No longer going in December.

[epcotisbest]

Ok, it is nearly Feb. and I am just now getting a chance to start posting again. For the last several years we have been going to WDW in early to mid-December. Great time to go with all the decorations and small crowds. We always head home before the Holiday crowds start arriving (around Dec. 20th). This past December, it was unusually cold and that took some of the fun out of the trip. Wednesday, Dec. 17th was so windy and cool that we went back to the room and hung out watching movies. On the 19th, we got to see Wishes from the top of the Contemporary while dining at the California Grill. It was an incredible view, and we decided to watch from the outside viewing area on top of the Contempory. Man was that cold. Now, it was still an amazing view, but we won't be doing that again during Dec. Yeah, we could have just stayed inside and watched it, but the veiw from the top/outside is just too good to pass up.No Osborne lights this trip was sad too. The weather is why I think we will now just go in mid-May, or early September. We have gone during both months and liked it at that time of the year. Mid-May is a great time, wonderful weather, small crowds, Flower and Garden Festival, and you beat the hordes of summer vacationers.

Also, early September is good, again for the small crowds
and warm weather. I know Sept. is still hot, and still has the frequent afternoon thunderstorms, but I think that is better than being cold to the point of not enjoying yourself.

I know, we'll miss MVMCP and the Candlelight Processional, as well as all the decorations and festive spirit of December, but that will be the trade-off.

Oh, we'll go back in December someday, just not anytime soon. Does anyone else have a favorite and not-so-favorite time of the year to visit WDW?

Ricky

 

[Gucci65]

It does seem that the last two Decembers have been colder than prior Decembers. However, it seems to be the best time to take my 12 yr old (school slows down there - no testing going on). Won't you miss Osborne????? Just wear jeans - yes, I know it's not the same as shorts, but hey you are in Disney!!

Not so favorite (but we go every year) is a day trip in July to MK. Toooo hot, tooooo many sweaty people, loooooooong lines - but I can't stand the thought of being that close and not visiting the mouse.

 

[Becky]

I did all three of your months last year

May was great, low crowds tad humid. Flower and Garden show was really nice. The topiaries (sp) were outstanding

Went again third week of September. Again bit warm and humid but crowds even smaller than May.

Final trip last year was Dec.28-Jan5. Never again. Weather was super , mid to high 70's during the day and mid 60's a night. But, the 28th, 29th and 30th had worse crowds than I had ever seen including many NYE's. And the actual NYE was so bad we left for the hotel at 4 p.m.

I think I will try your early Dec. this year. A jacket with Gortex should take care of any weather problems and I do like the Osborne lights. The Angel effect a couple of years ago was super

 

[Shannon_Yensid]

my family typically goes down during school breaks but NOT summer (too hot...too many people...not enough fun)
when my sister and i were younger and could miss two weeks of school without really missing much we used to go the two weeks after thanksgiving and late september sometimes we go then...but typically its presidents week and the third week in april (unless thats easter week)

the week before presidents week in feb. is a really nice time to go down but my mom will not take my sister and i out of school anymore (and now im at college and dont have to money to go down even if i could, somehow, get out of classes then)

i'd say, at all costs avoid summer...summer is really not too much fun. sure the seasonal attractions are up but so are the number of people in lines and the temperature....the only reason i'd ever encourage anyone to go in the summer was if that was going to be their only chance EVER and there was no way to get them down in a cooler month or less busy time and even then i dont really think they would enjoy it that much. but then again thats just me

~shannon

i cant wait to go back!!!

 

[Zipadeedoodah]

I agree that September is a wondeful time to visit WDW. I love the warmer temperatures in the summer....but the crowds just ruin the disney-esque feel of it. So, Sept. is great....hot weather, fewer rain storms, and way less crowds.

February is also a great time to visit. The temperatures are very desirable...(especially compared to this bitter chicago cold), and the crowds are very light, except for president's day week.

Leaving in 29 days! woohoo!:sohappy:

 

[cherrynegra]

Wow!! That is so freaky!! I was there the week of December 13th to the 20th. I'm laughing because I too was at the top of the Contemporary on the 19th having dinner and I was one of those that braved the cold weather on the observation deck to watch the Wishes fireworks. Frostbite be damned.

