When should we go?

[camouseketeer]

My family (me, DH, DD3, DD2) want to visit WDW in 2006. It will be our first trip to WDW. We want to go when it's the best weather with smallest crowds (doesn't everyone). We've heard that early November and early December are good weather periods. Because of possible crowd issues in early November (Jersey Week, Vet Day, Super Soap Weekend), we're thinking of coming the first week in December.

A good friend and WDW expert thinks that going to WDW with the Christmas decorations up will be too overwhelming for us for our first visit. Her argument is there is so much to take in at WDW for the first time that adding Christmas elements on top of it will make it just too much for our first experience. She also added that there will be less daylight in Dec and shorter park hours. These will also detract from our first visit.

Do you agree? Should we go before Christmas decorations go up?

Would early November be better for our first trip? Because Thanksgiving is so early next year, there's not a lot of days between the crowds for Halloween and the crowds for THanksgiving. Does Jersey week and Vet day raise crowds a lot? (I've read that it may be crowded during that week this year.)

Is there a better time other than early November or early December?

Thanks for your help!

 

[stacy6552]

Are those the ages now or next year? Something to consider is nap requirements. If you will need naps, then I would consider going at a busier time when the parks are open late. When the parks close early, its harder to bring yourself to leave the parks for fear of not getting enough done before closing. We went in August our first trip. Yes it was H-O-T, but knowing everything was open L-A-T-E made it very easy to leave mid-day. One day we were meltdown down earlier and so we left no muss no fuss. If the parks had been closing at 6pm, we might have tried to ride out the "pain."

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I disagree. We took my sister and niece (3 at the time) a couple of years ago the first week of December. We all loved the decorations and I don't think they were too overwhelming - they just added to the spirit. My niece went bananas over the Christmas themed parade I think in part b/c they played Christmas music which she had learned at day care and really got into the songs. The only word of caution I would have would be the weather. It rained all day a couple of the days we were there and we had a hard time enjoying the parks. The weather at that time of year is really unpredictable but would we do it again - absolutely! We're expecting our first child next month and I'm already thinking of planning a Christmas trip for when she is 3. I say go for it!

 

[merfsko]

We've gone down to Disney four times, always in early January. The crowds aren't that bad, and we even have "walked" on to rides, inlcuding Spaceship earth and the Pirates of the Caribbean. The weather is usually warm, not sweltering but not freezing. Some days may need sweaters, but it's usually nice and great.
Hope I was of some help,
merfsko

 

[MumTo2Princesses]

we are going in mid-december specifically for the decorations. we had a few times to choose from and decided on christmas. we can't wait for the mvmcp as well. good luck with your decision.

 

[MrsPete]

We want to go when it's the best weather with smallest crowds (doesn't everyone).

Crowds, however, are not your only concern!

Yes, you'll find smaller crowds in the months you mentioned, but you'll also find that the parks close around 6 PM each evening. Fireworks will be offered 1-2 times per week. Parades and shows will be run once per day -- maybe.

Can your crew keep going all day from opening to closing? If so, it might be a good deal for you. My children still need a good mid-day break at the hotel (we always stay onsite, so this is easy).

On the other hand, if you go in the summer, the parks will stay open until midnight, which allows you to take a good long break in the hot middle of the day, then return for evening fun. Fireworks shows are offered twice each evening, which makes your planning simple. Disney's "extended hours" programs are always run in the summer: early mornings, E-ticket nights, the details vary, but something will be offered.

Crowds in the summer are managable IF you plan ahead. Consult the Unofficial Disney Guidebook's plans -- they're excellent. Be at the park gate when it opens, then plan for a mid-day break. This does take more effort, but we think it's worth it. We rarely wait more than 15 minutes for any particular ride, and we are sometimes able to walk onto rides. For example, my husband and daughter literally RAN out of Rock-and-Roll Roller Coaster and headed back into the entrance about 5-6 times, each time getting straight back on the coaster. How is this possible in the summer? Simple: they did it during the first showing of Fantasmic -- the crowds were busy piling into the theater. PLANNING, that's the key.