REALLY having a dilemma about which month to choose

[Jazzygirl72]

I am hoping I can get some honest feedback from you guys on this. Here's my issue in a nutshell: I am a school teacher in MA. I am locked into when I can take vacations, hence my wedding can only be during school vacation times. Ugh, right? LOL My options for wedding months are: Feb, April, July and Aug. (I won't do Dec break) I am trying to consider not just my own desires but also what's best for my potential guests in terms of COST, weather, lines, etc. I am a crazy Disney planner so I can help guests with advice on avoiding lines, etc. The first two are my big ones

MY preference is April vacation. I love the month and the weather in FL is great at that time. Very little rain and the heat isn't too bad. Since I am thinking 2013, Easter is in March so it's not a problem for April that year. It is a busy month at school though so I'd be running CRAZY with the planning leading up to the date.

I HATE HATE heat and humidity. So why would I consider July or August you ask? Well, first off, it's WAY cheaper to fly to FL during those months and the hotel rates at WDW will be reasonable (more so than April or Feb). So if I'm thinking of my guests, most of whom are families, it will cost them way less to come during the summer. AND, the other big thing is that since I won't be working in the summer, it gives me plenty of time to finish up the planning. A BIG BONUS.
Feb could be nice but I would be so scared of snow storms up here delaying travel, etc. Last year was a NIGHTMARE of a winter.

The question begs, should I "deal" with the heat/humidity and probable rain for the sake of my guests?

I may be WAY overthinking this, especially since I'm not officially engaged yet. It'll be soon though (don't ask how I know LOL). I know my fellow Disney freaks won't think I'm crazy for planning ahead. But this has really been weighing on me hard. I've casually told close friends to start saving NOW. LOL
What do you guys think? How important is it to put the needs of your guests first?? Please chime in with your thoughts.
Thanks so much!!

 

[Designer Rose]

Honestly, I vote February. February is one of the least busy times at Disney. Which means rates will be cheaper since it is technically off season. Also the weather is usually pretty nice here that time of year.

 

[princesswendy720]

I would also vote February and I live in NJ that had a bad winter last year. We actually traveled in February the weekend of a snow storm. The heat and crowds are so oppressive in the summer months. The crowds and room prices are low in February, and its a nice escape to get out of the cold weather.

We were considering February for our wedding, but it fell during tax season and we have several accountants in our immediate family

 

[v_misses_epcot]

I feel your pain when it came to choosing a month too. I've always wanted a fall wedding or near Christmas but the whole family works for the school district! Band director, nurse, and IT department, ugh!

So! We decided on April 20th 2013. It worked out because we met on April 17th 09 and our nieces birthday is on the 23rd so we're going to have a teeny cake made for her with balloons. Like you mentioned, the weather is amazing during that time and it's also during Epcots Flower and Garden Festival. If you have family members that enjoy that, it'll be an extra treat.

With proper planning (months ahead,) airfare rates can be found for decent prices. And let me tell you something, we worked for Disney during the summer, you don't wait to make that mistake, trust me. It's miserable!!

 

[MrsDuck]

Honestly, I vote February. February is one of the least busy times at Disney. Which means rates will be cheaper since it is technically off season. Also the weather is usually pretty nice here that time of year.

This.

 

[PixieDust1969]

I definitely say February. Any time Florida schools are on break, the parks are CROWDED! February is before Florida schools begin Spring Break and usually the weather is great. Not too hot, not too cold!

 

[tric8783]

I also vote February! Since you have some time off in December for holidays, you can do planning then only a few months before, and prices will definitely be the least in February. We were going at the end of January for a couple of years (DF's bday is 1/26) and we went to the water parks, etc. I think any time during school vacations is going to be crowded, so if it's between April and Feb, I'd choose Feb. Does your color choices or flower preferences come into play? April you could go with soft pastels, where February you could still get away with bold winter colors! I definitely wouldn't do any summer month, esp if you dont like the humidity. I'm the same and even June wasn't an option for me!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

My vote would be for April because I really love the weather then and you don't have snow worries in terms of travel. You mentioned that Easter is in March that year so hopefully by your week rates would be back down to "regular season."

My next vote would be February, but is your break over President's Week? I know that's a big break week here in the Northeast and the one time we travelled that week in recent years the airfares were crazy high (like 2.5 times what we'd usually pay and that was going out of our way to a further airport to get a "better" fare). I believe Disney goes up to peak room rates on 2/16 for 2012 (don't think 2013 seasons are posted yet). If your break is in the first half of February though, than I think that would be great time to do it in terms of rates and crowds.

 

[BethieTink]

I vote summer. It's not ideal weather wise, but people do it all the time and it might make it easier and cheaper for your guests to attend.

