Which Month?

[happymom2one]

Need help Please!! We are planning on going to Disney next year and trying to figure out when the best possible time to go for us. We will be staying a week. My first thought was to do the last week in September as they say (I know, LOL) that it is the slowest time but it is HOT and HUMID! I worry about the heat as I am not the best in that weather but of course lower crowds make me wonder if I could do it. I have been reading a ton since we have decided to go and people have said plan on not being in the parks from 12 to 5? that is a lot of time not being in the parks.

SO my question is do we try for last week in September, later in October or do we go the first week of November? I am taking my kids out of school (yes they are excelling in school or I wouldn't be doing this). We only get to go every 5ish years so I need to get the most bang for my buck when it comes to time in the parks. I have read off the crowd calendars that September is around a 4 but if I go in October or November they are 6 or 7. Is there that much a difference? What does that mean in crowds between the two?

 

[siren0119]

End of October will be busy as it's the lead in to Halloween and lots of people come for the last few MNNSHP parties and to see the changeover from Halloween to Christmas at MK. Plus you're talking about October/November 2021 - which is the 50th anniversary of Magic Kingdom. The crowds next year are likely going to be higher than normal because of that. That is probably why the difference in crowd levels between Sept and Oct/Nov.

That said, different websites determine crowd calendars in different ways. At the end of the day they're more of a guideline, I get a decent picture of what crowds are expected to be by looking at a few different websites and comparing what they predict. There's not really a time of year anymore when the parks are without crowds, it's just that sometimes they are more oppressive than others.

 

[happymom2one]

Plus you're talking about October/November 2021 - which is the 50th anniversary of Magic Kingdom. The crowds next year are likely going to be higher than normal because of that. That is probably why the difference in crowd levels between Sept and Oct/Nov.

Thanks for the quick response! We are thinking 2020 not 2021. Does that make a difference? yep, trying anything to make it better if you can't tell!

 

[kwdw]

I was there LAST week - so third week of September. I enjoyed the fact that I thought the crowds were the lightest I had seen in awhile. And definitely fewer (but still plenty) of school-age kids. The lower proportion of kids was definitely noticeable to me! Lots of couples! In general, late October and early November will have higher crowds.

I was worried about the heat, too. I faced three afternoons of temperatures in the low 90's. I planned for this in advance. 1) While I prefer tops with sleeves, I wore tank tops on the extra hot days (with plenty of sunscreen!) despite my dislike of having to keep applying sunscreen. And I wore shorts of lighter material. 2) I planned things that were indoors for the peak heat (2-5 pm). For example - PeopleMover, CoP, Laugh Floor, Buzz at MK. Or - AK late lunch at Pizzafari, followed by FP for FOTLK, then FP Safari, then a trip to Starbucks. 3) I did early morning hours one of those hot days - (HS was opening at 6 am) - and honestly - I was in my room resting between noon and 4. 4) I made sure I was well-hydrated with ice water using an insulated water bottle with slip-proof lid that I could carry on rides.

So - its is doable to compete against the heat - you just need some planning of your touring. Like - knowing that Toy Story Land is NOT the place to be in the sun/heat. Or that it's a horrible time to wait in line for BTMRR. Or that the walk from the front of the park to World Showcase is just in the blazing sun.

 

[JennyDrake]

IF you have the option, the first week in May and the first week in December have lovely weather and generally lower crowds, Of the dates you put in your post, _I_ would go with September.

 

[happymom2one]

I was there LAST week - so third week of September. I enjoyed the fact that I thought the crowds were the lightest I had seen in awhile. And definitely fewer (but still plenty) of school-age kids. The lower proportion of kids was definitely noticeable to me! Lots of couples! In general, late October and early November will have higher crowds.

I was worried about the heat, too. I faced three afternoons of temperatures in the low 90's. I planned for this in advance. 1) While I prefer tops with sleeves, I wore tank tops on the extra hot days (with plenty of sunscreen!) despite my dislike of having to keep applying sunscreen. And I wore shorts of lighter material. 2) I planned things that were indoors for the peak heat (2-5 pm). For example - PeopleMover, CoP, Laugh Floor, Buzz at MK. Or - AK late lunch at Pizzafari, followed by FP for FOTLK, then FP Safari, then a trip to Starbucks. 3) I did early morning hours one of those hot days - (HS was opening at 6 am) - and honestly - I was in my room resting between noon and 4. 4) I made sure I was well-hydrated with ice water using an insulated water bottle with slip-proof lid that I could carry on rides.

So - its is doable to compete against the heat - you just need some planning of your touring. Like - knowing that Toy Story Land is NOT the place to be in the sun/heat. Or that it's a horrible time to wait in line for BTMRR. Or that the walk from the front of the park to World Showcase is just in the blazing sun.

Thank you! Thank you. Very helpful! any other good tips?

