Disney FAQ: When's the best time to go (to WDW)?

Ah, the age old question: when's the best time of year to visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida? Well, I can tell you when I WOULDN'T go (unless I got a free trip): July and August. Big crowds, very hot and humid temperatures. All of that makes for a very grumpy yours truly.

Our little Mouse family really likes to visit in October and November. October is ideal, not only because we can celebrate the little Mouseketeer's birthday but also because the weather is usually pretty great, still warm enough to swim and wear shorts but you're not going to be boiled alive. Don't get me wrong, we once visited in mid-October and it was 100 degrees each day of our trip. But that was an exception.

November is similar in terms of weather, but it might be a bit too chilly for the pool. January and February are a total crapshoot in terms of weather. One January, we damn near froze to death waiting in our corrals for a 5K. Earlier this year, the weather was fantastic.

April is also a lovely time of year to visit, from a weather perspective. The crowds can be heavy depending on the Easter holiday - so be aware of that. Sites like TouringPlans.com and WDWPrepSchool.com have fantastic resources and calendars to help plan your trip.

I know there are a lot of people who don't want to take their kids out of school for a Disney vacation. I'm not one of those parents. Granted, my kiddo is still in preschool and I don't have to worry about tests or anything like that. I am of the opinion, however, that Disney trumps school at least once a year. I mean, why not? It's fun AND educational.

I hope this gives you a bit more food for thought when selecting the best time of year to visit.