Originally Posted By newmouse Our kids get off School June 29 and go back to school after Canadian Labour day. When is the best time to go in terms of 1) least crowds 2) not so hot temps 3) avoidance of hurricance 4) avoidance of rain Also should we stay on or off site? How many days should we stay (We have been to Disneyland twice & have spent 5 days there each time) We are from the west coast, Canada. Our kids are 5 + 9 now.
Originally Posted By typhoonCM Well as far as crowds and heat, you'll have plenty of both in the summer. Avoid the holidays. End of August is SLIGHTLY less crowded, but still lots of people here. If you spend 5 days in Disneyland alone you're going to need AT LEAST that here at WDW. 4 parks, 2 waterparks, DTD, a few other local theme parks, my first visit when I was younger was a week and was not nearly long enough. Good luck and have fun
Originally Posted By LuLu August 27 starts value season at several resorts, and I'd guess that means less crowded. Many schools are back in session. However, I believe the threat of hurricanes increases as summer wears on. I'd avoid the weekends before July 4th and Labor Day (same date here as yours). Stay on-site. Stay at least a week, 10 days if you can!
Originally Posted By Lake Nona To Newouse, check these sites out for values, onsite or offsite and summer crowds... <a href="http://allearsnet.com/" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com/</a> <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw</a>.
Originally Posted By wam0418 Here is my opinion: I have been to WDW 14 times. I have been in July, Aug., Sept, Oct, May and am going in Feb in 2006. Depending on how hot or cool you want it July is bad for heat and crowds. August is one of their hotest months and still crowded. May starts to get crowded and hot. September which is my favorite because of less crowds and heat is not that bad, is a good one but potential for hurricanes,although nine times in Sep. and only 1 hurricane is not bad. October is probrably the best because small crowds and less heat. Cheaper prices as well. Perfect for a vacation. I am actually going in Oct 2006 with my Wife and sister and mother. 2 trips in one year is great!
Originally Posted By Labuda "May starts to get crowded and hot." Actually, the heat in May is relative. Coming from Texas, I find it toasty in May in Florida, but not HOT. Also, crowds arne't bad at all until around the 20th - that's when they start picking up. Twice now I've been in the first few weeks of May, and crowds not bad at all except @ D-MGM during Star Wars Weekends. Also have been in April (3rd week), and once Easter passed (the day before my arrival), crowds weren't bad at all then, either. My DH & I actually honeymooned at WDW in July & August of 2000, and while it was crowded, it was still manageable snce we had a basic plan each day.
Originally Posted By beamerdog We have hot and steamy summers here at home, but August in FL can be downright brutal. We've done it, but be aware that the heat will definitely slow you down and you might be able to get more done in the cooler months. Although many like FL in the fall, hurricanes are becoming more and more prevalent on the East Coast. This year we went thru the whole alphabet and had to start naming them after Greek letters. Our family likes either the first three weeks in May or the weeks right after Thanksgiving. All the decorations will be up for those of you who love Christmas at the parks.
Originally Posted By beamerdog If you go to Topic List and click on All posts, you can look up some of the discussions of where to stay. We prefer to stay onsite. It's more convenient, the Disney experience, Disney transportation available (although we rent a car - that's another whole thread!), purchases can be sent back to your hotel, etc. Some like staying off site for prices and larger accomodations. You can get a AAA discount or go thru one of the sites like allearsnet or mousesavers, although I understand the discount codes are becoming more scarce. An AP will give you discounted rates, but works best on longer stays. BTW, rain is no big deal. You can buy or bring cheap rainslickers. We like that the rain will sometimes clear out the parks - we stay and shop or eat or go on an inside attraction and enjoy a less crowded afternoon/evening. Most of the time it rains and then soon clears up.
Originally Posted By Crazy4WDW I'd definitely stay onsite. You can't beat the convenience. Also the Extra Magic Hours of the parks are only availalbe to resort guests. Regarding going in the summer . . . definitely not my favorite time of the year to go. We went in July last year and it was HOT. We had days in the high 90's. Yuck. There were also some nice size crowds. Then again . . . I'm not as young as I used to be . . . sigh . . . so I'm beginning to extremely dislike large crowds of hot sweaty people. LOL!
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire The only way you can beat a hurricane is to go between November and May. There is no month where it seems worse than another. I have gone to Disney several times in the summer. Both after Fourth of July. One year it was so not crowded that it was unbelievable, but the CM's told s that after the 4th isn't so bad. Then lastyear, it was so crowded, tat we couldnt get on anything during the Extra Magic Hours at MK, but a week before at MGM was great, and not very crowded. And its going to be hot in June, July, August, & September.