The weeks that MA (I live in Medford) in February and April are terrible times to go to Florida. The hotels at Disney are in peak/holiday season and the airfares are beyond insane. I just checked JetBlue for both of those weeks and it is almost $1000 per person! If I was a guest, that would deter me from going. Also, weather in Florida can be iffy in February and still be cold.

Also, if you plan for the summer, you could actually do an extended time down there and really enjoy yourself.

 

[yourgypsy]

We went this past February and would definitely go again then. But as many others pointed out, the airfare might be a bit more, depending on exactly what week the winter vacation is up here. (Hello, fellow MA'er! ) April would also be a great time. It's not too hot yet. Definitely not the summer. I know it's cheaper, but the heat and humidity is so draining. I love warm weather, but that would just be too much

 

[Icecoldpenguin]

I am having to do the same thing and picking a day that will be near a vacation. I really should do it in the summer time but we are paying for it ourselves. Our christmas vacation does not happen until right before the christmas holidays like 2 days before so I am having to take the road less traveled and do it at the beginning of that week. While this will not be an issue for most of the guests my nephew will be in 6th grade and that is right when he will have semester exams. I am not sure if he will be able to come which makes me kind of sad. I have been thinking a lot about moving it to the summer but I just don't see us being able to afford it then. The weather does not bother me at all though because I am from texas and I am used to it. I also love the idea of our christmas wedding and being at disney for christmas with all the lights and decor. Anyway with your time frame I think february is the best it is the value season and I think it will be easier on the family.

good luck choosing.

Teresa

 

[v_misses_epcot]

Jet Blue is already letting you see a year and a half in advance? That's strange. I'm from MD and as a Ex CM i can tell you that Feburary is one of the best times to go. It's an off season and the weather is amazing. As far as Easter it's March 31st that year of 2013. The family and I have never gotten bad deals for those two months but then again we go after spring break and the end of April. Deals are there, you just gotta look and check every single day haha. I'm originally from South Texas and this is my opinion but Florida weather is worst then Tex weather. Never did get used to the Florida weather with the weird humidity and constant rain. All I can say is follow your heart =) and Good Luck.

 

[BethieTink]

Sorry, the rates I posted for airfare is for 2012. It doesn't change that much from year to year for that week. I just used it as an illustration.

I totally disagree about weather being great in February. I have scraped ice off the car windshield in an effort to get to the park.

 

[v_misses_epcot]

Well yeah there will be frost but I didn't think it was too severe. This was also two years ago at the end of feb and with all this global warming it's a hit and miss now. But I still rather have cool to warm weather then the gross yucky and sticky summer months.

 

[Jilian]

Feb can be hit or miss here in FL. My sister went to Disney this past year in Feb and it was freezing for 3 of the days. She had to wear a jacket most of the time and they didn't stay for the parade/fireworks because it got really cold at night. But Feb can also be really nice. April is great, but BUSY. Between spring breaks and school vacations and Easter it ends up being one of the busiest times of the year. Summer I just wouldn't do. I've lived in Florida for 7 years now and I still rarely stay outside for more than 20 mins at a time in the summer. It is ridiculously hot. My choice would be February, then April and I'd do everything I could to avoid summer.

 

[DisBride011]

I had the same dilemma. I am a school teacher in NY (a school for special needs children) and had to work around vacations (I could take time off somewhere in between but I have people from work in my wedding and attending the wedding, so all of us taking time off together wouldn't happen ).

I was trying to decide between our April break (Spring break), June break (end of school year before the start of our summer session at the beginning of July), August break (end of summer session before school year) and our December (Christmas break). DF wanted December but I thought it would be difficult for our guests right after the holidays to take a vacation to Disney. August gets to be too hot. I preferred April break because of the weather. When I contacted DFTW about April our date chosen was available but we were unable to do a desert party during that week since it is a holiday week . I was told that since we wanted an EPCOT DP they could not do it because they couldn't block off an area during a high capacity week. So naturally we went with June 26, 2012. Everything was available for us, the weather is hot but not as hot as August.

Hope this helps.

 

[mebbradley]

I feel your pain when it came to choosing a month too. I've always wanted a fall wedding or near Christmas but the whole family works for the school district! Band director, nurse, and IT department, ugh!

So! We decided on April 20th 2013. It worked out because we met on April 17th 09 and our nieces birthday is on the 23rd so we're going to have a teeny cake made for her with balloons. Like you mentioned, the weather is amazing during that time and it's also during Epcots Flower and Garden Festival. If you have family members that enjoy that, it'll be an extra treat.

With proper planning (months ahead,) airfare rates can be found for decent prices. And let me tell you something, we worked for Disney during the summer, you don't wait to make that mistake, trust me. It's miserable!!

I love where you are from [The MD part!]

