What are the pro's & con's of going to Orlando: May VS December?

Question

I plan on going to all the parks, and I am trying to pick a date. I just don't know if it will be better to go the 2nd wk of May, or the 2nd wk of December?? I need pro's and con's...please help!!

Answer 1

In May you will have all the parks open but there will be way more traffic in the city and also longer lines in the parks. In December it would be less traffic but some of the parks may not be open.  

Answer 2

Both are great times for both weather and crowds.  Early May is already quite warm, and the water parks are open.  Early December the weather is cooler and some of the water parks may close.  It really depends on your travel preference.  Do you want to pack light and wear shorts, or pack light jackets and wear pants.  The room rates are about the same during these periods so cost savings should not play a roll. Schools are in session and crowds are at their best for these weeks also.  Days are longer in May so you have more daylight hours, but early December will be decorated for CHRISTmas, which is really beautiful.

Answer 3

First off, any time at WDW is a great time!  :)  I would begin with comparing prices.  I am planning a trip for either November or May and was also unsure when the better time to go would be.  On the one hand in November I could catch the Christmas decorations (as you will in December, and the weather is cooler, making standing in line a little more tolerable.  With that being said though, I do not want to be bundled up (you never know) or not able to swim because of the weather.  You also run the risk in December that rides may be temporarily shut down since it would be before their Holiday season.

I was at WDW May 11-19 last year and it was the perfect time of year.  It rained one night the whole time we were there, and the weather was perfect for swimming.  We own a motorhome, so we stayed in Fort Wilderness and didn't have any neightbors around us at all.  We also had the pool pretty much to ourselves.  We literally got right onto the rides... I think the longest wait we had was about a half hour and that was for the Test Track at Epcot.

I would figure out the prices and go from there.  If the weather isn't a major concern to you, it isn't really for me, you will have about the same crowds in the middle of May and middle of December.  As far as our next vacation is concerned it would cost over $1,000 more for the same number of nights, with the same accomodations and tickets. That sealed it for me... we are going in May instead of November.  

Like I said, any time is a great time at Disney, but when it comes down to it, I will save the $1,000 and be able to spend it on something else, like La Nouba, a trail ride and the campground and then some.

Answer 4

Pros for the second week of December:  the parks will not be crowded, everything will be decorated for the holidays

Cons for the second week of December:  weather is a little cooler, park hours will be shorter

Pros for the second week of May:  Warmer weather, extended park hours, more daylight

Cons for the second week of May:  Crowds

I would personally pick December - FL weather is still better in Dec than almost the entire rest of the country and being able to aovid the crowds is such a big +++++++

Answer 5

Both times are good as far as overall crowd levels and weather.  I would choose December over May for the wonderful holiday decorations at Walt Disney World.  No one does Christmas like Disney, it is just lovely.  

If you need help planning your trip, please visit my site, we specialize in customized Disney plans.