Should we change our dates

[JosieMouse]

Our plan is to go in July, but with people talking about a lot of stand by times being longer now then in the before time (pre fp+) we're thinking of changing our dates to October. I want to get my money's worth and to me that means doing all the attractions we want to do. I know that the crowds are lower and the weather is better in October, but I'm still scared that we wouldn't get much done. In July we'll be in the parks the 5 days and park hours are longer. In October we would only be able to do 4 parks days and the hours would be shorter. The dates are Oct. 3 - 6. We are on a budget and want to do most or our eating off site. We want to take a mid day break to eat lunch and will leave the parks an hour before the fireworks will start because I have children with autism. If the fireworks start earlier then what Disney has posted for July, then we would have a lot less time in the parks. In our case which would be better?

 

[johde]

To be honest, unless you need to make the decision right now, I'd hold off for a while. FP- isn't even gone everywhere yet. That won't happen until this week. Once it's gone, things will start being clearer.

 

[P00H1010]

To be honest, unless you need to make the decision right now, I'd hold off for a while. FP- isn't even gone everywhere yet. That won't happen until this week. Once it's gone, things will start being clearer.

You took the words right out of my mouth. No one really knows the true effect that FP+ will have on standby lines until the after the full roll out. We have been in July a few times and love going then. We love the longer hours. If you do a combo of evening EMHs and FPs for major attractions it works well. Hopefully that will still hold true after FP+ is rolled out.

 

[JosieMouse]

You took the words right out of my mouth. No one really knows the true effect that FP+ will have on standby lines until the after the full roll out. We have been in July a few times and love going then. We love the longer hours. If you do a combo of evening EMHs and FPs for major attractions it works well. Hopefully that will still hold true after FP+ is rolled out.

We're staying off site, so no EMHs for us.

 

[Chuckers]

Having gone in July back in 2009, I can honestly say I will NEVER do a WDW trip in July again... Three reasons:

1. The heat.
2. The crowds.
3. The Brazilian Tour Groups.

1 and 2 I have dealt with before.. however, the tour groups were extremely unbearable. Obnoxious, loud, and rude. Every park had numerous groups, you couldn't go to any section without running into one. They were easy to spot as each group wore a different color shirt. I think we spotted 10 in MK the day we actually counted them.

 

[curemyreed]

This is off topic from your question, but are you leaving before the fireworks due to the loud noise? My child with autism uses these inexpensive sound muffling headphones while at Disney as so many rides/attractions/shows are loud. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Winchester-Passive-Earmuff/16879811 Maybe this would allow your children with sensory issues to be more comfortable.

 

[photo_chick]

We like to go the week of July 4th and are doing so again this year. Yes, it's crowded. That said, we never waited in line more than maybe 20 minutes and really only used 3, maybe 4 FP's a day. And we rode pretty much everything. We did do some earlier mornings (not quire RD, but close) and a couple of late nights and those definitely were the least crowded times.

FWIW, we saw like 1 BTG on our last trip and they were not a problem. The American high school group we had at the resort however was full of extremely rude kids who ran through the place at all hours of the night and were doing completely inappropriate for kids to see type things at the pool.

 

[mill4023]

Normally, I would opt for the longer trip.
But we've been there in the summer and the heat was pretty brutal.

It seems to me being hot and uncomfortable might make things tougher for kids with special needs. Especially when you add in the higher crowds and longer lines. Nobody knows for sure if off-site guests will still be restricted from booking FP+ in advance, and during a crowded time like July, that might make things tough.

So if it was me, I would probably opt for 4 days in October instead of 5 days in July. With the lower crowds and more comfortable temps, you might actually get more done and be happier.

 

[amg35]

Early October is still hot/humid, so don't expect significantly cooler weather.

And also, for some reason last year I know the first couple weeks of October were pretty crowded, more than normal? I think school's have fall break around then.

 

[mill4023]

Early October is still hot/humid, so don't expect significantly cooler weather.

And also, for some reason last year I know the first couple weeks of October were pretty crowded, more than normal? I think school's have fall break around then.

Good point. I hadn't noticed the OP's dates were at the beginning of October.
Although the average temps in early October are still a little cooler than July and crowds will certainly be lower.

Avg High temps
July 15th - 89F
Oct 1 - 84F
Oct 31 - 78F

So there are no guarantees, but the chances of having more comfortable weather are better in October.

 

[photo_chick]

Normally, I would opt for the longer trip.
But we've been there in the summer and the heat was pretty brutal.

It seems to me being hot and uncomfortable might make things tougher for kids with special needs. Especially when you add in the higher crowds and longer lines. Nobody knows for sure if off-site guests will still be restricted from booking FP+ in advance, and during a crowded time like July, that might make things tough.

So if it was me, I would probably opt for 4 days in October instead of 5 days in July. With the lower crowds and more comfortable temps, you might actually get more done and be happier.

I have a special needs kid and he does fine with the heat. Handles it better than the rest of us do actually. But we're also from Texas so Orlando in July is downright temperate to us. And every kid is different.

 

[JosieMouse]

This is off topic from your question, but are you leaving before the fireworks due to the loud noise? My child with autism uses these inexpensive sound muffling headphones while at Disney as so many rides/attractions/shows are loud. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Winchester-Passive-Earmuff/16879811 Maybe this would allow your children with sensory issues to be more comfortable.

We have noise reduction ear muffs for them, but my daughter freaks out at the site of them and we would be leaving for dinner any way. We want to do rope drop.

Normally, I would opt for the longer trip.
But we've been there in the summer and the heat was pretty brutal.

It seems to me being hot and uncomfortable might make things tougher for kids with special needs. Especially when you add in the higher crowds and longer lines. Nobody knows for sure if off-site guests will still be restricted from booking FP+ in advance, and during a crowded time like July, that might make things tough.

So if it was me, I would probably opt for 4 days in October instead of 5 days in July. With the lower crowds and more comfortable temps, you might actually get more done and be happier.

Our weather in Louisville, KY in the mid 80's with 90 to 100% humidity in July. The kids don't mind. I rather it be cooler, but they can handle it.

Early October is still hot/humid, so don't expect significantly cooler weather.

And also, for some reason last year I know the first couple weeks of October were pretty crowded, more than normal? I think school's have fall break around then.

I didn't know that FL was still humid in October, but I had seen on another thread were some one said that October had gained in popularity.

I'm going to see wait and see what our fellow disboarders are experiencing during Spring Break.
Thanks for all your advice and opinions.

 

[FireDancer]

I'd change for two reasons. First, I would choose to go during food & wine over any other time of year if it was an option. Second, while I don't mind Florida in the summer, and lived there a few years, I like October better. As a PP said it is still hot during the day but the nights are much nicer and it cools off after the sun goes down. In July it stays pretty hot as all the surfaces radiate heat for hours.

October isn't the slow season it once was but it is slower then summer.