Best_Vacation_EVER!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2005
I went from August 26 to September 3 and attended two MNSSHP. Usually we go a week earlier and the parks still open late in mid-August. So, a little getting used to early closing time especially for MK. We had a labour day deal on hotel and got the Canadian discounted tickets. I planned to go in late August this time due to lower crowds and MNSSHP. Food and Wine opened early this year and that was a nice surprise.
The heat was bearable comparing to our HKDL trip last year in July. Epcot World Showcase is the hottest place to be from 11 to 4 if it's a sunny day. There is no shade from one country to the next. For other parks, there are shade and rides you can go to stay away from the heat. Eating around the world during Food and Wine was sweaty and hot. We had afternoon break of 3 hours most days except on the party days to rest from the heat.
Crowdwise, I don't feel a lower crowd comparing to mid-August. Early morning is a good time to tour with less crowd but once you hit 11 am/12 pm, you can see waves of people coming into the park. We usually hopped to Epcot for lunch at this time and we saw the long lines of people at the park entrance. We were staying at Beach Club.
As a high school math teacher, I have had students going away for a vacation during school time and falling really behind afterwards. I am not sure about middle school but high school is serious teaching and learning time. If late August is too hot for you, I would choose Christmas time and get immersed in the festivities. Right now, Christmas is too expensive for me but I would go in early December once I retire for sure. I went once during Christmas time in 1997. It was cold and I was not prepared for the cold, but I loved all the decorations and it was crowded.
Have fun planning!
Thanks!
We definitely feel that school is the most important for DS --- which is why we're leaning toward Christmas or late August.... In Elementary school we felt pretty confident that we could compensate for missing a week --- and we're able to do so... I think in Middle School we'll want to avoid this --- would rather be sweaty for a few days than find we've messed up our DS's year.
Going to PM you ... so feel free to ignore the PM if you're not comfortable...