As promised in yesterday’s post about planning a trip to Disney, I’ve put together a few recommendations on when to visit and where to stay. Tomorrow’s final article will cover what to do and where to eat while you’re here. Hopefully, as more people find Living Orlando, we’ll get some additional opinions in the comments.

When to visit …
My favorite time of year at the parks is late September thru early October. The crowds are usually smaller and there are some great events going on, including the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The weather can still include some warm, rainy days, but its generally very pleasant with less humidity and cooler nights.

Other than that timeframe, I find October, November and December to be great months for visiting Disney. The weather is at its best during these months and there are many holiday and seasonal activities to enjoy.

Where to stay …
Cost is a huge factor when deciding on where to stay, so I’ll give some options on the three levels: Budget, Moderate and Deluxe.

If you’re looking for a budget resort, stay at Pop Century. It’s almost a toss-up between this resort and the All-Star resorts, since Pop Century is located only marginally closer to each of the parks (other than Animal Kingdom). The rooms are not extravegant, but they are exactly what you need after a long day in the sun. The decor of Pop Century is also very fun and can provide a few laughs at days gone by.

For a moderate resort, stay at Port Orleans Resort Riverside. This is a no-brainer, as many guests go into this resort thinking it’s nothing special, only to leave with no intention of staying anywhere else in the future. There are a ton of recreation and dining options and it’s centrally located within the entire Walt Disney World Resort.

Finally, as a deluxe resort option, I’d recommend staying at the Boardwalk Inn. To start, the Boardwalk Inn is only a short drive (across the street), bus ride, or boat ride to the MGM-Studios and it’s within walking distance to Epcot. The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are equally accessible by car, bus or even monorail if you’re willing to walk through Epcot. In addition to its location, the rooms are beautiful and most have a view of the lake or of the many gardens. There are also a handful of excellent restaurants on the Boardwalk and a couple night clubs where you can head to at night and never be more than a couple minutes from your room.

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