When do you like to visit WDW and why?

[Minnie02]

It seems like a lot of posters have trouble deciding what time of year to visit disney (including me!). I thought posting this question will help others! We have always gone during the off season - 2x end of Nov to beginning of Dec, 1x Oct (when it was off season), 1x beginning of Nov and 1x Jan. Jan there were no crowds at all! Oct was hot! Nov/Dec is nice because of the holiday stuff but got chilly at night. Beginning of Nov was nice. The only thing I don't like about off season is things close so early. Have debated on going the end of August because parks are open later and will have more time to relax at the pool but it is HOT!!

Let's hear when you like to visit and why!

 

[cottontail]

We have been last week of sept. hot/humid and a couple of days of rain.

April hot again but no humidity and no rain.

Dec. cooler low 70's on day only got in the 60's, but again cooler at night. I prefer the 70's, but dear hubby loves the high 80's and 90's in florida.

Deb.

 

[IndyWDWfan]

Oct/Nov had been the only time we went to WDW until this year.
We have been very pleased (and quite frankly, spoiled) with the warm weather and smaller crowd size. Although the parks have closed earlier, we have been able to do all the attractions we were interested in and then some.

We tried the first week of Feb. and were shocked at the crowd size (Daytona 500 crowds). Also, the weather went from mid 70's one day to 50's the next. We have decided that while DD3.5 and DS21mo. are still young and not in elementary school, that we are sticking with end of Oct and early Nov. You can't beat the beautiful weather and the crowd size.

We are however, considering our first early January trip for my birthday with no kids. That AP isn't even in hand and it's already addictive!

 

[jldriscoll]

We like Nov. Early in the month. Your right it is chilly in the evening, but growing up in Wisconsin.... It's n'uttin!

We took one trip in Dec. but it was really too cold for the little ones to enjoy the pool and what's a vacation without some pool time.

DH and I went before kids during spring break and had a blast. Yes, lines were long.... but at 12am one night we rode HM 3 time in a row with no one else in the place!

But back to the subject, I'd say with little ones, definatly Nov. parks closing early never really mattered to us since bed time is 9 anyway. AND there is always resort fun to be had at night!

 

[jaguar9748]

We typically go 4 times a year and here are my observations:

Spring Break - wonderful weather - warm during the day, cool during the evening. Crowds tend to be awful depending on when you go, especially on the weekends.

Summer - hot and sunny with the chance of afternoon showers. My favorite time because you bring one wardrobe. You can cool down in the pool or in the airconditioning. Park hours are usually good. Go later in the summer - crowds tend to be worst right before July 4th through the middle of July (prime vacation season in the US).

Fall - wonderful weather - warm during the day, sometimes cool at night. Crowds are smaller, except some weekends. Park hours can be an issue, but you really get a chance to relax and enjoy dinners, Downtown Disney, miniature golf, etc.

Christmas - iffy weather - warm one day, cool the next. Need to bring layers of clothes. However, the decorations are out of this world and the feel of Disney at Christmas is the best! Crowds are usually awful, but I love watching families enjoy Disney together. My 2nd favorite time of year, even with the weather issues.

 

[MAC3]

Great post!

When DD was younger we always went in May. Great weather smaller crowds, the epcot international flower expo. It is awesome. Not to mention (not too much rain).

Since school frowns on removing your children from it during the school year we now go after she's out. I see no problem with taking your child out for a week but now we like to stay for 10 days so that's out of the question.

I also like late August too!

 

[eeyore0062]

We have liked May the best so far. The park hours were longer, the weather warmer and more consistant, and the crowds were still pretty low. The beginning of December was nice (we lucked into good weather), but the unpredictablity of the weather during that time puts a damper on it for me. I like it WARM or even HOT!

 

[Mickey76]

I prefer to go when the weather is hot. I've been to WDW in January and it just didn't feel like a vacation to me. Any time between May and August is great for me. Piglet203 and I will be there in 8 days. I hope it's hot and sunny!

Mickey76

 

[mrsltg]

All of you Summer people are just plain NUTS!!! LOL!

