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Visit in Mar-Apr or Jan
- Thread starter ozzie226
- Start date
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
Since you’re from Chicago and you have 3 kids I’d say 1st week in April is the better decision
Thanks for your reply. Are you suggesting based on the weather or anything else?
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
Ya, weather be scrumptious by early April…..an outdoor delight
Worldlover71
Well-Known Member
Beware the first week in January. Depending on when New Year's Eve is, that week can be VERY busy. April will also be busy with Spring Break crowd but not as bad.
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
I'm from the Chicagoland area and I found that the tail end of Jan/Feb is the best time to go.
Thanks for the reply but there is going to be school during this time.
bjlc57
Well-Known Member
originally from the south side of Milwaukee and the week of March 17th was when the weather broke in WDW for years.. always perfect.. correct temps , NO humidity.. and for you ITS THE END OF WINTER.. cuz by the time you get back it will almost be april 1st.. and for 2 weeks prior to you trip.. all you will be thinking about is GOING ON YOUR TRIP.. so basically winter ends the last day of February.. for you.. trust me .. I am going that week my self..
Ty. I don't mind when the winter ends for us here in Chicago. I am more interested in knowing whether it'd be too hot or humid for us Chicagoens to visit in the 1st week of April. The crowd meter would def be better than Jan (12/30-1/7).
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
Ah.
I'm not sure we can answer that. Just a few days ago, I was with two teens who grew up in same area. One was happy in shorts/tee, while the other wore a jacket over 2 layers and long pants.
Historically speaking, the first week of Jan started out very busy, but Jan 7 crowds dropped as low as WDW crowds ever get. Prices used to be low because it can be a difficult time of year to travel.
April crowds were much more variable. With April, much depended on when Easter falls. Next year it falls on April 20. WDW tends to be fairly busy all spring, and goes to peak crowds for 2 weeks around Easter, but then drops off. Early April will probably be moderately busy.
BUT, much always depends on the weather. A good number of parkgoers are local AP holders. IME, they will go to the parks when the weather is nice, and stay away when the weather is not great. And just about every parkgoer will (slightly) change the length of their day if the weather is not great. If you are willing to stay late on a windy, cold, rainy night, you'll have short waits.
Another BIG BUT to the above is WDW prices and discounts, and those are hard to predict. WDW now works very hard to steer people to less desirable weeks via discounts (and/or away from prime weeks via peek pricing). As I said above, Much of Jan used to be slow, but I have seen it very busy, and I think that was due to a discount deal that was offered.
Also, no matter when you go, standby wait times won't be super short. Disney now has more data, and more tightly controls park hours and the price of upcharges like MPLL and SPLL.
For me, I prefer the weather in April. Nov through April the weather can be a bit variable, but tends to be pretty nice in April. (highs in the low 80's, often dry). January is doable, but tends to be a bit on the cool/windy side. Most people wear jeans, jackets/hoodies, and water rides are often closed. In April, you get Flower and Garden festival at peak bloom, but higher prices (hotel, tickets, LLMP, etc).
Last, I've been to WDW a number of times in winter. If you will be flying, travel problems are fairly common. A large storm crossing the lower 48 often triggers flight cancelations, even if/when there's no snow in FL or Chicago. There's a chance you'll spend an extra night in FL if you choose Jan. On the other hand, you'll probably get to see the tail end of the holiday decor and merchandise.
I've been to WDW in both months a number of times! Which one you prefer really depends on how you personally weigh all the variables of price, weather, crowds, park hours, etc. Both are fine.
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