[Question] Which time to go to WDW is better?

[Ryan Imagineer]

Hello All, My family and I are planning a trip to wdw. My mom wants to go during christmas break 2010 with no other family members, but I and the rest of the family want to go sometime in mid August 2010 with family members. What do you think is the best time for us to go. These following things are what we care about the most so use them to decide your vote:

Size of the crowd
Specials going on

[ChessurInWonderland]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

Well, I'm not a local, but whenever my family goes, we go in early October. It's perfect for us because it's near many of my family member's birthdays, and it's always a lot more empty since it's after everyone's in school and in between busy seasons, so I assume August is probably better since many schools start in August so people are more likely to go early in the summer, like in July.

[aimster]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

Christmas break will be insanely busy. The first week or 2 of December is better (but you have to deal with Christmas parade taping the first weekend in December). The closer to Christmas you get, the busier it gets.

August will be hot, humid and a chance of rain every day, but not as crowded.

[Bags deserves bett]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

Late august, better weather and can enjoy the water rides

make sure to go after most schools get back in session, it allows you to enjoy the same park with halve the ait times and have the room rates

If you can go in september/october is my personal favorite:

Get some food and wine late on a friday night, after skipping over to universal for halloween horror nights on thursday

[flynnibus]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

You won't get specials in December. Summer typically has deals depending on exactly when you are going.

August = hot hot and then hot. If you've never been there in Summer, you're in for a rude awakening. But if part of the trip is to enjoy Florida Sun.. that's the time to enjoy the pool, water parks, etc. December is more touch and go if its pool weather or not.

August you will get rain too, but that too is manageable.

Christmas break will be busy depending on when you go. Realize that christmas/NYE is the busiest time of the year for the parks BY FAR. But early december is ok, etc.

If you want hot weather and lower crowds and potential deals.. August is better.
If you want the seasonal stuff - XMas is nice.

[Imagineer Scott]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

I went the 2nd week of Dec and it was surprisingly packed. And August is very hot, and there are no Holiday decorations. IMO you should go either in the beginning of October for MNSSHP or towards the end of November for MVMCP. The first week of Dec is parade filming and is VERY hectic- plus pop warner kids are there in bulk.

If I had to choose between the 2 times in the poll, I'd say 2nd weekend of Dec. It's busy, but you can still do everything.

[Ryan Imagineer]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

Thanks for all the feedback but the dates are pretty much set in stone august is from the 18 to 28 and December is during Christmas break.

[SnorkletsMom]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

It's really about the weather. During both times you are probably going to encounter very large crowds (some schools around the country go back in August, but many, many do not)

Since you can count on the park being crowded, think carefully about how the weather will affect your enjoyment. August will be brutally hot and humid with rain a good chance; December will be cool with cold nights and probably rainy too. If you're like me and can cope with large crowds and long wait times only if the weather is cool, consider that carefully.

Last year we were there for the Thanksgiving holiday and the start of the Christmas season...the park is beautiful with the lights and all the festive decorations. I will try to go at the same time again whenever we return.

[NeverNeverland]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

August is horrible. The heat is disgusting. And there are still crowds. Dec will be crowded too but you will get better weather.

(pretty much what Snorklets mom said )

[aimster]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

I guess the heat in the summer doesn't bother me much since I live in Florida, plus I love summer weather. I HATE being cold. I'm shivering and piling on extra blankets the second it drops below 70.

[flynnibus]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

at least that late in Aug you'll have most schools back in session. The heat is high, but I like summer more then spring/fall... so I'd go with the heat. Christmas decorations are nice, but I wouldn't plan a trip for them. But that's just me.

Our last trip.. the heat was 95+, with the heat index about 105 every day. That's the hottest I've been there where it was that the entire week. But with enough to drink we were fine and actually stayed in the parks until very late every day. (when it was still 90+ at midnight :o ). This was early in the summer too.. just wickly hot that week.

[tinkerb]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

I agree with everyone here..........weather should be your first determining factor...hot, summer Florida fun or cooler, maybe even cold (we have experienced 40 at night), holiday magic. Both times can be crowded!

[lily23]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

Hmm. So interesting to read everyone's responses! I see my vote was the minority. Here's my take, and perhaps I should mention that we've been going every Christmas break for the last thirteen years, though we go in the summer sometimes too:

August is sweltering, sweat-running-down-your-body HOT. August park-goers are more "locals" who have been a million times, who enjoy it of course, but are a little more jaded, tired of it, (can't think of how to put it). And the heat tends to make people a bit cranky. You'll see people snapping at their kids, getting irritated with strangers in line, etc. Compare that to Christmas time: Cool weather, people there from all over the world who are just thrilled out of their minds to be there for the holidays, which results in a certain "happy energy" that's difficult to describe, but it's completely different experience then going in August. Personally, I prefer Christmastime infinitely to any other time, because that "happy vibe" makes for a superior experience . (I also would have to disagree with above poster and say that I think the holiday decorations are worth planning a trip around: it's just outstanding)

Deals at christmas? No, no deals, but there ARE affordable-and-reasonably-nice places to stay, book ahead for more availability.

