Which value season is best to travel?

[mickerbaby]

My sister in law and I are planning a trip for our two families for Fall 2005 or potentially Winter 2006. We know for sure that we need to go during value season, so which month is best in terms of weather? We'd like to be able to use the pools but not have lots of rain.....

My expierence has been:
Sept is hot but rainy
Nov is nice but on the cool side
Jan ????
early Feb warm enough for pools?

My last trip was Feb 2004 and the weather was actually perfect, we used the pool a lot. But was that a fluke??
In Nov of 2002 the weather was too cool for lots of pool time, was that a fluke????

thanks!
Crissy

 

[Amirah95]

Why not go in October or in February? According to the Unofficial Guide (page 35) they are both good months to go according to weather. October daily highs/daily temp is around 84F/75F and February is around 73F/62F.

 

[tinkernelllec]

October used to be a good month to go, but not anymore. I have been to WDW in October 6 years in a row, and every year it gets more and more crowded. Last year was a NIGHTMARE, the crowds were like summer crowds! 60 minute waits for Peter Pan, and smaller rides like that one. We have gone the 3rd week of October every year. Last year we asked what was the deal to one of the CM's and found out that the kids in Fl had off for Columbus day and the golf classic was taking place around that time. So, needless to say, I will not go in October again, we are going the 1st week of November this year, I hope the crowds are considerable less.
Also have gone in last week of Sept and in Feb, and those are great months to go, not alot of crowds.

 

[Amirah95]

Hi Tinker and welcome to the DIS!!!

In your experience, as far as weather, how is October and February?

 

[tinkernelllec]

thanks for the welcome.

Both are good months as far as weather. Disney pools are heated so swimming is good in Feburary.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We had a great trip in September--weather was just right for swimming!!! (we didn't have any rain). We went this past January and were in SHOCK over the crowds--they were unbelievable!!!! We won't do that again!!!!!--and it did rain when we were there in January--the parks were still crowded beyond belief!!!!

Flo

 

[Patsfan7]

This will be our first trip in September in years. I am hoping for the best. (DD is turning 3 on the 29th, so one last trip before that expensive date!)

We go every year in January, around the 20-27, and love it! We have never had a problem with lines, until one Saturday this year. If you can go to the parks during the week, it is the ONLY time to go, IMHO. The weather is mostly shorts and sweatshirts, but sometimes jeans come in handy, especially at night. We took DD, 2, swimming one day. We were the only ones in, but like it has been said before, the water is warm.

We also had no problem just before Christmas, the first weeks of December, no lines then either. It does kind of set you up for a downer after you get home. When Christmas is over, and there is no trip to look forward to in January....

We prefer January because the excitement of Christmas gets us through the early winter, and the trip is something exciting in January, then you only have to get through February, and then it's SPRING!!!!

 

[mickerbaby]

We prefer January because the excitement of Christmas gets us through the early winter, and the trip is something exciting in January, then you only have to get through February, and then it's SPRING!!!! [/B][/QUOTE]

after reading this post, I said to myself, this person has to be from New England since this is the way most NE'ers look at the long winter season, how can we just make it to March??!!!! hehe

Crissy

 

[disneyandme]

We have been in both Nov and Jan. Jan was a bit quieter and slightly cooler-- long pants and short sleeves. A lot of people were swimming. In Nov, the weather seemed to fluxuate more-- back ad forth between long and short pants.

 

[suzkq]

My family of four went in '01 between Thanksgiving and Christmas and had good weather - between 75 - 85 degrees, no rain & pools were perfect! Thes best thing...no crowds or lines for rides. The most we waited for anything was 15 minutes. Most times we walked from the ride exit right back onto the ride (3 times in a row for Space Mtn)! It was also nice to come home and avoid post-vacation blues by having Christmas to look forward to. It also forced me to get all my Christmas shopping done before I left!

Good luck with your trip!

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

I've been in late Sept. and Early Oct both times of the Year very nice.

 

[HillPete]

We were there in Jan. and were very pleased with the weather. It was about 65 and sunny or partly cloudy most days. The evenings were pretty chilly, but coming from Cleveland, any day that didn't require winter clothes and boots was warm to us! It rained in the afternoons 2 of the 5 days we were there, but not too much. We poncho-ed up and went on our way. (87 cents at Walmart!) Also, the week we were there (Jan 27-Feb. 1) the crowds were non-existant. We walked onto everything except the super-mega-headliners. They had waits of about 5-15 minutes. We rode Dumbo 3 times in a row. Same with Triceratops spin.

