One more time, Please tell me your favorite time to go

[sherrie]

On the old boards there were a lot of threads on this. I am planning a 2003 vacation with our then 5 yr. old grand daughter. we are just back from CBR and know where we will stay. CBr of course. I like the late hours of the parks at peak time, the shows and parades every night but not the crowds. We went last year in March, I am thinking of this times again. NOT AT EASTER EVER AGAIN. Yes, I am a compulsive planner and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much, sherrie
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inkbounc

 

[wilma]

I'm so glad you asked about the best time to go to WDW. My family and I are leaving tomorrow-hip,hip,hooray!!!!!-and this is the third time in the last five years that we've gone the first week of May. Our children are now 9 & 11. We've always found the weather to be good-usually in the 80's, and the crowds have been very manageable. We always take advantage of early-entry and leave by mid afternoon, go back to Dxl/PO, and return in the evening. We love this time of year in the parks, the flowers are blooming,the weather is good for swimming and the crowds are nothing compared to Easter. The park hours vary, but MK is usually open to 8:30 or 9, and the other parks are usually open later with the exception of AK. Happy planning!inkbounc inkbounc

 

[Geubux]

Hi! We're here right now, leaving Sat. The crowds were very reasonable. I don't think we waited more than 20 minutes for anything. We went to MK, Seaworld, USF and IOF. Didn't have to wait for anything. walked up all the restaurants too. The weather was great.
We have also gone the first two weeks of December. I wouldn't want to get wet every day, but many days it hits the upper 70s and low 80s. There are NO crowds. You would waste your time getting a fastpass. These are the two times I would reccommend.

 

[Wheelsie]

Well I'll give you my fave time to go bit bear in mind I dont have any kids or time of year constraints.

I like to go in off peek season (Sept-Dec) It can be rather un crowded by comparison of months like now thru July...the weather is just the right kinda of warm (70-ish) anf it can be fairly cheaper since its not their usual time of yr (for staying on site for instance)

 

[jwfla422]

We've always liked going in September just after Labor Day. Everything seemed to be less crowded the other times of the year. The weather is a bit unpredictable. We've had hot, rainy, even comfortable weather this time of year (which is common for any other time except the winter months when it's usually cooler).

The only drawback is that it's "peak" hurricane season. But otherwise, I still always found this time to be more relaxing in the parks and at the resorts (a little quieter).

 

[sherrie]

thanks everyone who has posted. it's between may and March. March has more crowds but later hours and parades and shows every night. May has lower rates and warm weather. this year is screwy with WDW cutting hours and parades at the last minute, so it is hard to decde.inkbounc

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I've been to WDW in March, May, July, and December. March was great, there were a lot of conventions so the parks weren't too crowded. July is busy, but it's nice not to have to miss school. December is also a great time, esp for the X-mas decorations. We'll be there over NYE this year, and I'm sure it will be so busy we won't want to spend too much time in the parks. May wasn't too bad, a little busy (we were there the last week of May).

One of the biggest problems with March is the price! It is peak season!

 

[sherrie]

Thank you, i think I will go in march even though it is peak. We went the first trip in March and thought the crowds and park hours were very good. i just hate the prices. This will be Katie's first of many trips and she will not have started school yet, so I think it is a good time. May scares me with the early closings and lack of night time parades and shows.

 

[Laura]

I went last year in December. It was my first time at WDW when it wasn't summer, and I loved it. I could walk on Test Track an hour after Epcot opened. And the decorations were adorable!

 

[DisnyMom]

We like to go after Thanksgiving, but before Christmas. It's usually not as crowded and we love seeing all the Christmas decorations!

 

[dbail2]

Our favorite time of the year to go is the last week of August and 1st few days of Sept. The parks were not crowded at all and we were able to do so much especially during early entries. We have 3 children and they are still out of school till Sept 6th so it is the perfect time for us.

 

[bres@westernMA]

We have gone the week before Christmas and Christmas week. The decorations and special events (Candlelight Processional, Osbourne Lights, fake snow flurries, MVMCP, parades, decorations and just the fact that it isn't 10 below...) make the parks even more magical. Crowds begin to arrive at Christmas Eve and it is very crowded right through New Years. The pre Christmas week is light. If you have never seen a fully decorated WDW, you have missed an extra treat.
Merry Christmas

 

[naturaldisneyer]

The Christmas week is nice to go because of all the celebrating. Actually all of the Christmas stuff starts the day after Thanksgiving. It is really nice to go during the summer because you can go to water parks, and get wet in the parks. If you want both, however, you can see if it is warm the week around Christmas. You just never know in Florida.

 

[sherrie]

I am very surprised to hear that most of you prefer winter months. i am looking at march or end of April when the rates drop. Thanks for all the input. i need warm weather to swim.

 

[Beauty]

Our favorite time to go is either in September or January although I think February is nice as well!