Which Month is Best: Dec., Jan., Feb., or March?

[have2getaway]

We are planning a trip for next year, either late 2018 or early 2019. We went to Disney and stayed at the Poly last Jan 6-13. We had a great time. We are from upstate NY. It was cold the first couple of days, but we were still comfortable, and crowds were very low, by the end of the week, it almost seemed too hot for us. We were considering the exact same thing for this year, but we’re considering trying a different month to mix it up. Just wondering what is the best month/week in terms of cost, crowds, & weather (in that order). We are considering the 2nd week in Dec. or the 2nd week in Jan.; any week in Feb. (ideally Presidents week), or any week in March?

 

[Moliphino]

The second week in December is my favorite (I'm actually leaving this Friday for Disney ). You get all the Christmas stuff, crowds are fairly low, weather is usually decent. Free dining is usually offered during this time, too, though it gets harder to book every year.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

March is spring break crowds and pricing. I would also avoid Presidents Day week because of the Princess Half, pricing and crowd.

Also, check when Mardi gras is.

 

[Miffy]

As far as cost goes, check out here: https://www.mousesavers.com/2018-disney-world-room-rates-season-dates/
which lists the room rates at all the WDW resorts.

If you go in January and your visit coincides with MLK, at least part of your trip will be more expensive than other parts, because of the holiday. But that's probably the least-expensive of the times of year you're looking at. Presidents Week is, as you'll see from the chart, from from cheap. The rates in March vary, depending on when you'd go.

Crowds: Probably lowest the second week of January, although there's no such thing as "low" season anymore.

Weather: March wins that contest. Gorgeous weather in March. I had a perfect trip there this past March (end of 1st week)--slight rainstorm on departure day, but it was truly perfect the rest of the time. The worst weather I ever experienced at WDW (caveat: I've never been there in hurricane season) was in February. Cold, rainy, miserable, cloudy, and zero sun for an entire week. It's not always like that in February, but it was that year.

I used to go in January or February all the time, then for a couple of years running, several rides I really like were being refurbed in Jan/Feb. It's a very popular time of year for WDW to do their refurbs. Of course there can be refurbs anytime, but 2 years in a row with no Kali was it for me. We switched to March.

The wonderful thing about December is all the Xmas decorations. I mean, the castle itself is reason enough to go then.

But, you know, it's Disney. There is no bad time to go.

If costs and crowds are the biggest thing for you, go in January, but try to avoid MLK and the marathon.

HTH!

 

[sponica]

My ultimate favorite week is last week in January/first week of February. I've been in March and it was miserable a good chunk of the trip (like 50 degrees/rainy miserable). Of the weeks you've listed, I'd pick the second week in January (assuming it's before MLK) or the first week in february. I think the weather is amazing, crowds are manageable (you do run the risk of refurbs) and costwise it's a lower cost season. Most K-12 schools in the northeast are on winter break either presidents day week or the following week, so I would avoid the last 2 weeks in February because if you don't ski your mission that week is to get your family out of the northeast...

 

[have2getaway]

Most K-12 schools in the northeast are on winter break either presidents day week or the following week, so I would avoid the last 2 weeks in February because if you don't ski your mission that week is to get your family out of the northeast...

I have been checking air fare costs for President’s week this year, and I see what you mean. The airfare costs are double over the February break week versus the other times we are considering.

 

[sponica]

I have been checking air fare costs for President’s week this year, and I see what you mean. The airfare costs are double over the February break week versus the other times we are considering.

Coming from a family of teachers (and being a non-teacher) my first criteria for timing any vacation: are my mom and sister working? if they are working, yes go away then. If they're off...nope not going away if I can help it.

 

[have2getaway]

Coming from a family of teachers (and being a non-teacher) my first criteria for timing any vacation: are my mom and sister working? if they are working, yes go away then. If they're off...nope not going away if I can help it.

Good advice! My sister is a teacher as well, and I have found this to be very accurate. Our older son is a Sophomore in high school and has told us he isn’t missing school to go and doesn’t want to go over any breaks. He is basically no longer interested in Disney and plans to stay with his Grandparents when we’re gone. The younger three we are taking are triplet boys, age 8, and we found it actually benefitted them to go away and be social and unplug for a week. It is easier to miss school at this age, and I think it would be miserable to take them during any of the breaks.

