One question I get asked a lot is why our family continues to go to Disney when there are so many other options out there. For us, there are multiple reasons, some of which you may resonate with as well.
1. Disney is safe. I feel totally comfortable walking around the parks, the hotel grounds, Disney Springs, etc. by myself. At night. It is easy to tell my kids who to go to if they get lost (every Disney employee has a very clear name tag) and Disney has amazing security and lost child protocols in place. They know what they are doing and you can feel it walking around. When my kids are in middle school I will have no problem allowing them to go to a different part of the parks by themselves, and when they are high school seniors I plan to send them and friends to Disney where I know they won't get alcohol or be able to get in to trouble over a week at the beach with friends.
2. It is clean. I have been to a lot of cities and a lot of theme parks and I am often appalled at how dirty they are. Trash is everywhere. People are using curse words all over the place. It just feels yuck. Disney is rarely anything but pristine. Even the bathrooms are almost constantly attended to.
3. My whole family enjoys it. As much as I want to take the kids to Europe or great cities in the US or wherever, my son isn't ready for days of monuments, museums, and churches. Nor is he someone who can find food to eat wherever we go. I want my vacation to be relaxing. Arguing with a child over food choices or hearing whining that this is boring isn't relaxing or fun to me. At Disney there is something for everyone - food, rides, shows. I know plenty of people that love it without going on a single ride and know others whose favorite other trips are amazing safaris in Africa. It really does appeal to almost everyone and while perhaps it isn't always relaxing, it is because there is so much to do, not because you are having battles with your family!
4. The price is comparable to other destinations. Yes, I often hear Disney is expensive and it is true it isn't a small drop in the bucket, BUT so is almost every other vacation worth going on. Long weekend to NYC - pricey. A week at a beach house in the summer - super expensive. Europe for a week? Just the flight will cost an arm and a leg if you don't have the frequent flyer points. Vacations are a luxury. For us we have found ways to make it cheaper and we save on other things throughout the year to make them happen. If you want advice on how to save for a trip, let me know! I am almost as good at budgeting as I am at Disney planning :)
5. It allows us to go on vacation with multiple generations. Every other year or so my parents and brother join us for Disney. We don't have the exact same agenda but we love being able to easily go back and forth between doing things together and doing our own thing. Disney's layout and transportation makes getting places quick and easy and allows us to start days together, split up for part of the day, and then see each other again for dinner or fireworks. While this can be done in other places, it often takes more planning and consideration of how everyone will meet up and get places.
We will go other places. We plan on trying NYC and Niagara Falls this summer and doing the national parks out west in the next few years once I am confident both my kids can keep up on long hikes. And we got our kids passports and plan for Europe and the Caribbean in the next few years. But Disney will always be our go to. Even if our kids end up not loving it some day (HA!), my husband and I will still go without them. If you want to know more about how Disney might be right for you, I am happy to send you some info - just email me!
Monday, January 23, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
When To Go
The number one question people ask me about Disney is when they should go. And the answer isn't simple. The days of low crowds at Disney are pretty much over with the promotions and special events they have been doing to fill rooms and the parks in what used to be slower seasons. But there are certainly less crowded times to visit the parks. And for some people, the more crowded weeks might be the right weeks to visit. When thinking about your trip consider weather, special events, holiday decorations, operating hours, and most importantly for many, school breaks. While many that have younger kids are totally fine pulling their kids out for a week at Disney, most parents of older kids reach a point when they are no longer comfortable having their child(ren) miss a lot of school for vacation. So breaking down the year, here is what you'll generally get at Disney.
January: New Years and the few days after remain busy at the parks as people finish out their holiday breaks at Disney. Christmas decorations tend to stay up through marathon weekend (at least the big trees and the lights on the castle) so early January is beautiful. The annual marathon weekend is usually the week after New Years starting on Thursday with a 5K and followed by a race every morning until the big 26.2 miler Sunday morning. The rest of the month remains pretty slow with the exception of MLK weekend which is generally extended to 4-5 day weekends in many school districts. While pretty crowded, this is a nice option if you want to take school-aged kids to Disney without pulling them out for an entire week. Weather in January is unpredictable. It can be 80 and it can be 40. Most likely you'll see day temps in the high 60's or low 70's and colder evenings. Layers are a must and your suitcases will be full as you'll likely have a mix of shorts and jeans weather! If you are from a colder climate, even a cold snap in Disney will feel amazing in January though! A new festival is in place this year from mid-January through February that brings Broadway singers, art events, and flood and drink booths to the World Showcase in Epcot.
February: Disney has another race weekend, the Disney Princess half, that is crowded, especially since the crowds tend to merge with those from the long President's Day weekend, but otherwise crowds are pretty easy to manage this month. The same weather patterns that are found in January hold for February although temps by the end of the month are usually a bit nicer.
March: The first week or so of March is a pretty nice time to go to Disney. Weather starts to be more predictably warm and spring breaks generally don't happen to closer to the middle of the month. The rest of the month will be busy and it is pretty crowded through the week after Easter which falls in early April in 2017. To make up for the crowds, starting in March is the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival where there are beautiful topiaries and flower displays around the park, as well as food and drink booths (for an extra charge) around the World Showcase Lagoon. This festival goes to late May.
