When to go...if you could go anytime...December Vs. February

[DUDE MAN]

I am looking for opinions on the best time to go for a family Disney trip. Our priorities are: 1) Lower crowd levels 2) Not too hot.
The time of year is not an issue for taking kids out of school, so with the summer being TOO HOT, what would be your choice of time
of year to go from September through May??

I am trying to convince my wife to go again...we went this past
October and had a great time. A bit crowded the first week of October this past year with the free dining, MNSSHP and Food and Wine Festival....

Updated topic to December Vs February:

Most of the replies have been for the 1st 2 weeks of December and the 1st 2 weeks of February. Those are the 2 times that I was leaning towards as well

So I am interested to hear from anyone with experience with these time frames, and any possible benefits/drawbacks with them...

Are there noticeable differences in the temperature or swimming possibilities between Dec and Feb? Looks like average temps for the 2 months are similar...

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[camillatin]

Gotta vote for early December - we went Dec 4-9 last year. Very low crowds (the longest wait we endured for ANYTHING was less than 15 minutes, if you use some planning and FastPasses), and nice cool weather. It's not the best if you're a water parks fan, since the weather is hit or miss whether or not it's warm enough to swim, but if that doesn't bother you, December is great. We went the first week, I've heard that the second week can be even better, crowdwise. And the Christmas decorations are beautiful. Plus it's value season, so prices are low - gotta love that!

 

[kat3668]

I have gone in both June and February and December and have to say February is in my opinion the best time to go (the first two weeks anyway)
Weather was a little nippy at times but it was perfect touring weather for me.
Had to wear a sweatshirt in the am but was able to take it off mid morning..
crowds were light and weather was perfect!

 

[ScoJo15]

I am partial to the end of September. No lines for anything...warm enough to still swim...everyone is in school....and it's before the halloween/thanksgiving/food&wine fest/christmas rush.

 

[Tale_as_old_as_time]

I saw on this show, that the least crowds are after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. I wish I could go then but,,, Schoool

BTW I was wandering what is MNSSHP? I most likely know just can't think right now. Thanks to who ever answers

 

[boxer]

I've gone early December and early February, and I'd say the 2nd week in Feb would be the best--------especially if weather is not a huge concern. I don't think we waited more than 10min for any ride, and we even lucked out on weather, having 70+ degree days w/no rain!

 

[phisigprincess]

BTW I was wandering what is MNSSHP? I most likely know just can't think right now. Thanks to who ever answers

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (and MVMCP is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party).

I'm partial to before Christmas, but I would love to get there in February too. Crowd levels are pretty low.

 

[ZoZo]

Have gone twice in October. Early October can still be quite hot (too hot, IMO) but late October was great! However, it's hurricane season (we were there for Hurricane Wilma last year). I like it to still be warm enough for shorts, but not too hot and humid.

(Plus the week before Halloween, you get the Food and Wine Festival and the Halloween party!)

 

[jesszac610]

I have to agree, I think early Feb is probably the best time to go though we have yet to go around christmas/Thanksgiving. Crowds were definatly low and the weather was perfect for park hopping!

 

[TnTsParty]

We have season annual passes so we are blacked out of the most popular (crowded) times (which is fine with us since the majority of the time is Summer and its too dang hot then anyway!!) So all of my trips in the past 2 years have been at less crowded times. My most favorite was early Dec because I love Christmas and the whole World is decorated beautifully. When we went last year it got a little crowded on the Saturday we were there but I think that was in part due to local crowds and also since it was the first day of Christmas break for schools, but the Thurs and Fri before weren't crowded, so for this year we are planning the first weekend of Dec (we normally only spend 3-4 days at a time due to we go so often) We went in Feb this year and it was a wonderful time (MGM was a little crowded the one time we went back over there but that was due to a cheerleading competition the night we went (should have known it was a bad idea to go there when the bus got full with a cheerleading group that thought the bus was their personal bus - and they got on at the stop after us!!!) But other than that there wasn't much wait for anything except Soarin in the evening. I think this is one of those rides you need to hit in the AM and/or get a fastpass early since they tend to run out and I refuse to wait 90 minutes for any ride - but we experienced that both on the Dec and the Feb trip with Soarin because we got there in the evening so other than that it wasn't a bad time to go.) I agree that Dec and Feb can still be a little chilly for swimming but I just had to try out the slide at Stormalong Bay and I was only going to do it once since I was dry but it was so much fun I had to run back up there like a little kid!! I was FREEZING but it was fun and memerable!!

