Which dates would you pick? 2019

[mshanson3121]

Our November trip was canceled. I wasn't going to go back due to the costs. And yet.... here I am. The kids really want to go back. DH has made it clear he has no desire to go back, but has no problem if I take the kids myself. Still has to be an extremely-uber budget trip. I would prefer to stay on site so there's no cooking and driving since I will be by myself, and the kids really want to stay at All Star Movies, but in order to do so I would need a lower rate and a room-only discount.

Low(ish) crowds are important to me, but a nice mix of manageable crowds and decent weather would be nice.

The dates I am considering:

January 26 - Feb 2 (crowd levels of 5-7)
April 27 - May 4 (crowd levels of 4-6)
September 3 - September 10 (too early obviously to know, but based on this year, crowd levels 1-3).

What would be your top pick?

 

[rg35]

Mid Jan - Mid Feb will probably be best as far as crowds go but the weather can be extremely variable (anywhere between 45-75 degrees). In late feb some school districts have presidents' day/winter breaks, so you'll see some busier days then.

In March/April you'll start hitting spring break weeks (which are extremely variable depending on the school district) so the crowds will be higher, but the weather will be better. So I guess you'll need to make a tradeoff over whether or not you want better weather or lower crowds.

 

[mshanson3121]

Bumping as I amended my original post

 

[Disneylover99]

Low(ish) crowds are important to me, but a nice mix of manageable crowds and decent weather would be nice.

The dates I am considering:

January 26 - Feb 2 (crowd levels of 5-7)
April 27 - May 4 (crowd levels of 4-6)
September 3 - September 10 (too early obviously to know, but based on this year, crowd levels 1-3).

What would be your top pick?

Based on what's important to you, April 27 - May 4 seems like the obvious answer.
Personally, I'd pick September for the Halloween party.

 

[StageTek]

What would be your top pick?

For manageable crowds and decent weather the April trip is my top pick.

 

[AllieBoo]

I would pick April. I was checking wait times on the app last week and it looked pretty slow and the weather looked great.

 

[PPFlight75]

Out of your dates, I agree with April. April usually has pretty nice weather. You can still swim and it’s not crazy hot. The F and G festival is fun; my kids enjoyed it.

 

[lorilori]

April. Easter is April 21 next year so you'd be arriving a full week after. We did that a few years ago and it was gorgeous weather and low*ish* crowds.

 

[lovin'fl]

Our November trip was canceled. I wasn't going to go back due to the costs. And yet.... here I am. The kids really want to go back. DH has made it clear he has no desire to go back, but has no problem if I take the kids myself. Still has to be an extremely-uber budget trip. I would prefer to stay on site so there's no cooking and driving since I will be by myself, and the kids really want to stay at All Star Movies, but in order to do so I would need a lower rate and a room-only discount.

Low(ish) crowds are important to me, but a nice mix of manageable crowds and decent weather would be nice.

The dates I am considering:

January 26 - Feb 2 (crowd levels of 5-7)
April 27 - May 4 (crowd levels of 4-6)
September 3 - September 10 (too early obviously to know, but based on this year, crowd levels 1-3).

What would be your top pick?

Jan can be cold. We went in Jan this year and then again the first week in March and both were cold and crowded.

The April week would be a nice mix. I'd pick this if school schedule is not a concern.

Sept would be low crowds but HOT HOT HOT. We have been in Aug and Sept and HOT!!!! Crowds...don't think anytime is 1-3 anymore. So maybe expect a 4-6.

 

[100AcreWood]

I agree with April. September is hot and humid. It also rains a lot.

 

[mamamelody2]

I would choose the April/May dates.

 

[mom2rtk]

You edited your OP. But originally it said this was part of the kids' Christmas. I think September is too long to wait for that. April/May is pretty long to wait as well. If it really is still their Christmas present, I would go as early in the year as possible. Most kids aren't very good at delayed gratification.

 

[mshanson3121]

You edited your OP. But originally it said this was part of the kids' Christmas. I think September is too long to wait for that. April/May is pretty long to wait as well. If it really is still their Christmas present, I would go as early in the year as possible. Most kids aren't very good at delayed gratification.

We won't do it as Christmas, but Easter instead.

 

[NinaBella]

Just be aware the weekend you listed for April/May is the Cheerleading Worlds. You mentioned staying in an All Star resort, so those will be full of athletes.
As far as swimming weather Apr/May would be best. September would be my second choice. I wouldn't go in Jan/Feb as the weather may be too cold to really enjoy the parks.

 

[mshanson3121]

Just be aware the weekend you listed for April/May is the Cheerleading Worlds. You mentioned staying in an All Star resort, so those will be full of athletes.
As far as swimming weather Apr/May would be best. September would be my second choice. I wouldn't go in Jan/Feb as the weather may be too cold to really enjoy the parks.

We're from Canada so... "Cold" in Florida January is really nothing to us lol. I'll take 45 in the rain anyday over -30! Though yes it would be nice to have better pool weather.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

We love the low crowds of early September. The heat isn't that bad if you plan accordingly. Rain, yeah that sucks but has never ruined our trip, even when Irma came to see us. Have fun!

 

[NinaBella]

We're from Canada so... "Cold" in Florida January is really nothing to us lol. I'll take 45 in the rain anyday over -30! Though yes it would be nice to have better pool weather.

Since walking outside in possible cold weather isn’t a deterrent, go in January. I predict that will be less crowded than April/May.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

Our lowest crowd trip ever was in late January 2014. Resort rates were low too. But it was very cold. Some days were a high of 45. I don't like that kind of weather so we haven't returned that time of year since. (By the way, it was 70 degrees the day we flew out LOL). But we hardly needed FP, literally. That was the only trip I ever had where I could describe most everything as a walk-on. Exception... meeting Anna and Elsa when they were newly opened for meets in Norway. My dad held my niece's place in line at RD for 5 hours. (at that time it was acceptable for one person to hold the spot because they barely had space for a line. Good Grandpa!)

We just returned from a trip 4/28-5/5. I thought the weather was gorgeous, high of mid-80's most days. Crowds were low, 2-3/10 most days per Touring Plans. I don't think hotel rates were at their lowest however, and do note that the cheerleading competitions are going on at this time and we saw them everywhere in the parks. I noticed them getting onto All Stars and Coronado Springs buses. I'd be a bit concerned about sharing a resort with them simply due to their sheer numbers. They were all very well-behaved and polite in the parks, from what we saw.

I also wonder how Easter being so late in the year will affect late April crowds? I am trying to determine when we will return in 2019 also... although we are going to do Universal next time...

 

[Inklight]

We've been on many early February trips there and have found it to be our favorite time of year to go. The crowds aren't that bad and Walt Disney World usually offers their Stay, Play & Dine package which makes it a very cost-effective time to go, too. The weather is nice ... meaning not too hot. Yes, it can get cold, but we try not to go in the middle of the hottest times.

 

[horse11]

Another vote for April/May trip. Just make sure your children do not have finals for school since most schools are wrapping things up then. I have three boys and we plan our trip around the second week of May. The weather is beautiful, the crowds are manageable since the kids are still in school, and an important reason for us..... The Flower and Garden at Epcot. My first family trip to Disney was with DH. He would get crabby because of the crowds and then the boys would feed off on his negativity. This trip I have asked my girl friend and her children to join us since her DH was the same as mine their first trip to Disney. If you have a friend with children you might want to see if they would be interested in coming along.