Orlando

[Surelyitscoffeetime]

Looking to take DC to Disneyworld in either October 2023 or February 2024. Will do the half term week and then a week either before or after.

Does anyone have any experience of and / or viewpoints on either times of year?

I know that October will coincide with Halloween but my DC are both very nervy about it. Is it just pumpkins dotted around or more ‘spooky’?

We went October 2019 and it was amazing, weather was perfect.

We done Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, which is exactly as it says the kids loved being in the park late at night, and trick or treating.

@GiftIdeasAlwaysNeeded That’s really reassuring. Is there much Halloween stuff aside from the party?

It's beautifully decorated for Halloween and not at all scary, you'll be able to see quite a lot on YouTube or instagram.
The Halloween Mickey wreaths in magic kingdom are lovely.
I've done the Halloween party a few times but it is extremely expensive on top of the normal tickets you pay for.
Annoyingly also is if you're there Halloween time Magic kingdom is closed to non party goers in the evening and there are around 4 parties a week so it means you kind of have to plan around it if you wanted to go to MK in the evenings.

I can also assure you that Disney Halloween is not scary - it’s adorable! You don’t have to do the party but be aware it’s on in your planning as it causes the Magic Kingdom to close early some days. Other parks pretty non effected by Halloween. If you were looking at Universal Parks, their Halloween parties are the opposite, ie they are designed to be frightening. But doesn’t effect the parks on the day.

October is a tad warmer than February. Not drastically but a bit noticeable. February I would say may require some layers to carry for slightly colder mornings / evenings.

February also normally means a water park is shut for maintenance. October can also mean one shut but February there’s always one that’s closed. From history, February is a common time for water rides to be down as it’s cooler. But you won’t know for sure until nearer the time.

February has traditionally been quieter (though to be honest in terms of Disney World that doesn’t always mean much). This year was busy largely due to pent up demand. But traditionally it’s a quieter time as it’s before Easter / Spring Break rush and there’s no big events that close parks.

Have you been before? I’m a true Disney Dork who is finally returning there in October with some friends and can’t wait, I can certainly say after that if October is a no no!

Thanks so much for your amazingly detailed replies.

@ChocolatemilkBertie I went twice as a teenager, at Easter both times. then I went to Anaheim, Tokyo, Paris and HK as an adult. I am desperate to go as a mum - DH is taking some convincing sadly but I know he will appreciate it once he sees how much DC enjoy it!

Other things to consider, how old are your DC and where are you thinking of staying ie onsite or offsite?

And Halloween is already in full swing at Disney World already to catch those August guests. There is a full video of it on YouTube if you want to view it and vet it yourself for scare levels. It is adorable rather than being chased by a chainsaw wielding man (Universal Horror Nights) all very tame. I am completely jealous, that first "once in a lifetime" visit with children, watching their faces is priceless. Luckily we have lots of video footage. Amazing times.

They will either be 5&6 or 6&7. I definitely want to stay onsite as neither of us are particularly keen to drive and I want the full Disney experience.

I've been in February half term and we did need a light jumper when we left in the mornings and in the evenings, but it was still warm enough to need breaks in the air con part way through the day.

If you do October half term and the week after you get Halloween decorations and the start of the Christmas decorations as well. We were going to do that this year, but decided to go a bit later so we could see all of the Christmas decorations instead.

On-site I’d recommend one of the resorts on the skyline, we did Art of Animation last Easter and it was really good for transport into the parks. WDW is enormous. Recommend going over to The Dibb for advice on everything.

Art of Animation is the one I’ve been looking at. Will definitely have a look at The Dibb.

Here now.
We stayed 5 nights at the Beach Club at Disney. Fantastic resort, within easy walking distance of Epcot and short boat ride to Hollywood Studios.
This is our 3rd time in Florida and we’ve noticed a huge increase in prices!

Feb half term is great for the parks and ok for the beaches. Def checkout the dibb and also https://www.inspiredfloridaholidays.com/holiday-ideas/.