And I agree. It was very cold that week. In fact my friend and I made a trip to Target to get some clothing for the cold weather due to our packing for warm weather. But don't get me wrong. We loved the cold!!! In fact we're going back the same time hoping that it will be cold that week. The day you decided to stay in and watch videos is when we hit MGM. Yes, it was like riding the parks in a hurricane, but it was fun!!

I've been to WDW in May and I will never ever ever ever EVER do that again. It was so hot and muggy that it was just awful. Cold weather in Dec for me thank you.

 

[DisneyBound]

Weve been at Disney the last 2 Septembers and loved it. We have been debating going the first or second week of December instead. The only thing holding us back was the possibility that it might be cold. We enjoy swimming each day and wouldnt want to have to give that up...but...seeing the christmas stuff would be so nice too.

 

[rosie.ca]

it is colder now because we are heading into a new ice age ... :lookaroun :lol: i listen to the conspiracy guy on the radio too much

ah well in 1 month i will get to see what march weather/crowds are like

 

[NemoRocks78]

December is actually one of my favorite times to go, only in the early part of the month though when crowds are low and all the holiday decor is around. Sure, it's cold, but you should bring warm clothing! It gets cold in Florida too, you know! It's freezing here right now!

 

[figmentmom]

I know I'm a little nuts, but the summer is my favorite time to visit WDW. Ideally, the best time for me is the last two weeks of August, when the Florida kids are back in school but the parks are still open relatively late. This past year, though, I went in July, and I had a blast it! I really love hot weather, and crowds (as long as they're not related to me! :lol: ) don't bother me at all.

 

[BuzzLite_Fran]

WDW in november

ok everyone since were discussing weather and which month to go in the last two sept's we ent and enjoyed it but its still a little too hot for my wife and daughter so we have booked 12-20 th of nov this year, on insistance of our disney reservationist that its 75-80 and sunny then also............
is this indeed true? is it generally still warm and sunny at this time\we also were told that most of the christmas decs will be out then as well.......
so what are some of your thoughts on this do i need to resched or leave it as is?

 

[Becky]

Originally posted by rosie.ca
it is colder now because we are heading into a new ice age ... :lookaroun :lol: i listen to the conspiracy guy on the radio too much

Hey, I agree with the new ice age. It is 7 outside and snowing, again or make that still. Last year the snow started on Dec. 24th and I didn't see the ground again until March

Where's this Global Warming we keep hearing about?

 

[epcotisbest]

Thanks everyone for the replies. You could tell who was from the frozen north by who was in the pools during 40-50 degree weather. Now, it gets plenty cold here in northern GA too, and we had lots of ice just this week, but it does not last long and we only reach the teens and twenties for a few days at a time. There seems to be a wide variety of favorite times, which is great, everyone has their own preferences and getting insight into other peoples views on the best time to go is very helpful.

So, Cherrynegra, you know all about the crazy cold and wind that blew in on the 17th. Wow, that was a windy day. It truly is a small world that we were on the top of the Contemporary at the same time. Wishes from there is amazing. My wife loved it but said the next time I want to stand out there in that cold I could enjoy it by myself as she would just watch from inside.

BuzzLite-Fran don't reschedule because of this thread. See, the weather is simply hit and miss during the colder months. A couple of days we were there this December were very nice, cool mornings but wamed up fine. Now, we did not do any water rides as we did not want to be wet and cold, but November is fine, and usually a very pleasant time to go weather-wize. It still may have some chilly days, but then again it might not. Not really sure how early the Christmas decorations go up, maybe you will get to see some of them. We have been in early November, several years ago, and they were not up yet. In early Dec. all the decorations are up.

Becky, the Angels flying around the lights at the Osborne Lights a couple of years ago was so cool. We walked through with the glasses off first, then put them on and made the entire walk again. It was a nice touch. I hope the new home for the Osborne lights will be good, but the house facades on Residential St. was a perfect setting.

