When to Visit WDW - Dec 2016 or Late May 2017

[gabbyl]

Hi Everyone! This is our first trip to WDW. We are contemplating either going the week before Christmas 2016 or the last week in May 2017.

Looking forward to holiday decor in December, but not the crowds. We would tentatively go 12/15-12/21.
Hopefully there would be less crowds in late May, and with warmer weather we could use the pool at the resort.

We are looking to book a deluxe resort and are unsure about the dining plan at this point. It would be nice to have everything paid for and not worry about food expense while we are there. We have never been before so we don't have any advanced dining reservations we have our hearts set on. Not sure if that would be a factor for the Dec 2016 trip.

Children will be 5/8 or 6/9 depending when we go.

Finally, any recommendations on using a travel agent versus booking through the WDW website?

Thank you!

[tinkerbell]

I don't think the crowds will be quite so crazy that week of December, but honestly I'd check and see if there's any ADRs you might be interested in for that week before you make up your mind for sure.

[alleinesein]

I'd opt for May 2017. It gives you more time to plan and you will hit the tail end of the EPCOT Flower and Garden show.

You will still have to contend with crowds b/c of Memorial Day but the weather will be much nicer than December.

[ilikedonuts]

Sept 6, 2016 14:37:27 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

I'd opt for May 2017. It gives you more time to plan and you will hit the tail end of the EPCOT Flower and Garden show.

You will still have to contend with crowds b/c of Memorial Day but the weather will be much nicer than December.

Ditto all of this.

And both my kids have the week of the 19th off this year. Christmas falls on a Sunday which throws everything off so while it won't be park shut down crowded, I think it will still be decently crowded plus its late for ADRs and the weather can be all over the place.

[curbsideprophet]

I would go with May. I would want more time to plan if I was going to go so close to Christmas.