April: Crowds will be really high the week before and after Easter. Late in the month things will be less hectic. The weather is about as good as it gets in April. Not as hot or humid as much of the year. The Flower and Garden Festival still goes on. There is a smaller Star Wars race in mid-April but that shouldn't bring many extra crowds.
May: The first half of May is great time to visit Disney. The weather is warm but not generally oppressive and crowds tend to be lower. As you get closer to Memorial Day and schools getting out, crowds start getting more intense. Remember college kids are done in early May and many K-12 school districts start in early August and end in late May.
Summer: Summer is busy, although not as crazy as it once was. Disney has done a good job of making crowds more consistent throughout the year instead of everyone coming summer and holidays than they used to. But expect lots of people and lots of heat. If you want to spend time in the pool, it is a great time to go. Early June and late August tend to be better then the rest of the summer, and July 4th is generally the most crowded day of summer. But summer crowds bring long park hours so if you are up for it, hit the parks early, take a mid-day rest/swim break, and then head back to the parks after dinner; this great strategy will keep you having fun, allow you to enjoy lower lines, and keep you cooler!
September: If there is a "slow" time in Disney, the week after Labor Day is it. No one pulls their kids out of school the week after it starts! It will still be hot, it will likely rain a bit each afternoon, and you do have to worry a tiny bit about hurricanes (although Orlando is several hours inland so often missed). Mid-month Epcot's Food and Wine Festival starts. This is a great event that lasts much of the fall with food and drink booths around the World Showcase lagoon, great concerts, and seminars that are awesome for foodies or foodie wannabes that are reasonably priced. My husband and I did one that was a chef prepping two tapas-size plates and a winery pairing them with reserve blends and it was about $12 a person - great for Disney standards!
October: Late September and October are Halloween time at Magic Kingdom. They have special ticketed parties many nights which are fun and festive but do cost extra and mean that park closes at 7 to day guests many evenings. Many schools also now have fall breaks mid-month so between that, Food and Wine Festival, and many Disney deals often being available in October, a month that used to be pretty dead is now fairly busy. But the weather starts getting a bit cooler and medium crowds when it is 70/80 when you can also sample food from around the world at Epcot and see fun Halloween decorations at Magic Kingdom beat similar summer crowds in the sweltering heat any day for me! October has definitely been a hit with our family!
November: November is generally pretty lovely at Disney. New Jersey schools are usually out for a week towards the beginning of the month bringing a slight bump in crowds but nothing too crazy. The parks start getting dressed up for Christmas and Magic Kingdom will be totally decked out in early November as they start hosting ticketed Christmas parties many evenings the first week of November. Food and Wine Festival finishes up just before the Thanksgiving crowds descend and the weekend before until the weekend after will be one of the most crowded times of the year. By Thanksgiving weekend everything at the resorts and parks will be decorated though and there is no more beautiful time of the year to visit the parks. And the weather is generally still good. You may need to wear jeans a day or two and layering for evenings and mornings is advisable but shorts will be fine most days.
December: My absolute favorite time to go to Disney is the first week of December. The parks are fully decorated, the weather is still pretty warm, and the crowds are fairly low. The second week is also great but as you approach the weekend before Christmas get ready for chaos. The parks are open from like 7 am until late in to the night but people will be everywhere. If you hate crowds, this isn't the time to go. But if you love enjoying the holidays with thousands, this is your week! And if you have a great touring plan (which you will have if you book with me!) those crowds won't keep you from having a great time and getting lots of rides and shows done.The biggest thing to remember in winter months is that your pool time will likely be limited or non-existent. While the resort pools are heated and some will certainly be in the pools even when it is 60, you won't be spending nearly as much time swimming if that was one of your goals for a trip!
So there you have it, a little summary of what to expect different times of year at Disney. The most important thing to remember of course is there is never a bad time to go to Disney. It will be the most fun (and probably most exhausting) vacation you have had. When there are crowds, there are long hours, and there are strategies I can help you use to beat the crowds. When there are fewer crowds, the hours are shorter but you can get more done during the day. A good plan is still vital as even the least crowded days will have long lines for key attractions.
If you have questions, feel free to comment or post on my facebook page! And if you are interested in predicted crowds on a specific set of dates, I can help you there too!
January: New Years and the few days after remain busy at the parks as people finish out their holiday breaks at Disney. Christmas decorations tend to stay up through marathon weekend (at least the big trees and the lights on the castle) so early January is beautiful. The annual marathon weekend is usually the week after New Years starting on Thursday with a 5K and followed by a race every morning until the big 26.2 miler Sunday morning. The rest of the month remains pretty slow with the exception of MLK weekend which is generally extended to 4-5 day weekends in many school districts. While pretty crowded, this is a nice option if you want to take school-aged kids to Disney without pulling them out for an entire week. Weather in January is unpredictable. It can be 80 and it can be 40. Most likely you'll see day temps in the high 60's or low 70's and colder evenings. Layers are a must and your suitcases will be full as you'll likely have a mix of shorts and jeans weather! If you are from a colder climate, even a cold snap in Disney will feel amazing in January though! A new festival is in place this year from mid-January through February that brings Broadway singers, art events, and flood and drink booths to the World Showcase in Epcot.
