Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Big Question: When Do You Go to WDW?

Congratulations!  You finally made the committment: you are going to Disneyworld!  Whether you are a return guest or visiting for the first time, this will be a magical trip filled with unforgettable memories.  I took my wife there for our honeymoon back in 2007, and we loved it!  It is one of the greatest places in the world.

Now that you have decided to go, however, there are a lot of things that have to get done while you are planning your big Disney vacation.  One of the first and biggest questions you will face is when you should go to Disneyworld.  So, when is the best time to go to Disneyworld?

There are a lot of different answers from a lot of different people, but it really comes down to what you want.  My best time to go may not be yours, and yours may not be mine either.  But there are some things you need to consider when deciding on the time of year to visit.

1.  Seasons.  Disneyworld breaks its calendar into groups of seasons, according to the level of crowds they are expecting.  The busiest months are called Peak Season.  There is also a Holiday Season, Regular Season, and Value Season.  Value Season is your best chance at finding lower crowds and shorter lines for the main attractions.  If holiday shows are important to you, you may want to consider going just after Thanksgiving.  But if lower crowds appeals to you and it will work around your job and kids' school, Value Season might be the way to go.

2.  Weather.  Most people don't think about this, but it is important because it will be a factor.  If you don't think about it now, you WILL think about it at the parks!  Although summer is the easiest time to go (no school, etc.), it will be considerably hotter in July than in March.  You also have to be careful about the rainy seasons since Florida sits right next to the ocean.

3.  Prices.  If you are like me, this is the most influential factor.  What time of year best fits your budget?  Believe it or not, the time of year makes a huge difference in pricing.  For instance, Value Season prices are much cheaper due to the face that those are the hardest months to get people to visit.  Resort room rates will be considerably lower at this time.  Park ticket prices remain the same year round, but room rates change by the season.  You can also get (sometimes) free dining if you stay on property during the Value Season.  So, crowds would be lower and hotel and food would be cheaper!  Not a bad idea, eh?

The one thing you need to remember is this: don't stress out!  You are planning a trip to Disneyworld, and that should be a lot of fun.  Don't make it work, enjoy it!  Make the planning phase of your trip an adventure in itself.  But make sure you know what you are doing before you do it.  It will save you from stressing at the parks, and it may save you money in the long run.  Hopefully, this helps: enjoy!