Hey there Julianne! Thanks for coming back to planDisney with another great question!
It sounds like you've gotten to experience the
"Most Magical Place on Earth" at some very special times such as Halloween Time and Holiday Time! Those are definitely two of my favorite times to visit.
I also live in a colder weather state in Illinois, and I actually love visiting after the Holidays, when it's still cold weather at home! The excitement of the Holidays has passed, and it gives us something to look forward to during those cold, gray, dreary months.
I don't think you can go wrong with either date choice, since it will be significantly warmer at Walt Disney World Resort than at home! However, you may want to consider that
runDisney events do take place during January and February to take advantage of the cooler weather. Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is scheduled for January 8-12, 2025, and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for February 20-24, 2025. There definitely will be more Guests staying at
Disney Resorts Collection Hotels, and generally more busy at the theme parks at certain points of the day. It's just something to consider as you take a look at your trip dates.
I also try to avoid Holiday weekends where kids may be out of school since that always brings more crowds into the parks, but I understand that sometimes those weekends work best because of extra days off of school or work. If you're a foodie and love experiencing the wonderful EPCOT festivals, then you may want to explore the
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts! We don't have the confirmed dates for 2025 just yet, but last year it took place from mid-January to mid-February.
At the end of the day, I always book a vacation that works best for my family! Even if it's a time that we know the theme parks will be more crowded, we make the best of it and arrive early to enjoy lower crowds and take a midday break. I hope this information was helpful for your trip planning Julianne, and don't hesitate to
come back and ask me any other questions!
Have a magical day!
Melissa