Weather nicer in January or May? *edit* Going in April now.

[crazybones27]

Which has nicer weather January or May? Planning our next DVC vacation and I was wondering if the end of January might be better then the mid of May. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with these times of year?

 

[sherylcin]

Have gone late January/early February and mid to end of May and I think it just depends on how you want to vacation.

We have had mostly great luck with weather in Jan/Feb (mid 70's up to mid 80's even) but have experienced some not so great days of cold, windy weather as well. The sunny, warmer days have always outweighed the yucky days and you can plan around them by doing a park with more "indoor" things to do; i.e., Epcot. Using the pool can be iffy depending on how hardy and/or determined one is to swim. Days can be very pleasantly warm with shorts and t-shirts appropriate to needing to switch to jeans and jackets in the evening.

In 2008 we went mid to the end of May and it was HOT! We loved the freedom to jump in the pool even after a long day at the parks but dealing with the heat all day was tiring. One very big plus to this time of year is the Flower & Garden Festival in Epcot.

All in all, I'll go to Disney any time of the year I can BUT we are planning our next trip for January 2011.

Hope this helps!

 

[crazybones27]

Thanks so much! It does help a lot!! We were initially planning on doing our next trip in May so it didn't seem so close to our last trip we returned from. Then I got to thinking we could save some points by going in January and also some money since my daughter will not be turning 3 until April. I like the idea of being able to wear shorts or jeans. Although I would love to see the flower and garden festival! Hmmm decisions decisions . Thank you again for the response it was definitely helpful!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Which has nicer weather January or May? Planning our next DVC vacation and I was wondering if the end of January might be better then the mid of May. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with these times of year?

I bet January weather is better in Florida then it is in Jersey. I've been to Jersey in Jan.

 

[drusba]

January is hit or miss, it can be in the 70s or cold. You certainly did not want to be there in the first 18 days of January 2010 when the daily high seldom reached 50 and the nightly low was in the mid-20s (we unfortunately were there during that time and one day actually saw snow flakes). Then you probably did want to be there in first half of Jan 2009 when it was mid to high-70s and sunny almost every day (we were also there then). End of January can have same issues. With May, you will certainly get warm weather (mid 80s to 90s) although there can be the usual thunderstorm pattern that can bring a storm or two in the day.

 

[hakepb]

In my opinion, I think vacation weather is great if I can wear shorts all day and not worry about layers or packing too much.
By that standard, May is the best choice. I've experienced highs in the 60's in Nov and February (while looking at a forecast at home looking really close to those below normal fla temps) for some reason I expect fla to be hot and feel disapointed when it does not reach 80.

 

[crazybones27]

I bet January weather is better in Florida then it is in Jersey. I've been to Jersey in Jan.

LOL yes Jersey weather in January can be very cold and snowy for sure! So anywhere that isn't snowing is always welcome around that time lol.

 

[Hunclemarco]

Guaranteed May weather is quite warm, a little rain. January and February weather has (as been said) hit or miss. Last year it was quite cold...Orange groves were in danger then.
As far as crowds, May is more crowded than January.
The Flower and Garden festival is also hosted for much of May as well. Star Wars weekend sometimes falls in May too.

 

[Ramsfan28]

I would pick May over January. May IMHO is one of the best times to visit WDW - very low crowds (as long as you are there before Memorial Day) and great weather.

 

[n2mm]

Best weather is hands down -- May. Best lower crowd level -- January. Must be why I'll be there both times!!

 

[crazybones27]

Well I spoke to the Hubby last night and he doesn't want to go in January since he feels it's too soon and we might not be able to swim. And instead of going in May he wants to go in April through the week of our anniversary. So now I've got my fingers crossed we can get something we'd like around that time. I told him that's during Spring Break, but we're also not looking at it as a total hit the parks everyday trip. We just want to go and relax and let the kids play by the pool, and maybe hit the parks here and there in the evenings. This will also be good since our DD will still be 2. She turns 3 almost a week later LOL.

 

[n2mm]

Well I spoke to the Hubby last night and he doesn't want to go in January since he feels it's too soon and we might not be able to swim. And instead of going in May he wants to go in April through the week of our anniversary. So now I've got my fingers crossed we can get something we'd like around that time. I told him that's during Spring Break, but we're also not looking at it as a total hit the parks everyday trip. We just want to go and relax and let the kids play by the pool, and maybe hit the parks here and there in the evenings. This will also be good since our DD will still be 2. She turns 3 almost a week later LOL.

I wouldn't wait too long since the 7 month window is already open. With Easter being late April next year, you're looking at the week before and after as being very busy. Normally I go the last week of April and the first week of May, but to avoid the Easter craziness, I booked May 2-14. Good luck and book soon. Don't forget that the DVC office will be closed for several days next week, so it would be wise to call now.

 

[tigger2on]

We always go either May, Sept or Oct. Tried Feb. last year and the cold evenings and dragging every type of clothing was just not MY type of vacation.

 

[crazybones27]

I wouldn't wait too long since the 7 month window is already open. With Easter being late April next year, you're looking at the week before and after as being very busy. Normally I go the last week of April and the first week of May, but to avoid the Easter craziness, I booked May 2-14. Good luck and book soon. Don't forget that the DVC office will be closed for several days next week, so it would be wise to call now.

Thanks so much for the advice! I actually booked us for April 10-16 at exactly 9am this morning lol. We chose a standard studio at the Boardwalk Villas. Instead of going with Animal Kingdom which is our home we want to try different resorts now. I figured we'd be hooked on Animal Kingdom for a few years, but now the hubby and I came home and are all about trying them all LOL. I guess that's just how it goes. I don't know how I'm gonna live without having a washer and dryer in our room though lol. Our recent 1st stay was in a 1bdrm and then a GV. I think we probably should have started small instead of going big lol. Oh well I'm sure we'll be more then fine. We're REALLY excited about this trip probably because it will only be us and the kids and no extended family!

 

[n2mm]

Thanks so much for the advice! I actually booked us for April 10-16 at exactly 9am this morning lol. We chose a standard studio at the Boardwalk Villas. Instead of going with Animal Kingdom which is our home we want to try different resorts now. I figured we'd be hooked on Animal Kingdom for a few years, but now the hubby and I came home and are all about trying them all LOL. I guess that's just how it goes. I don't know how I'm gonna live without having a washer and dryer in our room though lol. Our recent 1st stay was in a 1bdrm and then a GV. I think we probably should have started small instead of going big lol. Oh well I'm sure we'll be more then fine. We're REALLY excited about this trip probably because it will only be us and the kids and no extended family!

That is great news. To be able to snag a standard studio less than 7 months out was great. I just booked a standard studio for my daughter for the second week of May and was thrilled to be able to get it. They are not easy to get since they make up only 20% of the resort. I worry about getting a standard at the BWV when I call at the 11 month window!! Congratulations.

 

[dbs1228]

Have fun! We too want to try all the resorts.

From someone who has gone in Feb for 15 years + (every year) I have to say 2010 was the ONLY year that was cold! Every other year we would have at least 3 pool days in the mid 80's and many great park days in the low 70's. I went this past May and it was too HOT to enjoy a full day at the park but was great for the pool days.

 

[crazybones27]

Thanks so much! I was really shocked myself I was able to get it! My husband who doesn't get excited for vacation until like the week before was extremely excited we got it and will be back within 6 months. I think it's cause we felt a little cheated over this last trip we returned from last weekend. We had a lovely parting gift as we came home with sinus infections. So we're hoping for an all around more peaceful and relaxing trip this time around. From the looks of the pool at BWV I'm sure the kids will have a great time!