Park Touring in Cooler Weather and Shorter Days

[Iowamomof4]

Our first trip was in September of last year (2015). We're going back this year the week after Thanksgiving and I'm wondering how we might want to alter our park-touring strategy.

For example, I imagine mid-day breaks to get out of the heat aren't necessary in the cooler weather. What other differences might we find? Will the shorter days (daylight hours, I mean) change anything? Will people avoid the early morning or late evening hours if it is significantly cooler than mid-day?

Thanks!

 

[Anonny]

I just got back from my first summer visit. Hot! Needed those pool rest breaks.

When I went solo in December, I was in the parks open until close. No need for breaks.

When my husband decided he wanted to come with me (February and March), we left the parks for early afternoon break because he has a lower tolerance for theme parks. I'd go back in the evening by myself.

We'll be a Pop around the same time as you'll be at AoA. I'm looking forward to holiday decorations and nice temperatures. It might be cooler at beginning and end of the day. I would chose to be a little cold to start rather than carry my light jacket when I knew it was going to warm up. One day I knew it was going to be cold when I was staying out until late closing. I carried long pants, hat, gloves, jacket in my backpack all day. Guess I could've rented a locker.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

With a later opening time parks will be more crowded right at open. More people are willing to be there at 9am than 8am and 8am than 7am.

 

[sharonabe]

The picture over there of us is from that week a few years ago. We didn't do any resort breaks for a 5-day touring trip. We did park hop and used the travel time as our break. The bus, boat, and monorails between the parks were enough to recharge us. We also did a water park one day and loved it.

You will probably need to pack for all kinds of weather. The first part of the week, we were fine in shorts, but by the end of the week, we were in pants and jackets. The evening were definitely cooler, and we were glad for layers once the sun went down (which is VERY early).

 

[pd1138]

The picture over there of us is from that week a few years ago. We didn't do any resort breaks for a 5-day touring trip. We did park hop and used the travel time as our break. The bus, boat, and monorails between the parks were enough to recharge us. We also did a water park one day and loved it.

You will probably need to pack for all kinds of weather. The first part of the week, we were fine in shorts, but by the end of the week, we were in pants and jackets. The evening were definitely cooler, and we were glad for layers once the sun went down (which is VERY early).

I agree! We have gone in May and in August/Sept too! Then in 2014 we went over thanksgiving and the first week in Dec. Packed for everything since we were going to be there 9 days and everyone said weather can be unpredictable. That was tough packing warm and cool weather clothes for six people!!

We did not need breaks though, we park hop and that travel time did act like a break for us too!!

One thing that surprised me most was now early it gets dark in the park in late Nov and Dec. We ended up back at the hotel earlier since my DH would think,,,,hey it's late we better head back and it felt later, but it was only 7:30pm! But, it had already been dark over two hours!!

 

[Donald Duck888]

We went last December and it was great. We have also gone in May, June, August, January and March in the past and I will say i find early December the best time to be there. The heat of the summer months really saps your strength and generally you don't have to deal with that in the winter down there. As others have said the weather can be unpredictable but at least for us never cold enough to warrant real cold weather gear. It did get dark earlier than in say May or August but even 5:30 sundown felt late when coming from NH where the sun is setting at 4pm at that time of year.

 

[Klayfish]

It will also depend on your weather. It can still be plenty warm that time of year. We were in WDW for both Thanksgiving and Christmas 2015. Each and every day I wore the same clothes I would wear in June and July. Only twice, late at night, did I put a long sleeve t-shirt on. Christmas Day last year was in the mid to upper 80's, it was near record warmth. But in general, yes, it's less of a strain to walk around. You won't sweat as much.

Beyond that, we never noticed a difference in crowd patterns. Those weeks are really busy, so it's going to be packed most of the day.

 

[sharonabe]

Those weeks are really busy, so it's going to be packed most of the day.

OP is going the week AFTER Thanksgiving. That's a traditionally lower crowd time, not Thanksgiving week/Christmas week busy time.