Would you go 3 weeks in june/july or 2 weeks October?

[Rach78]

We have just returned from our second 'once in a lifetime trip' and already I am thinking about a 3rd! It won't be until 2016 though. We went in October 2012, and then 5 weeks ago both times for 17 nights. We were so lucky both times with weather (perfect) and crowds (not many) but my eldest daughter will be sitting exams for the next three years and I do not want her to miss any school. We only get one week in October for a holiday (council were going to make it 2 but changed their minds - argh!! This would have been ideal for future Florida Trips!!) but could take her out for 5 days before the October holiday as most of her exams will be over by then so could go for 2 weeks, or we could go the end of June beginning of July and stay for 3 weeks but I am worried about crowds, weather etc. Any one been this time of year that can comment? I am in Scotland so kids go back to school mid August so last 2 weeks August not an option.
Thanks

 

[2Tiggies]

Also in Scotland and similar school terms to you.

I opted to take DD out for 5 days this year (first year in secondary school) and I'm glad I did. Last October several of her classmates did a tag-on week prior to or after the October week break and missed tests. Although less serious at this age, I felt it safer to take her out at the end of the school year. So I'm doing what you had in mind and taking her out the last couple of days before the close in June and we are doing 3 weeks.

3 > 2

 

[Rach78]

I know, the thought of 3 weeks is tempting as 17 nights has never been enough! Do you intend to do a trip report 2tiggies? If so I will be reading along with interest to see how you find it. I have friends who went last June/July and booked again for the same time this year so I figure it can't have been that bad! However I loved Octobers weather, MNSSHP, and crowd levels!

 

[Kilted_Yank]

I would do the three weeks, with this caveat: It will be VERY VERY hot in Florida in June, and the crowds will be heavy. Having said that, with three weeks, you can take your time and see as much or as little each day, with plenty of time do spend in the ppol, or cool places. You will still have time to do all that you like to do.

Bill

(In Virginia)

 

[2Tiggies]

I know, the thought of 3 weeks is tempting as 17 nights has never been enough! Do you intend to do a trip report 2tiggies? If so I will be reading along with interest to see how you find it. I have friends who went last June/July and booked again for the same time this year so I figure it can't have been that bad! However I loved Octobers weather, MNSSHP, and crowd levels!

I am not sure whether I will do a full trip report, but I will certainly do an overview of my experiences. We used to do Easter time so the crowds don't bug me and I'm really looking forward to the extended hours and everything operating in full swing (something I always struggled to adapt to with September/October). I am also looking forward to seeing the parks sans Halloween decor, which I love, but we've done it several years running now and the change will be refreshing.

Weather wise, our last trip saw us arrive in the first few days of September and I was prepared for excessive heat, but it was not nearly as bad as I expected. In fact, DD agrees that the October the year prior was much worse.

I weighed up various options and the summer one had far more advantages than drawbacks both in terms of consideration for DD and her schooling and the practicalities in the parks.

I will definitely post our experience in some form or another though

 

[queendisney]

without a doubt I'd rather do 2 weeks in October then 3 in June/July...

Been both June and July and nothing would drag me back there at that time again (unless if was free of course) It was far to hot, humid and far too crowded for me and it was just not a nice experience at all. I always said that if it had been my first time going at that time of the year, I would never have returned, it would have put me off for good! Hated all the rain as well. Yes it came in the afternoon but it didn't always disappear very quickly!.. TBH it's my least fav time to visit by far..
I suppose it just depends on how you are with heat!

 

[scoobydooby]

I'd choose three weeks over two That said, as soon as the kids leave home I'm looking forward to an adult only October trip for cooler weather, less rain and food and wine. With kids I'd choose three weeks though so we could do more parks at a slower pace with lots of pool time. That said we are seasoned August travellers so the heat, humidity, rain and crowds are just normal to us now.

 

[chmurf]

june/july : hot, humid, crowds, very expensive (re: flights and accomodation)

october : not so hot, not so humid, thinner crowds, food and wine, MNSSHP

October wins

I'd rather only go for 2 weeks in october than 3 weeks in july.
I know 3 weeks sounds better than 2, but if you factor in the higher airfare, the higher accomodation price, and the overall cost of 3 weeks, for those 3 weeks in july, you'll probably pay as much as 2 off season stays. So in a sense you almost get one 2 weeks trip in october and one 2 weeks trip next year

no matter how I think about it, 2 weeks in October sounds better as far as I'm concerned.

 

[baylie666]

I have only been twice but both times it was in October. I would never go any other time of the year as the weather is perfect for us and the corwd levels etc are great. Nothing has huge queues and we get benefit of being able to go to F&W and MNSSHP.

 

[torsie24]

I'd do October. Xx

June/July would be too hot & busy for my liking.

Plus you get F&WF and MNSSHP!

 

[wilma-bride]

As much as I love the sound of longer in Florida (the longest we have been for is 19 days), I would not go in June/July unless I had absolutely no choice.

As many others have said, it is humid and busy. June/July is the height of the summer crowds.

October weather is much more pleasant and, like Torsie says, you have IF&WF and the Halloween celebrations.

For me, October would win out every time. I will, however, caveat that with the fact that I haven't actually been in June/July, However, if the weather is anything like August, I can only begin to imagine how much worse it would be with the added crowds that typically the end of August doesn't have.

 

[bee86]

Unfortunately with teaching I'm stuck to school holidays so last year we went June 21st for ten nights and am doing the same this year.

To be honest with a bit of planning it's not so bad, I used touringplans.com to estimate the best park/worst park for each day of the trip.

We did as most people on the dis do, we got to the park early and left around 1pm when it was warmest and crowds were getting bigger.

I have to say though we were very lucky in that although it was busy it never once seemed overwhelmingly so.

I would love to go in October but if you are stuck to school holidays for what ever reason mid June, from my experience isn't that bad with a bit of forward planning.

 

[bee86]

Unfortunately with teaching I'm stuck to school holidays so last year we went June 21st for ten nights and am doing the same this year. To be honest with a bit of planning it's not so bad, I used touringplans.com to estimate the best park/worst park for each day of the trip. We did as most people on the dis do, we got to the park early and left around 1pm when it was warmest and crowds were getting bigger. I have to say though we were very lucky in that although it was busy it never once seemed overwhelmingly so. I would love to go in October but if you are stuck to school holidays for what ever reason mid June, from my experience isn't that bad with a bit of forward planning.

Just want to say that we headed back to the parks in the evening after we left at 1!!
So from 1-4 we chilled out by the pool in the resort or had a little nap and then we were ready to go again into the night from 5pm onwards

Sorry I had to post again but I don't know how to edit a post from my phone *oops*