WHEN to go??

[Allabtprincesses]

This is the board that I spend the most time browsing, so I'm hoping you can give me some advice. We are a family of 4, DH, myself, DD12 and DD 15. We do not go to Disney every year, we have been 3x as a family. Each time we went when my DD's had either 2 or 3 consecutive days off from school in a row (or they were young enough that it didn't matter) and which fell at less busy, less HOT times of the year. The first time was at the end of October, and the last two times were the week of MLK in January. We LOVED going then and my DD's only missed 2 or 3 days of school for a weeks vacation (we would go Sat-Sat). Long story short, our girls are older now and missing school is much more complicated. The amount of work they have to make up is crazy and on top of that, the school district we live in had taken away random days off and has instead given us full weeks off at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter...and that's it. The busiest, most crowded, most expensive times at WDW
So now we have to decide when to go as a family again, for what will probably be the last time before my oldest DD graduates from HS. I am not thrilled with any of our choices because of the expense, the crowds,or the heat. So I'm asking you...which would you choose? We can go in August before school starts here, probably the 15th-22 give or take a day, OR at Easter 2016, we would probably go March 19-26, Easter is on March 27. We are used to going with low crowds, warm days and cool nights. We have stayed in Windsor Hills and loved it, but are considering AoA for this trip. I HATE the heat and humidity of summer followed closely by crowds. We also won't be able to afford AofA if those weeks are expensive. So what would you choose? Would love to hear if maybe I am on taking something into consideration. Thanks in advance!!

 

[dminnie]

Following...

Ouch. I was hoping for Spring break 2016. But reading your post, I realized that our break will be the same week as Easter. It's usually a few weeks before Easter...Easter must be early next year! The rates at Christmas look really high. Do they ever have discounts then or is it in such high demand that they don't need to discount rooms? I don't think we'd like the crowds at either of those times and summer is out for us. It's just too hard to schedule in the summer with everything else going on all the time and we can't tolerate the heat/humidity in FL at that time of year. BTDT when we lived there.

 

[Pooh2]

We went on Thanksgiving week last year (booked less than a week before) and had a wonderful time.
Getting there at park opening allowed us to ride without lines for several hours. We booked fastpass for early afternoon rides and just walked around in the evening to watch parades/fireworks/have dinner.
We enjoyed seeing all the Christmas decorations.
We were able to get dinner reservations a week out but saw lots of walk-ups turned away so definitely book a meal for each day.
With a good touring plan, the week was very nice! Weather was great too!

 

[Marionnette]

This is the board that I spend the most time browsing, so I'm hoping you can give me some advice. We are a family of 4, DH, myself, DD12 and DD 15. We do not go to Disney every year, we have been 3x as a family. Each time we went when my DD's had either 2 or 3 consecutive days off from school in a row (or they were young enough that it didn't matter) and which fell at less busy, less HOT times of the year. The first time was at the end of October, and the last two times were the week of MLK in January. We LOVED going then and my DD's only missed 2 or 3 days of school for a weeks vacation (we would go Sat-Sat). Long story short, our girls are older now and missing school is much more complicated. The amount of work they have to make up is crazy and on top of that, the school district we live in had taken away random days off and has instead given us full weeks off at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter...and that's it. The busiest, most crowded, most expensive times at WDW
So now we have to decide when to go as a family again, for what will probably be the last time before my oldest DD graduates from HS. I am not thrilled with any of our choices because of the expense, the crowds,or the heat. So I'm asking you...which would you choose? We can go in August before school starts here, probably the 15th-22 give or take a day, OR at Easter 2016, we would probably go March 19-26, Easter is on March 27. We are used to going with low crowds, warm days and cool nights. We have stayed in Windsor Hills and loved it, but are considering AoA for this trip. I HATE the heat and humidity of summer followed closely by crowds. We also won't be able to afford AofA if those weeks are expensive. So what would you choose? Would love to hear if maybe I am on taking something into consideration. Thanks in advance!!

Unless your 15yo is on an accelerated path, my guess is that you still have a couple of years before college starts. In that case, Thanksgiving of this year or next would also be my choice. The weather is nice, parks hours are extended, the holiday decorations are up and the atmosphere is more festive. You will have to deal with crowds and there are not a lot of deals on rooms but if you use the UK orbitz or expedia website for reservations, you will probably find a deal (they don't celebrate Thanksgiving).

If Thanksgiving week is out of the running, then my second choice would be mid-August. The weather isn't great and the parks are not open as late but the crowds are lighter and discounts will definitely be available for rooms and packages.

 

[whatname]

I hear you! We are planning an August trip for 2015. We have only been 1 other time - in May. The weather was wonderful and the crowds low. I'm afraid August will ruin the magic for us, but I don't really have any other choice. I guess we will both keep our fingers crossed. I'm planning to follow the advice here - go early, take a break, etc. Good luck to you!

 

[cyneswith]

Living in GA/SC for the past 7 1/2 years, and being of Northern stock, I kind of avoid going anywhere outdoors in the southeast quadrant of the US during August. If school is not yet in session, it's still going to be fairly crowded.

Easter week is not going to have discounts, and it will be heavily crowded.

Is there a way to go the week after Easter? Such as leaving on Easter Sunday or the next day? (One way, you've got cheaper flights, the other making the most of WDW.) April in WDW is GORGEOUS.

Would putting it off one more year to save (vacation days and/or money) be a better option?

 

[AimKo]

We went the last week of August one year and it worked out very well. A lot of the Southern schools were already back in session... so the crowds were reasonable. AND the parks were open late. ..it was also a cheaper time of year to go than Spring break and holidays.

Sure it was hot, but we got plenty of use out of the pool. Our family touring style is to hit the parks hard early in the morning...tag out around early afternoon and go back to the resort for lunch, pool and rest...and then return in the evening for dinner.

I really liked going in August and would love to do it more often ...sadly its into my daughter's cheer season now and we just can't get away then anymore.

HTH

Aimee

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My choices would be early June (which you didn't list, so I assume not an option) or as late in August as possible.

BTW, we'd love to have as many breaks as you have. Only Christmas is a full week+ off for us.

 

[Zim]

I'm with the person who suggested the Thanksgiving week. I wouldn't go Spring Break or Summer unless it was free. But I have been around Turkey Day and generally the crowd drops significantly the day after Turkey day and Isn't all that awful before the day, or so I've heard. That'd be my week choice!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I would go the last week of August. I too do not do well in the heat. You just have to take it really slowly. Hit the park openings, and explain to your girls why this is a must. Or talk to other folks on this board about going in the early afternoon and staying into the evening. (We always do rope drop so I can't help with that.)

You should be able to get in a few of the headliners before the crowds begin to grow. Then you have to take it very slowly, resting in the air, and drinking to rehydrate. When you walk you need to "saunter."

Having lunch at a sit down restaurant in air conditioning really helps.

Enjoy your family time!