Thoughts/Advice on a couple sets of dates?

[Lsumatt72]

Hi everyone,

I am in the early stages of planning our next Disney trip. Being a teacher, I'm trying to work around a couple of holidays.

The first set of dates I'm considering is Oct. 5-10 ish 2016 (I know Columbus Day is the 10th however)
The other dates are Feb 22 - 28 ish 2017 (I'm in Louisiana and our Mardi Gras falls in that date range; this is also the week AFTER President's Day)

I've never been during either of these times of year. Could anyone offer some insight into what dates may be best? Thanks!

 

[walter1901]

Your dates in February will have lower crowds than your dates in October. Mardi Gras does usually see an influx in crowds because of the large number of visitors from Louisiana (while not that significant). The first part of October now sees high crowds due to the large number of schools having longer Fall breaks near Columbus Day Weekend (which sees high crowds). Your dates in February would be better crowd wise as Presidents Day is on the 20th in 2017 and crowds would ease by Wednesday and Thursday.

 

[Lsumatt72]

That's what I was thinking too. Thanks for input. Just don't know if I can wait that long!

 

[walter1901]

That's what I was thinking too. Thanks for input. Just don't know if I can wait that long!

Us either! Our dates were very tight and we finally ended up with December 2016!

 

[Lsumatt72]

Our last trip was Jan. 3-8, 2015. Crowds and weather were great, but our school district scaled back our days off during the Christmas break so that isn't an option anymore. Ideally we'd go during that time again.

 

[JohnD]

Things to consider: In the fall, you have the Food and Wine Festival and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. No special seasonal events in February. I agree there will be lower crowds in February. If the fall seasonal events aren't a consideration, then February might be the better time. Early fall might also see higher peak crowds at Animal Kingdom and Epcot because of the new Rivers of Light show and Nighttime Safaris at AK and the new Soarin and Frozen Ever After at Epcot. Hopefully, crowds would settle down a little by February.

 

[bigorangeandy]

October can be hot and don't forget that it is still hurricane season, as I'm sure you are aware. Our hottest trip ever was in October one year, with highs in the mid 90's and the crowd level was higher than we had hoped. I understand not wanting to wait the extra months as I would like to go again next week.

 

[R W B]

Hi everyone,

I am in the early stages of planning our next Disney trip. Being a teacher, I'm trying to work around a couple of holidays.

The first set of dates I'm considering is Oct. 5-10 ish 2016 (I know Columbus Day is the 10th however)
The other dates are Feb 22 - 28 ish 2017 (I'm in Louisiana and our Mardi Gras falls in that date range; this is also the week AFTER President's Day)

I've never been during either of these times of year. Could anyone offer some insight into what dates may be best? Thanks!

Mardi Gras is a good time to go, not over crowded but just a lot of louisiana locals. I'm from Nola myself will be going this Mardi gras week, it will be my 2nd Mardi gras spent at WDW. I've never been during early oct but I have been in late oct and it was nice, not bad at all. I know Mardi Gras 2017 is 4 months further away but that would be my choice. Also should be cooler then oct too.