The best time to go? Feb. May. Or September

[Shelbizzles]

my husband and I just got back from disney yesterday and disney depression is already setting in!! So we are combatting it by thinking about possible times for our next trip

We probably will not get to go again until 2017. But we are thinking either late February. Early May. Or any time in September. We have went twice in September and have had a great time. But we are thinking of shaking it up and going a different time of year.
What are your favorite times to go and why? Thanks dis friends

 

[Minniesgal]

I would pick last week in February first week in March. Late enough to miss the Valentine's Day and marathon crowds and early enough to avoid Easter

Second choice would be May. September would be my last choice as it is getting a lot busier

 

[TeamSy]

We've never gonna in Feb, but we've done Jan, which is close lol, May, and September based on your options.... January, while great crowd-wise (except for MLK weekend), was hit or miss weather-wise. We stopped going in Jan because the last time is was freezing!!! May was pretty crowded still, and this past trip we did first week of September, which was AMAZING!!! We've now made that week our "go to" week and already booked for same time next year! The crowds were nonexistent!

 

[branv]

We have done May multiple times, one January and one February. Even though we live in Texas, we're not heat people. And we find May to be a touch too warm and crowded. Not crazy crowded, but not like January and February. January was great (but cold), but February was awesome!! Some of the mornings were pretty crisp and chilly, but the afternoons and evenings were very balmy and gorgeous. We had one cloudy misty day, but it was actually amazing (kind of foggy and magical). The crowd level was perfect. I mean, not remotely ghost town, but really easy touring, especially if you followed the best park recommendations. We're going in November to see the Christmas decorations, but our second choice was the last week Feb/first week March.

 

[chalee94]

early may - low crowds and the flower and garden festival at epcot - is my favorite of what you listed

late sept - was nice when I went this year. typically it's hotter and more rainy than I prefer but the crowds are low. the Halloween decorations were fun and you can hit the beginning of the food and wine festival at epcot if you time it right.

early dec is probably my favorite overall - the decorations are great and crowds are decent (but not as low as they used to be).

mid nov is also a great time to go (the week before thanksgiving). probably the best weather for central FL, IMO. also, low crowds and you get some of the Christmas decorations.

 

[JessiMommy]

I've done mid to late May... way to crowded for my tastes. I've done late January, early February which was manageable crowd wise. That is my second favorite time to go. The weather can be hit or miss and is sometimes downright cold though. I'd be interested in the crowd levels at the end of February. That may be a good time. However, September is hands down my favorite time. Low, Low crowds. Even if the crowds are not what they used to be at that time of the year they are still the best you'll see all year that first and second week of September. Last week of August is usually the same. Rope drop parks in the morning, leave after lunch, go back to resort to swim and relax and back to parks in the early evening for dinner and nighttime shows. IMO, Perfect!

 

[Dis703]

Early May is our favorite time of year to go to Disney. Weather is warm without being overly hot and humid and the crowd level is decent. The Flower and Garden Festival is also going on at Epcot this time of year which we always enjoy.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have been the past two years the last few days of Feb into the first few days of March; it was very crowded. Not August crowds--but as crowded as spring break. The first week in May is a very good time to go. September is HOT. I agree with chalee94 that the first week in December is also a great time to go!

 

[lustergirl]

I voted for early May but also enjoy late September as well. We just got back from a 6 night trip, stayed at CSR. The weather was a little warm for us but we pushed through. We enjoyed the free dining as well. With early May you get the F&G Festival at EPCOT. That is a sight to see!!

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Early May is a great time to go and you may even get somewhat cooler weather.

 

[busymommy2pink]

May hands down!! Our best vacation ever. It's warm enough to swim, but humidity hasn't set in just yet. Plus you have the flower and garden festival at Epcot which is just stunning!!!! The weather was absolutely perfect! And crowds were low as well.

 

[Shelbizzles]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! its such a tough choice to pick when you we can go. I'm thinking we way be leaning towards May. i would love to see Flower and Garden Festival. but we have only ever went to Disney with free dining. Would we be better off buying a dining plan for a May vacation or just paying out of pocket?

 

[momimouse27]

Even though it's not as slow as it used to be, I still vote September. You have the possibility of free dining, the crowds are still lower than most of the year, and if you're like me, I'll take heat over crowds any day.

This year we went last week of April/first week of May. The weather was incredible. It was on the warm side, but still with a nice breeze. Of course, I grew up in the south so that was nice to me. I would make this a solid second place.
That being said, I've never been in February, so that is definitely a consideration.

 

[Spoiledraf]

We were planning on a large family trip next September but now I'm thinking maybe early May. We will be taking four kids out of school for a few days and I think May would be better than in the first few weeks. Swimming will be a big part of the trip at SAB at the Beach Club so winter is out. The hard part will be co ordinating vacation time with three family's. Here's hopin.

 

[walker0829]

Early May! The crowds were slightly higher than September but the weather was so much better. Maybe we hit a bad weather patch this year but we had downpours/storms what seemed like every day.

 

[fmfoley]

We typically always do Feb/ Sept. Late Feb the temperature is mild (shorts are usually ok) and same with Late Sept. Late Sept has less crowds because most kids are in their first few weeks of school. I did post labor day week this year and it wasn't crowded but the temps were still in the mid to upper 90s.

 

[Disneytam]

Of the three my vote would be for late Feb. Went early Feb. 2013 and had really nice weather most days. Two days were nearly record high in the high 80's and also a couple of pretty cool nights. We went back in late Sept. the same year and the rain was just way to much. No hurricanes but you could have fooled me because it just never stopped and the crowds were pretty crazy as well. Husbands says no to any more Sept. trips. My son who stayed at home kept sending me pictures of sunny skies and I kept sending him photos of downpours and sidewards rain. We are planning a return trip end of Feb. 2016.

 

[cjnix29]

I would probably pick May too, but September/October is my personal favorite. I think you would be surprised at late February crowds. as for the dining plan....there are dozens upon dozens of threads about this. It depends on your family and how you eat, and what level of resort you will stay at. For our family of three, DS 12 is a Disney adult. Totally NOT a value for us. We stay mod or higher, and we never eat that much food. We have taken the cost of the dining plan on a disney gift card and then just paid out of pocket. I had close to 500 left, and we used it for souvenirs too!! But check out menus, compare what you think you will actually eat. It really isn't a one size fits all!! Have fun!

 

[mkla2015]

I would vote for late February- we were there this year late Feb/early March and it was the best trip we've had! With the exception of weekends, the crowds were not bad at all. Weather was chilly the first few days and then warmed up to lower 80s but mornings and nights were perfect. The Flower and Garden Festival was just starting. I think it's a wonderful time to visit Disney!