What's the best of the worst?

[TheyCallMeStacey]

We're working on a family WDW Vacation in the future, and so far, the timing stipulations are that we can't take the kids out of school and that my sister (teacher) has to be on a break. We've always gone in typically slow times, so I'm wondering, what's the best of the worst?

 

[sponica]

We're working on a family WDW Vacation in the future, and so far, the timing stipulations are that we can't take the kids out of school and that my sister (teacher) has to be on a break. We've always gone in typically slow times, so I'm wondering, what's the best of the worst?

What breaks are you working with? And more importantly when does your sister have to go back to school?
For example, my mom and I live in the same state and she's a school administrator, so we have the same breaks whereas my sister is a teacher in a different state so she has different breaks. If we were to plan something together, we'd look at mid to late August, take the heat in exchange for lower-ish prices.
Christmas week is the only other week we have in common and that is too expensive.

ETA: when is your spring break?

 

[set88]

I voted for Spring Break as it might be slightly less crowded than Thanksgiving week, although maybe not significantly.

I made this comment on a similar thread talking about how even though August may have lower crowds, I don't think it's worth it due to weather!

I live in Florida - it's so hot right now that it is only kind of tolerable to take a 20 minute evening walk (after the sun has set). Still gonna get sweaty and overheated and any longer is a no. If it rains a lot, it may be slightly better in the evenings but then you're dealing with rain during the day. I honestly do not know how anyone does a theme park in this weather. Seriously, I cannot fathom how it is fun. You'd have to pay me to get me in a theme park in Florida in the summer. OTOH, a 10/10 crowd day also sounds pretty darn miserable.

If you are willing to spend the money on Genie+ and to use it effectively (this means a 7am start for someone as well as keeping on top of it during the day), and you are willing to do the very early morning/stay til close thing, crowds can be potentially be manageable. But I would definitely adjust my expectations regarding the eventuality of lines and not being able to do everything in a day.

I personally would probably pick the 10/10 crowds and good weather because even if you have to stand in long lines, at least you're not completely miserable. Whereas in August, even if there are no crowds, you still have to walk around in 95F 3000% humidity. (Honestly, in August, you've still got to do the early start/late night thing just to try to get a break from the heat.)

 

[Pyxie]

I'd go with Spring Break because not every school takes their break at the same time. It'll be busy, but with Thanksgiving week, everyone is off the same week. Summer is just too hot.

 

[springtime]

We went at the end of June. The heat was tolerable and the crowds were manageable. Personally, I would rather be hot than try to manage the huge crowds of Spring Break and Thanksgiving.

The only downside we found is that the idea of a Florida thunderstorm that comes in, rains, and then moves out was a myth. When it started raining, it did not stop raining for the rest of the night. I felt like we always had our eyes on the skies, but we just planned strategically.

 

[Pyxie]

We went at the end of June. The heat was tolerable and the crowds were manageable. Personally, I would rather be hot than try to manage the huge crowds of Spring Break and Thanksgiving.

The only downside we found is that the idea of a Florida thunderstorm that comes in, rains, and then moves out was a myth. When it started raining, it did not stop raining for the rest of the night. I felt like we always had our eyes on the skies, but we just planned strategically.

It seems like it has been extra rainy this year with storms lasting later than usual, so you make a good point. If there are any outdoor rides that you really want to do, do those early in the day because once storms set in, they may not be able to reopen them.

 

[Miffy]

I voted August, but, to clarify: August is the best for lower crowds but the absolute worst for the weather. The weather's best for spring break but the crowds, the crowds.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I voted for August but by that I mean late August snd and as @Miffy says, weather is a huge challenge.

If I was taking weather into consideration I would vote spring break but not sure it’s worth the crowds.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

Thanks so much for your thoughts! Its definitely a situation that has some major tradeoffs! Thankfully we're all dealing with the same school scheduling which makes it easier, but i feel like the decision is still hard. I like to go the first week in May! Although this year the weather was way warmer than we anticipated!

 

[sponica]

Thanks so much for your thoughts! Its definitely a situation that has some major tradeoffs! Thankfully we're all dealing with the same school scheduling which makes it easier, but i feel like the decision is still hard. I like to go the first week in May! Although this year the weather was way warmer than we anticipated!

I think you'll have to figure out the best combination of price + crowds + weather. A spring break remotely near Easter would be not worth the better weather for me.

 

[CynBeth]

I say Thanksgiving. We go every few years around that time and it is crowded but manageable with usually pretty good weather. You get to experience the holiday stuff. The storytellers and CP start on Black Friday.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Of those I'd choose August. We've been several times in August and generally found the crowds high but manageable. The weather's miserable, but it's equally as miserable in June and July IMHO, and you may have the advantage of schools starting back.

 

[pens4821]

I voted for spring break. We went this year and it wasn’t that bad. Yes it was packed, but with a good plan (and ll) we got everything done we wanted and more. I could personally never handle the heat of summer.

 

[CarolynFH]

I can’t stand summer weather in Orlando. I can plan ways to handle crowds. So I’d go Spring Break, especially if it’s early in the season, e.g., early March.

 

[glocon]

I was going to vote for Thanksgiving thinking of the weather being better, but if you’re not taking any days off school, does that mean a short week (not taking off Monday Tuesday Wednesday)?
If you’re not going for the whole week the week of Thanksgiving, I’d vote August for the possibility of slightly lower crowds.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I agree with some posters above. From a 'slightly lower crowd' level at this point, later in August seems to be the best bet. But from a weather standpoint that time of year? No thanks - super hot, humid, potential for storms - or even severe weather. Although, it's likely to be hot and humid with storms in June and July, too. Tough call if you're doing the trip when the kids are out of school......

 

[DisneyFive]

Looking at touringplans historical crowd calendar
The week of Thanksgiving is about 5-7's
Early August 5-7's
Second half of August is 4-5's
July is 6-7's
Spring break 7-9's

I personally would choose August because we like the warmer months, crowds are reasonable, and park hours are still pretty generous. Second option would probably be the week of Thanksgiving. I was surprised to see crowds levels of only 5-7's

Dan

 

[RoseGold]

I would pick either early June or late August, depending on when your school schedule doesn't match most. One of those weeks will be open for you and won't be horrible. For example, this week seems to be OK, because a lot of schools are back in.

 

[RunDisney Matriarch]

I'd recommend spring break after checking to see when Florida public schools (especially Orange County) are out on spring break. We're lucky enough to have spring break at a different time than California so we always enjoy heading to Disneyland then. It's a bit more crowded with other spring breakers from our state, but nothing like the holidays. If your spring break coincides with Florida, then I'd opt for June -- especially if you can swing it earlier than later. Again, different schools get out at different times and many school districts will go pretty deep into June.

 

[Shellyred8]

I voted for August. Specifically I would try for the last two weeks of August. It's the one time that seems to have stuck with it's "traditionally slow time" label since covid. I've been watching the wait times on the Disney app this week and it has me wishing I would've been down there this past week!
That being said, you have to plan well for the HOT weather. It's no joke. Proper clothing, hydration and breaks to get out of the heat.

Happy planning!!!