Share your wisdom - when should I go

[Loubbylou]

Hi everyone

I joined the boards a while ago but have a pathological shyness about posting, don't know why cause i'm not shy in person, but there you go (everyone seems to know everyone else really well and I always feel like I would be intruding).

Anyway the boards really cheer me up when I am missing Disney. I have been five times and next year will be my sixth visit to the WDW . None of my friends quite undersabd my obsession with all things Disney and my need to trip plan (although family and friends never complain when there are being shown to the reserved table!!!!), it is so nice to know there are lots of us Disney maniacs out there .

The problem i have at the mment is we can't decide when to go. We have narrowed it down to two school holidays (have DS5) May or October. Now I have been in October before and the climate and crowds suited the family fine. But if we go May it would be DS birthday.

Has anyone else been in May, what are the crowds and weather like.

Also DS has a mobility problem and has to were special compression leggings which get very hot and he gets tired easily so the cooler the weather the better.

Bye for now.

Louise

 

[bombhead444]

Hi we're obsessed with disney too so your not alone

We went for our first time in Oct and found it great its still warm and the crowds are pretty low,unless its around Halloween,plus its something to look forward too as its later in the year.
Hope this helps a bit.

 

[wayneg]

Hi Louise, please don't be shy about posting. We are friendly to everyone not just people that have been around a while.

We had the same choice as you for this year, been a few times in October but only once in May which was 16 years ago and can't remember much about temps, crowds etc.
We chose May as it was DW's Birthday (just been back a week), weather was all over the place, 100+ then down at 70 and pouring it down. Although it was not usual May weather we much prefer October weather. Crowds were really busy over Memorial weekend but rest of time was similar to Oct. We also like the Halloween theme so I prefer Oct. Good flight prices and DW's Birthday swung May this time(although there plenty of time for me to book Oct as well yet)

 

[Loubbylou]

That's the real dilema I am having cause I am also a Halloween freak and when we went in 2007 we were there for Halloween and I absolutely loved it

I really can't decide when to go, I would love to be there for my DS birthday and also it means I don't have to wait that long for a dose of Disney (getting really bad Disney withdrawls - I had to stop myselft from booking a short break to DLRP the other day...that a headache my credit card doesn't need)

I'm soooo confused, i know if I wait until October I will have saved more spending money, oh what to do.

Louise

 

[kathiewe]

Hi and welcome!

Here's a quick comparison between the months.

Weather --
May and October are transitional months for our weather in Florida so you will get a mix bag. The earlier you are in May the drier, less humid, and less hot it is but as you move through the month it gets ever more humid, rainy, and hot. October is the opposite the earlier it is the more humid, rainy (though not as much), and hot it is and by the end it is cool, less humid, and drier. October is also the end of hurricane season, so there is always a chance of a tropical event.

Crowds & Special Events.
Crowds at Disney in the two months are about equal as most kids are in schools, there are a lot of family activities at home, and weather at home is nice. Still there are good numbers who come for the Flower and Garden Festival (May) or Food and Wine Festival (October). October also has Halloween events which are fun.

I like both and would have a hard time choosing between them. Guess its best to just decide which works best for you.

Either way you will not go wrong!! Have fun!!

 

[Loubbylou]

I'm starting to lean towards October because of the waether, its a long way off and I'm gonna have to rely on crusing the trip report boards to get my Disney fix

 

[VailaTigger]

Hi there!!

Sorry I can't help with your May / October choice (never been in either of those months...) but I can say don't be afraid to post! I'm new here too, and everyone is REALLY friendly and helpful! Even when I ask really daft questions...

 

[Loubbylou]

Ah well thats me sorted then I'm always asking daft questions

 

[heatherbelle]

I would never, ever go in May school hols again. The weather is unpredictable, and the crowds are heavy going.

I would pick the october hols anytime, plus you have the food and wine festival and all the halloween events.

Hardly any rain, and the heat is comfortable. The parks are near empty if you tour late afternoon too. Try MK at 4.30 on a halloween party night, when you have party tickets and you will get on every ride on fantasyland without having to wait more than 10mins. Tuesday nights are the best for the parties.

 

[iluvtot]

Hi there!!

Sorry I can't help with your May / October choice (never been in either of those months...) but I can say don't be afraid to post! I'm new here too, and everyone is REALLY friendly and helpful! Even when I ask really daft questions...

Hi there,
totally agree! Although we have been to Disney several times, the trips have alwys been planned by my SIL.This year we are going in August for the first time, and she can't come; so I have had to plan everything. At first I thought it would be a real nightmare, but everyone has been so helpful. (Thanks guys! )Still plenty more questions in me yet though,as we don't go 'till the 23rd!

We haven't been in October, but one year we went late May/early June so our twin DD'S could have their birthday there on the 3rd. the weather was quite temperamental, and the parks just got busier each day. On their birthday at Magic Kingdom, it was over 100 degrees and heaving! We spent the day ducking from one air conditioned shop to another! On the plus side, everyone was really lovely to DD's, and they loved lunch at CP. that was 9 years ago, and though they were only 6 they still remember it.

Just a thought, have you considered December? I love it then. The weather can be cool, (but someone has posted to say they have just come back from rain and cold), but we have found it mostly to be warm, (in the early 80's). Also, the parks and hotels are magical with all the christmas decorations;

Jules x

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I have been three times in May now and it is our favourite time to go! Lovely and hot, without the humidity that comes with the rainier periods, and the crowds have been fine - we have never waited more than 20 mins for any ride. Sounds like October would be nice as well though, and you would get to see the parks decorated for Halloween which would be great!

 

[Loubbylou]

The list in favour of October is getting bigger. I think we will sacrifice DS birthday for Halloween and the more reliable weather. October 2007 didn't let us down and we all really enjoyed Halloween . We have always previosuly gone in September and had hot weather but cheaper holidays, but that was before DS so now we have to go school holidays. DH has pretty much left the decision making up to me and the friends that are going with us are open to May or October (and their DD birthday is in the school Ocotber holidays), so it's looking like October again.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Louise

 

[Netty]

The list in favour of October is getting bigger. I think we will sacrifice DS birthday for Halloween and the more reliable weather. October 2007 didn't let us down and we all really enjoyed Halloween . We have always previosuly gone in September and had hot weather but cheaper holidays, but that was before DS so now we have to go school holidays. DH has pretty much left the decision making up to me and the friends that are going with us are open to May or October (and their DD birthday is in the school Ocotber holidays), so it's looking like October again.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Louise

you could also do a character birthday meal in october for your son.. a belated gift??!!

 

[Loubbylou]

Character meal is a definate, we did Crystal Palace in 2007 and it was great, we saw most of the characters twice (it was a quite morning). For 2010 I am going to book a few so they we all get to have a character experience. DH is just upset they don't do character dining at Hooters

 

[disneyholic family]

when in May would you visit?

i apologize if you've already mentioned when, but i didn't see it..

i ask, because it can make a difference...

in the beginning of May, the crowds can still be ok, but by the end of May you get the memorial day weekend crowds, plus the buildup towards summer (parents are so worried about taking kids out of school as the school year gets close to the end)..

by the way, personally, i prefer october to may..

 

[Loubbylou]

We would be going towards the end of May, maybe even slightly overlapping into June, from the sound of the other posts it's gonna be way too hot.