Wow that got really long - but to summerize I think Dec and Feb are nice times to go. I also like early Oct so that you can catch the Food and Wine Festival and MNSSHP (which I am hoping to be able to take my neice to this year)

 

[DUDE MAN]

.....

 

[ton80]

Week before thanksgiving very low crowds and still warm enuff for the
waterparks. last year we were on TT and it was so Dead the Cm's
let us go 2x's on TT without getting off cOOL


Dixie landings 9/98 Honeymoon
All star sports 9/99
off site 05/01
Bwv 11/04
Akl 03/05
SSR 11/05
BCV 11/06

 

[airhead]

Twice in April,once in November and once in summer. We LOVED summer! I know its hot,but it was the best time! We were there from 6/28 to 7/10 and let me tell ya,there's no better time to be at WDW than the 4th of July!! our next trip will be in Summer!!

 

[rejobako]

I grew up on the southwest Florida gulf coast -- I don't mind heat. And I hate crowds. When I was a kid we always went to Disney in the early Fall when the parks were nearly empty and they were giving cheap hotel rooms away. From my own perspective, therefore, being in Disney in the sweltering humidity of early September makes me feel like a kid again. Nothing quite like the delicious sensation of walking out of a hot Florida afternoon into the gothic dark ice-cool Haunted Mansion.

 

[HACAM]

Went last year in February, the weather was cooler, shorts and sweatshirts...it was kinda funny because CM were wearing winter coats...we are from Canada, and to see this was quite funny for us! The crowds were not bad, most we waited for a ride may have been 10 minutes, often times could just stay on ride and go again if we wanted.

This year we went in March during Spring Break and it was busy, the weather was great though, very warm, mid to high 80's. We are going again this September, and we shall see.

I really liked February, the crowds were lighter, the weather still somewhat warm.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Anytime you are able to be at DW is good and every season has its advantages but we love right AFTER Thanksgiving.

The crowds are low.
The holiday decorations are up.
The weather is cooler and most of the time perfect.
There are usually more events and such as they are working their way up to the holidays.
Discounts are often available then so you can stay longer!

We have been almost every season and month there is and each trip has been unique and wonderful. Just like sitting in different areas for the rides and shows gives you a different perspective so does the time and weather of each trip.

I hope you pick the perfect time, for yourselves, and have a blast!

Slightly Goofy

 

[jann1033]

I really liked February, the crowds were lighter, the weather still somewhat warm.

do you remember any of the actual temps? we want to swim but not be hot so i am looking for between around 83 -76 temps. was wondering when it actually starts to warm up from Jan...like you can expect it not to maybe dip down to 50 or 60..and is Feb value season? right now we are planning ist week in Nov but husband is not sure if he can get that off as it is his busy time still so i am thinking of alternatives with similar temps and crowds if i have to change.

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

wow, that's a loaded question...i'd go all the time...lol

 

[HACAM]

February is not that warm, we went to the waterpark (BB) one day, it may have been 70..it was chilly..kids loved it though.

March was MUCH warmer...but the crowds were high.

Have fun!

 

[DUDE MAN]

Most of the replies have been for the 1st 2 weeks of December and the 1st 2 weeks of February. Those are the 2 times that I was leaning towards as well

So I am interested to hear from anyone with experience with these time frames, and any possible benefits/drawbacks with them...

Are there noticeable differences in the temperature or swimming possibilities between Dec and Feb? Looks like average temps for the 2 months are similar...

Thanks for the feedback!!