Disney and I want to have a blast and not spend the trip stressed out! We would have the option of going during October on my DS fall break. However, we were originally thinking of this trip being our big Christmas gift to our boys. If you were me would you go during OCtober? I had it all figured out how I was not going to tell my boys until Christmas morning and then we would leave 2 days later, but if we go in October that kinda ruins the Christmas surprise. WHAT TO DO? Will my kids have more fun going in October and being able to do the Halloween Party? If we go October 4-11 would the Halloween party be going on then? Also, is there a big chance that we would have to worry about Huirricans in October. I know that there is no way of knowing for sure, but do they normally have many during Oct? Thanks you all are so full of Disney Knowledge. I am sure I will have more questions once our trip is set in stone!

 

[JCJRSmith]

During Christmas week, the place is jam packed. The weeks between the Monday after the Thanksgiving up to Christmas week, the place is empty. Any chance you can go at that time? Everything is decorated and it really is wonderful.

 

[jhart1219]

No, my son is in school and we would not be out during that time. I would love to see it at Christmas, but I am worried about the crowds. I don't want my kids to be miserable either. Without takin him our of school and myself missing work we would have a hard time making it during that time.

 

[corky441]

My DH and I have always traveled to WDW in October. We usually go during the 2nd half of the month. The weather is warm and NOT humid. The crowds are quite manageable. Most restaurants are not jammed. The MNSSHP is awesome.

Since this is your 1st visit, I would highly recommend October.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Disney is definitely beautiful for Christmas-no doubt about it. But...it is VERY crowded during that time. We are going in October and over Christmas this year. October we have a blast with the parks having lower crowd levels, the F&W Festival is going on & MNSSHP is not to be missed. We like that time because its still hot enough to hit the water parks too. As far as Christmas itself or between Christmas and New Years, we never have to expectation of doing a whole lot. Definitely not a time you are going to get on all your attractions and wall to wall people so wait times can be rough. Still-it is magical to go that time of year, but we go with a whole different set of expectations then. October is our commando do everything trip and December is our chill out and take in the ambiance trip.

FWIW-we have gone in October every year for the past 10 years and we never encountered a hurricane or the threat of one. Its pretty late in the hurricane season, but anything can happen...just not for us yet.

 

[snowman1035]

I would recommend October over December (Christmas). The parks are very crowded the week of Christmas. We went the one year and I will never again go at that time. It was just not fun! Don't get me wrong, the parks were decorated and everything was nice, just way to crowded. I always wanted to go at Christmas just to see the decorations and the parade, but I will view them from home now. October is a nice time to go. The weather is nice, not real hot. The parks aren't really crowded so you won't have the long lines to wait in. As far as Hurricanes, one never knows. The only thing I would recommend is to watch the weather channel up until the time you leave and you can kind of have a idea of what the weather might be like. Good luck in your decision.

 

[moonpie85]

We were origianally going to plan for December (28-Jan3), but after reading the posts I am a little nervous. This is our first trip to Disney and I want to have a blast and not spend the trip stressed out! We would have the option of going during October on my DS fall break. However, we were originally thinking of this trip being our big Christmas gift to our boys. If you were me would you go during OCtober? I had it all figured out how I was not going to tell my boys until Christmas morning and then we would leave 2 days later, but if we go in October that kinda ruins the Christmas surprise. WHAT TO DO? Will my kids have more fun going in October and being able to do the Halloween Party? If we go October 4-11 would the Halloween party be going on then? Also, is there a big chance that we would have to worry about Huirricans in October. I know that there is no way of knowing for sure, but do they normally have many during Oct? Thanks you all are so full of Disney Knowledge. I am sure I will have more questions once our trip is set in stone!

We went to Disney the 2nd to last week in October for our honeymoon in 2005. We have also been to Disney in December. Christmas at Disney is awesome in every way expect the massive crowds. You'll be in line forever to do anything. In October it was really pretty relaxed.

Since you can't go in early December which is the best time to go IMHO, I would say go for the October trip- especially since it will be your first time.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We went to Disney the 2nd to last week in October for our honeymoon in 2005. We have also been to Disney in December. Christmas at Disney is awesome in every way expect the massive crowds. You'll be in line forever to do anything. In October it was really pretty relaxed.

Since you can't go in early December which is the best time to go IMHO, I would say go for the October trip- especially since it will be your first time.

I hate to agree with the rest, because I can see you really wanted to do Chrismtas at Disney, but I would pick October over Christmas break also. Christmas week though New Year's is the most busy time of the entire year. It will be wall to wall people. The parks can reach capacity at noon and be shut down. Now, if you had been before and were more familiar with WDW it would be easier to tour. But since you have never been and I know you want it to be as magical as possible, I would seriously consider moving the trip up to October. The Halloween party starts in September and will run many times in October. We like it just as much, maybe more, than the Christmas party. Of course there maybe a very slim chance of a hurrican, but there's also the very slim chance of it being frigid icy rain while you are there in December, so I wouldn't really factor that into the decison. That's just my opinion though, take it for what it's worth. Either, way hope ya'll have a great and magical time.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Also, if you really are thinking of moving the trip up, you better decide quickly the ADR's (dining reservations) opened up in April for October.

 

[jhart1219]

Thanks everyone. I will be tlaking to DH asap about the possibel change. I might have to save the Christmas trip for another year unless he is dead set on it this year. I really want the kids to enjoy the "Magic" that everyone talks about. OK who I am I kidding, this trip is as much for me as them. My dh has been several times before, but this will be my first and I am a BIG KID, so I want the MAGIC too! ANyway, thanks again for all the advice.

JH

 

[Nibbles]

I haven't gotten to experience Disney at either time (autumn or Christmas), but I did recently go during early January, which is another "off-peak" time like October, so I'm guessing the crowds and experiences would have some similarities.

We had a wonderful time and were able to do everything we wanted without any long waits. Another factor to consider is that I believe resort rates are considerably cheaper during the off-peak times, which could wind up saving you a nice bundle if your planned visit length is still a week.

 

[Laumau]

The same thing happened to me. I was thinking of going Dec 23-29, but when I found out it was THE busiest time I had a total re-think.

Since I (we) have four kids, three of whom are in school, I decided to go Jan 1-7 instead. The kids will miss only 3 days of school right off of winter break- so not too bad hopefully. I considered the first week of December but didn't want to pull them for a whole week right when holiday stuff is gearing up.

You're lucky to have some time in October! We don't have a fall break.