FREQUENT DISNEYERS>>> When is the best time to visit? About This Page:

[aliciab8s]

I am planning a trip for next year (2009). We are very flexible on our dates because we plan to take the kids out of school. We have a 16 year old, a 10 year old and a 2 year old. We want to go when the park is least crowded and there are no "special events" scheduled. Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks a bunch!

[Docrwm]

Late January before the President's Day crowd.

This from the FAQ section of the WDW area on the Disney website:

"Lowest Attendance:
January (except New Year's Day) until just prior to Presidents' week in February
The week following Labor Day until just prior to Thanksgiving week
The week following Thanksgiving until the week prior to Christmas "

[mtstranscribe]

The best times are January after New Years. I wouldnt attempt it at Christmas up until New years. Also, late August through September and the week following Thanksgiving up to December. Lately, we have been going the last week in August through September and its not crowded at all, plus Disney has been offering Free Dining around that time so not only do you walk onto most rides but you get free food! The only drawback is the heat, but to me its worth it due to the savings and the low crowds. Ive been in October and November, and both are good times to go as well, but September is definitely less crowded. We dont have to use Fast Passes except for a couple of the really popular rides and most of the time we can ride things over and over without waiting in line. Some people really like January as well, but you are taking a risk. Most of the time, it will be in the 70s but it can get cold! Of course, bear in mind that September is hurricane season and it is likely to rain a lot. Luckily, the Florida showers only seem to last an hour or so, and it clears the parks, so we just grab a poncho and keep on going!

[disney]

i have not been there at this time but from reading and knowing a little bit i would say right after new years would be the least crowded .

[Tonichelle]

The first week of November was not crowded at all in 2004...

and this year we're going to WDW in January (first time for me to go then, and we are going over MLK weekend which I hear is crowded, but I'm sure it'll be fine)

[Minnie Lor]

Third week of October. First week of May. First week of December.
Weather ~ nice
Crowds ~ low
Decorations ~ beautiful

[disney777]

I like the week after Labor Day. School has started, and I think people are waiting to go a few weeks later for the Food and Wine Festival. I also like the end of January, when the weather is much milder. There are more rehabs at this time, but less crowds make it worth it for me.

[chezp]

We personally like to go when there are special events scheduled, as you get something extra during your trip. We like May for the Flower and Garden Festival, October for the Halloween Party (OK, an extra charge) and the Food and Wine Festival and early December for all the Christmas extras (again, OK so the Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom is an extra charge) and the beautiful decorations. We've had nice weather and low crowds at all those different times of the year.

[patclairesmom]

My vote is early May. The weather is perfect and the crowds are light.

[TinkWink57]

It is tough to pick a slow time because Disney has planned events throughout the year to increase visitors. Having said that, here are my thoughts --

January - except for the MLK holiday weekend (and probably the Marathon weekend), a fairly slow time to visit; weather can be unpredictable.

February - great up until President's Day weekend; after that, spring breakers start arriving

March - busy; spring break;

April - busy; spring break

May - my favorite time to visit up until Memorial Day weekend; early May is very nice.

June - okay until about 15th of month

July - crowds and heat - not a good mix for many people

August - very hot, but not a bad month otherwise; many schools return in early August, can be a busy hurricane month

September - a good month for visits; still quite warm

October - getting busy with Food & Wine Festival

November - Food & Wine Festival draws crowds as does the Super Soap weekend

December - early December is excellent; watch for Pop Warner and MouseFest events that may make early planning mandatory (overbooked resorts). The resorts are decorated, Osborne Lights are at MGM and it is usually great weather-wise. Just try to book before about the 18th or so when it starts getting busier.

[skateycat]

obviously you are getting many differing opinions here as we all have our best favorite times to visit. i would say if you want to make your holidays special, go between thanksgiving and christmas. all the decorations are out, and during the week the parks are not very crowded. plus the weather is cooler and no worries for hurricanes. actually, i think anytime is a good time to visit, i am partial to the holiday decorations and such. you'll have a great time whenever you decide to visit!

[Caldercup]

Since my preferences are for cooler weather and low crowds, I personally enjoy the week before the Thanksgiving week. The parks are open with shorter hours, but the total lack of crowds and the low humidity make it easy to get SOOOOOO much done.

I also enjoy the "special events," and you can time it so you can see them during slower times -- going to MVMCP and MNSSHP mid-week rather than a weekend (when the locals come out) and going early in the season (early October and December are much better than going closer to the actual holiday.
Eileen

[spiceypj]

gee in the old dates in early Dec there were only around 10,000 people in the MK - now it is a heck of alot more.

would say Sept - even with the free dinning - there are less people in this month than the others

Jan - but it has some stuff that brings in crowds - MLK birthday week - marathon - and something else can't remember.

May is nice too - but again the flower/garden. of course if you want a good concert definitely go in May. some of the best concerts that Disney does are happenin' then.
Mother's day is always crowded.

[Caldercup]

According to the crowd calendars, September has the lowest crowds all year (at least it did...), but it's stinkin' hot and I just can't take that weather for long.

Attendance has been climbing back to the pre-9/11 levels and people are finding out when the "low" crowd times are and are planning their vacations around this. Still, it's unbelieveably different to go with only 5-10k people in a park as opposed to 25k -- I still believe that the first two weeks of December are great. Most waits are in the 20-35 minute range and the decorations are superb.
Eileen

[cmhand30]

October was great as was January.

But with the High Schoolers... At the end of a grading period, before another one starts. That is what we did this past January. No excuses from the DS's or teachers about assisnments not being done/due. The district we left took 2 days off between grading periods. Then add the weekend and then a day or two there were no assignment issues. We even had one child take midterms 2 days early. (better than late or not at all).
In 2005 I took the boys out for a Labor-day long weekend, one in HS and one in MS. That was a nightmare. School had already started and assignments galore. Kids did not due everyone and the ones they did teachers "lost". I am thinking teachers don't like kids to go places during school year.

20+ years ago I still remember my Dad took me out for a week in HS to go on a cruise & WDW. My english teacher told me "oh, i'll give you the stuff when you get back".
Well when I got back.... She changed her story. I ended up failing the class. She was a real Cruella.
JMO