 

[Miffy]

My ultimate favorite week is last week in January/first week of February. I've been in March and it was miserable a good chunk of the trip (like 50 degrees/rainy miserable). Of the weeks you've listed, I'd pick the second week in January (assuming it's before MLK) or the first week in february. I think the weather is amazing, crowds are manageable (you do run the risk of refurbs) and costwise it's a lower cost season. Most K-12 schools in the northeast are on winter break either presidents day week or the following week, so I would avoid the last 2 weeks in February because if you don't ski your mission that week is to get your family out of the northeast...

You must have been at WDW in February a different year than I was!! That was the absolute worst weather week I've ever had there! An example of how fickle the weather in Florida is.

 

[Wild4Walt]

We did end of February and it was wonderful! Weather was great ( about 70 degrees ) and crowd levels were low.

 

[CynBeth]

I would go with early Dec for the holiday stuff.

 

[have2getaway]

What about the week before Christmas? Is it as busy then as the week after? I was thinking the 15th to the 22nd? That way, the kids would be starting Christmas break when we get home and have some down time before going back to school. The work load at school right before break is usually less as well. Is it hard, though, to go before and not after Christmas?

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have been all of those months and March had the best weather but was much more expensive than the other months. Not only was the room more expensive, but so was the airfare. December was still nice weather and we went early in the month, before the rates went up for the holiday. January was the least crowded but we almost always got cold weather. February trips have had both nice, warm weather and cold, miserable, rainy weather.

The beginning of December is our favorite because of the Christmas decorations and extra activities.

 

[Jen4400]

We went last February and really enjoyed it. The crowds were not bad and the weather was nice, but bordered on hot (we are from Minnesota, so it was hot to us). If I remember correct, there was a week or two before we arrived that the temps were quite chilly. We really like that time of year, during weeks where there are no events, because of the lower crowds.

 

[Miffy]

What about the week before Christmas? Is it as busy then as the week after? I was thinking the 15th to the 22nd? That way, the kids would be starting Christmas break when we get home and have some down time before going back to school. The work load at school right before break is usually less as well. Is it hard, though, to go before and not after Christmas?

I can't say about the crowds, since I've never been the week after, but the crowds aren't that bad. With FP+s and planning, you'd be fine. But in terms of cost (which your original post mentions), that week is not at all inexpensive.

 

[Shanti]

The midwinter weather in Orlando is highly variable. We've encountered both idyllic, pleasantly cool & clear weather, and bitterly cold days with biting winds (freezing temps with wind chill factored in), over the course of our January & February visits.

There are no reliably low crowd times anymore. None. That ship has sailed. Whenever you go, you will need FastPasses to ride the top-tier rides without long waits, and the physical crowding of fireworks displays will be an issue.

That being said, mid-January to early February has relatively lower crowds than fall or spring. December and March will both get more visitors, all during their respective months, than will the weeks from mid-January through early February.

Given your prospective weeks, the best one for crowds will likely be the 2nd in January, while the second week of December or the first week of March would likely have the best weather. December will be the most expensive month if you stay onsite. Prices follow crowds.

 

[greenmom2b]

The weather in Florida is so different week to week in "winter" months.
We've been in December the last week of year two times now and in middle week of March. Granted we loved the decorations at holiday time but Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot in March was amazing!!!! We just loved that week. It did get hot quickly like 80 but no rain. Even the CMs joked that there was no "spring" in Florida. In December the CMs were in parkas at 50s & 60s and it was rainy damp chilly but still warmer than at home by far where it was in the teens. We have also been in May and June 90s but the heat is too much for us and it's not even summer. As chilly as last week of December was last year, it was warm enough to swim 70s the year before in that same week. So you never know with weather. But you'll have great time cause you're at Disney!!!

 

[sponica]

You must have been at WDW in February a different year than I was!! That was the absolute worst weather week I've ever had there! An example of how fickle the weather in Florida is.

Eh weather's fickle everywhere, I've had it snow on my senior prom which was in May but also have worn shorts to Christmas Eve dinner....I give up trying to find stable east coast weather

 

[Moliphino]

Given your prospective weeks, the best one for crowds will likely be the 2nd in January, while the second week of December or the first week of March would likely have the best weather. December will be the most expensive month if you stay onsite. Prices follow crowds.

Early December prices are not high. Around Christmas is peak, but the first two weeks get some discounts (free dining, room only).

 

[Shanti]

Early December prices are not high. Around Christmas is peak, but the first two weeks get some discounts (free dining, room only).

The prices throughout all of December are higher than prices in mid-January through early February. They are much higher than midsummer prices, as well.