Official Luthiers Forum!

This is way off topic - BUT - my wife and I are planning to take the kids to Disney next year or the year after and we are wondering, what is the best time (weather wise) to visit FL.

Thanks
Lance

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Lance: Carla and I took the kids a couple of years ago. Stayed in the resort (got a bungalow in the Boardwalk Villas). We researched a timeshare there. According to the folks at Disney, because I asked, dead middle of the summer is the best time to go. Here's their reasoning: Christmas is the most crowded, wall to wall lines - all other major holidays are crowded, too. Although summers there are hot, and although the kids are out of school and available, most people avoid the heat/family trip thing. Consequently, lines aren't as long, pools aren't as crowded, and there are discounts to be had.

Did their reasoning hold water? It did with us. We went for 8 days in the 3rd week in June. The hotel had plenty of reservations, lunchtime restaurants had no waits, nor did the evening meal things, buses/trams, etc. weren't overly crowded. We couldn't get over it. Even the big pools, like Blizzard Beach, etc. had more than enough space to find a comfortable spot. It rained mid-day for about 1.5 hours a day - hard - but that just cooled things off...and it really does NOTHING to stop the activities. People just toss on a poncho and go.

Just my opinion, of course. Others will weigh in, I'm sure.

_________________
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

I take a golf trip there every year. Spring and fall are the nicest I think weather-wise...summer is extremely hot. of course, spring and fall is the most expensive and crowded time.

Lance, I would say (weather wise) March and April would be the most comfortable but this is the most crowded time. May - Sept. is hot but I would recommend the summer for swimming and all.

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Lance,

I lived in Florida and had season passes for 3 years. I can say without a doubt February is the best month to go, period! The summer is miserable--95+ degrees everyday...the heat and humidity will wear you out. In February the temps average in the 60's, perfect for spending all day outside, and the crowds are the smallest in February. We would always go in February and we always saw way more shows and rides because of the MUCH smaller crowds. Of course if you want to do the waterpark thing, you should go in summer.

If you stay at any of the Disney hotels, all their pools are heated so you can swim in really nice water outside no matter what the temperature. We used to swim when it was 50 degrees out at night after we got back from the park, and the pools were a warm 85 degrees.

Cheers!

John

ONly go to Orlando when you have a lot of money to throw away. I too had year long passes...it's a money grab...I know... the kids are sucked into the media and the Mouse and the whole brain washing Disney thing. De-program them and take them on several better mini - vacations ( In Florida). Fly into Tampa. Take day or two at Weekie-wachie or Bush Gardens water parks for a day...drive across/down to Sea World and let the kids swim with real live dolphins. They actually have a day long program where they pamper the heck out of you and your family personally and the kids get to act like they work for Sea World. If you must do Disney go for a day...That's all you need. Take another day and go to Epcot Center ( real Safari or whatever) or Universal Studios. It's close by, usually about 15-20 mins. in any direction, you won't even need to switch hotels if you don't want. I have found Hotels on I4 close to everything for $40 a night... I am talkin nice places not "motel dumps". Don't go during the winter holidays or Summer vacation as all the hotels have high demand and high prices. These "theme" parks are brutal and after a day or two you have seen it , done it , been there. So I would NOT get a "package" deal where you are stuck in one place for the whole week...it just isn't fun.

Then head down to the keys and relax...rent a small boat...take the kids snorklin...fishing...or just swimming in beautiful tropical waters. You can dock the boat right at your condo or in the back yard of your rental cottage. Ready to leave...Drop the car at Miami intl and fly home. You will spend as much as you have no matter where you go so don't look at it from that angle. Water parks are fun for the kids...Sea world is fun for both...Epcot is educational...Universal is just fun...The Keys are beautiful and relaxing...

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Lance there is a book out on how to plan your trip to Disney, that lists suggested places to stay as well what to expect in terms of crowds. I've got the 2004 edition somewhere, when I locate it I'll send you the title.

I've heard a good time to go between after U.S. Thanksgiving and Christmas, then February -- if crowd avoidance and comfortable temperatures is your objective.

We go every year (my father-in-law lives in Tampa and has a time share on the Disney property). By far, February has been our best time to go. Not too hot, not the busy season, decent weather.

but pack your money tree... the mouse has a way of picking your pockets clean.

Chef Mickey shouldn't be missed. Make your reservations 6 months in advance. (no kidding).

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

From a crowd stand point May is the best. That's when the hotels make the best deals. We are trying to have a Florida guitar makers show, and the hotels I've talked to about show space have been offering the best rates for May.

I went in Novemember of 2004, and it was miserable. I told my wife that I am not going back to Disney World. And it was not just the weather. It was the whole place.

In the space of 6 weeks, we went to Disney Land (L.A.), the Disney Cruise, and Disney World. We went to Disney Land again this year, and next year we are doing the Cruise again.

And if my wife decides that we are going back to Disney World, they have a Richard Petty Driving school there. And that is where you will find me.

Guitar Ed

1975 was a good time to go. That's when my wife and I went, before we had any kids. Had a blast.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Ron

I will get the time machine out, might even go to the opening