Suppose you could go any time. When?

[lark]

Suppose you had absolutely no restriction on when you could plan your trip. You don't have to worry about school or schedules or anything. Your only concern is to pick the ideal time to go.

Here are the criteria -- taking a 5 year old, plan to stay about 5 days, will stay on site, will do 3 in-park days.

Beginning of December seems like a very good candidate -- crowds not huge, but also good holiday things to do and see. But it also seems that many are saying crowds lately in early December have been more significant than in the past. What are some other candidates? Early November, after food and wine? Spring?

 

[nancyL]

Random week in may- I would arrive on a Sunday and leave on Friday or Sat.
Make sure its not Mem day weekend week (before or after). We did universal a few years ago two weeks before memorial day weekend and I swear there were less than 100 people in the parks combined. If Universal was that empty, disney must have been at least uncrowded.
It was nice and warm, not too hot.
Stay on site- with a 5 year old, a monorail hotel would be easiest.

 

[Leota]

My favorite time, weather & crowd-wise is late Oct., early Nov. (before Jersey week)
The weather is sublime & the crowds are very low. You have the benefit of Food & Wine Fest and MNSSHP is lots of fun. Just avoid going on Halloween itself - that's always packed.

I still love early Dec. also, if you are going for 5 days, just do Mon-Fri, as weekends get busier. The weather is usually nice, the holiday decorations are really special & the crowds aren't really too bad.

 

[danny1649]

Have been going early December each year since 1992.Weather is nice and parks all decorated for holidays.Plus special holiday shows and low crowds makes it a great time to visit WDW.We are big holiday fans so this is another reason for us to go at this time.We like MVMCP and CP and holidays around the world,the Epcot Christmas story tellers and everyone seems to be in a great mood CM's,guests folks at airport just everyone you run into seems to have a smile.

 

[lark]

Thank you everyone. I think early december is our first choice. I'm going to wait to see the reports back this year and then plan a trip for next.

 

[PamNC]

are late May and early December. May is beautiful with the International Flower & Garden Festival. It's not that crowded because school is still in session for most of the country. Early December, and I mean leaving the Saturday after Thanksgiving and coming back the next Saturday, is fantastic. Decorations are up, crowds are low, weather is fine.

If you went May and Decmeber - you'd be getting a trip approximately every six months which is a good thing because that way you won't experience extreme withdrawal.

This is when we usually go, although last year we only got to go once. And this year, we couldn't do May so we did July. We also went in February which I don't like. Too cold for my blood. If I'm in Florida, I want the warmth and the sunshine. We're going back Thanksgiving day for 4 nights...a little mini-trip.

All this said, I think I would enjoy any time at Disney except Jan - Feb and the week of and after Christmas.

PamNC

 

[hookedup]

I vote early May - after spring break - before the swealtering heat of summer sets in. I am not a huge fan of early fall because of hurricane season (I hate flying during that time of year in the SE). I also think going before Christmas in mid-December is nice too.

 

[drumflower]

I think I would plan a 12 month trip! lol But really, I like the 1st week in May. There is usually good deals and it is nice to feel warm after winter since Spring takes forever to come to Indiana! lol The crowds are small.

 

[nowellsl]

Crowd wise September is the best! Of course you have to worry about hurricanes, so if you're not flexible I wouldn't plan on Sept. Especially after this year. December would be my second best choice - the decorations are great!

 

[Peter_noPan]

The trouble with December is that the hours are shorter. If your 5 yo needs a nap you may lose too much of your day.

It is a great time go year though. We go almost every December, the Christmas decorations are great. If you do go make sure you see Candle Light Processional.

 

[missminniemouse]

May is super because of the Flower and Garden Festival. Have had 2 different opportunities to do that and enjoyed them both. However, our usual vacation time is either mid-November, mid-Decmeber, or mid-January. We like November because of the Food and Wine, December for the festive Christmas decorations and events and January just because! None of those times seem to be very busy, just avoid the holiday weeks and you'll be fine.

 

[Dave Dizney]

I'm also an advacate for early December! The crowds may have picked up from the past on those dates, but they are still way under the average. The decorations are just great. My second is mid-October.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Early December is a great time to go! We love seeing the Christmas decorations and feel the Disney Christmas spirit in the air! It's just beautiful to go during the Holiday season. We love the weather, especially coming from the North!

 

[2x_dis_dad]

Our favorite time to go is the middle of January. The weather is cooler. There are no crowds. We avoid MLK holiday because it is a 3 day weekend for most schools. Pretty much any time kids are in school is a good time to go.