Have a great trip!
--H

 

[raysnkaysmom]

First...before I forget...Barbosa... is there a Pirates 2 coming out??? wow.
anyways...
I plan on going on Feb...was too wondering about the chilliness of the pools..that's part of the kids fave thing to do! Is it more pants or capri weather than shorts?

 

[kq4td]

Hi I have not been to THE WORLD since 2000.
We want in the middle of Oct. around the 15th. It was very nice weather, a bit too hot for ME. The lines were great, etc...DUMBO of course.
It use to be the OFF season, but not no more due to Disney now has Mickeys not so scary all month long so I hear.
We are planning on going to Disney next fall. I am trying to get some ideas of a good time to go also.
This will be my children first time staying ON SITE!

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

Originally posted by raysnkaysmom
First...before I forget...Barbosa... is there a Pirates 2 coming out??? wow.
anyways...
I plan on going on Feb...was too wondering about the chilliness of the pools..that's part of the kids fave thing to do! Is it more pants or capri weather than shorts?

Its some "unofficial"artwork I found on a POTC fan site.
I guess they are working on Pirates 2 and 3 at the same time.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I have enjoyed the week after Thanksgiving the best.The Chrismas decorations are up, the weather is a good temp for me and the lines are low.
We are going the week before Thanksgiving this year and i'm hoping I will like it just as much even though i know the decorations will not all be up.
For me the lines being shorter are the big thing. I don't like the hot weather so cooler months are better for me.
I just wish the park hours were not so short..... but I guess you can't have everything

 

[Wengino]

This will be the 3rd year in a row we have gone the first week in October. Sure, it busier, but you can have a great time if you follow the suggestions on this board, and in the Unofficial Guide!

Avoid MK on its busiest days (go Wed), consider going to Epcot on the weekend, go to EE parks and split by 11am, or avoid them on EE days alltogether. Park Hop if 20,000 girl scouts show up unexpectedly. Keep track of the forcast, going to your favorite park( or water park) after an expected and clearing thunderstorm has cleaned the place out!

Plan. Read the boards........you will feel like a genius for doing so, as the weather is excellent in October. Don't forget to have fun!

 

[vhoffman]

The first two weeks of December are historically the least busy times of the year. The Christmas decorations are up but schools aren't out yet so the crowds haven't hit. We're going the first week of December and hope its still like that.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by mickerbaby
My sister in law and I are planning a trip for our two families for Fall 2005 or potentially Winter 2006. We know for sure that we need to go during value season, so which month is best in terms of weather? We'd like to be able to use the pools but not have lots of rain.....

My expierence has been:
Sept is hot but rainy
Nov is nice but on the cool side
Jan ????
early Feb warm enough for pools?

My last trip was Feb 2004 and the weather was actually perfect, we used the pool a lot. But was that a fluke??
In Nov of 2002 the weather was too cool for lots of pool time, was that a fluke????

thanks!
Crissy

Hi,

This is a tough question as my husband and I travel at both. We enjoy the winter value season and the late summer value season. In fact I am posting live from the WDW Dolphin. But, if you have to choose one or the other we feel it comes down to the heat. Do the people traveling hold up in the heat? Is pool time and or water park time important to them? If it is then the late summer value season is the way to go.

If they are okay with temps that range from high 40s in the mornings to mid 70s in the afternoon, these are the temps we had for our Jan 2004 trip, then the winter value season is the way to go.

Talk to all of the travelers involved is give them the above information and see what reactions you get. That will tell you which season to go.

 

[DizneyNutz]

The first week of December is GREAT...pools are heated!! We still found it a little too warm for the hot tubs during the day. It is a WONDERFUL time to go if you want to take in the "Christmas Atmosphere" but it does present a little bit of a challenge as far as your wardrobe goes...cool (sometimes COLD) at night and warm during the day...you'll need everything from shorts to jeans and sweaters, but it's still great. The MVMCP is a lot of fun, I am glad that we did it, but won't do it again...a lot of money when you've got Christmas all around you and SpectraMagic is just as good..minus the "snow" which was cool but not worth the price of an extra ticket!! Good Luck, I don't know if there is ever a truly "bad" time to visit Disney...I don't think I'd turn down a trip regardless of the time of year!