When to go to Florida
 

My family has a trip booked to Busch Gardens and St. Pete beach the last week of June (26th-July 1). Am now considering the last week of May (30th-June3). Will there be any difference in the crowds? It looks like Florida kids get out of school right before Memorial Day. We (New Jersey) get out the end of June.
Thanks

My niece in West Palm Beach has a family Disney membership and gets out of school on May 12. The crowds and weather will get worse and worse from that day forward through into August. Late May is definitely better than late June.

Crowds will be much lighter the end of May rather than the end of July. The weather, while still very hot, won't be quite as stifling as July.

I agree that late May is better, but do be aware that May 30 is Memorial Day and the crowds will be at their worst that day and the weekend before. That may also cause a few problems with hotels, etc unless you arrive on the 30 (Monday) or 31.

We would arrive on the 30th and do Busch Garden and AI on the 31st and 1st. Your thoughts...?

Still giving this some serious thought. If we are only going to the parks for two days, does it really matter THAT MUCH if we go end of May or end of June? If you think it is, I will definetly change our plans. Tandoori Girl, where are you?
Thanks.

Hello, Girl. Trying to make up your mind? May 26 is last day of school and EVERYBODY will head to the beach. It is a big family holiday here. Do you have reservations, it gets really packed? I'm sure BG and AI will also be packed. Once school gets out a lot of kids start packing into BG and AI. You can get Florida resident passes for about $80. I think it would definitely be less crowded at BG & AI in June but it will be a little cooler in May. I would go for May if only for that.

That's $80 for the year...

Heat and humidity don't bother me. The only day that might be a problem is at BG, but my son can't get enough of the water rides. The following day we are going to AI and then heading over to the beach at the Don Cesar for a few days. We already have our flight and hotel reservations. I think I will keep the June reservations since I'm sure there will be a mad dash to the parks as soon as school lets out. Thanks for all of your advice.

You may want to factor potential rainfall into your decision.According to weatherunderground.com(and personal experience), June is a much rainier month.May has an average of 4", while June is 7". For that reason alone I would chose May.

I certainly wouldn't let an average of 3 more inches of rain in June change your mind. 3 inches or rain can happen in one day in Florida!

That's sooo true, stJohn. In fact, it sometimes happens in one hour :P

You can spend alot of money on a great theme park but a Florida rainstorm is your very best free attraction. Nothing quite like it ;;)