WHEN?? Best time of year??

[OnePrinceOnePrincess]

OK, if you take holiday related attractions out of it and if the school year isn't an issue when is REALLY the best time to go?

I'm talking lower crowds but great temperature out? We want to go between 8 and 10 nights.

Our last two trips were in October and then in August. October was a shorter trip and we didn't even consider water parks (are they even open then??) we were all about the parks as it was our honeymoon and we hadn't been together EVER!
August last year was fantastic - we don't mind heat or humidity.

We are toying with anywhere from August to December?? What do you think is the best time in there to travel as a family of four (DD will be 5 at time of travel and DS will be 4). Are there any lower crowd times in there that you absolutely love??

Thanks in advance for any and all tips!

 

[starsweeper]

I'm going to preface this by saying this was in 2006 and things may be different now, but we visited the first week of November for a wedding and it was great. The weather was nice, low crowds, Food & Wine was still at Epcot, some Christmas décor was up.

Many people may tell you to go in January. We went the last week of Jan/first week of Feb in 2009 for our first trip with our older kids. We had 3 days of 70s, then it was high of 40s with lots of cold wind for the rest of the week. We actually left a couple days early and went home because my kids couldn't handle the cold well.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Based on your premise, I would guess September would be what you're looking for.

 

[dholmes1950]

The first week of December is a favorite of ours. It is usually still fairly warm - cooler in the evenings.

 

[TigersLions]

Based on your premise, I would guess September would be what you're looking for.

This sounds like a winner!

 

[TigersLions]

The first week of December is a favorite of ours. It is usually still fairly warm - cooler in the evenings.

We did this too. I like warmer weather though and the sun being out longer so it was a little depressing but the lights were gorgeous. The parks also close earlier I think and we didn't get to use the pools at all. Crowds were definitely descent. Here is the crowd calendar. This is what I use:

http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Disney-World-2014-Crowd-Calendar-v2.jpg

and this is what I use to plan park by day:
http://www.easywdw.com/sept14-v5.jpg

 

[mm1971]

We like late September/early October. Weather is still warm, but the humidity is starting to drop and it gets a little cooler when the sun goes down. Food and wine helps as well.

We always wanted to go in April for the Flower Festival, but never got there. For us, December and February were too cold to swim, May and June were hot and busy.

 

[SariKat]

We also prefer late September/early October.

Our family doesn't do well in heat so August was too hot for us, but it is still warm enough in late September to enjoy some daytime pool time and the crowds are down a bit at parks.

 

[MandiC]

I'd say for you September sounds good, although I wouldn't book a September trip without trip insurance...hurricane season. With school just starting back up it is low crowds, and free dining seems to be offered most Septembers.

 

[SWofDisorder]

We use to go in late September. Free dining, MNSHP and the soft opening of F&W. The weather can be hot and humid with hurricane season but if you like that it would fit perfect.

The crowds are low as school has just started and most people are staying home.

 

[KristenFNJ]

We have always gone in May or October. Our goal is to hit lower crowds and avoid the high heat and humidity of summer. We always hit a water park during those months, too, although I can't say we've always had perfect water park weather, it seems to be more of an "our luck" phenomenon and it certainly hasn't been so cold that we couldn't get our 3 boys into the water I would probably pick October as my favorite, because the fall decor is just so awesome, but May is fantastic as well. I see you don't mention that springtime period above, but in case you'd consider it, it's a great time to go.

I do advise that you look at all the park hours before making a decision, as just about everything closes earlier when it's not peak season (and the deeper into fall/towards winter you get). You should consider what your priority is, between lower crowd ratings and more park hours.

This year, we're going in November for the first time, but not planning a water park. Excited about seeing some holiday decorations, but wondering how much colder it could actually be, even just 3 weeks later than usual!

 

[frenzy70]

What does march normally look like ?

 

[staceyrhood]

What does march normally look like ?

Crazy crazy busy! Spring breaks vary so much, and college spring breaks start in early march.