The Best time to visit Florida for Good Weather & Small Crowds!

[richard3330]

Hi ,

When, in your opinion is the best time to visit Florida for small crowds and not-too-bad weather.

Every time we have visited it has always been really busy, although the weather has usually been nice. We usually visit March/April time, but on out last trip we visited December/January to see NYE and the Christmas decorations. Every time it has been extremely busy - I don't think I have ever seen Splash Mountain with a queue under 1 hour! Universal & IOA have always seemed to be busy too.

Thanks in Advance,

Richard.

 

[mkingdon]

Richard,

I'm sure everyone has their own take on this, but IMO, the end of August suits us.

US schools are back after the 2nd week of August, so the parks are quieter. There are queues, but I can honestly say there was nothing like an hour wait for anything.

I think we waited about 30 minutes at the most.

The weather is HOT!!!! But we like it that way.

We are governed by the school holidays, and so we can only go at certain times (and be held ransom by the Dick Turpin like travel companies with their inflated prices), and we have found the last two weeks in August to be best.

If you are able to travel off peak, I'm sure there are better times for you.

Cheers

Craig

 

[pegasusEH]

We have been early October and had lovely weather - just the odd downpour. Crowds never been that bad for us either.

We also went in April one year (not at Easter!). We had some very hot and dry weather but were told that it was a little unusual for that time of year. Again, we didn't have any problems with crowds.

 

[marlouwrig]

We were there last two weeks in October last year the weather was brilliant (just short showers on three days) and the queues weren't too bad at all - certainly nothing longer than 20 minutes and that didn't apply to most of the rides by any means.

Going late August/early September this year and hoping for more of the same although I understand that the weather can be more inpredictable then ( not speaking from personal experience - just what I've heard)

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

We've been in the last 2 weeks of August on a couple of occasions. Queues and crowds never seem too bad at that time of year - as Craig said, most US schools seemed to have returned by then. This is a good option if you are restricted too school holidays. The weather is hot and humid at that time of year, but not unbearably so. Another advantage of late August is that you getthe tail end of the summer opening hours. Although the parks are not open for as long as the peak season of July, theyy are still open later iin the day thann other times of year. For us this is very important, as the evenings are our favourite times in the parks.

Regards

Rob

 

[KayleeUK]

October/November is a fab time to go. We have had hardly any rain during this time frame

 

[matty624]

I agree with you Craig, the tail end of August does seem to be the best time if you are restricted to school holidays (we're teachers so have absolutely no choice!). Although closing times do get earlier in the third week of August, that's because the corresponding crowds also lessen, Disney do it for a reason.
It is hot, very hot, in fact I'd have to disagree with you Rob, it's oppressively hot. But that's a minor hardship when compared with the fantastic good points.
I've always wanted to go to Florida out of school holidays, when it's cooler/quieter etc, but I suppose I've got to earn money to fund Disney trips somehow!
Ian

 

[Dimplenose]

Here's another vote for late August. At the start of the day Splash Mountain was a walk on and Thunder Mountain a 10 minute wait. It got busier later in the morning though and we were glad to use fast passes at times.

We did a mid-week trip to Busch gardens and that was nearly deserted.

Libby

 

[floridalol]

Voting with Kaylee on this one, October/November is fabulous, good weather and low crowds. You also able to go to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal - the best theme park experience ever!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

September '96 - hot weather still a little humid and some great storms - longest we lined was for Jungle cruise (no FP then) 45 mins! Otherwise not more than 20 mins

October/November '98 - still hot but a little dryer, no storms and one drizzly day - rides 10 mins - LOL Jungle Cruise 30 mins (will I never learn )

mid November '00 - not as hot as our trip in '98 - 5 min wait at WDW no lines at IoA and about 5-10 mins Universal - one day was drizzly

Early October '01 - Hot. On afternoon we had a storm but it was over in an hour. Crowds were low and we walked onto everything in 5 mins except Big Thunder Mountain it said 15 min wait but it ended up being at least 30 mins.

1st week May '02 - Very hot and the most humid I've experienced to date. They said it was unusual weather for that time of year. Crowds reminded me of September '96 perhaps a little busier, longest we Q'd for was Peter Pan 20 mins. Paul couldn't believe how quiet it was for him as he always used to go in school holidays (his ex-girlfriend was a teacher).

