When should I go!?!

[Stafford]

Hey there all! I'm looking for a little help. I'm planning our 2018 vacation (really early, I know, but I love planning the trip almost as much as going), but I am having a really hard time trying to decide when to go.

First, I was all set for November. I really want to see the decorations for Christmas while still avoiding crowds. Then my daughter decided it was an absolute must that we go to the water parks as well. Now I'm worried it will be too cold. Plus I'm starting to think that maybe this time won't be as slow as it use to be...

My next thought was October, but it seems like it is way heavy in crowds now as well, plus the discounts seem to be really drying up during that month.

Next month up is September, the month of all things stormy. I've always avoid September due to it being the "huricanado" season, as my friend likes to call it.

Now I'm ready that the first week of March might not be so awfully crowded.

I'm so confused and my husband's response to anything is, "Whatever you think baby." Lovely thought but not helping at all!

I NEED you guys! What are your thoughts on these months? I really need low crowds with semi-warm weather. I'd like discounts but crowds are really my priority, followed fairly closely with us being able to hit the water parks without freezing (we're Southern, so we're not accustomed to cold).

What's some of your own experiences? What do you think my best bet is here? I'm at your mercy here guys.

 

[Sundowner2]

It's never too early to plan a trip. We only get to go every 2 years and you know what? That means we've ONLY got 730 days to plan the best week ever.

We always go in June, so I can't help with other months. We go early to mid June, and it's always been crowded, but not shoulder to shoulder. We have family living in Flordia, and they said it can still be cool in March, so I'm not sure how cold natured you guys are, but the water parks might be iffy. That said, I'm sure march has a few good discounts, but watch out for Jersey Week if you want to go in November. Some friends of ours swore off Disney after getting caught in that.

 

[beccasmom]

We love November; we just avoid the holiday. But there's no guarantee of mild weather, particularly at the end of the month when folks visit to see the holiday decorations. Disney often offers free dining in September (not October from what I've noticed) and it is still plenty warm then. Note that hurricane season runs from 6/1 to 11/30. March can be quite busy due to spring breaks, and usually is okay for swimming (again, no guarantees there). Easter is April 1 next year; those weeks before and just after are very busy. You might want to consider May. Temps are warm and crowds are not at the level of mid-summer (avoid Memorial Day weekend).

 

[my2lovedisney]

We always go in September. Never have we encountered terrible storms or weather. Maybe a few pop up showers, but out of the 4 trips we've taken in September only 2 had rain during the day. This year we are going in August and I am more concerned about the weather.

 

[Accidental Magpie]

My favorite time is the last week of Jan or first of Feb - for prices, smaller crowds, and cooler temps.

 

[Pkltm]

We like to go end of September/early October, We usually get free dining, the temps on our trips have been great, and we get the occasional thunderstorm that last may an hour.

 

[pooh2001]

June - hot, humid, rainy - did it the first time and again our last trip (we forgot about our first trip) - a no go

Mid to late May is wonderful weather, but prices can be higher than early November. Weather in mid to late May is wonderful. We had 1 rainy day - about 6-8 hours of rain, in 7 days the last week of May.
May also has the flower & garden festival in EPCOT and the Parks are open later.

November - you get the food and wine festival to snack on in EPCOT.
You can do an inexpensive lunch or dinner snacking around the World Showcase. Weather is also good after November 10.
But the Parks may close earlier than you wish and some rides may be refurbished.

It depends on your style of going to WDW.
What is most important to you ?
More rides available?
Weather?
Park Hours?
Food availability?

Good luck planning !
It is most of the fun!

 

[clarklink]

I used to go the first week of December, but this year we are staying at ASM and did not want to be there with Pop Warner teenagers so moved it so the week after Thanksgiving which is not only slow, but the free dining promotion was available that week. It is definitely worth the effort of going on a slow week. My daughter would love to experience the water parks too, but for $100 I can buy us both season passes to the local water one so we won't be doing that on a vacation that costs $500 a day. The colder weather just means I have one more reason to say no.