There's big debate about the best times to go, and I was wondering your thoughts. We've been at all different times of the year and find that we enjoy Spring (flower and garden festival) and winter (January) the best.
When is your favorite time to go and why?
I liked the timing of my first trip--late January/early February. It was warmer in Florida than Vermont (by far!) and very low crowds. More adults and solo adults than I expected to encounter. Perfect, really. I'm going in May this time simply because I didn't have the money earlier. I would love to go during Food and Wine Festival sometime and nibble my way around the World. 
Gray
SoloFriendly.com
I liked the timing of my first trip--late January/early February. It was warmer in Florida than Vermont (by far!) and very low crowds. More adults and solo adults than I expected to encounter. Perfect, really. I'm going in May this time simply because I didn't have the money earlier. I would love to go during Food and Wine Festival sometime and nibble my way around the World.
I think Jan/Feb are awesome in every way except for the park hours. We tend to do stuff at the beginning/end of the days and if all the parks are closed after dinner, that's kind of a bummer.
I have a tie between early October and early December. Both times have relatively low crowds, hard-ticket parties, and other seasonal events. December has the Christmas stuff (Candlelight Processional, Osborne Lights, MVMCP, etc.) and October has the F&W Festival and Halloween stuff (MNSSHP).
May 2008 CSR 
We're fans of anytime crowds are lowest--Jan/Feb and September mostly.
Two times - early fall (September-October), and sometime during the Christmas holidays.
In the fall, crowds are down and the heat is down then, although September can STILL be pretty hot. And nothing beats Disney around the holidays with the sights and sounds and smells of Christmas.
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Two times - early fall (September-October), and sometime during the Christmas holidays.
In the fall, crowds are down and the heat is down then, although September can STILL be pretty hot. And nothing beats Disney around the holidays with the sights and sounds and smells of Christmas.
I love Sep-Oct. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party rules and the decorations are great. Getting in a Halloween and Christmas trip is perfect, although early Dec I think is becoming a semi-crowded time.
I was reading over everyone's answers and thinking that taking kid-less trips probably really spoils us--we never have to go to WDW when it's crowded.
May 2008 CSR
I go whenever I can. I go at the beginning of the year with friends.
I usually go every summer with my family. But I love love love the Holidays as well. We have been the last 3 Dec and it was fab!
Kelly
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I go whenever I can. I go at the beginning of the year with friends.
I usually go every summer with my family. But I love love love the Holidays as well. We have been the last 3 Dec and it was fab!
Did you go early in Dec, or closer to Christmas?
I go whenever I can. I go at the beginning of the year with friends.
I usually go every summer with my family. But I love love love the Holidays as well. We have been the last 3 Dec and it was fab!
May 2008 CSR
Kelly wrote:I go whenever I can. I go at the beginning of the year with friends.
I usually go every summer with my family. But I love love love the Holidays as well. We have been the last 3 Dec and it was fab!
Did you go early in Dec, or closer to Christmas?
Kelly
www.travelwiththemagic.com
[email protected]
1-800-670-4312
I go back to my Christmas holiday comment earlier. There is something about being at a Disney resort during the holidays.
IF you can be with the people you'd normally want to spend the holidays with anyway, you can't beat being there.
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I go back to my Christmas holiday comment earlier. There is something about being at a Disney resort during the holidays.
IF you can be with the people you'd normally want to spend the holidays with anyway, you can't beat being there.
i think we may try that one year. i don't think everyone in the family is as pro-disney as i am though.
MouseTraveler wrote:I go back to my Christmas holiday comment earlier. There is something about being at a Disney resort during the holidays.
IF you can be with the people you'd normally want to spend the holidays with anyway, you can't beat being there.
i think we may try that one year. i don't think everyone in the family is as pro-disney as i am though.
That trip might change that forever.
It would be like celebrating Christmas in a movie!
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This is my opinion, based on personal experience:
Even though there are some good deals right in the middle of Summer, it's much too hot! I don't want to be hot and miserable while on vacation if I don't have to be and planning to go smack dab in the middle of Summer pretty much guarantees hot and miserable. June and July are the busy times so hot + humid + crowded = grumpy me!
I don't like traveling in Winter. We are in Pennsylvania and when we go to WDW, we drive. I don't want to chance the possibility of a snow storm on the way there or back. Winter also seems to be the time of year we are all sick - off and on. I tend to stay away from vacationing between the months of November - March, simply because of this.
Of course, staying away from WDW during Spring break and holidays makes the most sense, since that is when many people go - because they can. My oldest is in Kindergarten and I quickly found out how strict the school district is. The students may not miss the first 2 weeks of school, so going right after Labor day is out and the students may not miss finals, so the beginning of June is out.
