Winter vs Summer visits

[renee123]

So just did a summer visit to WDW and I must say I much prefer a winter trip. The crowds are light and the weather is great in say Jan-Feb. This time I waited in very long lines to sweat to death! What a different experience. If your impatient like me I would reco a visit during the off season.!

 

[Mukta]

I also prefer visits in the off season. I go in September usually.
If the only time I could go to WDW was in the middle of summer, I would have to think long and hard about it before going. Crowds seem unbearable.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

We went a few times in summer, but mostly go in October. Summer is crazyyyyyyy!! Weather is unbearable at times in summer and lines are incredible. Much prefer the fall.

 

[majorrfb]

Absolutely correct

I've been a few times before Christmas and I LOVED it. It's beautifully decorated, the shows/parades are themed for the holidays, the weather is really comfortable, and the crowds are a lot better!

You are right on the money. If we only go once during a year, we visit at Christmas holiday time, for the very reasons you have stated. :xmas: :sohappy:

 

[Rowdy]

We went a few times in summer, but mostly go in October.

Must of us Floridians still consider October "summer". :ROFLOL:


But, I prefer winter trips for sure. We easily go twice as much during the winter.

 

[10Magic]

Other than the most crowded times (Christmas, Easter, etc.), summer is the WORST time to really enjoy WDW. The only plusses are longer park hours, more daylight, and late-night swimming. Being from the northeast, nothing beats escaping the cold from November through April. You need a bit of luck if you're going in January or February though. Although the normal high temps are around 70 degrees, you can get a cold spell. The mid-days are still usually OK with a heavy sweatshirt or jacket, but the mornings and after-dark can be pretty cold. But that's the exception, not the rule. Sign me up for comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds!

 

[ABigBrassBand]

I find January to be the perfect time to go, although Splash usually isn't open. The lines are manageable, and I actually enjoy cold weather, believe it or not.

 

[LilSuzy]

Of course I chose summer when it was for our family trips, ONLY because kiddos are out of school. However, the next family trip will be in feb/mar.

 

[yankspy]

I am a firm believer in the fall trip. Oct/Nov. usually. F&W Festival, Halloween decorations, Christmas decorations, parties, moderate crowds, and great weather.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

end of summer's not bad, especially if you go there the week that the kids in the area have their first week of school. for a few days nobody is there, i was one of four people in the harbor house, we actually thought it was closed that's how empty the area around it was that week. other than that, the fall/early winter trip is probably the best, mainly due to the weather and the atmosphere with the seasonally themed decorations; really, not much beats MK's mainstreet and hollywood studios light show in December.

 

[mickey2008.1]

We prefer mid september, still hot, but mild crowds. We used to love december, but this past year was way too cold, lows in the high teens, and highs of 40 degrees. Not so well for a northern ohio person. Bad timing i guess.:shrug:

 

[The Duck]

I alway go in late January/early February since that's the week that I'm locked into with my timeshare for the past 30 years (not DVC). The weather is usually beautiful and the crowds are few and far between. One morning, there was no line at all at Splash Mountain and I walked right on and sat in my own personal log. When I got to the end, there was still no line so the CM asked me if I wanted to go again. I said, "Sho nuff".

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Must of us Floridians still consider October "summer". :ROFLOL:


But, I prefer winter trips for sure. We easily go twice as much during the winter.

Here on the east coast, summer ends on Labor Day (along with wearing white shoes!!) :lol:

 

[BigRedDad]

I will not go to WDW in the Summer. If it was the only time I could go, I would not visit. I fretted going to Universal in the Summer, but it was to be with college friends and their families. What a surprise that was. Middle of June, very low crowds, and we walked on everything with our Express Pass.

 

[foreverbelle]

I have pretty much always gone in the various months of spring/summer..

the only time this was an exception to the rule was Feb. 10' and of course the one time we decide to do a winter trip is the one year that it is in the 20's down there. It was during the blizzard of 10' in the DC area and we thought we would be clever to head to at least a little warmer weather.

I will say I do love going during the spring months March-May...

 

[cinderellafan6]

Winter Winter Winter!!!! Living in Florida during the summer is bad enough. Cant stand going from the car to the house let alone standing in a 90 minute line for Peter Pan.:brick:

 

[fractal]

We've gone in April, and twice in late May/early June.

Each time the weather was in the high 80's, low 90's.

This year we are going in August and our plan is to go early, take mid-day breaks at Storm-along-bay, enjoy some ice-cream from Beaches and Cream and some drinks from Hurricane Hannah's. Then go to dinner and enjoy the parks at night.

We also added waterpark option and figure to spend some time in the wave pool and slides.

We are also loading up on suntan lotion and ordering a couple cases of water for the room.

 

[fractal]

Personally, I would love to go in the Fall or early Spring. When you have two of your children in high school it makes hard for them to miss a week of school.

 

[Kirk88]

We found a HUGE difference between early June and late June. Our son was already out of school in late May, we took our trip the 1st week of June. Most other schools in the U.S. were still in and the tour groups hadn't invaded yet. We had a blast! Managable waits in MK. HS was a bit of a mess since Star Wars Weekends were in full swing. Overall, we found it a great time to visit. Late June was a different story.....PACKED.....EVERYWHERE (not that it mattered, we were still at WDW)! LOL

 

[ChristianG]

I've only been to WDW in the summer and I've never had any real problems with crowds. But that could be because I usually go around late August. The heat is a problem though. It's always around 60-80% Humidity everytime I go. It's crazy. Last year it rained for half of the time, so it was refreshing, but still... the heat is a problem. I've never been to WDW during the winter. I'd like to try it some time.