February: Disney has another race weekend, the Disney Princess half, that is crowded, especially since the crowds tend to merge with those from the long President's Day weekend, but otherwise crowds are pretty easy to manage this month. The same weather patterns that are found in January hold for February although temps by the end of the month are usually a bit nicer.
March: The first week or so of March is a pretty nice time to go to Disney. Weather starts to be more predictably warm and spring breaks generally don't happen to closer to the middle of the month. The rest of the month will be busy and it is pretty crowded through the week after Easter which falls in early April in 2017. To make up for the crowds, starting in March is the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival where there are beautiful topiaries and flower displays around the park, as well as food and drink booths (for an extra charge) around the World Showcase Lagoon. This festival goes to late May.
April: Crowds will be really high the week before and after Easter. Late in the month things will be less hectic. The weather is about as good as it gets in April. Not as hot or humid as much of the year. The Flower and Garden Festival still goes on. There is a smaller Star Wars race in mid-April but that shouldn't bring many extra crowds.
May: The first half of May is great time to visit Disney. The weather is warm but not generally oppressive and crowds tend to be lower. As you get closer to Memorial Day and schools getting out, crowds start getting more intense. Remember college kids are done in early May and many K-12 school districts start in early August and end in late May.
Summer: Summer is busy, although not as crazy as it once was. Disney has done a good job of making crowds more consistent throughout the year instead of everyone coming summer and holidays than they used to. But expect lots of people and lots of heat. If you want to spend time in the pool, it is a great time to go. Early June and late August tend to be better then the rest of the summer, and July 4th is generally the most crowded day of summer. But summer crowds bring long park hours so if you are up for it, hit the parks early, take a mid-day rest/swim break, and then head back to the parks after dinner; this great strategy will keep you having fun, allow you to enjoy lower lines, and keep you cooler!
September: If there is a "slow" time in Disney, the week after Labor Day is it. No one pulls their kids out of school the week after it starts! It will still be hot, it will likely rain a bit each afternoon, and you do have to worry a tiny bit about hurricanes (although Orlando is several hours inland so often missed). Mid-month Epcot's Food and Wine Festival starts. This is a great event that lasts much of the fall with food and drink booths around the World Showcase lagoon, great concerts, and seminars that are awesome for foodies or foodie wannabes that are reasonably priced. My husband and I did one that was a chef prepping two tapas-size plates and a winery pairing them with reserve blends and it was about $12 a person - great for Disney standards!
October: Late September and October are Halloween time at Magic Kingdom. They have special ticketed parties many nights which are fun and festive but do cost extra and mean that park closes at 7 to day guests many evenings. Many schools also now have fall breaks mid-month so between that, Food and Wine Festival, and many Disney deals often being available in October, a month that used to be pretty dead is now fairly busy. But the weather starts getting a bit cooler and medium crowds when it is 70/80 when you can also sample food from around the world at Epcot and see fun Halloween decorations at Magic Kingdom beat similar summer crowds in the sweltering heat any day for me! October has definitely been a hit with our family!
November: November is generally pretty lovely at Disney. New Jersey schools are usually out for a week towards the beginning of the month bringing a slight bump in crowds but nothing too crazy. The parks start getting dressed up for Christmas and Magic Kingdom will be totally decked out in early November as they start hosting ticketed Christmas parties many evenings the first week of November. Food and Wine Festival finishes up just before the Thanksgiving crowds descend and the weekend before until the weekend after will be one of the most crowded times of the year. By Thanksgiving weekend everything at the resorts and parks will be decorated though and there is no more beautiful time of the year to visit the parks. And the weather is generally still good. You may need to wear jeans a day or two and layering for evenings and mornings is advisable but shorts will be fine most days.
December: My absolute favorite time to go to Disney is the first week of December. The parks are fully decorated, the weather is still pretty warm, and the crowds are fairly low. The second week is also great but as you approach the weekend before Christmas get ready for chaos. The parks are open from like 7 am until late in to the night but people will be everywhere. If you hate crowds, this isn't the time to go. But if you love enjoying the holidays with thousands, this is your week! And if you have a great touring plan (which you will have if you book with me!) those crowds won't keep you from having a great time and getting lots of rides and shows done.The biggest thing to remember in winter months is that your pool time will likely be limited or non-existent. While the resort pools are heated and some will certainly be in the pools even when it is 60, you won't be spending nearly as much time swimming if that was one of your goals for a trip!
So there you have it, a little summary of what to expect different times of year at Disney. The most important thing to remember of course is there is never a bad time to go to Disney. It will be the most fun (and probably most exhausting) vacation you have had. When there are crowds, there are long hours, and there are strategies I can help you use to beat the crowds. When there are fewer crowds, the hours are shorter but you can get more done during the day. A good plan is still vital as even the least crowded days will have long lines for key attractions.
If you have questions, feel free to comment or post on my facebook page! And if you are interested in predicted crowds on a specific set of dates, I can help you there too!
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