Trip timing advice, please

[Shelly D.]

I had a holiday trip planned for my extended family (seven people ranging in ages from 8-72) for this past December 17th. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the day of our expected departure because I ended up in the hospital. We had a package and were unable to cancel, but can postpone.

I'm now trying to figure out the best time for us to go, which is proving to be quite difficult. I'm unable to pull my kids out of school, with the exception of 1-2 days. We'd like to stay 6 nights.

I'm looking at the following dates:
3/17-3/23 I've never been this time of year, and understand it will be pretty crowded because of spring break. It's appealing because the kids wouldn't miss school, it shouldn't be too hot, and it's coming up soon which makes my currently disappointed kids happy.

6/4-6/10 We have been this time of year before, but it was a long time ago and pre-kids. I do worry about my parents out in the heat at this time. But it looks like it would be less expensive and more options for hotels/flights. Can't really remember what crowds were like.

Any feedback from those who've been these times of year? I'd greatly appreciate it. I had the last trip planned to a tee and I'm dreading having to do it all over again!

 

[larryz]

I'm looking at the following dates:
3/17-3/23 I've never been this time of year, and understand it will be pretty crowded because of spring break. It's appealing because the kids wouldn't miss school, it shouldn't be too hot, and it's coming up soon which makes my currently disappointed kids happy.

Bolded part says it all.

6/4-6/10 We have been this time of year before, but it was a long time ago and pre-kids. I do worry about my parents out in the heat at this time. But it looks like it would be less expensive and more options for hotels/flights. Can't really remember what crowds were like.

We've been the 2nd and 3d weeks of June -- the parks are do-able, the weather's very warm but not August oppressive yet, and the crowds are not yet fully cranked up (apparently, they're saving themselves for the 4th of July).

Any feedback from those who've been these times of year? I'd greatly appreciate it. I had the last trip planned to a tee and I'm dreading having to do it all over again!

Sorry you were unable to go; glad to see Disney let you postpone. Trip insurance would have made you whole on any expenses you lost due to the hospitalization -- the question is, would you have broken even based on what the insurance costs versus what you would have recouped?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Crowd numbers will be similar, but better temps in March would lean me in that direction.

 

[ktlm]

My guess is that those March dates would be significantly more crowded than the June dates. That is our Spring Break, and I think a good amount of other areas have spring breaks that week too this year. I have not been during spring break (I have been the week between Christmas and New Years), but a good friend of mine was there Spring Break 2013, and they had to deal with MK closing to capacity etc. The week after yours might be the heaviest spring break week, so you might not be as bad (I think her trip would have been the week after yours), but of those choices, if it were us, we would take the June dates even though it will likely be hotter. We've done the first part of June before and did not think the crowds were horrible.

 

[NJlauren]

So happy you're feeling better! As that is most important.

Personally I don't love Florida at all between June 1-sept 30, but that's just me, to hot to humid but other people love it. However not taking the kids out of school is also a major plus. However in terms of crowds they look about the same per **************.net. So if weather is the biggest factor go with march of its school go with june because other factors seem similar.

 

[LSUfan4444]

The term "spring break" can vary based off of where you live.




March - 7's and 8s out of 10

June 8's our of 10

 

[Amanda999]

Glad you feel better!

As PP said, see easywdw for crowd levels. That said, I'd do March unless you live in a hot, humid area. If the crowds are predicted to be lower (or even the same) for your March dates, I'd definitely go in March. The heat, humidity plus crowds is just so much worse than just crowds. And, kids will still swim in March - plenty warm enough (the pools are heated).

Good luck - either set of dates are good. It's late June when the crowds get bad (we've done 2nd week of June and last week - no comparison).

 

[djp0630]

Do you care about dining reservations? If not, I'd go in March. June is a long time for disappointed kids and crowds are similar.