When to Visit

[DisPhanatic]

Good morning,

I am a frequent WDW visitor - I've taken 5 trips in the past few years with my kids. We've visited in November (twice), October, April, and September. We did a quick visit to Universal on both November trips in 2014 and 2015.

This time around the kids are interested in skipping Disney (we are looking forward to 2017). They want to stay for a full week at Universal and take day trips to Discovery Cove, Sea World, and a water park (suggestions here??). Since swimming is a key part, I want to avoid November. This leaves me with the choice of May, September, or October due to school schedules and wanting to avoid the summer months. What would you recommend for lower crowds and good weather?

I am leaning toward October but I have some concerns about the Horror Nights in Universal. Would they affect the crowds? Are the park hours noticeably shorter if you aren't interested in the special ticket nights? Do the parks during the day have gorier displays or are they more frightening?

I have some ticket questions too but I will save those for another post.

Thanks!
DisPhanatic (and working on my Universal skills!)

 

[damo]

September is still nice and hot and the crowds are low. Early May is similar but in May you start to get school groups. I would avoid October.

 

[schumigirl]

As far as HHN is concerned, Studios will close at 5pm on nights the event is on. There is a calendar you can check the dates.

Crowds build somewhat late afternoon particularly the Studios on these days as there is an option for staying in the parks before regular horror nights begin. You will be ushered out if you don't have a horror nights ticket.

IOA will be open till 7 or 8pm on horror nights.

You do see props during the day, larger ones that can't be covered, but they are in no way scary or gory.

September/October is when I would choose to go.........we go that time every year and weather is hot!!! Crowds can be lower.......some days are busier than others.

Are you planning to stay onsite? Staying at Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific and Hard Rock will get you unlimited EP for your stay and Early Entry.......staying at Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay will only give you EE.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Out of your choices, I would go for May (if early in the month was a possibility). We have been in Orlando in January, May, August, October and December, and by far our favourite weather was in early May. September (and even in October) can be super, sticky humid. The first week of May last year was simply GLORIOUS.

Your Discovery Cove day will come with tickets to both SeaWorld and Aquatica (SeaWorld's waterpark), both of which will grant you 14 consecutive days admission to each park. If you are looking for waterpark suggestions, this would be my #1 .... its an absolute blast! Coming in at #2 would be Typhoon Lagoon. We were not fans of Blizzard Beach....too much concrete and the fake snow theme was a turn off for us northerners. We retreat to Florida to get AWAY from the winter. Within the 30 days before your trip, you can also add on a 14 day parking pass which will be good for both SeaWorld and Aquatica. If you are planing on visiting both parks multiple times, the $30 pass is a great bargain.

There is very little HHN decor visible in the parks during the day. What is left out is not gory by any stretch...things like a police car (no lights/sirens on), a small ambulance off to the side, a few pumpkin men.