Summer vs. Thanksgiving - Your preference?

[wrighter]

Reaching out to you, my DIS friends, for input. Our family can't decide on when to travel to WDW in 2015 for a mini-family reunion. (We had settled on the last week of August, but have since scratched that due to early school openings.) If I give you a brief rundown of our situation, would you be willing to weigh in here?

Going on the trip:

My family of four from NJ (kids will be 10 and 12. Ish.)
My sister's family of four from CO (kids will be 4 and 1. Ish.)
Our parents from WA (both in their mid 60s.)

We'd like to stay for a week - we own DVC so lodging isn't a huge concern. We'd be happy staying at any number of resorts. I would prefer the week of Thanksgiving - my sister would prefer a week during the summer - and our parents say they don't care.

Pros of Thanksgiving:
Better weather
Smaller crowds - at least early in the week
Can all be together on Thanksgiving
Get a little taste of the holidays

Cons of Thanksgiving:
Could be cold
Would have to be on top of any ADRs we'd want to make

Pros of Summer:
Um. I honestly can't think of any? Lol!
Potentially cheaper airfare

Cons of Summer:
UnGodly heat and humidity/summer storms

Help! If we go during the summer months we'll likely book at our home resort at 11 months out, which could potentially be coming up fast. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks all!

 

[prisjoyce]

I have not been in the height of summer, but my family has been in WDW several times for Thanksgiving & we enjoy it!

Does your sister want warm, water park/pool weather? That's tough to guarantee in Nov. My kids usually swim at the resorts, but it's chilly.

If you do go Thanksgiving week, make your ADR's ASAP. And be aware that MK on Thanksgiving day is very busy.

Good luck & enjoy your trip!

 

[Grumpy92]

The crowds are not that different. It would come down to the heat, humidity and how much of it you can handle.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Keep in mind it can get unexpectedly cold during November. We were there a few years back and we had lows in the 30s and highs around 50 the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. Some people would find that to be no problem--others, like my DW, would much prefer to have warm summer temps. YMMV.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

One pro I could think of for summer is that flights might be cheaper around a non holiday. I'm with you OP - I'd rather go at Thanksgiving too.

 

[wrighter]

Actually, my sister doesn't seem to have a big desire to spend time at the pools, which is a huge part of our vacation time. For that reason, you'd think we'd be pulling for summer rather than Thanksgiving. (Actually, DH would probably prefer summer for this reason!) But I've been in the summer before, and MAN is it HOT!!! Not sure the parentals would handle it well. Or the littlest one?

Someone made a very good point about airfare, though, as cost would be a factor for my sister's family.

ADRs aren't a big consideration for us. We cook a lot in the villa and don't eat many dinners out. Just one or two.

All good thoughts! Keep 'em coming!

 

[Wendybird55]

I've ben both times...however, with Thanksgiving, we've gone the week after Thanksgiving. Many times we leave the Friday morning after Thanksgiving or sometimes the evening of Thanksgiving. As PP pointed out airfare and flights might be better then as opposed to right before (busies travel time).

The crowds are about the same. We've been going late August since due to DS school schedule. It is hot, but crowds have been very manageable and we enjoy ourselves.

I would love to go again the week after Nov. however. Unfortunately t's not the best time to take DS out of school and it's one of the busiest times for DH business. The weather is definitely not as hot and you may need a sweatshirt/jacket some evenings. Plus if you're big pool / water people it may or may not be perfect swimming weather. BUT best of all you get Disney decorated for Christmas and most likely Candlelight Processional, MVMCP and Osborne lights. I love Disney around the holidays...it really gets you in the Christmas spirit.

I think both times will work..if anyone has a big aversion to heat then Nov. will be better. But, if you can, I vote for November.

 

[ibela]

Pros of summer:
water park and resort pools
no missing school for your kids

Crowd wise - The first few days of Thanksgiving will be good, starting Wed will get crowded. Summer, since you're not going the last week then it'll be crowded the whole time.

Not sure where your home resort is. If it's Beach Club, definitely summer.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Thanksgiving bc of the heat and storms