When to go and when to book?

[Bexx]

Which of these two months would be better for our trip - mainly crowd wise!

I have the choice between Oct 16th - 30th (in 2010) or Feb 13th - 27th (in2011). Our past two trips have been in February, but both times we were there for the first half of the month - this time we will be there over Presidents Day. We actually quite like the weather in February as it's not too hot - will October be considerably hotter? October now has the free dining variable to consider, which is of no benefit to us, but I'm assuming will mean more people in the parks. But October has the Food and Wine Festival, which I've never done. It's also much better value points wise which would be very nice, though not essential!!

And finally, once I've made a decision, what date can I start booking it from?!

TIA

 

[MouseMomx2]

We were there for President's Day week in 2006 and found the crowds to be much lighter than we expected. March and April school vacation weeks are much busier but February is fairly light.

But...if you have never done the F&W Festival I'd go with October. It's such a great experience. We've been bringing our kids since they were very young and I credit it with making them the adventurous eaters they are.

The bottom line is that both weeks are great choices but if it were my decision to make I'd go with October.

As for booking...you can book at your home resort 11 months in advance from your arrival date. Booking at a non-home resort is possible 7 months out from your arrival date. With both options you will be able to book for up to 7 nights on that first day. You will have to call back for nights 8+ as the booking window opens for them.

 

[Bexx]

Thank you for your reply MouseMomx2. I must admit that, despite enjoying our Feb visits, going in October could make a very pleasant change.

Thanks for the clarification on booking. So if it's now 11 or 7 months before the check-in date, that means I would ring to book the first week on Nov 16th or March 13th - is that correct? For my previous visits it was done on the old "day of check-out" system - which was made completely foolproof thanks to Caskbill's wonderful planner.

We've been bringing our kids since they were very young and I credit it with making them the adventurous eaters they are.

Sadly it's far too late to be of any benefit to my two darlings!!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Thank you for your reply MouseMomx2. I must admit that, despite enjoying our Feb visits, going in October could make a very pleasant change.

Thanks for the clarification on booking. So if it's now 11 or 7 months before the check-in date, that means I would ring to book the first week on Nov 16th or March 13th - is that correct? For my previous visits it was done on the old "day of check-out" system - which was made completely foolproof thanks to Caskbill's wonderful planner.

October will be more humid than February but we find it an acceptable trade-off for the F&W Festival.

Yes, you'll call 11 or 7 months out from your check in day, rather than the old system that used the check out day. You also can book for up to 7 days at that time.

Sadly it's far too late to be of any benefit to my two darlings!!

Ah...never say never!

 

[Bexx]

Anyone else have a preference between February and October?

 

[5forDiz]

Don't know if you & your family have ever done Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party; if not I'd pick October to attend that as well as Food & Wine Festival. Also, probably better weather for swimming during October vs February.

According to accuweather, for Orlando typical February temps are 74 high/51 low (63 average); October 85 high/66 low (75 average)

 

[CocosMeme]

We've been in both, and I have to disagree about the President's day crowds. It was a nightmare! I have never seen so many crowds at Disney. It is also the Daytona 500 week, so you have racing fans dumping their kids at DW. I have been in Feb. when it did not coincide with Pres. day and it was fine. October was great, and the Halloween party was the best! Just my little opinion!

 

[Bexx]

Just my little opinion!

All opinions welcome, thank you And thank you for the temperature information 5forDiz

I'm definitely keen to try an October visit, as it offers lots of things that we've never done before. And the girls would love to have more reliable swimming weather - even if it means the younger one will probably complain about being too hot for the rest of the time!!

Is this the first time they have offered free dining in October? If so , it will be interesting to see how much difference it makes to the crowd levels.

 

[VrBchJ]

Another vote for Oct. The Food and Wine festival alone makes it a top choice. Add to that the Halloween decorations and MNSSHP and Oct. is the hands down winner.

 

[CarolMN]

We've been during President's week several times in the past - when our daughter was young and she had a school vacation week at that time. My advice is to avoid that week if at all possible! It can be done, but think "stroller gridlock" if you go to the MK on President's weekend. In 2011, that will be 2/18 - 2/21.

No dates in October will be as crowded as Present's weekend. Weather is better and as others have noted, MNSSHP and EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival are happening. IMHO, your October dates are a much better choice than your February dates.

 

[AnnaS]

Are the dates out yet for next year's Foof and Wine Festival - I thought I read somewhere that they were.