When would you go?

[brandip22]

OK, well our first trip home will be sometime next eyar, but we can't decide when. We have a sone who'll be 3 in August, me and DH. Now, I would like to take my niece b/c she'll never get to go otherwise and she's almost 10 now. THat'd be the best present I could ever giver her. But, her mom won't take her out of school for a trip to WDW, so we won't be able to go in the "less crowded" times. I'll need to be at least April or later so I can save to afford to take her, too. Here's our options:

anytime during these dates in 2005

April 2-10th (Spring break)
May 27th- August 17th (Sumemr break)
Thanksgiving week
December 18-Jan 2, 2006.


What do you all think? DS will have much more fun w/her, so I REALLy want to find a way. I know all of these times are typically crowded, but what would you suggest? I'm thinking as soon as school gets out???

 

[spiceycat]

you have a week before Christmas starts - that is when I would go - or Thanksgiving week (which can be very crowded)

the problem with your May dates are the first weekend in June is generally gay days. but if you are gone before then - not a problem and a great time to go (again can be crowded)

lots of my friends are gays that is the not the problem - the language that is used is definitely a problem.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

I'd go before Xmas!!!! I did just this month & it was great. We didn't worry about doing a Christmas @ home. BTW, I went 17th to 20th. Crowds were not bad @ all, but pack a sweater or two just in case.

Allison

 

[brandip22]

Well, I had originally planned to go the week after T'Giving in order to see all the Christmas stuff, so that would be a good time for us. Does it get at all warm enough to swim during the day? Thanks

 

[lllovell]

Sadly, I think that language is a problem no matter where you are in public these days.

I have been during all of those times. Here is my 2 cents worth.

In April, it will be busy with spring breakers, etc (we are going the first week of April) but the weather should be very nice. Take time to use the pools and other facilities (even some quiet rest time for your younger one while your niece goes and plays video games or swims, etc) during the heat of the day and you will be able to enjoy the later in the day activities with renewed spirits!

Summer months. Early on they are not AS bad crowd wise (the first couple of weeks of June are still considered less than peak I believe) but no matter when you go, the later you wait into summer, obviously the hotter it is (and it is hotter than you can imagine). I didn't think it would matter when we went for my niece's 3rd birthday last July, but we were miserable, even my 2 and 4 year old that LOVE Disney. Its just hot, but if you are a fast pass user (dooooo be a fast pass user) and you plan your day a bit (getting up early to get in the parks while most are still at the hotels, etc) you will enjoy it!

Thanksgiving week and Christmas break. I have not been there BEFORE Thanksgivings but I understand that it can be rather crowded. The drawback from this week that I see (and it would apply to the December school break as well) is twofold. Unlike spring breaks which are spread out, these two breaks are the same for virtually all school age children. They ARE busy, but the parks are beautiful and I would take crowds and December any time (we went this year the weekend after Thanksgiving - arriving on Friday and it was busy, but not terrible - had a wonderful trip). Second issue is that your child will be 3 at that point and will require a ticket. If you are looking to save money, or have money left over to spend on other things while on vacation, I would take this into account in your planning. Once he is 3, he has to have a pass.

My vote would be for spring break. Go knowing there will be crowds and use all the tips you can get here to beat the system It will be fantastic during any month, but I somehow think this one is the best. If she could be taken out of school, I would vote for Feb, March or Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec - away from the holidays, but it wont matter to her as long as you go in knowing how to handle the crowds.

Good luck!

 

[lllovell]

Well, I had originally planned to go the week after T'Giving in order to see all the Christmas stuff, so that would be a good time for us. Does it get at all warm enough to swim during the day? Thanks

The weather varies badly that time of year. We went in Oct and about froze with two determined children that wanted to play in the pools lol

 

[timC]

We're kinda in the same boat as you. We've got 2 kiddos, both in school...and I refuse to take them out of school... so we're stuck with the school holiday schedule.

Our kids get out the last week of May, so we typically go the first week of June. The points are a little lower than the middle of summer. And because many school districts don't finish up until june, the parks are slightly less crowded.

Another idea would be thanksgiving...Again, for most of the week, the points are low, and the x-mas decoration will be out. However, that week tends to be quite busy. As far as swimming goes.. you'll usually get a couple of days where the weather is warm enough for swimming... but don't expect to be swimming every day.

Spiceycat... we often run into gay pride weekend. We've never had any issues, although we do make a point of avoiding MK on Saturday... and I leave my red tee-shirts at home

 

[tjkraz]

Strictly on the basis of crowds, I've always heard that August is a fairly slow time at WDW. If you were to go just before summer break ended, you'd probably see the crowds diminishing further as the trip progressed.

December is a good time to visit, too, but if you arrive on the 18th, you'll see the crowds steadily increasing the longer you stay. Depending on the trip length you have planned, you'll also need to decide whether you want to be away from family on Christmas Eve / Christmas Day.

August weather is hot and humid with a high potential for rain (most days have at least a 30-minute afternoon shower due to the humidity.) Late-December weather ranges from the 50s to 70s during the day, and the 30s-40s at night. So, also consider your tolerance for the different degrees in temps. In August you'll be able to swim daily, but we just returned from a week-long December trip in which there was really only one day suitable for swimming (and even then our little one's teeth were chattering the whole time.)

 

[loribell]

I would go as early as school gets out as possible. We will be at WDW May 27 - 29, VB May 30 - June 3 and back to WDW/Universal June 4 - 12. Just an FYI,Gays Days is around June 1 -6. So plan accordingly for that. It can make for some very large crowds, especially at the MK on the 4th.

I have also been over the 4th of July holiday and have really enjoyed it as well. The fireworks are amazing on the 4th.

The thing to remember is that the later in the summer you go the hotter it will be and the bigger the crowds will be.

Have a great trip with your niece. And your right, there is no better gift you could give her.

Lori

 

[dianeschlicht]

With those vacation dates, I would choose December. I would do the week prior to Christmas because the crowds are not horrible, and going home the 23 or 24 would be great. I LOVE that time of year at WDW!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I would go in April. First, because it is the soonest! 2nd the weather is very nice (the week before christmas would be my next choice, but weather varies alot - we froze that week in 2003). Of course availability may play into your decision too.