| Most Disney vacation veterans can tell you, in no | | | | is comparable to that of Peak Season, the heat |
| uncertain terms, that some times are much | | | | of summer chases the Snow Birds away, |
| better than others to visit the "World." Of course, | | | | reducing the demand for resort rooms. Value |
| you may have little choice as to when you visit | | | | Season runs from early August through the end |
| Walt Disney World. Still, it can't hurt to know what | | | | of September for Value and Moderate resorts, |
| to expect. There are many factors that may | | | | and from the second week of July through the |
| affect your decision. On your left is an overview | | | | end of September for Disney Vacation Club |
| of some of the most important: park operating | | | | resorts. All resorts return to Regular Season |
| schedules, attendance, lodging rates, and weather | | | | pricing for the month of October (a popular time |
| and climatic conditions. Just for fun we even | | | | for visitors from the UK and conventioneers), and |
| tossed in a few links that will help you pick the | | | | rates take a brief, meteoric rise for Christmas |
| perfect night for a moonlight stroll. | | | | New Years Week (also known as Holiday Season, |
| Park Operating Hours | | | | the most expensive week of the year). |
| Theme parks operating hours vary throughout | | | | Weather |
| the year, based on attendance levels, day of the | | | | The weather in Florida follows a very predictable |
| week, special occasions and the hours of sunrise | | | | curve--hot and rainy in summer, and progressively |
| and sunset. The safest thing for us to do is point | | | | cooler and drier as you move towards the winter |
| you towards Disney's official web site at for the | | | | months. Summer rains tend to be brief and hard. |
| schedule. Once there, select which park | | | | Always carry raingear, but if you're at all patient |
| schedule(s) you wish to see, and which month | | | | the sun will start shining again, and the parks may |
| you want to view. Each date on the calendar has | | | | be nearly empty of guests. Summer high |
| a hyperlink to display the parades, fireworks and | | | | temperatures are in the low 90's, with evening |
| special events that will be occurring that day. | | | | temperatures around 70. Winter highs are around |
| Unfortunately, Disney doesn't post the detailed | | | | 70, but be prepared for evening temperatures in |
| schedule more than a few months in advance, | | | | the 40's or 50's, and when it does rain you can |
| but their site still gives you a good idea of what | | | | get chilled to the bone. Here's a link to the current |
| to expect down the road. | | | | weather in Orlando, Florida: |
| Crowds | | | | Allergies? |
| As popular as Walt Disney World is, a chart of | | | | The Weather Channel provides a daily pollen and |
| the fluctuations in crowd levels still looks like a | | | | air quality forecast as part of its Health Center. |
| roller coaster ride. The peaks and valleys are fairly | | | | You may also find their Heat Index Forecast of |
| predictable, though. The week from Christmas to | | | | special interest (available seasonally). Check [ |
| New Years is by far the most popular. Easter | | | | Sunburn |
| break, July 4th, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving | | | | In Florida? Say it ain't so! NOAA, the National |
| Day follow close on its heels. Crowds are at their | | | | Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offers |
| lowest in January and early February; the weeks | | | | charts of the UV (ultraviolet) index for various |
| between Labor Day and Columbus Day; and in | | | | cities. Here's the 1977 annual UV chart for Tampa |
| the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. | | | | Bay, which isn't all that far from Orlando. It's a fair |
| Peak season for out-of-state vacationers runs | | | | representation of what you can expect. Check [ |
| between mid-February and mid-April, and the local | | | | Sunrise and Sunset |
| Florida crowds are out in force during the | | | | Just for fun -- if your Disney plans include |
| traditional summer vacation months. | | | | fireworks, a romantic moonlight stroll or an |
| Cost | | | | early-morning trek to Animal Kingdom, you'll want |
| Rates at the Disney resort hotels follow a four | | | | the lowdown on sunrise, sunset, full moons and |
| season schedule. Peak Season, when the Snow | | | | other heavenly objects. Check [ |
| Birds are flocking South, runs from mid-February | | | | Copyright © Jennifer Marx, PassPorter |
| until the third week in April. Although theme park | | | | Travel Press. All Rights Reserved. |
| attendance during Regular Season (end of April | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your web |
| through Memorial Day for Moderate and Value | | | | site and in your ezines, as long as this entire |
| resorts, end of April through the first week of | | | | article, copyright notice, links, and the resource |
| July for Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts) | | | | box are unchanged. |