Trip Cancelled bc of March Closure — Best time to rebook??

[MinnierellaMama]

Hey All! So the plug was just pulled yesterday on my beautifully planned, dialed in, super magical, amazing trip to WDW for 3/22-3/29. I’m sad, my kids are sad, the grandparents are sad, everyone’s just sad over here. But, it is what it is.

To try and lessen the sting, I’m trying to figure out when is best to rebook between now and the end of the year.

As a family that’s only ever gone over Spring Break in March (my parents started making the trek every year when I was a kid iin the 80’s/90’s and now we go every year with my own kids) — we have no idea what Disney even looks like during any other month.

I know from these boards that there really is no slow time anymore — and that’s fine by us as we’re used to Spring Break crowds.

But when would you guys recommend as a good time to go? We’re pretty flexible and could probably make most weeks work —although I see during the summer that weather is a factor as well as early fall (with hurricane season) — is early June terrible? how bad is it really during July and August? What’s it like during the fall? During Christmas? Would just love some thoughts from experienced Dis-ers!! Help a fellow traveler out — lol!

 

[samantha3590]

Week after Thanksgiving was my favorite trip ever!

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

Weather isn’t as much of a factor if you plan right. My boys birthdays are 3 weeks apart and we’ve gone to Disney between them late July- Mid August several times. If does often rain for brief periods of the day, but not usually full day downpours. Anyway, we use little personal fans, and neckbands that’s you get wet to cool you down and it can be a little uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I would be hesitant to try for early June right now since we don’t know exactly how long the parks will be closed or what crowds will do when it does reopen. I’ve also been in mid October during our fall break, and weather is usually pretty similar to Spring Break.

 

[Kaadk]

No experience but I've heard Disney at Christmas is very beautiful. First things first though, do you have to work around kid's school schedule or not? If not, basically, any weeks that schools in are going to be better than weeks where kids are out. I know you said you're already used to spring break crowds, but you might find a whole different experience going during a not quite so crowded time as a crowded time.

 

[hultrain]

Summer can be crowded (and super hot), plus you’ll find yourself obsessed with watching the hurricane reports. October is good and it’s what we rescheduled too. But I’m seeing a lot of people saying they’re switching to October so there’s a decent chance the crowds might get crazy. If you can swing the week after T-giving, that would be ideal imho

 

[sponica]

My aunt used to love going between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

[iheartglaciers]

In recent years the summer (minus July 4th week) has actually seen lower crowds and October into December has seen an increase in crowds. Everyone wants to go for the Halloween and Christmas decorations now.

I think the summer is a great time to go in terms of crowds as long as you are okay with the heat.

 

[nkereina]

Sorry about your trip! There's a lot of you in the same boat.

We've been all times of year and I know the weather over Spring Break is typically very nice. Can be a little cool, but usually very comfortable temperatures. Since you're used to that, Fall (late October/November) may be a better time to visit. We find late summer/September crowds to be a little lower, but the heat, humidity, and daily thunderstorms are too much for us. We'd rather fight crowds than dodge raindrops and hunt for AC. Also in October/November, you can experience the Halloween party and Food & Wine Festival which are arguably the two most popular events at WDW these days.

Christmas season is also beautiful and unique. Early December sees lower crowds, but avoid Pop Warner week because discounts will be blacked out. There's also a higher chance temperatures could be cooler, which may mean less or no pool time. We have run into this in mid-November before.

 

[dkrauss]

My wife and I have for the past few years been going in August. Now it does have all the summer issues mentioned previously (rain, heat, hurricanes) but it has been less crowded.

If that doesn't meet your fancy I'd suggest the 1st or 2nd week of December. Crowds tend to be a bit lower because you're in between holidays. The weather tends to be more reliable than the summer, but can be cool. There's more to see as Christmas time at WDW is just amazing. You'll hear about the POP Warner playoffs and cheerleaders but if you don't stay in the value resorts (primarily the AllStars) the impact is minimal......or at least it has been for us. The cost can be better than during spring break and this year there "may" (and I said MAY) be discounts because of all of this.

