Best time to go to Disney World?

[expectantsteelerfan]

Which do you think would be worse, going at Christmas (like flights the 26th and staying for a few days) or over the summer?  We were hoping to go either right after Thanksgiving or during Easter break next year, but we just found out we can't work either of those with dh's schedule.  We originally nixed the idea of going over the summer because of the heat, but I just saw a picture of just how crowded it was at Christmas and that looks scary.  Now I can't decide which is worth, insane crowds or insane heat.  

This is likely the only time we will go, kids have never been before, so I just want it to be great.

[trizzie]

The week between Christmas and New Year's is THE busiest week of the year for Disney.

The heat doesn't bother us, but I am from Texas (and we go in May or September/October).

[abs]

Christmas is insane. Plus it can still be hot!!

Early June and late August are okay. Hot and crowded but manageable! Go early, leave at lunch to swim or relax, and go back after dinner. Plan well and you'll be fine no matter when you go.

[L From The D]

Christmas and Easter are the highest crowd times with multiple closures and massive ride lines. Personally, I'd rather the heat!

[lala]

Given those choices, I'd go as late in August as possible - like the week leading up to labor day.

[erbear]

I'd take heat over crowds.

Yet we're going in March. Over Easter. Beer me.

[xtine22]

They often close the park during Christmas break because they are max capacity. Not even just on the holiday. I know Wednesday of this MK was at max at like 10am.

[hopecounts]

Popping in from ML.
This was Magic Kingdom on Tuesday do you really want to deal with these crowds?
I've done it as an adult and it's fine but no way would I take a kid into that chaos.

[Katiedid]

Oh my gosh! That crowd is insane! What about the crowds the first few weeks of March?

[lala]

Jan 3, 2016 10:31:54 GMT -5 hopecounts said:

Popping in from ML.
This was Magic Kingdom on Tuesday do you really want to deal with these crowds?
I've done it as an adult and it's fine but no way would I take a kid into that chaos.

Oh, God. Nope. Nope. Nope. 


I was there on the 24th once pre-kids and it was bad enough. 

To me it's worth pulling them out of school to go at another time. But, I don't work and DH's schedule is very flexible w/ traveling. 

My top times to go are January, Late april into May (avoiding Easter), Sept-mid November, and then the first 2 weeks of December or so. 

[somersault72]

We went November 5-12 2014 and it was PERFECT. Crowds were low, weather was great, and Christmas decor was up.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Ok yeah that picture convinced us that we won't be going at Christmas. Unfortunately, we won't be able to go this summer either, but we should be able to go next summer, hopefully either early June or late August. Dh and I both feel pretty strongly that we don't want ds to miss a week of school for a vacation (he'll be in 2nd grade next year).

[lala]

Jan 4, 2016 14:22:53 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Ok yeah that picture convinced us that we won't be going at Christmas. Unfortunately, we won't be able to go this summer either, but we should be able to go next summer, hopefully either early June or late August. Dh and I both feel pretty strongly that we don't want ds to miss a week of school for a vacation (he'll be in 2nd grade next year).

Another idea, are there any holidays where you can make a week? Last year we did Disney around rosh hashanah and yom kippur, so my daughter had 2 or 3 days off, can't remember and then skipped a few days, too. But like I said, I'm not worried about school at this point - my 2nd grader & kindergartner will each miss a week next November.