Pro's & Cons of each month to visit Orlando

[steve_rob]

I voted for October for many of the reasons already posted here (Halloween, Food & Wine, warm but not humid), but would put a word of warning that it's not as quiet as it used to be. Every time we've gone we've noticed it getting slightly busier each time - maybe other people have noticed it's a good time to go!

I would point out that while March has been listed as a quieter time, it can also be VERY busy. To some extent it depends on when Easter is, but in my opinion the main driver behind this is Spring Break. While the timing of this varies from state to state (and even year to year), if you go at the same time as Spring Break is on for Florida students (and some of the closer Southern states) it can be INSANELY busy. Or at least that's what my wife found when she went in March quite a few years back - maybe it has changed (she hasn't been back then since to find out!)

 

[amystevekai&bump]

March -

Can be cold especially in the evenings


April -

Busy around Easter, but weather improving


May -

My second favourite time of year to go - can also be very hot & certain dates are busy (memorial weekend particularly)

June -

Getting hotter and more chance of thunderstorms - crowds start building as school's get off for summer vacation

July -

Again very hot and crowded parks


August -

Same as July although crowds easing by month end


October -

My favourite time of year - great weather and halloween - fantastic!!


Have yet to experience the other months so can't comment, but...

I am visiting for the first time at Christmas and the only downside I have seen repeatedly mentioned is the possible cold weather (that, and to avoid the parks for week between christmas and new year - but that is what the DCL is for isn't it??!!) - I am keeping my fingers crossed for a good winter as I can't image Florida really cold!!

 

[Chilly]

Have yet to experience the other months so can't comment, but...
I am visiting for the first time at Christmas and the only downside I have seen repeatedly mentioned is the possible cold weather (that, and to avoid the parks for week between christmas and new year - but that is what the DCL is for isn't it??!!) - I am keeping my fingers crossed for a good winter as I can't image Florida really cold!!

check out my TR if you want to hear about the cold this last Christmas

 

[PudseyChancer]

Have been in August and September, I voted September purely because the crowd levels dip quite noticeably, and if you arrive at park opening you can do all the major rides before the park gets busier.

Despite going exclusively in hurricane season, have only run into Hurricane Jeanne so it hasn't impacted on my holidays that much, two days lost out of 63 is not a bad record. Love the hot weather so that is not an issue either, and as for the love bugs, the first time I went was in August and I noticed them then, though haven't really seen anything of them since!

Don't really feel that the reduced opening hours at the parks are a major issue for me either, I doubt that I would be able to last till midnight anyway, am more of an early riser.

The only CON that I can think if is the school holidays - we're getting to the point where it could be more of a challenge to get permission to take the kids out of school, so it may mean missing next year and going the year after.

 

[wilma-bride]

Great thread Claire (although I suspect it probably won't stop people asking the question anyway )

I voted for September and October:

September pros: Parks quiet/less crowds as kids back at school, weather still warm but not as bad as June/July/August, flights and packages in general much cheaper
September cons: Parks close earlier as less busy, evening can be cool, hurricane season

October pros: Mickey's Not So Scary halloween Party, Halloween Horror Nights (for big kids), warm weather, still fairly quiet in parks
October cons: Can't actually think of any

 

[disneyholic family]

i voted for november/early december, but had you had january alone (without feb), i would have voted for that as january has the lowest crowds and the coldest weather, making it perfect for visiting disney.

November/december is also good - cold weather/relatively low crowds and with the bonus of xmas decorations.

I've been to orlando in May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

I don't recall ever being there in Jan, Feb, March or April.

I just left orlando yesterday (i'm in detroit right now - visiting family and shopping).
I was there for 2 weeks - from june 14th to the 29th. It was hell on earth.
I don't recall orlando ever being this hot in june. I remember july, but not june.

in any case, i told DH that if i ever suggest going to orlando in this weather again to shoot me.

it is truly unpleasant weather and the crowds were insane. the parks were PACKED. there may be talk of a coming depression on the news here in america, but there was no hint of that at disney (unless it's a case of eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die)

not to sound negative, but i can no longer advise anyone to go during the summer hot/crowded months.
The parks were absolutely insane and the roads were even worse.