One part of your post I'd like to address, it seems you'd have a smaller group at Christmas. Personally, I think that's better. I've been with big groups and small groups, and with bigger groups, it just gets hard to please everybody, because not everyone wants to do the same thing, and if you have more than one "in-charge" kind of person, feathers will get ruffled! Plus it's hard to visit with each other when you're trying to navigate the park, find tables at restaurants, etc., it's just easier (and more fun, imo) to manage a smaller group.

As far as crowds: It will be crowded either way. Probably more crowded (OK, definitely more crowded) at Christmas, but for the "savvy" park-goer, it's manageable. The key is to get there as soon as the park opens and take advantage of the un-crowded early morning hours for attractions that you really want to hit, and save lamer stuff for the afternoon. Take advantage of the fast-passes. To manage crowds at Christmas time, we have learned that it's best NOT to go the magic kingdom on Christmas day, choose any other day. Hollywood studios is a good Christmas day park (we think). Check park hours, some days over Christmas they open at eight. It's worth getting there that early. You can hit all the major attractions before it gets crowded, and have a wallet full of fast passes for the afternoon.

Let us know what you decide!

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

I say August. Seeing at least 1 park, usually 2-3, reached some phase of closing this week, that's just too many people for me. I would rather go in August, take my time in air conditioning, water rides, and a dip at the pool/water park, than deal with the insanity of the crowds.

To give you an idea, here's a pic from the wdwmagic Twitter of Harambe at 5PM on Dec. 28.


I'd much rather have the heat, which is more controllable than the crowds. Plus, the rain every afternoon would cool things down.

[Mike Deep]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

Any time but Christmas. The place is intolerable Christmas through New Year's. You'll be lucky to get in a restroom let alone a ride.

[lily23]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

Any time but Christmas. The place is intolerable Christmas through New Year's. You'll be lucky to get in a restroom let alone a ride.

Hmm, just can't agree with that! I was just there from the 23rd to the 27th. We enjoyed uncrowded morning hours and took it easy in the afternoon. No problems finding empty bathrooms whatsoever! Enjoyed all the "E ticket" attractions, many of them multiple times. Didn't wait longer than half an hour for anything. Took advantage of Fast Passes. Great view of the parade, the fireworks, Fantasmics, and we didn't have to arrive ridiculously early for any of those things. The weather was crisp but not too cold. It was great!

If you're going to arrive at noon, then no, you're not going to have a good time. Early morning arrival is key

[Lanmon]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

We have been to WDW during both times and by far Christmas time is the absolute best. Our favorite time of year to visit is between Thanksgiving and Christmas where the Christmas crowds have not yet begun. We have stayed between Christmas and New Years 4 times and the crowds were not really that bad. The weather usually is pretty good, decorations are beautiful, people are in the Christmas spirit etc. The Christmas crowds in years past have be crowded on Christmas and New Years Eve but we PLANNED AHEAD, GOT TO PARKS EARLY, USED EARLY MORNING ADMISSION. If you get to the parks before 11:00 each day it should be fine. There were NO PROBLEMS finding/using the bathrooms either. Christmas Day and New Years Day you do not want to go to any park because of the massive crowds. If you attempt to visit Magic Kingdom expect to be turned away around 9:00 AM. Epcot is always open but crowded. Instead, enjoy the decorations at other resorts and Wilderness campground etc. Again, planning is crucial for any time visiting WDW...especially around the holidays. During the late summer it is pretty hot and muggy, very crowded, kiddies getting tired and cranky etc. Whenever the family decides to visit WDW have a wonderful and memorable time!

[lily23]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

We have been to WDW during both times and by far Christmas time is the absolute best. Our favorite time of year to visit is between Thanksgiving and Christmas where the Christmas crowds have not yet begun. We have stayed between Christmas and New Years 4 times and the crowds were not really that bad. The weather usually is pretty good, decorations are beautiful, people are in the Christmas spirit etc. The Christmas crowds in years past have be crowded on Christmas and New Years Eve but we PLANNED AHEAD, GOT TO PARKS EARLY, USED EARLY MORNING ADMISSION. If you get to the parks before 11:00 each day it should be fine. There were NO PROBLEMS finding/using the bathrooms either. Christmas Day and New Years Day you do not want to go to any park because of the massive crowds. If you attempt to visit Magic Kingdom expect to be turned away around 9:00 AM. Epcot is always open but crowded. Instead, enjoy the decorations at other resorts and Wilderness campground etc. Again, planning is crucial for any time visiting WDW...especially around the holidays. During the late summer it is pretty hot and muggy, very crowded, kiddies getting tired and cranky etc. Whenever the family decides to visit WDW have a wonderful and memorable time!

In full agreement with everything here, except the part about "no park on Christmas day" We find that Hollywood studios works out great on Christmas day, because everyone wants to be at magic kingdom or epcot for the candle/choir thing. HS has the Osborn lights which are beautiful and festive, with fake snowing blowing, and the Fantasics are great too!

[sportbettor]

Re: Which time to go to WDW is better?

We just got back from a trip over Christmas. Our last trip was last summer June-July. Like some other posters have said, we will take the Christmas crowds over the summer heat/humidity/thunderstorms any day.