We did WDW once in July. I appreciate the folks who enjoy the incredible heat/humidity/crowds etc...but that was a one time thing for us. I realize that because of schedules/work/school that this is the only time some people can go, but others choose to go then because they like the excitement and longer hours. I won't be going in the summer, during holidays, and during the colder months, so I have narrowed down my time for visiting, but not having children, we can go just about any time we choose. Since I've gotten older, I am just getting choosier I guess.

Thanks everyone,
Ricky

 

[surfsupdon]

We always go down during school breaks too as my parents are both teachers at the same school and my sis and I are model student/athletes.

Easter was a very nice time to go, the weather was always warm to hot, and there was very little rain, usually if at all. But it was crowded. We've done this for 9 vacations.

Then we did June-July for the 4th of July once. It was HOT, but still not rainy. It was not as festive as we liked, no where near as patriotic as we expected. But it was a great trip regardless.

We did November once for NJ Teachers Convention Week. We did not like the cooler temps and EXTREME early closings of theme parks. And I was not that impressed with the crowd level, it was still high.

Our last two vacations were 12/26--1/4 both times. Spend Christmas at home, and leave that night. We were told that both vacations we lucked out with temps. In 2002-03 it was upper 70s and 2 days of 81ish. Beautiful. But New Years Eve was a COMPLETE washout and made for a very miserable night at Epcot. We had to leave and watch the fireworks from our balcony, so we weren't really "there." This past year 2003-04 was even better weather. That week was HOT, temps in the 80s easily all day. Also, we find Eastertime to be more crowded, go figure. We were highly dissappointed with the lack of Osborne Lights, yet her highly happy about having a good weather New Years Eve. And this was our first stay at a Deluxe so we are hooked.

Therefore, b/c of the amazing experience of a Deluxe, the fabuluous fireworks we finally got to see, yet with the absence of the Lights, we should be going back next year same time. As long as we continue to luck out weatherwise, its a sure bet as well.

In summation, Easter was originally thought to be the best time ever, but it does not compare to Christmas New Years time at all for the hustle, decorations, extended hours, and festivities--I love the idea of Christmas during tropical environments. (I was originally scared to travel during Christmas, I want t be home.) November was OK, just nothing to do after 6pm. 4th of July will prolly be a never again, very dissappointed, but still a great trip.

I'd most like early December, but it'll never happen, noone can miss school/sports.

All great vacations with highlights of their own unique to their time period.

 

[NashvilleMouse]

I can't get my dad to go any other time than Christmas. My parents love the park at Christmas time with all the decorations. (I haven't the heart to tell them the Osborne lights were removed) It is very cold at night and in the early morning. I prefer a little warmer. I found July to be a little too warm for my tastes. I have to agree with them (parents), the Christmas decorations at Disney really get you in the spirit.

 

[figmentmom]

I agree, the weather in November and December is truly unpredictable. I wouldn't re-schedule a vacation for fear of coller temperatures, but I WOULD go prepared with long pants and jackets/sweatshirts.

 

[JBSLJames]

Looking forward to seeing the lights in November. Our open times to go coincide with the kids time off (Spring Break, Summer Vacation, Thanksgiving week, Christmas Break.) We decided on Thanksgiving week. Wouldn't have the money by Spring Break. Afraid of the crowds and heat during Summer, and Christmas we like to spend here in town with family.

 

[kurros]

Originally posted by Becky
Hey, I agree with the new ice age. It is 7 outside and snowing, again or make that still. Last year the snow started on Dec. 24th and I didn't see the ground again until March

Where's this Global Warming we keep hearing about?

An amusing link between your fist and last sentence; global warming is what will lead to the next ice age.

 

[NashvilleMouse]

Originally posted by JBSLJames
We decided on Thanksgiving week.

Great, that's all Disney needs... another Turkey.

When does Disney put up their Christmas decorations? If they are like the malls around here it would be early August. Make sure they have their Christmas decor up before you go in case you are depending on seeing the lights up. I wonder if Disney will have any shows for the Thanksgiving holiday for you and your family?

 

[epcotisbest]

Originally posted by figmentmom
I agree, the weather in November and December is truly unpredictable. I wouldn't re-schedule a vacation for fear of coller temperatures, but I WOULD go prepared with long pants and jackets/sweatshirts.

Great advice! :wave: