Which would you pick? Oct-dec

[ammag]

We just cancelled our May trip and we are looking at the fall. We have gone twice, once was late October but no MNSSHP. We did food and wine which was nice but not a focus for this trip, if we don't go it's ok. The Halloween party does interest us more than the Christmas one though but we will do one of them either way.

Our second trip was a short one mid November 2013 and we had one great day one freezing day. We did get to the pool which was nice. I don't find I am in the mood for Christmas decor until after thanksgiving...

So the most important factor for us is low crowds, followed by weather being decent. Either going by what I told you about us or just your own opinion and experience would you go,..
Oct 30- nov 7 MNSSHP on the 31

November 29- dec 6 would do Xmas party for either of the later ones
December 6-13.

Exact travel days the last two are flexible. I am worried December is too cold? If you've gone before Christmas do you find it's really hectic because of life back home? December is usually so filled with school and other activities, and holidays that I am a bit afraid to take off.


Any factors I am unaware of? Thanks so much!!!

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We have gone late October into early November for the past ten years. Weather usually turns out to be 50/50 for our trips. 50% swimming weather and 50% cool/colder. We don't mind the cooler weather but it is definitely not swimming weather. If you want to swim, you should look at October, early to mid. HTH!

 

[ConnieB]

If you are looking for low crowds then going to MNSSHP on October 31 is NOT going to satisfy that important factor, lol. And the crowds in the park were much greater the day or two before Halloween. That said, the first week of November was much less crowded than the last week of October. If you're looking to do the MNSSHP but not have the crowds in the park or at the party, I suggest backing it up to more middle of October. We were there last year and enjoyed mid October much more than late October, but by November it was back to lower crowds again.

As far as weather goes.....the average temp for October 2014 was 76 degrees. For December 2014 it was 65. So it really depends on what you consider cold.....here in Arizona most people seem to think 60's is "freezing" but being a replant from the midwest I find it only "brisk"....it has to be in the low 50's before I personally consider it cold...my girls consider 60's cold.

We have gone a great number of times from mid Nov to mid December (our favorite time to go because we DO love the decor and special Christmas events).....a light jacket is all we bring and it generally sits in the car...... I can only remember one night that we had trouble with the temps......we went into Le Cellier while it was still light out and the sun was warm and didn't think to bring our jackets.....when we left there 2 hours later it was dark and we were sooooo cold, we made a beeline for the car and found our jackets safe and warm. That night has gone down in our personal history and we offer compare temps as "it's not as cold as that night in Disney". According to our rental car thermometer, the outside temp was in the high 40s. After being in that warm restaurant for so long it was not just cold by temps, but our core was definitely not ready for 40s!

For those days that the weather forecast calls for cold weather we often bring our jackets "just in case". Depending on the park, and where we are parked, we either leave it in the car to retrieve later if needed, or we rent a locker to keep them available.

 

[SamRoc]

I would avoid the first week of November as it will be "Jersey week". That will be held on Nov 5 and 6th in atlantic city. I know alot of teachers that will be there from Halloween (as it is on a saturday this year) until November 7th. I am a substitute teacher in NJ and will get tons of calls that week!

 

[PeasandCarrots]

If I had to choose from those dates I would do the end of October. The Halloween party is much better than the Christmas party to me and this past year, mid-November, we had weather at Disney World with the highs in the 40s! It was not fun weather. I realize freak weather can happen any time but I think the earlier you go the less likely a cold snap will hit. In 2011 I went the last week of Oct and the weather was warm and pleasant.

 

[ammag]

We had one freak day on the November trip where it was 45-50 it was awful! As for crowds, I am ok wiht the party being crowded, as long as the rest of the week is managable. I'd much prefer mid October but I am in charge of our school Halloween party fundraiser which is the weekend before Halloween. Probably bad form if I take off to disney then

Now I am thinking September 26- October 2/3. I normally wouldn't do September because school stats the 9th so I have to think if that's too early. However the 27th is my 39th birthday. That might be fun! I should pretend it's my 40th tend really celebrate lol. Might be the first woman to pretend to be older our original plan was to be there for my 40th, though at universal. Bbt we don't want to wait that long!

 

[ammag]

Is September too prone to hurricanes? Aaaagh May was the perfect timing for us this year. But it was not meant to be. Any time is a good time wt WDW though I must remind myself

 

[soar2014]

I went to MNSSHP on Halloween weekend, Saturday night, and we felt like the whole park was ours! If ever I went again in October I'd be sure to go to MNSSHP. We rode whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. The absolute best time I've ever had at WDW!

 

[SamRoc]

I went to MNSSHP on Halloween weekend, Saturday night, and we felt like the whole park was ours! If ever I went again in October I'd be sure to go to MNSSHP. We rode whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. The absolute best time I've ever had at WDW!

What year did you go? last year i was there on Halloween on a friday night and it was packed! we couldn't move in some spots.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Is September too prone to hurricanes? Aaaagh May was the perfect timing for us this year. But it was not meant to be. Any time is a good time wt WDW though I must remind myself

Hurricanes can happen June - November, but Disney is so far inland you might see rain but they parks aren't going to close.

 

[Angel Ariel]

We just cancelled our May trip and we are looking at the fall. We have gone twice, once was late October but no MNSSHP. We did food and wine which was nice but not a focus for this trip, if we don't go it's ok. The Halloween party does interest us more than the Christmas one though but we will do one of them either way.

Our second trip was a short one mid November 2013 and we had one great day one freezing day. We did get to the pool which was nice. I don't find I am in the mood for Christmas decor until after thanksgiving...

So the most important factor for us is low crowds, followed by weather being decent. Either going by what I told you about us or just your own opinion and experience would you go,..
Oct 30- nov 7 MNSSHP on the 31

November 29- dec 6 would do Xmas party for either of the later ones
December 6-13.

Exact travel days the last two are flexible. I am worried December is too cold? If you've gone before Christmas do you find it's really hectic because of life back home? December is usually so filled with school and other activities, and holidays that I am a bit afraid to take off.


Any factors I am unaware of? Thanks so much!!!

I would go in October for no other reason than MNSSHP. The bonus to the week you are looking at, leaving Nov. 7th, is you could potentially do both MNSSHP and MVMCP. Last year the first MVMCP was on Friday, Nov 7th (which is the 6th this year)

 

[soar2014]

What year did you go? last year i was there on Halloween on a friday night and it was packed! we couldn't move in some spots.

I went in 2013, I was expecting large crowds too but they didn't appear!

 

[SamRoc]

I went in 2013, I was expecting large crowds too but they didn't appear!

I am totally expecting this year to be crazy! Especially since Halloween falls on a saturday, and its the beginning of Jersey week. I do love Halloween, its my favorite holiday and Disney is a great place to spend it. I don't know if Disney is selling more tickets but last year was so crowded!

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

Yes, we did MNSSHP on October 31, 2013 and October 30, 2014. I would say that both were packed as far as the parade, festivities, and trick or treating. But the ride lines were not that bad either time. I think that skews people's perspectives. Not crowded if u want to ride the rides, but slammed if you are wanting to get close to the castle shows and parades.

 

[ammag]

Great info, thanks. I just don't know what to pick! Pluses and minuses to everything

 

[MrsForeverEeyore]

We've gone in December for many years. We've gone Dec 6-16, another year the week after that, and this past year the week before and of Christmas, leaving on the 28th. December is not super cold - all of these times had some hot days, where we wore tshirts and shorts. But there were a few times where a jacket was needed and we wore jeans with our sweatshirts/jackets. The biggest thing going in December is that it will be crowded. The first couple of weeks aren't that bad, but about the 18th it starts to get increasingly busier. So you have to plan accordingly/resign yourself to doing things that take into account the huge number of guests WDW gets over the holidays. With that said, we find that the decorations are gorgeous, and being at Disney during the holidays is fantastic - so why let the crowds get us down? Whatever you decide, you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[ammag]

I think I have narrowed it down to oct 30-nov 7 or 8, or November 29-dec 6th. Both crowds should be fine and hoping the weather is ok. I mom a huge Halloween fan, more so than Christmas but now I am second thinking the cost of the party tickets. Hmm. Good thing so year my husband is leaving it up to me or he would complicate things!

 

[ZoZo]

Is September too prone to hurricanes? Aaaagh May was the perfect timing for us this year. But it was not meant to be. Any time is a good time wt WDW though I must remind myself

September is definitely hurricane season, but also super-hot. Really low crowds, though. I was at WDW for a hurricane in October 2005. As another poster said, Orlando is really far inland, and doesn't usually get impacted by hurricanes too much. During Hurricane Wilma in 2005, we were just asked to stay in our hotel room for about 18 hours; they closed the parks for about six hours, then reopened them. Never lost power or anything!

 

[ZoZo]

I think I have narrowed it down to oct 30-nov 7 or 8, or November 29-dec 6th. Both crowds should be fine and hoping the weather is ok. I mom a huge Halloween fan, more so than Christmas but now I am second thinking the cost of the party tickets. Hmm. Good thing so year my husband is leaving it up to me or he would complicate things!

Remember that the first week of November is Jersey Week. That does impact crowds somewhat.

Have you looked at a site like easywdw.com? Josh has calendars predicting crowd levels, month-by-month (and even day-by-day). That might help you decide.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I think I have narrowed it down to oct 30-nov 7 or 8, or November 29-dec 6th. Both crowds should be fine and hoping the weather is ok. I mom a huge Halloween fan, more so than Christmas but now I am second thinking the cost of the party tickets. Hmm. Good thing so year my husband is leaving it up to me or he would complicate things!

It is a hard decision. We were there Oct 22-27, 2014 and the weather was great. We were there Nov 30 - Dec 4th, 2013 and the weather was warm one day, cool the other. I loved all the Christmas activities. There were tons of things that are only available at Christmas. But I also loved the weather of October. The Halloween Party is supposed to be more fun than the Christmas party. We went to MNSSHP and it was fun. I can't imagine Christmas having as much to do or see as Halloween had.

We also enjoyed Food & Wine, but probably not more than the Epcot Christmas activities. I think it was more crowded in December than October.

They both had their pluses and minuses, but if you want swimming or good weather, pick October.