If you could go to WDW any time of the year...

[Frwinkley]

As a school teacher, my family has only ever gone to WDW in the summer. I'm over the heat!

My DD (26), sister and I are planning a girls' only trip for 2020. We'd go for a total of 5 days.

We'd stay onsite. My top priority is cooler temps. Second priority would be lower crowds.

Any suggestions?

 

[snappy]

I really like the last few days of January into the first week of February. Getting ready to go on my third consecutive trip during that time frame. May have some cheer groups during part of the time, but not throughout all our travel days. I like cooler temps at night but warm enough to swim most days. We tend to stay 8-10 days at least though. Enjoyed the laid back festival of the Arts and we stay at Epcot resorts so it’s an easy walk or relaxing boat ride to the international gateway entrance to Epcot.

 

[carimar]

We are big Halloween fans, so I loved going during the MNSSHP time of year. The weather was great, the crowds were a bit lower late Sept/early Oct and the party was loads of fun!

 

[anomamatt]

We have most enjoyed early to mid may trips. The weather is nice (and mild) and the crowds are not bad.

 

[Texans_loyal]

I LOVE going in January!

 

[gatorlisa]

Mid to late January to first week of February.

 

[tink2]

My family has been many different times of the year~ the lowest temps and lowest crowds we've ever experienced was the last few days of Jan. and first few days of Feb.~ It was amazing. This was when FastPasses were the paper form and the first morning, I did my usual- head to the fast pass machine and well- it was covered up. I think I must have had a panicked look on my face bc a cast member walked up to me and said ma'am- is this your first trip this time of year? I replied yes~ he said well, you aren't going to need fast passes this trip. and we didn't. The machines were literally turned off all week and it was the most amazing trip ever.
Weather was up and down- one day we were in jeans and long sleeves with sweatshirts at night- the next in shorts.
I'm also a teacher~ I took personal days for that trip. Unfortunately, I have a high school senior and a sophomore in college so this is no longer possible with the kids.

Good luck!

 

[snappy]

Unfortunately this time period was busy enough in 2018 that all the fastvoass machines were in full use. Except for the night of the super bowl when it was raining hard. There are various theories as to why, which I don’t want to belabor as sone are controversial and I would prefer not to overload this nice thread with arguments. I am giving this time period another chance in 2019. There were fast passes at 60 days but FOP and SDD I had to book later in my trip.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

November after Veteran's Day and before Thanksgiving or the week after Thanksgiving.
Cooler temps, not too crowded, and CHRISTMAS!
Careful what you wish for though. My sister is a teacher. While growing up we went around the times I just mentioned then once she became a teacher we started going mostly in the end of August. After our August trip in 2017 we decided to go in December of this year because we were so over the heat although we ended up also going this August as well lol. We just went a few weeks ago and it was so darn cold that we decided to book our next trip for July 2019 because hey at least you know how to pack and you know how to dress and you know that you will be able to cool down in the AC.

 

[NJ Goofy]

I would recommend early May or mid to late October. I know you mentioned cooler temps, but I've been twice in January and it was way too cool and rained both times. Also, in the winter months park hours are much shorter, so while you think you can get much more done with "lighter" crowds, you have a limited time to do it.

 

[kathy884]

To maximize my chances for glorious weather and miss the peak spring break crowds, I'm doing the first week of March. Some colleges have spring break then, but most spring breaks are later in March or in April. I'll do rope drop and have a touring plan too.

Here are my thoughts on various choices.


-- I haven't tried January or February. I know for Christmas I've had days as warm as 82, but I'm also had cooler temps than I've liked and temps as low as 32 in the parks in the evening burr. The unpredictability of the weather is what has kept me away, as I'm guessing these months could be similar to December.

--March -- love the weather, but spring break times are crowded. My compromise per the above is to do the first week in March which is before peak spring break season.

-- April (would think this would be a good month for weather, but I'd do some research about spring breaks to see if there is a good week there.)

-- May -- We did early May once and that was really nice.

-- Summer is way too hot and humid. I avoid June, July, and August.

-- September and October while much better than summer are still way more humid than I like. Spring is just a lot dryer and I like the weather way more.

-- I don't like the way the MK parties affect crowds in the parks there in November and December. December weather is hit or miss.

 

[danielocha30]

March, just avoid Orlando spring Break. It’s the month with less rain and the temperatures are perfect, no need of jackets or extreme heat. Crowd will be manageable if you stay away from Orlando spring break.

 

[snappy]

Mk Halloween Parties affect both September and October too. We went mid October this year. It was crazy busy, also got into the low nineties most days. Toy story land was hot and congested to the ridiculous point. On the other hand we enjoyed the heck out of food and wine and the pools, just avoided rides except for 3 fast passes per day.

 

[LaurenT]

Late April/early May.

 

[snappy]

Had a great trip also early November circa 2009. Much much busier now.

 

[NH-to-FL]

As a school teacher, my family has only ever gone to WDW in the summer. I'm over the heat!

My DD (26), sister and I are planning a girls' only trip for 2020. We'd go for a total of 5 days.

We'd stay onsite. My top priority is cooler temps. Second priority would be lower crowds.

Any suggestions?

Totally agree on the cooler temperatures!

Early November cooling off, though this year not so much. But still better than the middle of summer. And the Food and Wine is still going on.

If holiday decorations have interest, early December is a wonderful time to go. Crowds at that time have grown in recent years but are still quite reasonable.

Late January or early February are typically lower crowd times. Yes, it can be cool but we prefer to add a layer and enjoy the lower crowds.

Early March brings the start of Flower and Garden at Epcot. It can still be a bit cool but the sun is starting to warm up nicely.

If you can find the gap between spring break and Easter, that is another nice time to visit.

Early May is another low crowd period but the temps are starting to build.

I am sure you'll find that "perfect time" in there somewhere!

 

[Amy11401]

I would recommend early May or mid to late October. I know you mentioned cooler temps, but I've been twice in January and it was way too cool and rained both times. Also, in the winter months park hours are much shorter, so while you think you can get much more done with "lighter" crowds, you have a limited time to do it.

I would caution mid October if you are looking for cooler temps and lower crowds. My husband and I are both teachers and we took time off this year to go in mid October. We wanted to go when the temperatures were not insanely hot. Well that idea blew up in our faces, our actual temperatures were in the upper 90s and the feels like temperatures were around 105 degrees. We still had a great time but could have gone and not taken off time in the summer and the temps would have been similar. Crowds were not low then either but we knew that ahead of time.

 

[Boardwalk III]

First week of March! . Between the February (New England schools ) and March (colleges and others) spring breaks and weather is usually perfect.

 

[Erica_Haley]

 

[brownjars]

I’d go with early November. Weather would be cooling down. You’d be able to enjoy Food and Wine Festival, and maybe a less populated Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party.