I have been to WDW in February - I was in 3rd grade so I don't remember much about the crowds but I do remember that the weather was a bit cool and we didn't go swimming in any outdoor pool, even though they were heated. I have been there in early June - It was a school trip! It was super crowded - YUCK!
I went in late September and it was AWESOME! Weather was beautiful - we didn't experience any storms (hurricanes) and the crowds were practically non-existent. I think the most we waited to get on a ride was 20 minutes!
I was there in May, around Mothers' Day and it was WONDERFUL! So far, in my opinion, that was the best time to go!
From the end of April to the middle of May is the perfect time. Right after Easter and before Memorial day, it's like you're getting there in between the crowded times. Now, yes, this is my opinion and I am sure others will have their own 'favorite' time but for me, I don't know if I'd bother going any other time. Last year we went from May 11th - May 17th and the weather was in the mid 80's during the day and high 60's at night. PERFECT! We took advantage of the pools and water rides! The crowds were not too bad either. We never had to use a FastPass. The longest wait, that I remember, was about 35 minutes for Expedition Everest and that wait was worth it!
This year when we were there from April 29th - May 6th it was once again, awesome!
Updates while we're there and trip reports >> Disney Vacation Trip Reports
September has a lot going for it, great weather, low crowds, although free dining has definitely impinged upon that, and events.
Late April - Early May is another doable time, but I find it's still a bit hot then for my liking.
September has a lot going for it, great weather, low crowds, although free dining has definitely impinged upon that, and events.
Late April - Early May is another doable time, but I find it's still a bit hot then for my liking.
September/October is good if you're an SEC football fan too. Gainesville is right up the road and you can catch your team there every other year. We've been to several games over the years that were combined with SEC road trips.
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Other than hurricanes and free dining ADR problems, can anyone think of anything bad about September?
Other than hurricanes and free dining ADR problems, can anyone think of anything bad about September?
Updates while we're there and trip reports >> Disney Vacation Trip Reports
dsoup wrote:Other than hurricanes and free dining ADR problems, can anyone think of anything bad about September?
School - those of us who have kids have a tough time getting them out of school since its the beginning of the year.
Yeah, that's a definite disadvantage for some of us and an advantage for the others. Keeps the crowds down for those of us without kids.
UnbalancedLibra wrote:dsoup wrote:Other than hurricanes and free dining ADR problems, can anyone think of anything bad about September?
School - those of us who have kids have a tough time getting them out of school since its the beginning of the year.
Yeah, that's a definite disadvantage for some of us and an advantage for the others. Keeps the crowds down for those of us without kids.
Updates while we're there and trip reports >> Disney Vacation Trip Reports
Absolutely!!! Then and right before the end of the year, when final exams are going on!
It's too bad those aren't synchronized nation-wide. Could be an awesome week! 
UnbalancedLibra wrote:
Absolutely!!! Then and right before the end of the year, when final exams are going on!
It's too bad those aren't synchronized nation-wide. Could be an awesome week!
very true! Updates while we're there and trip reports >> Disney Vacation Trip Reports
We actually ended up there during the unofficial "Gay Days" once. It was quite the show, actually!
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We actually ended up there during the unofficial "Gay Days" once. It was quite the show, actually!
May 2008 CSR
MouseTraveler wrote:We actually ended up there during the unofficial "Gay Days" once. It was quite the show, actually!
I've always wondered about that! Any stories to tell?
Actually, it was fairly humorous. Nothing blatant other than they color coordinate by day, so if you happen to wear a red shirt on "red day", then you may fit in better than you'd like. (I think the more "blatant stuff" is done in the private get togethers.)
I remember standing in line at 'Small World' and talking to some of the participants, and they were just a bunch of guys having a good time at Disney.
Just like any other event, you had groups that you'd never guess, and you had some who were a little more "flashy"!
I've never had a problem with the whole concept. In fact, it was just like when we found ourselves at Hemingway Days in Key West last summer. Didn't plan to be there during it, but sure enjoyed all the hoopla and feel a little more enlightened for having been there..
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I shudder to think what happens at "Hemmingway Days"...
Hi,
I think a great time to go to WDW is in October. My first solo trip was in October of 2000, with little rain, temperatures in the mid-80s F (29-30°C), and manageable crowds. I had a blast!
Jim
We have been there (WDW) number of times however the best times when we enjoy there. The first is October because it is low crowded time. The second time we like to visit WDW is week after Thanksgiving (in December) it is also great time to visit WDW. December climate and all the Christmas decorations look really beautiful!
Best Regards,