Which week would you choose for early 2017 trip?

[BethR9]

Which week would you choose to go to WDW and why? Our daughter will be 9. Mostly go for rides as she’s sort of past the character meet and greets and does not care for Frozen or Star Wars. Most time would be spent at MK as she loves the rides there and I kind of have the feeling this may be our last trip to Disney World for quite a long time.

January 14 – 19, 2017

February 11 – 16, 2017

March 25 – 30, 2017

I think most important would be lowest crowds with pool time behind it. For the January dates, I know the weather could be quite chilly so maybe not much pool time if at all? I guess the same could be said for the February dates though also. Pool time isn’t a huge deal but it would be nice to have as a way to relax in the afternoons. There’s plenty of other things I’m sure we could find to do.


The March dates is probably considered spring break so could be super busy right? I know Easter is in the middle of April so not sure how that will play into it. This time would be the best one for warmer weather though also.


Would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions anyone may have!


Thanks!!!

 

[BethR9]

Anyone? Please!

 

[Hikergirl]

I would go in March. It is not spring break here, our spring break will be the week before Easter.

I don't know when President's Day falls next year, if its within your Feb dates I would avoid that week because that will be winter break and i think more people in this area go for winter break rather than spring when Easter falls in mid to late April.

 

[Hezzy04]

If it were me, I would pick March. Crowds might be bigger than your other two options, but I don't think they would be completely horrible, since it's not the week right before or after Easter.

 

[HM2012Butler]

I would not come in March. Schools are on spring break. Its madness. January is pretty slow but the 3 day weekend for MLK Day will see higher crowds. February would probably be my first pick. It doesn't hit presidents day and valentines Day isn't exactly a Disney holiday! haha. March would hands down be my last pick. Spring break is horrible and this will probably fall around a lot of college students spring breaks. Just because it misses the Easter crowds doesn't mean there will not be crowds

 

[ksinniger]

the January week you picked will potentially have 2 holidays in it -- MLK and Inauguration Day. While this may not impact a big segment of the country, those of us in the mid-Atlantic are looking at the possibility of getting a full week's vacation on only 3 vacation days.

 

[Irish_Mike]

February run the risk of being a bit crowded due to President's Day break for some school, but out of those three date options, I think it is the best

 

[BethR9]

Thank you all!

ksinniger, thank you for pointing out the 2 holidays in January. I didn't even think of Inauguration Day!

Decisions decisions!

 

[AJA]

If you don't mind the cold in January I would pick it over March because of the crowds and cost.

In February you have a better chance of having excellent weather but again could run in to more crowds and more expense.

We were there this past January and a few days were really chilly (well for outdoor all day touring to me anyway). It just depends on if you and your family feel 50 degrees is too cold or "perfect" winter weather kwim?

 

[BethR9]

50 degrees is a bit chilly but not too bad.

I'll just have to chew on this a bit longer I think. I can't decide!

 

[Livvie]

Thank you all!

ksinniger, thank you for pointing out the 2 holidays in January. I didn't even think of Inauguration Day!

Decisions decisions!

Inauguration Day may be a Federal Holiday, but it isn't celebrated by anyone. Which means the day has zero impact on crowds.

 

[BethR9]

I understand it isn't celebrated by anyone.

 

[ksinniger]

It may not be celebrated, but it's a day off -- kids may very well be off school that day (I know they are in the DC area). When you combine it with the prior Monday being off, there is the chance of a slight uptick in crowds -- think Jersey week in November.

As far as temps, we've done a late January/early February trip where high temps were only in the 50s, but we were prepared with hats, gloves, fleece sweatshirts and vests and found it great. The only thing that becomes iffy is swimming, though the hot tubs are always an option. In my opinion, I'd trade swimming for lower crowds and easy touring any day.

 

[BethR9]

ksinniger, I knew what you were saying with it being a day off. Thanks for mentioning it!

I'm pretty much open to any week in January or February I think and just pulling my daughter from school. Just trying to figure out which week would be the lowest crowds...

 

[GovieMom]

March would hands down be my last pick. Just because it misses the Easter crowds doesn't mean there will not be crowds

This. The month of March is always extremely crowded, no matter when Easter falls.

 

[Livvie]

It may not be celebrated, but it's a day off -- kids may very well be off school that day (I know they are in the DC area). When you combine it with the prior Monday being off, there is the chance of a slight uptick in crowds -- think Jersey week in November.

As far as temps, we've done a late January/early February trip where high temps were only in the 50s, but we were prepared with hats, gloves, fleece sweatshirts and vests and found it great. The only thing that becomes iffy is swimming, though the hot tubs are always an option. In my opinion, I'd trade swimming for lower crowds and easy touring any day.

The only place kids have off is DC.

 

[BethR9]

Livvie, you're just bound and determined to disregard that post, aren't you?

 

[Livvie]

Livvie, you're just bound and determined to disregard that post, aren't you?

What post? That DC is the only place kids have off?

 

[kayteekt]

We are big January go-ers. Weather is unpredictable, however florida winter is lows in the 50s at night, day time highs 60-65...now of course you never know, you could get a cold or warm front come in.
You do want to avoid MLK day & weekend if you can. That weekend will be packed.
Same for February, i don't know about inauguration day and it's impact, but presidents day is same as MLK, avoid! That being said, March is probably an even worse choice.
I would go in Jan or Feb and avoid the holidays. Don't be scared off by the weather, we've done 4 January trips, only one was cold and that was some sort of record breaking thing, all over the news, etc...

This past January we wore shorts and swam etc...our family will chance cooler weather over heat and humidity any day!

 

[BethR9]

Great information kaytee kt! Thank you!! That's how I'm leaning - January or February non holiday time.