I would advise getting your deposit in sooner than later as there will be many folks looking to do this same thing. Hope it all works out for you

Doug

 

[Tonberry]

We have two times of the year that we like to travel to DW. Mid-late August and early to mid December. Both have downsides of course.
We use to like December the most. Between the Christmas decorations, low crowds and near perfect weather, we use to go this time every year. But I guess everyone was told about this, and now it seems to get busier every year. Last year it was unlike anything I've ever seen for that time of year - to the point where we are now going to go this time every other year or every 3 years.
Our new favorite is mid - late August. Every year it seems like the crowds get less. Ride refurbishments are usually at a minimum, and you can usually find some nice offers online. Downside it the heat, which means you need to do a little more planning and resting than in the winter, early spring or late fall.

 

[CastAStone]

Peak hurricane season (September) is definitely the least crowded....and high risk that you'll have to move dates again. If you're used to spring break crowds, there are very few dates that will feel more crowded than that, and they are basically all of the school holidays.

Then again It's hard to predict how to balance future crowd expectations - Disney has been packed this year, and people will have weeks (or more) of canceled trips to reschedule (in many cases with already-purchased tickets that expire this year). On the flip side, recession.

 

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

I have a feeling with the people re-booking and those that decided to wait on booking, the crowds might be terrible this Summer. I have a trip planned for Aug, but I'm thinking of moving it. The heat, humidity and rain are bad enough. Add crowds to that and there's no way it is worth it for my family. Currently holding, but looking at late Sept, Early Oct and early November.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I know a lot of people say the first two weeks in December is lower crowds, but that has really changed over the past few years. I’ve been in June and early December and the crowds have been similar, and maybe even a little worse in December v June in the last year. Everyone wants to go for Christmas festivities! I don’t blame them, that’s why I go almost every year at that time, but don’t expect low crowds. Weather is great, maybe even a little too cold sometimes at that time of year!

 

[Darcy03231]

Two of my favorite times are mid-October and the first week of December. Weather was great and the crowds were moderate in October and moderate to low in December.

 

[pixiegoose]

We love early December, though it’s definitely getting more crowded. But weather and park decor/events are awesome.

 

[Sabine W.]

Just posting because I feel your pain--our trip, with 2 children, grandma, and an uncle, was supposed to be March 21-28.

We just rebooked our hotel for the second week of June. The promo rate for a room-only reservation on the Disney site now is very good--better than what we would have paid in March.

Good luck! It is sad, but necessary.

 

[MinnierellaMama]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! This is a lot of good food for thought now time to pow-wow with my DH and pick new dates!!

Here’s hoping that this all will pass very soon and with minimal impact to all. All the best to you all!

 

[MomOTwins]

We have two times of the year that we like to travel to DW. Mid-late August and early to mid December. Both have downsides of course.
We use to like December the most. Between the Christmas decorations, low crowds and near perfect weather, we use to go this time every year. But I guess everyone was told about this, and now it seems to get busier every year. Last year it was unlike anything I've ever seen for that time of year - to the point where we are now going to go this time every other year or every 3 years.
Our new favorite is mid - late August. Every year it seems like the crowds get less. Ride refurbishments are usually at a minimum, and you can usually find some nice offers online. Downside it the heat, which means you need to do a little more planning and resting than in the winter, early spring or late fall.

Mid-August is when we will rebook if we are forced to. We have gone several times and the low crowds are fantastic. We take midday pool breaks to get out of the heat.

 

[BobbyDukes]

Two things wrong with july and august, heat and pri e time prices. We notice a definite drop in attendance and even sometimes disney offers free dining or kids eat free plans. We enjoy going in august, another great thing in august is the pool, everyone enjoys the pool at night after a long park day.

 

[Disneylover99]

Two things wrong with july and august, heat and pri e time prices. We notice a definite drop in attendance and even sometimes disney offers free dining or kids eat free plans. We enjoy going in august, another great thing in august is the pool, everyone enjoys the pool at night after a long park day.

The last week of August is one of the cheapest times to go in terms of both resort and ticket price.