When to go, when to go...opinions, please!

[melk]

We would like to plan a visit in 2009 (we're not going this year ). Our first plan was to go over April vacation next year (3rd week in April??). But the possible airfare prices are scaring me. I checked JetBlue and we could get a pretty decent price in mid-January.

April trip-pros: Kids wouldn't miss school, weather ideal
Cons: Possible outrageous airfare (but I'm thinking we could drive if it came down to it), crowds

January trip-pros: Good airfare, low crowds
Cons: Weather unpredictable, kids would miss some school(thinking 4 days), nervous about possible snowstorm here in Northeast (delaying or even cancelling flights)

So please tell me, what would you do????

Thanks!

 

[RumpleMom]

We have been at WDW the last 4 years in January over Marathon Weekend. We have been lucky enough to have been in the pool every year. I make a schedule that everyone understands will change when we get there, so we can get in our pool time. This means, if it is swimming weather, then I cancel ADR and we enjoy the sun. Now the weather wasn't warm enough for swimming every day of our week, but we have always had some pool time, just be flexible and make it a priority.

The marathon crowd had very little effect on park crowds, except PI Sunday night crowded, but manageable.

 

[hockey_chauffeur]

January is great although can be slightly cool for pools. It is my favorite time to see WDW as the humidity is low. Just stay away from MLK weekend. Downside, the parks may not be open as early/late as during more crowded April. We went for years when the kids were young enough to miss school but now that they are in High School and Middle school we are stuck with April vacation which I find very hot, humid and crowded. If you go in April plan for lots of pool time and don't expect to get as much done as you would in January

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the decorations are up and the park is DEAD!

 

[makthompson]

there are pro's and con's with either time you go.

Jan, Feb --could be too cold for the pool, parks probably close earlier so make sure you check the hours before you make your decision. Also that is the time of year they try and do most of their refurbishments so see if you can find out what rides will be closed for this. that is one thing we check on every year.

April --- Spring break will probably be real crowded, however you can get fastpasses for most of the attractions. would probably be nicer weather. if

as far as the plane tickets go, sometimes you can find last minute or book in 14 days deals. if you are close enough to drive you can do that too. we like to fly, however for us it's 2.5 hours to the airport, then get there 2 hours ahead of time(with 2 small children), then 3 hour flight, then 1hr to get your luggage and find where you need to be. then drive to hotel. so it's 8.5 hrs for us give or take. 15 hour drive. when i could get tickets for 800 + 18.00 per day parking for 4 of us we fly. if it's more than that we drive. i dont know how close you are to there.

Hope this was helpful

 

[melk]

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the decorations are up and the park is DEAD!

December would be a good time of year to go, but we want to stay at VWL, and no doubt I've missed my 11-month mark and couldn't get anything there!

 

[Cee]

We usually go in Dec. but have been in January and I would say to go that
month if April is your only other option. What's 4 days of school in the grand
scheme of things?

 

[melk]

We usually go in Dec. but have been in January and I would say to go that
month if April is your only other option. What's 4 days of school in the grand
scheme of things?

I think you're right. In fact I checked their school schedule and one of those days is a half-day, so I think that may be the deciding factor.

 

[trudis]

Hope this helps but we've always visited in April until last year when we visited May 17th-31st & it was great
Our 2 daughters were 15 & 12 and missed a week off school but we thought it was worth it(we do live in the UK so this might not help you!)
The weather was great, we could use the pools/water rides, little or no refurbishments going on and queues not a problem either
We were worried when we found out we were going to be there for Memorial Day but even then crowds not a problem.
The only downside was it was Lovebug time!!!
I guess it depends what you are want weatherwise etc but I can recommend April too.....really jealous wish it was us, have a fantastic time
Trudi

 

[DisDaydreamer]

If your kids are going ok in school go in January. It's no big deal to make-up work if you work with the teachers.