When to go - October or December

[TraceyL]

Well, we're definitely going next year - Saddam and Osama permitting !! Just have to decide when.

DH gets back in August - too hot for the girls!

Do we go in October and overlap it with half term so DD1 (will be 7 while we're there) doesn't miss too much school (she's year two next year), water parks still open etc..... ?

Or beginning of December - not as warm, two weeks out of school but we get to see the Christmas parades/ lights, DD2 will be 3 while we're there and we 'should' pay for park passes for her ?

Help.......

 

[WDWfan uk]

This is a hard one Tracey!!
I think that if you could go in December before the big crowds turn up ( and the prices are hiked up!!), then that would be a bonus as you could experience all the wonderful decs and lights etc. before the masses.
Before last year, people were reporting that October was getting much busier and it's difficult to guage if those numbers will return - we'll know that once October has arrived.
Another factor, as you mentioned, is the uncertain weather in December - was it December 2000/January 2001 that was SO cold? ( I remember Hilary's reports in which WDW sold out of rugs and warm clothing!!) but that varies - other years the weather has been warm ....... I think it depends how important swimming and the water parks are to you and your family.
I'm not really much help as I also find this a dilemma!!! Please tell us what you decide!

 

[athurstance]

The weather is much more unpredicable in December although you should be OK in the first two weeks. It tends to be Xmas week and into January that gets cooler.
October is busier but the weather is wonderful - not too hot and humid but perfect for swimming and touring the parks.
If you want to do more rides I'd go December and risk the weather. If you want to do more like swimming etc I'd go October. Tour early in the mornings and you'll miss the crowds and you can swim in the afternoon.

Angela

 

[raksha2]

Hi,

I have been to WDW twice both times it has been in October, our next planned trip is Oct '04, i cant say about Dec cos i havent been at that time of the year (yet)

Weather not as hot as June/July, it is hurricane season so there is always a slight risk, first time we found one, second time we didn't! It often rained in afternoon but only for a hour at most.
And its still warm when its raining.

The queues are shorter than in the summer and the bonus is americans celebrate Halloween in a big way, We usally miss the WDW halloween event, but we have done the universal event, this can be VERY scary for small children, but the big kids love it!(Especially my hubby!)
Mickeys not so scarey halloween adventure maybe more appropriate, but that is not until end of october.

Early october almost seems a lull, everyones gone home cos summers over, but no ones got there yet cos its too early for thanksgiving or new year.
MOHO

Hope some of this helps

Regards Raksha

 

[lisag1]

We went last year 26 Nov - 15th Dec and it was fantastic. Lovely weather, no queues, christmas decorations up. Our kids loved it and they are a similar age to yours. Also about buying tickets when we were supposed to go last year on Sept 13th it would've been my 2yo third birthday the following week. I rang up the travel agent and they told me not to worry as he was 3 after we arrived so we needn't bother buying tickets (we were buying 10 day world passes at the time. You'll also save a shed load of money if you go in November and avoid beeing fleeced for half term !!



Lisa