When to go? Opinions wanted

[ilikewarmhugs77]

We are a family of 4 (DD 7, DS 6) and I am in the midst of planning our next trip. We went in January- loved the weather, hated the RunDisney crowds. I am now thinking of either mid October or the first week of December. We would hit whatever Mickey party that would be going on (Halloween or Christmas). In terms of low crowds and mild/slightly chilly but not too rainy weather, which would you choose?

 

[Angel Ariel]

We are a family of 4 (DD 7, DS 6) and I am in the midst of planning our next trip. We went in January- loved the weather, hated the RunDisney crowds. I am now thinking of either mid October or the first week of December. We would hit whatever Mickey party that would be going on (Halloween or Christmas). In terms of low crowds and mild/slightly chilly but not too rainy weather, which would you choose?

Personally, I'd go for Halloween season if you haven't done it before. I love the decorations at Christmas, but MNSSHP is a lot better than MVMCP IMO

If you can avoid Columbus Day, crowds in October shouldn't be too bad either. Are you looking at 2015? We went the first week of Oct in 2013 (Oct 1st-8th)...the TOT 10 Miler was happening that year, and the runDisney crowds did increase on the weekend - BUT, they aren't running the TOT 10 Miler this year. Crowds will likely stay as light as they were when we experienced them Oct 1-4th but through the whole weekend too without the runDisney event being held.

 

[soar2014]

I'm glad you had good weather in January, sometimes it can be cold,,not cool but cold! October is the best time IMO. And MNSSHP is much better than MVMCP. The crowds are much better in October, beginning of November.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I like the last week in October and the first week of December. Either way you can't go wrong.

 

[Newsies]

October! The crowds aren't that bad and from what I've heard, MNSSHP is better than MVMCP in terms of entertainment, characters, and overall value for what you pay for. Have a great trip no matter what you choose

 

[wollydoodle]

We've been January 10-15, October 10-15, and December 13-21 within the past three years. My overall favorite was January for crowds and weather (we missed the Run Disney crowd but encountered some MLK crowds). October was good but busier and quite a bit warmer; one day was really hot! (Too hot for my taste.) We loved the MNSSHP. The parade is excellent! I think the first week of December is probably better than the second; our week wasn't bad but definitely busier than January and October. Weather was awesome! I love Christmas and the decorations, MVMCP, etc. were great, of course, but I don't feel the need to go back and do Christmas there anytime soon. I'd say go for October!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

October can be a great month to visit. The end of the month is better crowd wise, many school systems have their fall break mid month.

 

[staceyrhood]

Of your choices I would pick the first week of December...great crowds usually and its all decked out for Christmas! October used to be a great month to go, but over the past 7 years the 2nd and 3rd week are sooooo.... packed due to fall breaks.

 

[ilikewarmhugs77]

Thanks for your advice- looks like end of October is the time to go! DD will freak out- she's wanted to go to MNSSHP for such a long time.

 

[jimandami]

We have been twice during marathon week, the last week of October, and the first week of December. While I agree that Oct and Dec are good times to go and the parties are fun, the crowds during the marathon and the week after are significantly lower than those in both Oct and Dec, IMHO.