 

[2dogmom]

I had to do the same thing because I didn't want to take the kids out of school and I wanted to wait until the soccer season was done. I picked June 22, 2012. I also thought summer would be good in case anyone wanted to drive down (like we are doing because airfare for 5 is way too much). So I will be crossing my fingers that it isn't too humid and the rain stays away.

 

[MrRomance]

I am hoping I can get some honest feedback from you guys on this. Here's my issue in a nutshell: I am a school teacher in MA. I am locked into when I can take vacations, hence my wedding can only be during school vacation times. Ugh, right? LOL My options for wedding months are: Feb, April, July and Aug. (I won't do Dec break) I am trying to consider not just my own desires but also what's best for my potential guests in terms of COST, weather, lines, etc. I am a crazy Disney planner so I can help guests with advice on avoiding lines, etc. The first two are my big ones

MY preference is April vacation. I love the month and the weather in FL is great at that time. Very little rain and the heat isn't too bad. Since I am thinking 2013, Easter is in March so it's not a problem for April that year. It is a busy month at school though so I'd be running CRAZY with the planning leading up to the date.

I HATE HATE heat and humidity. So why would I consider July or August you ask? Well, first off, it's WAY cheaper to fly to FL during those months and the hotel rates at WDW will be reasonable (more so than April or Feb). So if I'm thinking of my guests, most of whom are families, it will cost them way less to come during the summer. AND, the other big thing is that since I won't be working in the summer, it gives me plenty of time to finish up the planning. A BIG BONUS.
Feb could be nice but I would be so scared of snow storms up here delaying travel, etc. Last year was a NIGHTMARE of a winter.

The question begs, should I "deal" with the heat/humidity and probable rain for the sake of my guests?

I may be WAY overthinking this, especially since I'm not officially engaged yet. It'll be soon though (don't ask how I know LOL). I know my fellow Disney freaks won't think I'm crazy for planning ahead. But this has really been weighing on me hard. I've casually told close friends to start saving NOW. LOL
What do you guys think? How important is it to put the needs of your guests first?? Please chime in with your thoughts.
Thanks so much!!

Here is my 2 cents worth....

I completely understand your dilemma because both my DW and I are both former teachers and it really does cut into when you can plan, travel and organise.

So, with the choices you've put out there...

April 2004 trip, we found that it had the best weather and moderate crowds. We enjoyed it in April but crowds are defintely higher than Feb.

August 2008 trip, weather was HOT and HUMID! We adapted to it after a day or so, but it was hard work some days. For a wedding...wouldn't go there at all! We are having a Disney Wedding in Feb 2012 and feeling the weight of my DW's dress, it would be pretty unbearable in summer! So I'd definitely avoid it if possible, that said, we're going in July 2012 so it clearly wasn't something that put us off for visiting, but it would put me off for a wedding.

Feb - As I said, we're going in Feb for our vow renewal. Flight prices for our guests (from MI) have been pretty reasonable, weather looks like it's perfect except first thing in the morning and at night when it can apparently get chilly, and crowd levels are low (if you avoid President's Day Week).

My vote would be Feb, you get the best of everything!

 

[Jazzygirl72]

Wow! Thanks everyone!! I didn't expect so many votes for Feb. LOL!
I guess I should have mentioned before that I have worked as a CM at WDW in the past (college) and spent a lot of time there in the summer. Yuck. I agree about the dress. You can't have a heavy dress if you're having a summer wedding! LOL!
BethieTink...I work in Medford...how funny!!
To address the points being brought up about Feb being cheaper...I have to say BethieTink is right...airfares skyrocket for Feb break. Our Feb vacation up here is always the week of President's Day. Everything is more...airfare and hotel rates at the resorts. Same holds true for April. They push the costs up b/c they know people are traveling. That's why I'm having such a dilemma.
I agree with August being a nightmare for the heat.
Yes, having the Flower Festival in April would be a bonus.
Crowds...well, I think April would be comparable to August. And ya know what? It's Disney. Not the end of the world. (well except when I went between Xmas and New years one year....yikes )
I would do end of June but I would be SOOO nervous about when school gets out. Up here in MA, we go pretty late in June. Last year we got out June 27th due to all the snow days we had. (For myself, it doesn't matter much since I teach seniors and they're already gone by then, but thinking of others...plus it gets close to July 4th weekend).
In the end, IMO, when you plan a wedding, SOMETHING has to give. You can't have a perfect scenrio. I know a wedding should be for US, but I feel like you have to do things that take into account your guests when you're dealing with a destination wedding. Right?
I guess when the time comes to call Disney with prospective dates, that might help too. As DisBride011 said, the availability was a huge deal. And I would want a dessert party that week. So that might end my dilemma.
Again, thanks so much for giving me things to think about!