1st timer question About This Page:

[theresab]

My family is planning our 1st trip to Disney in Fla...yeah! We have 2 children ages 5 and 7. We're not sure whether to go Dec 27-30 after Xmas or in the summer (Is it better in June, July or August?)
What are the pros and cons of both times? Is it too hot in the summer? Which time would be busier/longer lines and/or more reasonable?
I'm a first timer, and have read many books about Disney, but personal feedback
would be most helpful now from people who have actually been there.
Thanks soooo much in advance!

[CollinsFamily]

I can tell you first, that it really depends on how your family handles the heat and humidity. It gets HOT in the summer, with temperatures often above 90 before heat index. On the flip side, if you want to do the water parks, they are most often closed during the winter months for refurbishment. I can't answer about crowd levels because I have never been during the Christmas holidays (though I would really love to), but summertime can get very crowded. My personal suggestion would be to avoid July 4th week as that seems to be the heaviest crowd time during the summer.

[CollinsFamily]

And welcome to the boards!

[5SOXFNZ]

Hi! Welcome to the boards! i think both times have their merits and it depends on your family.
My family has always gone in December and quiet frankly, we choose that time for the small crowds, not the weather. being from New England, I wanna step of the plane into sunshine, heat and summery weather when I travel in December. DH felt it was comfortable that time of year but I was always on the chilly side (reletively speaking) and pool time was definately at a minimum for the kids.

This past June we did a 9 days trip and happened to arrive right into a heat snap where the heat index was over 100 each day. We did fine and I actually loved it! we stayed hydrated, took mid-day breaks at the pool and enjoyed the TS meals to linger in the ac. I would go back in June in a heartbeat, DH said he would need some convincing to go back in June but wouldn't turn up his nose if we could ONLY go then. Also, I think June, although it is the busy season, would still be less crowded then the week after Christmas.

So, I know I really didn't answer your question but I think you need to decide what's more important to your family.

[Colexis Mom]

Welcome to the boards! December would be best weather wise, but packed with people. I'd vote for August. We've been a couple of times, and yes it's hot, but it's hot at home as well. And the crowds aren't too bad!

[duck addict]

Welcome to the boards

[Lorraine515]

Welcome to the boards

[home4us123]

Welcome to the boards!!

[Cam22]

to the boards!
We go annually the second and third week in June. The weather gets hotter and more humid by the third week and the crowds also pick up. But we still enjoy being there.

[Joanne929]

Welcome to the boards!

(Both times have their pros and cons - the end of December will be pretty busy, the parks are beautifully decorated but weather should be decent - I say that living in NE of course as long as it's not snowing and I'm in WDW, it's decent!! August will be hot, but the crowds are relatively low and the park hours are long. Good luck deciding!)

[Timothy Mouse]

Welcome. I would vote for August as well. The crowds are pretty large between X-Mas and New Year.

In August, you could go to a park in the morning when it's not as hot (still hot but not "heat of the day"). Then spend the afternoon at either a water park or the hotel pool and then go back to the parks in the evenings when the sun is going down.

[mom2twingirlies]

For me the summer is too hot, although I have been considering August because of the free dining offers that seem to out at that time. I would love to go over the Christmas break to see the decorations. I think both times will be more crowded than other times of year, so it really comes down to what works best for your family.

[Princess_Wantabe]

We've been a few times in August (end of the month). The crowds weren't too bad since alot of schools just start school then, but the heat/humidity can be really bad We always did am parks, lunch time resort/pools, then evening parks.

I've never been the week between Christmas & New Year, but I've heard the crowds are out of this world high.

with your choices and welcome to the boards!

[chezp]

Welcome to the boards!

I agree about the heat and humidity - we don't deal with that very well, so there's no way we could go in the summer. :

[SuperDave]

Welcome to the boards! I've never been to WDW at either of those times. It's always been late February to early May for me. That will change next year, when I plan to go and attend the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, sometime in October. I'd go with December, if it were up to me. August seems to hot to go, even if the crowds are low. I think it would be worth it, just for the decorations in the parks and resorts. Have fun deciding!