When to go - July, December, or March?

[fuzzybear]

Experts, I need your help!
I know all three of these times are among the worst times to visit Disney, but going to school trumps going to Disney in my husband's eyes so these are our only available dates. We can go July 19-26 (yes, I know it is next week), December 28-January 3, or March 19-26. We always arrive before rope drop and we don't care about ADRs. Which of these three options would be the least painful crowd-wise? Thanks!

 

[Sytrace]

I would choose December 28th to January 3rd for many reasons.
1. The decorations, parades and special events at the parks and the hotels are fantastic
2. The weather is wonderful in December. July is like walking into a furnace with all your clothes on plus 2 heavy coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Trust me, waiting in line for an hour of two for the Snow White Mine train in July is horrible. The same wait in December is somehow okay.
March is okay, but it is starting to get warm (translation, we are heading into Summer in March)

I hope this helps. I homeschool my kids, but they were in public school for 6 and 7 years and I remember booking vacations around school which is of course what everyone has to do.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Moved to the Theme Parks Forum.

 

[marinejjh]

Experts, I need your help!
I know all three of these times are among the worst times to visit Disney, but going to school trumps going to Disney in my husband's eyes so these are our only available dates. We can go July 19-26 (yes, I know it is next week), December 28-January 3, or March 19-26. We always arrive before rope drop and we don't care about ADRs. Which of these three options would be the least painful crowd-wise? Thanks!

Probably the march dates, July will be crazy hot and December will be very busy with vacations.

 

[LifeTheDisneyWay14]

Definitely December or March, then you'll have perfect weather! December is a bit busier, but all the beautiful Christmas decorations are up (and there are great Christmas/holiday shows, too). If you're going in March, try not to end up there over popular spring break weeks!

 

[brazzledazzler]

July in Orlando is be fierce! The heat and humidity are rough in the morning. Also, crowds are at their peak. March or Dec-Jan dates will probably be your best bet. The Dec-Jan ones will be lovely with the holiday decorations and events! My DH and I are going in Dec just to see the holiday decor! Have a fun trip!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Hmmmm. Somehow this never got moved. NOW it is moved to the Theme Parks Forum.

 

[sharonabe]

If you've never seen Disney at Christmas, then I might choose those dates. Just know it is going to be crazy crowded and New Year's Eve will be wacky.

Of the three, your best bet crowd-wise will be the March dates. There will be some spring breakers, but spring break is so varied across the nation, it affects all spring. That week is the pre-Easter week for 2016, but I think more people have the week after Easter off than the week before. The end of your trip will definitely get more crowded.

 

[tink9702]

I HATED New Years at Disney the one time I did it so I'd never choose the Dec-Jan dates. Personally I think March is when I'd go as long as it wasn't Easter week.

 

[Madame]

You're running into Easter week-end in March. Personally if you don't care about ADRs I'd pick next week as long as the heat doesn't bother you.

 

[MomofKatie]

None of your dates are good, crowd-wise. July is HOT and HUMID, so that would make it least desirable for me. If you have never seen Christmas decorations and activities at WDW (and you like the holidays), it might be the best time to go. Just pack your patience and sense of humor, and you will be fine. Plan your days, make your FPs, maybe set up a few ADRs just to have a nice break from lines. March is the week leading up to Easter, so it will be just as busy as Christmas, but without all the special decorations and activities- that makes December more desirable, IMO.