Disney Florida and queues

[SoldeInvierno]

I am vaguely considering organising a family holiday to Disney. It would have to be during UK school holidays. Any tips on best time to go to avoid the massive queues? or are they unavoidable?

Christmas time? I have heard that is much better and still warm without being too hot.

I have been twice in the summer hols and the queues are large but move quickly. You can also get speed tickets which book you onto a certain ride at a certain time which is helpful for the big attractions.

Thanks Billy. The American schools are also closed over Christmas so I was guessing that would be a bad time. Maybe not. The speedy ticket is a good idea. I don't mind paying a bit but at least make sure I don't spend all day queueing.

We went at Xmas, queues were very bearable. Def a lot better than the time we went to Paris during term time here and accidentally hit a french public holiday! Weather was lovely.

Thanks Chops! I will check Xmas then. I would love and excuse to get out of UK during that period!!

November is a lovely time to go. Minimal ques, good weather, and if you time it right the Christmas celebrations start in November and they are amazing. Car rental and villa prices are off peak too so much cheaper.

*Queues

Thanks Snala. Unfortunately I need to go during school holidays, which in DS's school start on 15th December.

The end of August isn't too bad as the US kids return to school, but it is hot, humid and there are frequent thunderstorms. I once went at Thnkagoving, and apart from the actual weekend it wasn't so bad. Christmas was only really busy on Christmas day, and there are some nice extra things to see.
The fast pass at Disney is included in your ticket.
I would suggest buying the unofficial guide to plan further.

Sorry, I did read the op honestly!

Definitely Christmas then, as early on as you can. Easter and Halloween are massive in the states so the Easter and October half terms are really busy.

Summer is unbearably hot and humid in Florida, mixed with massive queues and loads of people makes it a bit stressful.

There is loads on at Christmas , Christmas parades, mickeys christmas party, osbournes festival of lights etc and the decorations etc are incredible.

thanks everyone. I am off to look at the travel sites now!

It will work out cheaper if you book it all separately yourself rather than a package.
Flights , car hire and villa. Then buy your park tickets online before you go. If you shop around there are massive savings to be made. If you have your own car/villa you can explore other areas and do the other parks, sea world, discovery cove, universal studios, water parks, Kennedy space centre etc.
Disneys celebration is also lovely to have a walk around and the boardwalk.

We went for 2 weeks in 2011. we went 8th - 22nd Dec taking the kids out of school for a couple of days. the weather was fab mid to late 20's (we dont do scorchio) and we booked all the elements individually and it worked out masses cheaper and more fun. PM me for more details - i am happy to pass on web links etc but too numerous for this posting!! also buy the unofficial kids guide to DW and the unofficial guide to beyond disney it was fab.

We went in feb half term and there were hardly any queues at all - you have ot check when presidents day falls though. After Easter it drops off again as well compared ot before easter or yes you are looking at the last 2 weeks of August.

If you look at the planning sites you will see that you need ot go to the most recommended park on that day and get there for opening and have a plan, get out of their straight after lunch and use the fast pass system properly.

Its nowhere near as bad as Alton Towers etc as there are ways of organising your days effectively so your waits are minimal. Plus there is much more to Disney than rides - the shows and parades/fireworks etc.

If you stay on site it makes it all easier as well - doubly so if you are in a free dining offer.

We picked up a book called The Brit Guide to Orlando by Susan and Simon Veness before we went last summer. There was a brilliant high and low days section at the back i.e. which days of the week are the quietest and busiest at the various parks and we used these to plan our stay. They mentioned a website that has similar information in more seasonal detail. Great honest descriptions of the various rides and attrations too.

Yep easywdw.com is the most reliable, great meeting the characters section/restaurants too and its all done with a sense of humour.

Worst times in general are US spring break (late Feb/early Mar), Easter and Xmas/NY. I have been at all these times - all busy, Easter by far the worst.

Summer holidays are less busy, especially Aug / early Sept when it is very hot (except for Labor Day in early Sept).

NO, NO, NO to Christmas, that is apparently one of the busiest times to go. I go regularly (although not been Christmas myself) and am signed up with a ticket agency out there who give regular updates and in December their facebook updates were saying the parks were full (therefore closed and not letting anyone else in) by around 11am most days. I've been numerous times at Easter when the weather is lovely but also it tends to be a bit busy. If you can do October half term that is lovely and halloween is good fun out there. Regarding the summer holidays, I've been a few times in July when it is hot although it often rains in the afternoon for an hour or so and this year am going in August. Many people recommend going as late in August as possible as the American schools will be back.

Agree with the poster who said about booking it separately as it can often work out cheaper. For villas, have a look at www.ownersdirect.co.uk/usa/F1895.htm or www.loyaltyusa.com a management company which manages many luxury villas all within 4 miles of Disney.

We used to fly into Orlando International airport but this summer are flying into Tampas as it is 1.5k cheaper (for 6 of us) and only an extra 15 mins drive to where we are staying.

We went last Christmas and the queues were very long. Some rides were closed by 11 and fast passes gone by half 9 in the morning.. Would not recommend Christmas.

Year before we went last week of August/ first week sept and it was excellent. Maximum wait of 20 mins for any ride and though it was hot we would have a long lazy lunch or swim to escape the heat.

We went Easter this year. Supposedly the busiest time of year. We got to every park half hour before opening, organised which and when to get fast passes, went on the big attractions first. We then went home in the afternoon for a swim and back at night for the shows/parades. Organisation and early mornings meant very little time in queues for us.

We went last June. 6adults. 1 13 year old and 1 12 month old baby. 3rd visit for us and not queued yet. The answer is all in the planning. We arrived at the parks for the openings (around 8.30am) I know it's early but it's the only way to do it if you don't want to stand in queues. We follow a plan on what rides we are doing and what fast passes we are getting for a little later. It's worked for us. I can't imagine how people can turn up at these parks at 11.30 and be surprised when there is 2 hour waits for the rides. It's quite tiring but fantastic. We get back to our villa for about 3 picking up shopping on the way. People who go to Disney should remember it's not a holiday. It's an adventure.

We went in October and wasn't too busy. We went before the UK half term kicked in. Lovely and warm but not too hot :) would love to go back soon!! :)