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 It is a known fact that the theme parks are always heaving so you need to think carefully when the best time is for you. If you want to hit the theme parks but want to avoid the crowds Thisistravel.co.uk recommends visiting Orlando outside the school holidays - especially the long summer holidays when the kids are off school, the weather is extremely hot and storms are likely.
Thisistravel.co.uk also suggests that the Christmas/New Year period are peak times so should be avoided if possible. Easter is very hectic but this time of year does have the benefits of the spectacular Mardi Gras events at Universal Orlando and Disney's Pleasure Island, as well as the spring flowers in Cypress Gardens (see festivals).
The Rough Guide to Florida claims the busiest months are January, May and September. A Brits Guide agrees and recommends that the best periods to go are between October and December (but not the week of Thanks Giving in November or between Christmas and New Year). If you're not a fan of hot weather or queuing then the best combination of comfortable weather and smaller crowds is April (avoiding Easter) and October. Thisistravel.co.uk also recommends that late May and June can also be an ideal time, when the weather is pleasant and the queues shorter.
Not only do you have to think about which seasons to go but certain days can also be slower than others. Visit Florida (the official tourist office for the state) says that Tuesday through to Thursday are the busiest days and advise to arrive early to avoid crowds, as timing your arrival can set the mood for the whole day.
As if things weren't complicated enough the Rough Guide claims the busiest days vary from park to park, although on average Sunday is the least crowded day. If you don't manage to get up early don't show up until 5pm or 6pm, which in some seasons, still leaves plenty of time before the place shuts.
Our advice:
By careful planning and consideration you can effectively make the most of your holiday and the time you have in Orlando. It is always going to be busy but earlier starts are easier than you think especially in the first few days of your holiday when you are jet lagged and so will wake up early anyway.
Reading List
This is Travel website -www.thistravel.co.uk.
Dickson. M. Available online at: www.thisistravel.co.uk
The Rough Guide to Florida- Ellwood.M, Obolsky.T and Velton.R. February 2004.
A Brits Guide- Veness.S. 2005.
Visit Florida- www.visitflorida.com
Orlando CVB- www.orlandoinfo.com. 2005
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