Best months and resort comparisons

[Shouldigo12]

Hey. I've made a couple of posts here before, trying to figure out if a second trip in the coming years would be feasible for me and, if it is, what I'll be doing. So my question this time is, what in your opinion is the best month regarding crowds (most important) and weather (still important, but I'm pretty flexible)? I've read the month-by-month guide many blogs have put out, but those blogs are from the perspective of (usually) just one person. So I thought it would be better to make a post on here and get as many opinions as possible.

My second question is a bit more specific. Last time we stayed at the WL, and it would be cool to stay there again, but I've been looking at moderate resorts and they're just so much cheaper. Last time I posted the PO resort was highly recommended. Has anyone here stayed at both? How do the pools and room quality (are the beds comfortable, are the walls thin, etc) compare? Thanks, and sorry for bugging everyone again!

 

[hystericalbende]

I love January for the cooler temps and low crowd levels, though it is not ideal if you want to swim or do water parks. For us, the lower crowds are well worth that trade off.

The only moderate I've stayed at is CSR, which we love. We find it to be much more in line with a deluxe than a moderate but still affordable. I know others love PO.

 

[deeevo]

Hey. I've made a couple of posts here before, trying to figure out if a second trip in the coming years would be feasible for me and, if it is, what I'll be doing. So my question this time is, what in your opinion is the best month regarding crowds (most important) and weather (still important, but I'm pretty flexible)? I've read the month-by-month guide many blogs have put out, but those blogs are from the perspective of (usually) just one person. So I thought it would be better to make a post on here and get as many opinions as possible.

My second question is a bit more specific. Last time we stayed at the WL, and it would be cool to stay there again, but I've been looking at moderate resorts and they're just so much cheaper. Last time I posted the PO resort was highly recommended. Has anyone here stayed at both? How do the pools and room quality (are the beds comfortable, are the walls thin, etc) compare? Thanks, and sorry for bugging everyone again!

I have stayed at both and it is apple to oranges but POFQ is my favorite moderate and you would not be disappointed and they just finshed a soft goods remodel. As for the time of year it is hard to say anymore since WDW has become crazy year round but my favorite time to go is right before Spring Break when high temps are just reaching the high 70's. It is our dry season and the weather is just about perfect for the parks. Not sure about the pool but if you are from up north you might not have a problem.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

First week of November, in between the Halloween Party and the Christmas Party. I like January too, but the Marathon weekend is now so huge that it's a major problem to contend with in terms of its impact on crowds.

Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach are enormous. You'll be very far from everything unless you pay for a preferred room. At that point, you're not saving much versus the "lower tier" deluxe rooms anyways. In my opinion, the absolute best value rooms on property are:

Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard View
Wilderness Lodge Standard View
Fort Wilderness Cabins
Port Orleans (Riverside or French Quarter)
Art of Animation Family Suites
Old Key West 2-bedroom Villas (if traveling with two families who are splitting the bill)

 

[Schneewittchen]

I can vouch for November (around Veterans Day) and January (about a week after new years). In November, expect upper 70s to low 80s for highs, it's very pleasant and the crowds aren't too bad. In January, it's cooler, upper 60s and low 70s, but the parks can feel almost empty.

Can't give much advice about resorts. We usually stay at Fort Wilderness in an RV. I really love that place. It's like a second home to me. Bike/running trail, electrical water pageant, Hoop Dee Doo review, lots of activities, awesome breakfast buffet at Trail's End, lots of trees, water transportation to Magic Kingdom and the other MK resorts. It's great for families.

Otherwise, we've stayed at All-Star Movies. It's a place to sleep and grab a quick bite in the morning if you're a park commando and don't plan to hang out at a resort.

I'm staying at Caribbean Beach this coming April with another family that loves it. Apparently the pool is awesome and the resort is very kid friendly.

 

[Think Tink]

So I might not be helpful with weather as I love it when the weather is 90+ degrees (I know I am a freak ) But The last week of August was really manageable with crowds, and cost-wise, it is on the lower end of the year. I've never stayed at a Moderate but I wouldn't write off AKL as WL as they tend to have decent discounts depending on the time of year. Hope you can make it happen!

 

[Shouldigo12]

I can vouch for November (around Veterans Day) and January (about a week after new years). In November, expect upper 70s to low 80s for highs, it's very pleasant and the crowds aren't too bad. In January, it's cooler, upper 60s and low 70s, but the parks can feel almost empty.

Can't give much advice about resorts. We usually stay at Fort Wilderness in an RV. I really love that place. It's like a second home to me. Bike/running trail, electrical water pageant, Hoop Dee Doo review, lots of activities, awesome breakfast buffet at Trail's End, lots of trees, water transportation to Magic Kingdom and the other MK resorts. It's great for families.

Otherwise, we've stayed at All-Star Movies. It's a place to sleep and grab a quick bite in the morning if you're a park commando and don't plan to hang out at a resort.

I'm staying at Caribbean Beach this coming April with another family that loves it. Apparently the pool is awesome and the resort is very kid friendly.

Woah. November has temps up to the 80s? The Ohioan in me is salviating with jealousy.

 

[Think Tink]

Woah. November has temps up to the 80s? The Ohioan in me is salviating with jealousy.

Right! I'm crying over the past 3 days of 60's and rain in NE Ohio!

 

[Nottamus]

I hate to give up my secret here, but here goes..(kidding)

We did the week AFTER Easter week this year, and it was amazing time to go.

One night Soarin' has a 5 minute wait time. (walked on 3 times in a row)
We watched Illuminations one night and once everyone had their spot at the fence to watch, the walkways behind us were EMPTY!
AK was empty after dark..

Its our target week every trip now when we can.

 

[Shouldigo12]

I hate to give up my secret here, but here goes..(kidding)

We did the week AFTER Easter week this year, and it was amazing time to go.

One night Soarin' has a 5 minute wait time. (walked on 3 times in a row)
We watched Illuminations one night and once everyone had their spot at the fence to watch, the walkways behind us were EMPTY!
AK was empty after dark..

Its our target week every trip now when we can.

Oh, sweet. Thanks for sacrificing that secret for me.

 

[Minnie Mum]

A week or 2 after Easter is our preferred time to visit, too. Crowds may not be as low as Jan, but they haven't been bad at all. And the weather is great. Warm, but without the summer high temps and high humidity. And without the daily pop-up thunderstorms of summer and early fall.

The mods are our preferred resorts, and we've stayed at all of them multiple times. We haven't found any noise problems, and think the rooms (including the beds) are quite comfortable. POFQ is our favorite.

 

[Shouldigo12]

A week or 2 after Easter is our preferred time to visit, too. Crowds may not be as low as Jan, but they haven't been bad at all. And the weather is great. Warm, but without the summer high temps and high humidity. And without the daily pop-up thunderstorms of summer and early fall.

The mods are our preferred resorts, and we've stayed at all of them multiple times. We haven't found any noise problems, and think the rooms (including the beds) are quite comfortable. POFQ is our favorite.

Thank! It seems after Easter or November are probably my best bets.

 

[John park hopper]

We like the first week in May not crowded during the week (weekends are crowded) temps can vary greatly but still pool weather. We stay at the moderates like CBR and have a trip planned this May POFQ. Just the DW and me (boys grown) so kid related resorts not needed