I am all in favor of the Fall. DH and were there first week in Dec last year and will be there first week in Nov this year. I was actually disappointed last year because it was mid 80's while we were there last time (strange heat wave!). I guess getting soaked on Kali River Rapids or Splash Mountain isn't as bad when it's about 1000 degrees outside though! I also really enjoyed the Christmas decorations... To each his own!

Erin

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Because of School, we go during Mardi Gras (changes every year - depends on Lent) - Sooooo, we can go from beginning of Feb to beginning of Mar.

2002 it was Beginning Feb - Good Crowds & Weather nice.
2003 it is Beginning of Mar - Crowds heavier & Weather warmer.

We tried first week in May this year (unseasonably hot ) will probably try it again - crowds light.

We really like 2nd week in October - Crowds light & Weather pleasant.

Thanksgiving nice for Christmas Decorations & Weather good but Crowds heavy.

 

[soccer mom]

We have gone in January, February, November and December. I wouldn't even think of going if I thought it was going to come close to 90 degrees.

Mid-November is our favorite time. In the evenings we didn't even change to long pants...just grabbed a sweatshirt or jacket (sometimes). December is second choice even though we hit some cold weather a couple of times.

But we're from Michigan so even 65 seems warm to us in the winter!

Lower attendance is of equal importance to us.

 

[GeorgeG]

Late October into the week before Thanksgiving has always worked well for us. The weather is usually good and the crowds not bad.

 

[Mimi70]

So far, I've gone in April, June, July, and October. I will say, for the record, that I intend NEVER to go during the summer months again...TOO HOT!!!! I've found that April is by far the best time for me to go, but because it is PEAK season, and you want to avoid Easter crowds, it's tricky. The next time I go, I would like for it to be in April; I had high 50's in the morning and mid 80's during the peak of the day, with NO HUMIDITY...so I could tolerate that! Perfect in the morning, when you can sit out on your full balcony at the YC and smell the green grass and enjoy your hot breakfast!

Ay, me....*sigh*

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YC RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The_Disney_God]

Last week in January or first week in February. Nice weather, not too hot. AND NO ONE IS THERE!!! When I went in 99, there was about a 20 minute wait for Splash Mountain at noon. No one in the park. We did 3 parks in 1 day. I love it then

Late August. Even though its hot, I love it then too. Its just the feeling I get when I'm there


I LOVE DISNEY ALL YEAR ROUND!!!

 

[Diz-Me]

When DD and DS were preschoolers we went to WDW in October and it was great - low crowds and wonderful weather!

Our past 4 trips have been in April due to school vacations. The first three trips were fine - kind of crowded but wonderful weather. <font color=red>This past April was probably the last April trip for us - it was just too darn HOT!!! </font color>

DH and I will be going without DD and DS in the next few years and I would love to go in October or November.

 

[MJames41]

My favorite time is just after Thanksgiving. We can go and spend some time with my dad for Thanksgiving (he lives just outside Ocala) and then go to Disney for a week. It can be a little cooler, but the decorations and the lack of crowds makes it unbelievable.

Our August trip was nice because we got to enjoy River Country (my favorite water park) and Typhoon Lagoon (kids favorite).

Of course my favorite time to be there would be right now, because I'd much rather be there than at work (even if I am at lunch).

 

[opal]

We have gone in:
...January - Crowds are light, but hours are shorter. We have had cold weather, but this year it was mid to high 80's every day. This is a good time of year to stay at an Epcot resort because the Boardwalk has entertainment after the parks close.
...August - probably my favorite time to go. It is hot, but it doesn't seem so bad when you are vacation, makes Kali Rapids and Splash Mtn especially fun! The last two weeks of Aug. haven't been terribly crowded when we went and the hours were later. Much easier to pack for!
...October - Moderate crowds. We were there unknowingly for Soap Opera Weekend. The crowds were much longer for Erika Kanes autograph than TOT.
...November - Light crowds, short hours, kinda cool, but still a great time!
...December - With the exception of Xmas week, light crowds, cool weather. The Xmas decorations are not to be believed. Spectacular!!
....I Guess there really isn't a bad time to go!!!!!