Ask Tink: What time of year should I visit?

"When, in your opinion, is the best time to visit Disney - as an adult. I want to be able to take in as much as I can in a short time. I would also like your opinion if I brought my grandchildren. What is the best time of the year for them to see as much as they can, Christmas? Halloween?"

 

Thank you to the Tinker that submitted the above question! This is probably the most commonly asked question when it comes to Disney travel planning. After all, it is step number one when you're planning your trip!        If you have absolutely no restrictions as to when you are able to travel, regardless of whether you are an all adult travel party, or you have kids with you, I would absolutely recommend September. It is the least busy month of the year for Orlando, and therefore, prices are at their lowest, lines are at their shortest, and the weather is finally starting to get a break from the extreme heat of the summer.      The Boo-To-You Halloween Parade      Why is it the slowest time of year? Well, a combination of a few of things. Probably what has the most powerful effect is the fact that the school year has just started for most states in the US, and parents are less likely to take their kids out right at the beginning of the year. It is also "off season" and that means that theme park hours are shortened, and some parks even close before dark, eliminating nightly fireworks shows. Also, in off season, more attractions are closed for rehab, (so you'll want to check the official list of closures on the Disney Website.), and seasonal dining locations may be closed. Your resort could also have a pool or other amenity closed for a fix-me-up. There's also the element of the elements, AKA, Hurricane Season. Tourists tend to be a bit nervous about the potential of their trip being disrupted by gale force winds, slashing rain and power outages. The truth is, though, hurricanes rarely effect the Orlando area, due to it's Central Florida location. That's not to say we don't get the rain or the blustery conditions, but Disney has only ever closed the parks one time, in 44 years, due to weather. (And it was for Hurricane Floyd... "The Hurricane That Never Was". It pretty much entirely missed Central Florida and caused no damage at all.) It's possible you may have some rain to contend with, but it's a tropical climate. Rain is likely to occur at pretty much any point in time. Don't let the hurricanes scare you away. Especially because the benefits of September FAR outweigh the negatives.        If you are able to visit the second or third week in September, don't be surprised if you find most attractions with wait times that are less than 20 minutes. You will likely have an easier time getting a spot for the parade, getting a table at a quick serve location, and getting a lounge chair by the pool. The other really nice benefit? Disney starts celebrating Halloween as of mid-September. 2015's first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party will be on September 15th. That means you get to start getting spooky a whole 45 days before Halloween arrives! The Halloween Party is a blast and a great excuse to dress up and have fun, even if it's just you and your spouse traveling. The hubs and I have probably been to the party 10 times without kids! Mickey's Not So Scary isn't the only exciting thing happening in September though. Get your appetite ready, because late September, (September 25th this year), kicks off Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. This is a huge, park-wide event that features demonstrations, special dining events, tasting booths and more. Adults tend to enjoy this one a little more than the kids do, but there's plenty for the kids to do too, including a scavenger hunt around the park.        If September is not ideal for you, the other slower seasons include early November, (the benefit of Food and Wine Festival and cooler weather), early December, (holiday decorations and events without the crowds), and the 2nd week in January thru early February, (nice break from the snows of the North, and light crowds).        Rather than tell you all of the "moderate" times of year, I'll tell you the "worst", or busiest times. Summer means huge crowds, long wait times, lots of international tour groups, and hot, hot, hot, humid weather. You can also count on almost daily afternoon thunderstorms, accompanied by a deluge of rain. And it's hot as Hades. (Did I mention the heat?) If you MUST visit in the summer, try to avoid the week of the 4th of July, which is one of the two busiest weeks of the whole year. The other busiest week is the week between Christmas and New Years. Yes, it's super fun to celebrate the holidays at Disney, but tons of people agree, and it gets uncomfortably crowded at times. Avoid the last two weeks in December and the first week in January. Spring break season, (Mid-March thru mid-April), also gets a sea of Guests, as does President's Weekend in February and Thanksgiving Weekend in November.        Every time of year not mentioned above would be considered "moderate". This includes most of the spring, (when Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival is happening), and the fall.   Flower and Garden Festival blooms in Spring        Two other last things I will leave you with. #1. Disney is amazing at marketing, and they find ways to draw crowds in at EVERY time of year. For example, October used to be one of the slowest months, but between Halloween Festivities and Food and Wine, they have managed to make it one of the busiest. The days of empty parks, multiple times a year, are coming to an end. The "Free Dining" packages in the fall are starting to fill up September. Various other special events will fill in other slower times of year. The best thing you can do, is be prepared for a crowd, and be psyched if there isn't one. #2. ANY time you can get to Disney is special. There's always going to be positives and negatives. When it's crowded, there are more special events and later park hours. When it's slow, you can take it easier, but you have less hours to enjoy it all. The most important thing is to plan out your trip as best as you can. Use Fastpass+. Make dining reservations. Enlist the help of someone who knows their way around the parks to help you decide which parks to go to on which days, which passes to buy, which resort to stay at, and where to eat. (Oooo, oooo.... pick me! Or your local travel agent. Or a friend you know who used to be a Cast Member. Or your favorite blog. Ahem. Or a combination of all resources.) Just remember that some things are a matter of opinion and you need someone who is keeping YOUR FAMILY'S wants and needs in mind, not just how they like to do the parks.        Hope that helped! Keep the great questions coming!