Trying to decide best time of year to go?

[mommy2boysaz]

Hi, everyone. My DH and I and our 3 kids (ages 8,6,2 right now) are thinking of planning a trip to DW next year. We were thinking maybe fall? We've never been to DW and will be flying from Ohio for a week. I'm not too concerned with having the boys out of school. Would Oct. or Nov. be a good time? We want good weather (not TOO hot) but also low crowds, if possible. I'd love to hear your opinions! Really any time of year is an option.
Thanks!
Britte

 

[susykt4]

We went Jan 5-13, 2006 and had a GREAT time. The temps were wonderful-ranged from highs around 50 first 2 days to nearly 80 last few days. We wore jackets most nights but still got to swim a few times. (We're from Illinois.) It NEVER rained during our 7 1/2 days in the parks.

The crowds were amazingly low. I was absolutely thrilled. Between the nice temps and the low crowds, we'd hit a park at open and stay until between 4 and 6 and then back to the resort for the rest of the evening. (Our kids DD5 and DS3 were in bed by 8 most nights.) Tuesday and Wednesday of our visit the crowds were so low the only waits I saw were for Soarin' at Epcot. Wed afternoon my parents took the kids and DH and I went to MK. We literally walked on to Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and Stitch between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon. That was even after being held up by the afternoon parade.

We stayed at Pop Century and got a great room location without making any requests. We ate at the food court almost every morning and evening and never had any major waits or crowds.

I loved this time of year so much I would have a hard time going any other time of year. We never did a water park but it was more because our kids are so young than because it was too cool. There were at least 2 days it would have been warm enough... I'd totally recommend January to anyone whose vacation doesn't revolve around swimming!

 

[Mom to 2]

Well I cant be alot of help seeing as I have only been twice, but here is my opinion. The first time we went was April 5-17th 2002, way too hot, and way too crowded. Used fastpass alot because the standby times were 45+ on pretty much everything, and we were sooooo hot. Now the second time we went was Dec.3rd-17th 2004 and it was glorious!!! Temperatures were anywhere from 60-80 which was perfect, only rained one day, and it was more like a drizzle all day, but the parks were EMPTY!! Everything was a walk on except FantasyLand in the middle of the afternoon but still only about 10-15 minute wait at most. It was so weird just walkiing on all the rides, many we just stayed on and went again because no one was waiting. We did avoid the parks on the weekends, we did Seaworld and US/IOA which was even slower!!! We came to the conclusion we will never go another time. We are booked for Nov.26th-Dec.7th this year and hoping for the same results.

Lory

 

[liznboys]

This website might help you decide:

http://allearsnet.com/pl/planning.htm

Good luck!

 

[mommy2boysaz]

Wow! This has been terrific information! Thank you all!!
I don't know about Dec. It's always very hectic around here before Christmas! But, January may be possible. Might be a nice break after the hectic holidays!
I'd still love to hear from anyone who has experienced WDW in October, though.
Thanks again!

 

[DisneyMama27]

I am just your person!

I have never been to WDW in the summer, and probably never will. Our trips have been:

1st week October 1995
3rd week January 2000
2nd week November 2001
2nd weekend March 2005 (just us 2)
4th week Sept/1st week Oct 2005
1st week Oct 2006 (can't wait!)

All these times were awesome, chosen by my DH who is a former CM. He WON"T go in the summer, as bad as he misses it. Sept/Oct are typically still warm weather, so we swam, went to the water parks, etc. We live in TX so the heat didn't bother us too bad. It cooled off at night, and was nice. The free dining plan has boosted numbers during this season, which was the purpose. But it's still not bad - just make your ADRs and you'll be fine. If school is not an issue, go in September - the crowds are much smaller as many schools (including ours) are having fall breaks in October. We knew lots of people just from our school that were there last year! We took the kids out early last year so we could stay longer, beat the crowds, and celebrate my son's b-day there. But this year we can't do that, so we'll fight the "crowds" in October.

January is another good option, as someone else mentioned. We had a freak cold front the year we were there and it actually snowed! Not a lot, but we were not quite prepared for the cold weather! The parks were empty, though, and we never had to make a reservation for anything (my kids were too little to appreciate CRT, but we had a great character breakfast with Pooh at Artist Point at WL - not there anymore, but it was fabulous! We just walked up and went in - practically the only people in the restaurant so we got lots of attention, esp. with 2 babies!) I would def. go back in Jan. if that were ever an option. Now that I am teaching again, I don't know if that could ever work out.

Good luck with your planning! There's a great absence-from-school letter at "the mouse for less" website!

 

[kpk89]

We just went in January, and it was great! Nooooo crowds, except an increase on MLK Day. Weather was nice - no rain- but a bit chilly at times. No big deal for us -- it sure beat the winter weather up north.

 

[Lora]

We've really enjoyed our late Sept. and early October visits. Here are some comparisons for just those times (as close as they are).

Late Sept. - still pretty hot (but nice for water parks and/or swimming at night), low crowds, rain sometimes an issue, love bugs if you hit it right (or wrong, I guess), overall - a great time to go.

Early Oct. - crowds fairly decent with 2 exceptions: Columbus Day weekend and Epcot in the evening (F&W Festival), not quite as hot (some chilly evenings), F&W Festival (can also be a plus...cheddar cheese soup ),overall - a great time to go.

Ok, so maybe that wasn't very much help. Have fun planning!

 

[LISAMWDW]

My favorite time of the year is in the beginning of December. Low crowds, cooler weather and Christmas decor and events are going on! Very festive and beautiful time to go!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

We're going in mid-November, which I have heard is an excellent time to go!

 

[poohmomof3]

Early December and early February are great times to go!!!!!!!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

We are going the November 1-8 2007 (yes i'm planning away already) I heard great things about going this week also.