April or September 2023?

[cooldude4000]

I suspect I already know the answer to this, but I'd love any other opinions/ideas.

Planning an anniversary trip for next year; our actual anniversary is late April but my wife told me she'd be open to not ACTUALLY going on our anniversary, if there was a better option. I finally looked at a crowd calendar and it seems that crowds are still high late April due to cheerleading competitions (even though Easter will be long-past) so now I'm weighing that against going in September instead. A few questions:

1. If we go in April, that gives us about 8 months to plan and book everything. I thought the old rule of thumb was to start booking 6 months in advance, but I'm out of the loop and that may have changed. Is 8 months enough or are we pushing it?
2. Are the crowds noticeably lighter in September?
3. Anything else I'm forgetting about April vs. September?

 

[Disstevefan1]

In the old days, it was a no brainer; September was always less crowded and a better time to go than April. But these days its always MOBBED; tiered pricing and PPRs is forcing folks to go in off peak times like September.

You say late April and Easter 2023 is April 9, so there is a possibility the MOBS could be gone if you go later in April.

I think I am still voting for September.

No matter when you choose, BE SURE TO GET YOUR PPRs as soon as you can so you have the best chance to get into the park you want on a given day. This is very important if you have a ADR for dining in a park. Keep in mind they may be changing the park hop such you may have to check availability for the park you want to hop to.

 

[JohnD]

Yes.

In all seriousness, either is good. I'm going in late September this year when, hopefully, it will be cooler. Might even be better if you could push your trip into early October when the weather finally begins to turn for fall.

Now to individual questions:

1. If we go in April, that gives us about 8 months to plan and book everything. I thought the old rule of thumb was to start booking 6 months in advance, but I'm out of the loop and that may have changed. Is 8 months enough or are we pushing it? I don't think it matters either way. If you plan to stay on property, book a room now even if no discounts. You can apply the discount later. You don't have to worry about scheduling FPs in advance. You still have 60 days out to schedule your ADRs for the entirety of your trip (up to 10 days) if staying on property.
2. Are the crowds noticeably lighter in September? Noticeably? Tough call on that one. Should be less because children start going back to school in late August / early September.
3. Anything else I'm forgetting about April vs. September? In April, it depends how close your trip will be to Easter. Either way, you'll have relatively good weather -- Spring vs. Fall (if going later in September). Epcot will have a different festival. Flower & Garden in April. Food & Wine in September. It feels like there is one ongoing festival there so I call it the "Flower, Garden, Food, and Wine Festival of the Arts and Holidays".