What factors determine WHEN you go to Disney?

[We-Luv-Disney]

DS's school and the weather/crowds. I don't want to be there when it is hot or very crowded.

 

[disneyjunkie]

We travel when school is out. My son's in the 9th grade. There's no way we take a week long vacation during the school year.

I've been lucky with codes, so I've never paid rack rate for our rooms. (Peak and regular seasons) We get to the parks when they open and use fastpass to avoid crowds and long lines.

 

[tomerin]

due to work vacation schedules and kids school schedules we always travel in the 1st and second week in july. i know its very crowded and very hot but since we already know that and plan for it the trip always works out great. we are not a commando type of family so we take our time between attractions and just enjoy enjoy enjoy.

this year we were planning an adults only 2nd vacation to WDW but the recent surge in fuel prices has put a stop to that this year. next year we may have to put off our regular july WDW vacation due to our oldest DS going off to college.


so when we factor everything in it looks like there isnt going to be a 2006 WDW vacation but hopefully we will be able to get back into ourt regluar vacation schedule in 2007.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

1. Crowd level
2. Value Season
3. Weather
4. Available time off from work

Since Sept last year was a stressful mess with 2 hurricanes while we were there, Dfi has sworn off September's for a while. It is also very HOT in Sept, but other than the hurricanes we have never had an issue with rain. I just think he can't handle me obsessively watching the weather channel 24/7 for 2 weeks before we go waiting for the tropical update at 50 after. I think its the local on the 8's that gets him. Yes I do have thier schedule memorized.

 

[CindyT]

We are both teachers, so we have to go during school vacation times. But after we retire....

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Its been crowds, school, work (cant take June/july time off). But next year we'll have our oldest two in College soo will pretty much only need to worry about ds#3 school schedule.

Have gone the end of August the last 4 years (slow done of work/before kids start school/less crowded and a little cheaper) But thinking about going in Sept next year hear very low crowds and value season....or maybe October involving Columbus weekend....or Novemeber with Veterans Day....or spring for Thanksgiving and deal with crowds for a few days....i'm so confused.. Actuall next years plans are Kind of up in the air since we dont know what college ds#2 will get accepted at and ds#1 is planning on transferring to another school ....kids...gotta luv em

 

[Lancer]

Pimarily the job. Its an unwritten rule at work that you dont take vacation from march to october(work on a golf course) As it turns out the last week in january or first week in february is perfect. Its far enough away from the xmas/new year holidays that it seems like a break, value season, weather is a gamble but is usually in the 70's and crowds are less. Although, I think people are starting to catch on that its a good time to go.

 

[mhingher]

I think it varies... last year we went at the end of June, b/c my sister and brother in law are teachers. DH and I went in March b/c DIsney was running a special, and it was my last "spring break" in grad school. Now we are going again next May simply b/c we never went in May and heard it was nice. DH and I are staying w/my parents at OKW.

 

[karebear1]

Weather and crowds determine when we go, and , I guess somewhere in there cost (or point usage- we're DVC). I can't handle the heat at all. We went in Oct last year- too hot for me!
Early December, January and February are my favorite tmes- not too hot. Usually.......just right!

 

[twotoohappy]

For the Dec. trip - it was because it's low points for DVC


For March....... We're going based on who's playing at Jellyrolls
We're big Pete/Jason fans and they usually work Sun - Wed.

 

[djkeenan]

We'll gladly put up with the chance of cold weather instead of the crowd. January is our favorite time. We love the Christmas decorations, and I'm sure I'd like the fall, but nothing beats walking right into Splash Mtn or a spot along the rail for Illuminations.

And talk about value rates: we've rented a beautiful 6 bedroom pool (heated)home 3 miles from WDW for $100/night, tax included (about 50% off their published low season rates.)

We'll pack jackets, hats and gloves in case they're needed while we enjoy the heck out of WDW without the crowds!

 

[Miller1412]

I teach, so I have to plan around days off. The first week of October has one professional day and one day off, so I only have to miss 3 days of teaching time. Plus DD only misses 3 days of school.

I wish it wasn't an issue.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I have chosen early december in the past for the low crowds and Christmas decorations. We went in October 2002 as it was my DH's birthday and we are going next April/May for some warmer weather and my birthday.

 

[jtdl]

Previously I have always chosen based on when it would be least busy but still warm weather. That backfired this year. I chose early Feb cause it was supposed to be one of the least crowded times, but when we arrived the resort was full, there was an hour wait at park closing to get a bus, standing room only on every bus we were on, waiting for tables in the Pop food court. From other posts I've read where people have gone at supposedly slow times, it seems there are no "slow" times at WDW anymore. So for our next trip in 2007 I have chosen March so that dd, who is now in highschool, will only miss one week of school instead of two. From the crowds we had in Feb, I really can't see March being any busier, just increased resort prices!

 

[Mickey76]

Right now, it's my fiance`'s parents. They won't allow her to go on vacation by ourselves until we're married, which will be in July of 2007. However, we will be going on our honeymoon to WDW and after that only money will be an issue and not two people trying to control another adult...I'm not bitter, am I?

 

[BankBunny]

DH and I also have no children so we base or choice on crowds, money and weather. We've gone twice in November and it was great crowd, money and weather wise, but both time BTMRR has been closed for refurb We're planing a trip for 2007. First thought Feb, but it may be too cool for water parks. Then thought Sept since our anniversary is the 18th, but we're too worried about hurricanes. Finally we decided on May 6-16, 2007. From what I've read it should be OK with crowds and weather.

 

[MainStreetFan]

We've narrowed the dates to sometime in September or October 2006, but now I can't decide which month and which dates to choose. No kids to take out of school, so that's not the problem. September may be too hot and possibly too crowded. We've visited in October before and it was nice, but I see that after October 4th it's considered regular season at the resorts and I don't want to pay full price because we're going with a deluxe.
So all of this got me to thinking - What factors determine WHEN you go to Disney?

Let me see, what day of the week is it? Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday....OK lets go!!!!

Seriously, I like mid to late Sept., early December, mid to late January. But really any day is good.

 

[Snowy]

The past 2 years DFi and I have gone in October and had a fantastic time. We chose October because school is in session then and the weather is good. Also, for the Food and Wine Festival. We went during the week both visits, so didn't have any weekend crowd issues with locals going to the F&W festival. The weather, luckily, was great both times. Last year when our trip was over, we agreed to take a year off, but, as you can see below, we couldn't resist and we're going back on Sunday!! Staying at YC!!

 

[disneytraveler]

I used to go to Disney in the real hot months ie July and August but since my last trip in September a few weeks ago i have changed my travel times. I loved the September weather and the low crowds. Sure the parks close earlier but why get super exhausted by staying out to the wee hours . So, the time of year and low crowds are my factors.

 

[MinniMama]

We just moved to Florida and would love to try once a month and so far we have been in July, and Sept, and have a trip planned for two weeks form now but I am sure when we buy our new house money will slow us down! I want to try every hotel and every month LOL guess that's why we moved to Florida! We have tried Feb, April, June and AUGUST IN THE PAST FROM nh.