Early Dec '02 - Very warm at the beginning with some very chilly nights and very chilly mornings. Rained a lot towards the end of my stay. Crowds were very light, I don't remember a wait for anything, except when I wanted to do Osbourne Lights, that was manic Weather people said they were having all time lows.

 

[wdwclay]

have been to wdw in january for the last 5 years and only had 1 morning of rain in that time.the temps can very though to high 80s to low 50s,but no rain.the attendance levels are at there lowest in january , the longest queue was no more than 10 minutes. the queues are that low that they dont use the fastpass machines for all of the rides.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hi Richard

Up until last year, we'd always gone mid-late May (and one year mid-June). Always considered the weather then brilliant and crowds manageable. Last year we went for three weeks mid-October into November, albeit only one week in Orlando.

The weather was FANTASTIC - the only rain we saw was at Miami airport the day we flew home. The crowds were incredible - not much at all. We only went to MK for the evening celebrations at MNSSHP - we didn't even have to queue for Peter Pan (unheard of ). The only ride we missed was Haunted Mansion because something had just kicked out near there are there were hoards of people looming, so we decided to go back later. However, we were having such a good time we didn't realise what the time was until someone suggested we leave the park because they were closing it (midnight ).

Would thoroughly recommend October/November - DDs school approved 7 days out of school for the trip and we managed to coincide it with half-term and weekends.

First time I ever went to Florida was back in 83 and that was the 2nd week of October through to mid-November and I can remember 2 hurricane warnings - but nothing came of them, remember my skin peeling at least three times - but having a wonderful time, but only MK and Epcot were open in Orlando then, no other Disney parks or Universal.

May is also another fave time to go, the weather's hot (DH is sun worshipper) and we always have at least a week down on the beach so the weather is great for that, sun factor 3 million lotions at the ready

(PS, Richard - in a strop with Virgin cos they've changed the times of our St Lucia flights from those quoted on our invoice, so staying overnight now at Hilton and poor taxi driver's totally confused ).

 

[Red-Snapper]

End of August/early September for me

I like it hot or it doesnt seem like Florida somehow.

Went in November once and there was a very cold wind blowing- so much that you had to wear trousers but judging by some of the comments above that may have been unusual.

 

[UKDEB]

In answer to your question exactly as posed, then 'officially' October in terms of a combination of decent temperatures, not too much rain and low crowds. Of course that's all based on statistics and doesn't take into account the unpredictability of the weather or that you might happen to visit a park on a day when a 'special event' is scheduled to draw in visitors during slower periods. Nor does it factor in shorter opening hours.

We've been 3 times in October, once July/August, once August/September, once in December and are about to make our second May trip. October is undoubtedly our favourite time. We got exceptionally lucky in December - temperatures in the 80s and 90s - the previous year had seen frosts! We had bad experiences during the summer trips - lots and lots of rain and we wouldn't do July or August again. Unless it was that or nothing, of course!

At the risk of becoming tedious, the best crowd-beaters are to avoid EE days (unless you are staying onsite), arrive early, and make use of FASTPASS. Using this strategy we didn't notice a great deal of difference during our stays in July/August and December than at quieter times.

 

[Sue F UK]

We are lucky to have been able to go twice a year for the last few years and now split our visits into two different holidays:

February visit (avoiding Presidents Day) is a great time to visit the parks. The weather is good and sunny with temps in the 70s and only occasional rain/thunderstorms, although a fleece is needed in the evenings. The crowds are small with many rides walk ons and no more than a 20 minute queue for the big rides.

July visit: We find the weather too hot for us to schlepp around the parks so we use this visit to chill out at the villa, shop and visit our favourite Disney restaurants. The few times we have visited parks in July I have always felt sorry for the families trying to cram the entire Disney experience into two weeks and, given the enormous queues and heat, failing miserably.

As I said, we're lucky, but I certainly would never recommend anyone to visit for the first time in July.

 

[richard3330]

Thank-You for your replies everybody.

I think October half term week sounds like the best time. DS will get 2 weeks half term in October next year when he starts school so it will mean him not missing any school which will be a bonus.

Thanks again.

Richard.

 

[Minniespal]

We are hoping that it is going to be between 24th October till 7th November. That is when we will be there this year.