When to go? Planning way ahead :)

[WDW0906]

I'm seriously affected with SAD disorder and the obvious cure is to plan our next Disney trip! We're thinking of going late 2014 or early 2015 - DS turns 3 in Feb. so we want to go one more time before we have to pay for him. We're open to any time of the year, but it has to off-season with the lowest crowds and (hopefully) nice weather. The last time we went was late September which had great crowds but the weather was definitely hot.

Here are our options - opinions are welcome:

October - but does Epcot get too crowded with Food and Wine festival?
November - before or after Thanksgiving
December - definitely well before Christmas (never doing those crowds again!)
January - not MLK weekend
February - before Presidents' Day weekend

When do you think is the best time to go? DD will be 6 and DS almost 3.

Thanks!

 

[Chellymouse]

It really depends on what you would like to see and do. Oct is fabulous, we are heading back this Oct as is Nov and early Dec although the weather can be chilly at that time of year. Epcot really isn't that bad during F&W...on the weekends, the kiosks have a bit longer wait, otherwise it's really not impacted all that much. MNSSHP is awesome. Last time we went in Oct it was primarily in the 80's during the day and 60's at night. Perfect weather with perfect crowds. Late Nov/early Dec are amazing with all of the holiday decorations, parties and displays resort wide, also with fairly low crowds, but it can get chilly that time of year. I wouldn't recommend Jan/Feb primarily due to the fact that is does get chilly and many headlining attractions are down for rehab during this period of time.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

Out of those options I personally would choose October for F&W and Halloween decorations and not much risk of cold weather. DH and I both hate being cold.

When does your DS turn 3? Your signature says he is one so I would assume he turns 3 February 2014...you have to pay once they turn 3, it is only free for under 3. Just wanted to check that.

 

[WDW0906]

Thanks for the input! October does sound like a good time to go. September was still too hot but mid-end Oct. sounds promising, not to mention the Food and Wine festival for Mommy and Daddy

DS turns 3 Feb. of 2015 so if we go in Oct. of 2014 he'll still be 2.

How are the crowds in October?

 

[katt789]

I personally can't talk for Oct, but Dec was pretty good too, especially if you want to hit up any of the Christmas decorations/celebrations. You'll definitely need a sweater at night, but as long as you get there before the Christmas break, you'll avoid the crowds.
January is basically the same, crowds were pretty good this year, but it was a little colder than December for me.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We went in October 2011, and the crowds were very manageable. EPCOT was not busy at all on the day we went, but we planned our park days based on Easy WDW's recommendations, and avoided EPCOT on the weekends and attended during the week instead. The weather was perfect, too....not too cold and not too hot, and most of the humidity was gone (although it's FL, so there's always going to be humidity, I think).

"They" say if you do go in October to go mid-month or later, since school fall breaks tend to fall in early October and make the crowds a bit heavier. We went the 15th-23rd, and never waited longer than 15 minutes for any ride.

 

[tinkerbesh]

I know how debilitating SAD can be... and also how rejuvenating WDW is.

Don't know where you are from, but especially if you're from a colder climate, you might want to go whenever the weather is harshest in your home town. Even if it can be chilly in Nov/Dec/Jan at Disney, at least it will be nicer than the weather back home.

We usually go when it's hot- I really don't mind the heat- the more sunshine, the better! But we went once in Dec 2010 & it was soooo magical! Night times were chilly, days were moderate, and 1 time it rained a little. But I hardly noticed any unpleasant weather- was so distracted by the incredible holiday cheer that was everywhere!

Also went once in late Jan & it was great- weather in the high 70s / low 80s, and beautiful sunshine every day.

Check easywdw for more recommendations-- it's my fave place to check for crowd calendar & touring plan suggestions. Also has weather predictions for the whole year: http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/

Good luck!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Thanks for the input! October does sound like a good time to go. September was still too hot but mid-end Oct. sounds promising, not to mention the Food and Wine festival for Mommy and Daddy

DS turns 3 Feb. of 2015 so if we go in Oct. of 2014 he'll still be 2.

How are the crowds in October?

Okay, I'm not very good at Math....but according to my calculations, if your son turns three in Feb 2015, he was born this month?

 

[pepe of ohio]

We hate the summer months....because of crowds and never go around any holiday or break type times....we like low crowds and heat doesn't bother us because the resort pool is a big part of our vacation....all that said....

We've done the January/February trips.....weather is usually too cold, pools not heated that well for our use and don't want to base a trip on those iffy conditions.....same goes for November/December trips...

The best times for us, and we always go in value season...is the September/October time frame...crowds are quite low or better managed, room rates are at their lowest and most of all the weather is ideal, hot and the pools are refreshing....we shy away from the F&W, have no interest in that and you can still catch the MNSSHP in late September if interested....but like with everything Disney.....guests are catching on to the low crowd periods and crowds do tend to seep into our best times to go....not to bother or impact our Sept/Oct trips but the slack times are filling up....that's okay since the weather is hot and the resort pool is inviting to us......

 

[tofubeast]

Another rec. for October. The decorations, weather, and Food and Wine. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Plus if you son is 3 or 4 by then, you can do the Halloween party and he'd probably love it!

 

[Diegosmom]

Okay, I'm not very good at Math....but according to my calculations, if your son turns three in Feb 2015, he was born this month?

lol good point...I think she has her years confused...maybe she meant going in late 2013/early 2014...

We just got back from a Jan trip and it was very warm...I think 2 morning we started with a zip up but didnt last past the bus stop. And we swam every night except 1 (a little rainy and we were out late at dinner)...Crowds were good too...we had a great time and are planning our next trip for Jan/Feb 2013

 

[rwdavis2]

We are going the last full week before Thanksgiving this year. According to Touring Plans this week has historically averaged crowd levels of 2-5 out of 10 depedning on the day and park. Our main goal is to avoid crowds and lines.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Simply put, there is no ideal time to go to WDW that is a perfect mix of low crowds, ideal weather, and low pricing. You more or less have to pick which one of thsoe three is most important. Even then, it's a crap shoot. Basically everyone going to WDW wants what you are requesting.

ANY time of year, you can get storms and rain. Any time of year might have unexpected crowds.

This January has been quite the exception! This has been a La Nina year. I'm not sure what is expected in the future- see what NOAA says about future years - they are one of the best sources for long term weather info. They are the ones doing the research! (not you local weather guy!)

Disney has been doing this for 40 years- any time frame that offers the most ideal weather odds is going to have the highest prices and highest crowds. Also, low crowds are not a pancea when they do happen. Low crowds mean limited park hours, perhaps lots of rides in rehab, etc. Largely low crowds happen because THE WEATHER IS NOT IDEAL.

Of the times you list - October is probably the best, but yes, Epcot is going to have some crowds. Pricing is not super low, but it's also not super high.

Then again, moderate crowds don't really phase me all that much. I've been to WDW many times, including traditionally slow times - which aren't always that slow. I found it far from ideal. Disney has lots of what I'd call 'soft' attractions. Things like character greets, extended dining hours, tour guides in AK, and much more. If you go during a really slow time- you miss all those things. You might also find your favorite ride and resort pool slide in rehab, and far fewer staff! Limited park hours really limits how you can tour.

Still one more point to consider - the new Fantasyland attractions. When they open, they will likely bring visitors. however, if you go after they open - you will get to see them yourself. We don't know when things are going to open for certain. New attractions will draw crowds, but also new opportunities. You have to pick your choices.