I drove over to panera bread (just for the free wifi and in an attempt to find a decent cup of coffee).
The coffee was ok the free wifi was great.
Then it took me exactly one hour to get back to downtown disney.
Anyone who's familiar with the distance from panera bread (near premium outlet) to DTD, knows that you could probably walk it in half an hour.
To take an hour to drive it is completely ridiculous.

as for weather, during the time i was there it was hovering in the vicinity of 100 degrees every single day (and who knows what the heat index was with the humidity).
that's way too hot to be walking around in the parks.

the last time i was in orlando was in early november - on that visit it was unusually cold - we had to wear jackets, long trousers and closed shoes the entire visit.
our visits to the parks were absolutely heavenly that time.
It was so pleasant walking around the parks that trip, we ended up staying all day and didn't even notice it until afterwards when we thought back.
and the crowds weren't too bad either.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

I voted October.

Pros- great weather,low crowds,Haloween theming
Cons-thought long and hard but i dont remember anything that would put me off.

February-Been three times.

Pros-1st time nice and warm(very lucky) Low low crowds.Sometimes we felt as if we had the park to ourselves
Cons-Only one water park ususally open.Quite a few rides close.Can also be as cold as UK

May/June, just returned

Pros- Fantastic weather last week May. Crowds not too bad.Great summer atmophere.Star Wars weekend
Cons-Memorial weekend,very busy.Could feel it getting hotter and hotter towards end of holiday (1st week June)

Dont think we will be going in October any time soon though,not until kids leave school.

 

[dixonsontour]

Glad to see october doing so well! Our first time trying october and I suspect it wont be our last.

 

[disneyholic family]

By the way, October is also nice
good weather, Halloween and the crowds aren't as bad as in the summer

 

[stephensmum]

I voted for end Aug.
Pros- drop in crowd levels, no time to be taken out of school, free dining.
Cons- still a little too hot/humid, expensive flights.
Also been end of May
Pros- cooler, cheaper, Garden festival at Epcot.
Cons - lovebugs - couldn't handles them.

 

[Chilly]

BUMP

 

[Kath2003]

I've been at Easter four times, July twice and August four times. I far and away prefer the summer!

That said, we have been at Easter the past two years and never waited more than 20 minutes for any attraction so it's really not that busy. The weather isn't as good though: I like it >90 degrees.

 

[Chilly]

 

[nemmie]

I voted for October our all time fave month for many reasons. December would of been top but we love the sun and hot weather which is the only reason its number 2 of the months for us.

January
Love the low crowds but def chilly at times. Jeans and jumpers all round.

February
Starting to warm up a bit but still need ''winter clothes'' most nights. Crowds are still really low and parks are a pleasure.

March
Spring break crowds start to arrive towards the end which makes everything a bit crazy. Our longest observation of ToT (200 mins) was in one of our March trips. Weather is pleasant, certainly not hot but no need for jumpers.
If Easter is early can just add to the crowds.

April
Easter usually in April so crowds can be large. Weather usually glorious with little chance of rain or storms. Really love the last two weeks unless Easter falls there.

May
Our wedding month. We got married at the WP on the 30th and it was blisteringly hot with picture perfect skys. In other years we have experienced bad weather in May but overall a lovely weather month. Gay days are in May making things a little busier plus Memorial Day Weekend at the end. On Memorial Day we could not find a parking space for love nor money at the outlets and eventually gave up. Love bugs can be present in this month.

June
Start of hurricane season.
We have been unlucky enough to of caught 2 tropical storms in June over the years. One year 2006 I think, it rained non stop for 8 days This year however the weather was beautiful and whilst lightening storms and thunder claps are starting to become a normal part of the daily routine the morning weather is usually wonderful. HOT. Never find the crowds are too bad in June.

July
Brazilian tour groups galore. Big crowds. Thunderstorms practically every day and boiling hot. Everywhere is busy. Malls, parks, restaurants etc etc. We avoid July unless its impossible. The 4th of July fireworks are great but not being American I prefer Wishes. Summer Nightastic fireworks this year were AMAZING and my fave of all fireworks I have ever seen.