 

[happymom2one]

IF you have the option, the first week in May and the first week in December have lovely weather and generally lower crowds, Of the dates you put in your post, _I_ would go with September.

i wish we could do May! My DD didn't think she should be out of school when they are winding down for the year. Have you been During the early December? We went 5 years ago and it was a crowd level of 7 and it was hard to find anything. Maybe it was me. I have a lot more to studying to do.

 

[DisTXMom]

I echo above about the first week in May being a great time to go. Lovely weather and the parks are lovely in spring. Of the times you listed, we would choose November- I’m not a huge fan of Halloween and the temps will be a little cooler.

 

[TinkSassy]

Early December would be a good time for you. The first week of November can be what they call "Jersey Week" and I did that last year - it is a marked difference in crowd levels from September (more like the October Fall Break crowds). If you can go not the week after Thanksgiving but the following week it is usually pretty light in comparison and the weather is usually good (I've had it be downright cold!).

If you do September (I don't do heat either) - I would plan on being at the hotel from 1pm (if you get some ac for a lunch in the park - plan for this especially at AK where many restaurants are outside) to about 4pm and then heading back. MK is easier in the heat than the others because there are more inside/long duration attractions like Tiki, Country Bears, etc to help you stay out of the heat.

 

[Delirium]

I would give a hard look at the first week of November to see if you can catch a break between the end of Halloween Parties and the beginning of Christmas parties at MK. Having the longer hours every night of the week would appeal to me.

 

[_19disnA]

We went the first week in May this year and it was REALLY crowded, but sounds like Disney is crowded most of the year now. Was also HOT in the afternoon. If you have school age children perhaps impacts when you are able to go. Would never go in June/July/August as those are the hottest months. No amount of water or lightweight clothing will make it more enjoyable considering all of the walking involved.

 

[JennyDrake]

i wish we could do May! My DD didn't think she should be out of school when they are winding down for the year. Have you been During the early December? We went 5 years ago and it was a crowd level of 7 and it was hard to find anything. Maybe it was me. I have a lot more to studying to do.

I go every year (for 13/15 years) the first week of December. I'm there during the "single" digits of early December. This year it will be December 2-6.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Of your list, I'd do December.

BUT I know May is out but what about late January or late February. Weather is cool to warm and both times I went during those time periods the crowds were lower.

I'm from Chicago so even if it's the 50s in January or February it's a welcome change to our arctic blasts.

 

[CastAStone]

If you go in with a well researched (and potentially paid for) Ride plan, you can beat the ride lines on a 7 day no problem, it will be maybe 3-4 fewer rides in total over the course of a week that you get to do vs a crowd level of 4, and they’ll be the rides that you would have debated the merits of going on anyway.

But beating the crowds those days is a different story. Longer lines for food, waits for some of the smaller bathrooms, parking a million miles from the gate, crowded pathways, etc. You’ll feel them. Late September may have some crowded days (hello Saturdays at MK!) but it’s more manageable.

Most years the rainfall totals fall precipitously over the month of September, with that last week being more the beginning of the dry season. Most years. The temperature will be hit or miss. Some years it’s still 90s. Others it’s more low 80s. It will be humid the entire fall, but the temps do drop eventually. (of course temperature has a high degree of uncertainty- it should be more pleasant in November, and most years it is, but in central Florida you can always hit a heat wave)

Finally, September is by far the month Orlando is most likely to get hit by a hurricane, followed by October. On any given day the odds are less than 1%, but that very different from say February when they odds are 0.0000%. There’s not no risk in early November, but it’s much, much lower.

If it were me I’d go in September. I hate crowds more than I hate heat, and the one thing that would slay me is if I got stuck with heat AND crowds.

 

[happymom2one]

Thanks for all the responses. Now time to really sit down and figure out what we think we can do. I really appreciate all the input.

 

[sponica]

Thanks for all the responses. Now time to really sit down and figure out what we think we can do. I really appreciate all the input.

As to what year, to avoid "omg human sea of people" crowds I would go with 2020 as 2021 will be the 50th. But Epcot is probably going to be a massive construction zone...

 

[yorkieteacher]

We went September 5-12. We barely dodged the Dorian exodus. Remember that September is also traditionally Hurricane season. We walked on almost every ride due to the EMH's added hours and low crowds, which was wonderful because we would have all fainted from the 95* heat if we had been outside in long lines. We went back to the resort every day after lunch because the heat was so draining and our littles needed naps. We are going next the first week of March 2020, and even if it is more crowded, I think I will enjoy it more with bearable temperatures. I always love to play Pirates Adventures in MK or Agent P's in Epcot, or walk the animal trails in AK; it was just too hot to do those during mid afternoon like we usually do when crowds pick up and ride lines are their longest. I don't think I want to go July. August or September unless that is my only option because of the heat and humidity. But, we still had a blast!