Time of year

[texasgal]

We will be avoiding the crowded summer time, but hotel pools are a big part of our kids vacation - so we want to come when the water will feel nice. I don't know if we'll do the water parks, but I'd like to have that option available. I know Florida has nice weather throughout the year, but I also know that even when the weather first warms up here, the pools still aren't usable for a while. So any times of year I should avoid for that reason?

Also, DH and I used to visit WDW a lot before kids, but it was all fly by the seat of your pants, and we never did any planning. We would deal with the fact that sometimes rides were down for refurbishment, and we can deal with that again. But we were both really upset on our recent trip to DL when both Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain were down to install Halloween things. Evidently HM does that every year at DL and we could have known about it. We couldn't have changed our dates - but for this WDW trip, we are very flexible. Are there any rides at WDW that are always down at the same time every year?

Oh, we did have a fantastic time anyway of course, but since I can plan, I'd like to do the best I can - knowing some things will still be down for refurbishment.

[tappenfeat]

October is a nice time of year to go...you can always visit websites like AllEars.net to see refurbishment lists. MouseSavers as well lists refurbishments too.

They do not close the HM for Halloween to decorate it like Disneyland as far as I know. I do wish they did because I am a huge fan of Jack Skellington. The Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a real treat! We've enjoyed that also.

Spring is iffy if you can swing around Spring Break/Easter Season. Super crowded during thoses times.

During the super slow months is when they close the water parks to refurbish and rides. But again...you can do some online searching and find out ahead of time...it's not announced way ahead of time however.

[jerseygirl407]

I'd agree with coming down in October -- it is one of the least crowded times - and you can hit the Food & Wine Festival! Plus the weather is great here -- today it's in the 60s in the am but will get to the 80s so you can definitely use the pools. Both water parks are still open - they do close them one at a time for refurbishment but one is always open.

You'll also avoid all the spring breakers, & the baseball tournaments & cheerleading competitions at wide world of sports & senior class trips too.

I guess you can't plan for refurbishments but at least Space Mountain will be back open by then!!
.

[JennyWren]

Everyone is right, October is the best time. We have tried other months and it's been either too hot, too cool, too crowded...October is none of those, plus the room rates tend to be lower then also.

[texasgal]

Is it crowded during the Food and Wine festival?

Are there any times in the spring where you could avoid spring break crowds? How is it in May?

[tappenfeat]

The weekends for Food and Wine Festival tend to be more crowded with locals. It's held at EPCOT...not at the Magic Kingdom/Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.

Beginning of May can be nice. Depending on your dates...Spring is tricky with crowd levels.

I've been to WDW in October a few times and honestly it's not very crowded with the Food and Wine Festival. Just stay away from EPCOT during the weekends and possibly Monday or Friday that wraps around it.

Just keep in mind EPCOT is huge! So even when there's something going on...it still doesn't feel very conjested.

Have fun planning! We're always here to help!

[GusMan]

Refurb news can also be found right here at the WDW Update.

We find that Sep/Oct to be a good time to go because of a good balance between weather, crowds, and different events that are going on. Its also warm enough to swim during the day. Additionally, the water at the pools and at the waterparks are also heated to around 80F year around.

[jerseygirl407]

Are there any times in the spring where you could avoid spring break crowds? How is it in May?

Honestly, it seems to me that the last couple years there's always been a crowd here in the spring!! Last year there were large groups of students from South America starting in the early spring; you'll see the high school bands parading thru the parks -- they are all here on band trips!, there are softball tournaments, baseball tournaments, spring training, senior class trips -- you will see more group t-shirts during the spring than any other time of year!!

Of course you have to come at the time that's best for you! and you'll be fine with whatever date you choose

BTW opening weekend of F&W was PACKED....we plan on going tonite (Thurs) so I think (hope) the crowd will be a lot smaller!!

[mkraemer]

I'm not a big fan of humidity, so I try to find times to go to Walt Disney World where humidity won't be a big factor (meaning...summertime will probably not work well for me).

My last trip was in late May this year, and it rained a lot. Like nearly every day for most of the day and I believe there was more than a foot of rain during my stay. Good thing it was a business trip because I didn't mind it as much then as if it had been a vacation.

I've also been in October and November; both have advantages.

Early to mid October was super nice weather, with pleasant temperatures and not many crowds. We attended the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and loved it. We also spent time at the pools and water parks; it was perfect.

Last November, we were there the week before Thanksgiving, and there was a cold snap! I had to run out to buy long underwear for my dad (shh, don't tell him I said that in public!) as well as hats and gloves. He had to have a blanket to keep warm while he rode around on his motorized scooter. It was in the 40s in the morning and evenings! No way would we consider going to the water parks or pools! But the Christmas decorations were up, and they were beautiful. Because it was the week before Thanksgiving, there were almost no crowds.

I've also been in the spring, during spring break, and we planned our days around the crowds (some parks tend to be more crowded than others on certain days). The weather was nice, and the crowds didn't really bother us.

Hope this helps!

[momof three]

Spring is the height of Florida season and the two weeks flanking Easter are the peak of this. This is a more expensive time to visit because honestly its our best weather of the year. If you want to visit during the tradition spring breaks (the week before or after Easter) you will pay dearly for this perk with every aspect of your trip. It will also be insanely busy.

If you are sold on a spring I would suggest a good look at the calendar. If Easter falls early in the season wait at least two weeks after and book your trip for then. Prices and crowds will drop considerably and the weather will be pretty fantastic. If Easter is late in April come in early March. It will still be pricey and you might encounter crowds but no where near as busy as the week before or after Easter.

We love to go the first week of May. Usually the weather is great. (This year was unusually hot! We have had weird weather year this year.) There are tons of deals offered in Florida that month as this is when all our snow birds (people who live in Florida for the winter) go home. You will find less crowds, nice weather and low prices.

As mentioned October is also nice weather wise. However, with Epcots Food and Wine Festival and all the Halloween stuff going on at the parks in Orlando it can get expensive for lodging. Book early if you go this route because locals do flock to Orlando for the weekends in October. It can sometimes be tuff to book rooms in October.

Mily