Help please - I’m so torn

Question

Hello

Thank you in advance for any advise or words of wisdom you can offer. 😊

Me and my other half want to visit Orlando and the parks (Disney and Universal). Once in a lifetime kinda trip for us.

Unfortunately, we’re restricted to the UK school holidays due to working in a school.

We’re torn between visiting this summer (sometime between the end of July and end of August) or next Easter (approx. 30th March to 10th April — school holiday dates TBC).

There are pros and cons to both.

August con: THE WEATHER in August - is it really that miserable? Heat I *think* we can cope with but we’d be really sad if it rained or was miserable every day. I think the weather is a big worry of ours and is heavily weighted on the ‘cons’ front. However, I realise no one can predict the weather!! Although it would be great to hear from people who have visited both August and Easter time on their weather experience?

Easter con: We’re restricted to 2 weeks exactly with the Easter hols - we’d like to do some Disney and Universal parks and potentially do one day on, one day off the parks with some pool/beach time in between so may be a little tight but could make it work?

Easter con: Spring break?? I’m from the UK so feel a little clueless about this and Google hasn’t helped much either as the dates seem to vary by state? Would you expect Spring break to have a huge impact on our trip if we were to visit over the Easter holidays (approx. 30th March to 10th April)?

Any advice or words of wisdom very gratefully received 😊 thank you!

Answer

Deciding between visiting Orlando in late July/August versus Easter can be tricky, as both periods have distinct pros and cons. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help guide your decision:

Visiting in late July to August:

This is peak summer in Orlando, and the weather can indeed be hot and humid. Afternoon thunderstorms are very common during this period, typically short but intense.

Pros: Longer days, many park events are running, less international travel crowds compared to Easter (though US summer vacation can still make parks busy).
Cons: High humidity and heat, which can be draining especially if walking around parks all day. Rain is frequent, usually mid to late afternoon showers. Lines can be long as US schools are on summer break.
Tips: Arrive early, plan indoor attractions for the afternoon when rain is most likely, stay hydrated, and take advantage of park water rides to cool off.

Visiting around Easter (approx. end of March to early April):

The weather in Orlando is generally more pleasant in spring, with lower humidity and temperatures in the 70s–80s °F (25–30°C). Occasional rain is possible, but storms are less frequent than summer.

Pros: Comfortable weather, more manageable humidity, great for walking around parks. Good opportunity to split your trip between parks and pool/beach days.
Cons: Easter coincides with US Spring Break for many schools, meaning domestic crowds can be high. Popular parks like Disney and Universal will likely be busy, especially around the actual Easter weekend.
Tips: Book park tickets and accommodations well in advance. Consider using park reservation systems (Disney Park Pass) to secure your desired days. Arrive early or take advantage of “early entry” if staying on-site to avoid the worst of crowds.

General Advice:

Weather-wise, Easter is generally more comfortable than summer in Orlando, especially if you’re sensitive to heat.
Summer has the advantage of longer days, but afternoon rains and humidity can be tiring.
Spring break crowds can affect wait times, but planning strategies like early arrivals, Genie+ or Express Pass, and splitting park days with rest days can mitigate this.
Consider your own tolerance for heat versus crowds. If you prioritize weather comfort, Easter is preferable. If you prioritize potentially smaller crowds and don’t mind heat/rain, summer is fine.

Overall, if this is a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip and you want pleasant walking weather, Easter (end of March to early April) is generally the safer choice despite slightly busier parks due to Spring Break. Summer offers longer days and perhaps slightly less international crowding, but the heat and frequent rainstorms are important to weigh.

Help please - I’m so torn

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