August
The tail end of the above and again we avoid wherever possible. I certainly would not class the weather in July/August as gorgeous. It is so hot (and we LOVE the sun and heat). As soon as you are outside walking or doing something you start to sweat. We spent a lot of time in the pool or in an A/C mall.

September
The middle of hurricane season.
Weather can be hit or miss but you can guarantee it will still be hot. MNSSHP's start which is a lot of fun but closes the park at 7pm if you are not attending. The love bugs return ICK. Labor Day weekend can be busy.

October
As I said our all time fave month. The weather is usually hot but starting to cool down by the end of the month into nice balmy evenings. MNSSHP are running all month. Food and Wine Festival which is our all time fave event and Universal Horror Nights which again can be a pro or a con. If not attending park will close at 5pm to non HHN ticket holders. Another holiday weekend for Columbus day can busy up the parks. Overall our fave time of year to visit.

November
Def still warm enough in the day to sunbathe 75 ish. Storms are usually few and far between due to decreased humidity. Thanksgiving is exceptionally busy, some may argue as busy as Christmas but watching the Macys parade on tv is a hoot. Can be chilly in the evening's.

December
Only experienced up to mid December so far (Christmas this year ) so can only comment up until that which is certainly cooler. We could not lay out really to sunbathe and water parks were a def no no for me. Osborne Lights are up as are most Christmas deccys and in general a beautiful holiday feel to FL. LOVED this month and cannot wait to go back to experience Christmas itself!

 

[Chilly]

 

[crabbie1]

LOVE BUGSWhat are these? Never heard of them? Ohhh god. Iam an insect magnet
Can I just ask.I havent been september end to october before is this a good time as reading this thread october seems the best. Is the weather good at this time?

I have been end november in to early december and it was great.2008 we went 8th dec and had a freak december.In the 80's every day not a spot of rain. Love xmas due to the decorations but from about the 19th onwards it got busy and I swore I would never go again at this time.
Beginning of august was ok crowd wise but just too hot for me.
At the moment my fav time has to be begininng of december.

 

[Chilly]

LOVE BUGSWhat are these? Never heard of them? Ohhh god. Iam an insect magnet
Can I just ask.I havent been september end to october before is this a good time as reading this thread october seems the best. Is the weather good at this time?

I have been end november in to early december and it was great.2008 we went 8th dec and had a freak december.In the 80's every day not a spot of rain. Love xmas due to the decorations but from about the 19th onwards it got busy and I swore I would never go again at this time.
Beginning of august was ok crowd wise but just too hot for me.
At the moment my fav time has to be begininng of december.

Yes I've been the last 2 weeks of September twice and am about to go end Sept into 1st week of Oct. It seems to be a good balance of weather, crowds, value and extras (MNSSHP etc)

 

[2Tiggies]

LOVE BUGSWhat are these? Never heard of them? Ohhh god. Iam an insect magnet

If you can find an Avon rep in your area, order a bottle of Dry Oil Body Spray. It must be the original bluish colour bottle, not the pink one. I use it on DD and the bugs don't touch her. They dont like me. They probably think I stink of smoke

 

[nemmie]

Don't worry Crabbie love bugs are harmless. I hate bugs too but I guess I am used to these ones now. They don't bite or sting or anything like that they are just horrid to look at (esp when they go round mating yuck), very annoying and make a mess when you squish them.

Interesting tip Tiggies! You can order Avon online so I might order a bottle.

 

[Lizzybear]

June
Pros: Peak season perks such as longer park hours and more night shows/fireworks. Not UK school holidays so packages/flights may well be cheaper (it was 2005 when I went at this time of year so things may have changed since then but we certainly found this to be the case)
Cons: Really hot and crowded (US school holidays have already started)

Late July/early August
Pros: See June.
Cons: Again, see June, but add the UK school holidays into the mix!

September
Pros: Low crowds and cheaper deals.
Cons: Still extremely hot, risk of hurricanes and lovebugs.

October (my favourite!)
Pros: No humidity, Halloween theming, fairly low crowds and cheaper deals.
Cons: Could be a little cool for those who like it baking hot.