when would you go?

[saramick]

We have a few options for a disney trip around christmas...wondered if it would be best to go the week before christmas, week of christmas, week of new years, or like the first week in January--or is the weather so questionable then that it's better to go in March during a spring break?! Thanks for any help ;-) I'm going with 4 kids 8, 6, 3, and 6 mos (at that time...) if that helps with suggestions...

 

[lovetoscrap]

Because I am such a huge WDW fan my in laws have suggested several times that we spend Christmas there. My answer is always "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND????" Honestly I wouldn't be caught dead there the week before/of/right after Christmas. That is when attendance is at it's highest, lines are longer than you can imagine and the prices are sky high because it is "holiday" season. They even increase the prices for many of the meals. Sometimes the parks are so crowded they have had to close them due to capacity.

Spring Break is almost as bad. Again Disney raises prices during that time and you will find the parks to be very busy.

I would absolutely do the first week of Jan, right after New Year's. The prices drop drastically, you can usually find a good discount on top of that, and it will be much quieter. Weather can be iffy though, but even in March you may not want to swim or go to the water parks. It is most likely going to be long pants, short sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt weather. Cool in the morning, warmer in the afternoon, and cool at night. Of course this is all absolutely up to the whims of Mother Nature. We went the first week of Dec a few years ago and it was in the 90's all week-- even the locals were complaining of the heat. And I have been there in Feb when we needed winter coats, mittens and hats to stay warm.

I hate crowds. And I am cheap. I would always go with a time of lower attendance so that you don't end up spending most of your time in the parks standing in line, and you can get a lot more value for your money.

 

[Metro West]

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We have a few options for a disney trip around christmas...wondered if it would be best to go the week before christmas, week of christmas, week of new years, or like the first week in January--or is the weather so questionable then that it's better to go in March during a spring break?! Thanks for any help ;-) I'm going with 4 kids 8, 6, 3, and 6 mos (at that time...) if that helps with suggestions...

We also have 4 kids and actually the week before Christmas is a great time to go. We have been that week twice and the crowds were fairly low. As long as you are out of there by about the 22nd you will miss the totally insane crowds. The insane crowds will be there from about December 23 through Jan. 3. You couldn't pay me to go during that time frame- I just can't do capacity crowds, meaning the parks are known to literally close by lunch time because they are full. Spring Break crowds are going to be higher than the third week of December. Also, the third week of December is considerably cheaper than Spring Break rates. We have been able to get free dining on our last two December trips - saved us a fortune - and there were also a lot of room discounts during that time frame too.

As for weather, it could be 80 or it could be 40 - literally, we were there during the third week of December 2008 and it was 80 degrees everyday. We were there this past December and half of our days there the high was around 40 - we bundled up and still had a good time.

 

[David Stone]

I think you should choose a week before Christmas. Because Disney trip during this time is best. decorations are mind blowing during that period.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Because I am such a huge WDW fan my in laws have suggested several times that we spend Christmas there. My answer is always "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND????" Honestly I wouldn't be caught dead there the week before/of/right after Christmas. That is when attendance is at it's highest, lines are longer than you can imagine and the prices are sky high because it is "holiday" season. They even increase the prices for many of the meals. Sometimes the parks are so crowded they have had to close them due to capacity.

Spring Break is almost as bad. Again Disney raises prices during that time and you will find the parks to be very busy.

I would absolutely do the first week of Jan, right after New Year's. The prices drop drastically, you can usually find a good discount on top of that, and it will be much quieter. Weather can be iffy though, but even in March you may not want to swim or go to the water parks. It is most likely going to be long pants, short sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt weather. Cool in the morning, warmer in the afternoon, and cool at night. Of course this is all absolutely up to the whims of Mother Nature. We went the first week of Dec a few years ago and it was in the 90's all week-- even the locals were complaining of the heat. And I have been there in Feb when we needed winter coats, mittens and hats to stay warm.

I hate crowds. And I am cheap. I would always go with a time of lower attendance so that you don't end up spending most of your time in the parks standing in line, and you can get a lot more value for your money.

Top prices, too iffy weather and crowds out this world....others may like this time but not for us.....we were just there this past December, first week and crowds were manageable, prices still low but the weather was awful. We've ogged 44 trips to WDW and most of those trips were from August to November....we only go during value season and when a good discount is out. September/October are our prime times....enjoy the Halloween season better than Christmas just based on the weather....we go to Florida for the heat and the sun, we want to be able to use and enjoy the resort pool and soak up the warm air....crowds tend to be less but with the promotions Disney offers any more,, it's a toss up.....we're not foodies and never use the dining plans and really hate the whole idea of ADR's and advance schedules.....but if you must (only time you can go) I'd go the begining of December and get out before tha main holiday period, less people and lower prices.....January can just be too cold to spend alot of money on a Disney vacation.....I get enough of that living in northeast Ohio.....good luck!

 

[iSINGalong]

I've been down in the week before with my school several times to march in parades, one time it was so hot we had people falling out of line in our wool uniforms, the next time it was freezing! Weather is luck of the draw and being prepared.

And the past few posts have been right on the money crowds-wise. Expect ridiculous lines and the need for reservations EVERYWHERE! The best time to go around that time of year is right after Thanksgiving. The Christmas decorations are up, but the crowds are thin.

 

[kmk1180]

We have a few options for a disney trip around christmas...wondered if it would be best to go the week before christmas, week of christmas, week of new years, or like the first week in January--or is the weather so questionable then that it's better to go in March during a spring break?! Thanks for any help ;-) I'm going with 4 kids 8, 6, 3, and 6 mos (at that time...) if that helps with suggestions...

i'm guessing your new to Disney as well as the boards.
So I'm trying to be nice when I say...ARE YOUR CRAZY?!!!
Don't even think about going during xmas.
Especially if your new to it and have kids.

Even spring break can be crowded.

Now the first week of Jan would be great.
Just wait till a few days after new years and you should be fine.
Sure the weather isn't perfect but put a coat on and have fun.
Crowds will be light so it will be nice easy way to learn Disney without the massive lines you would see at Xmas.
And Jan the park closes earlier, like 7-8pm so it's great time for little one to stay and see Wishes without having to stay up late.

Have Fun.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I've been down in the week before with my school several times to march in parades, one time it was so hot we had people falling out of line in our wool uniforms, the next time it was freezing! Weather is luck of the draw and being prepared.

And the past few posts have been right on the money crowds-wise. Expect ridiculous lines and the need for reservations EVERYWHERE! The best time to go around that time of year is right after Thanksgiving. The Christmas decorations are up, but the crowds are thin.

The week before Christmas has low crowds. The crazy crowds don't start rolling in until around the 22nd or 23rd.

 

[kstrong001]

We've been gone a couple times the first week of January after catching a bowl game. Crowds drop off pretty quick after the 1st. You might get lucky to have a day in the pools if that's important, in can be pretty cool.