Is there a less expensive time to go to DW?

busymomma123

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 12, 2006
I was wondering if there was off seasons that were less expensive to go to DW. We went last August during the free dining, but wasn't too thrilled with the heat and the crowds. So we are looking for another time that the weather is not so intense and everyone is not there for free dining. Any suggestions would be appreciated. :goodvibes
 
First copule weeks of Jan before MLK Day have lower crowds. Also, two weeks after Pres Day in Feb.


herc.
 
I was wondering if there was off seasons that were less expensive to go to DW. We went last August during the free dining, but wasn't too thrilled with the heat and the crowds. So we are looking for another time that the weather is not so intense and everyone is not there for free dining. Any suggestions would be appreciated. :goodvibes

Do you want less expensive or do you want low crowds and better weather?
Price wise you are going to find it difficult to impossible to beat or even match the Free Dining deal.

Anytime a great discount is offered it will draw a crowd, you will need to prioritize what is most important to you. Price, crowd level, weather, special events...

I can tell you that there is almost always a good discount in the fall (free dining) and again in the late spring (after Easter and Spring break season and before schools let out).

Best weather depends on what you consider best, it is not hard to find historical data online.

Lowest crowds I would say early December, but there might be other low crowd times. The thing about low crowd times is it will also be shortened park hour times, so it is a trade off. What week did you go for? Most of the crowd reports for free dining were that it was at worst moderate, and often did have low crowds. I know we found it to be pretty uncrowded.
 
If you look on mousesavers or here somewhere and check which times are value season, and not during the free dining, crowds should be lower. The end of february might be nice crowd wise, but I don't think the rates go back down after President's weekend.

Early May is a really beautiful time, we would always go then if we could, but school sometimes gets in the way! The weather is great, the crowds are low, there are usually special rates.

October is supposed to be nice, but is still pretty popular and the hotels get booked with conventions and golf things. Early November, except "Jersey Week" around election day, should be nice. Maybe the week before Thanksgiving if you can swing that? Or the week after Thanksgiving?
 


There is a VALUE SEASON when prices are lower!! For free dining you pack rack rate on your room and you can definately beat that!!!

Check out the 5 Seasons of WDW below
http://www.mousesavers.com/seasondates2007.html

Check out the Discounts Available below
Room Only
http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#roomonlycodes

AAA Room Only 2007 Discounts
http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#AAA

Annual Passholder {Room Only} Resort Discounts
http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#ap

With a Room Only Ressie, you can add the piece to fit what you want to do,
Check out Discounted tickets thru AAA.com, TicketMania.com and sign up for the www.MouseSavers.com Newsletter that comes to email on the 15th of each month and there is a extra special on discount tickets.

Search for low Airfare or are you into Driving to WDW?

Depending on your families needs you can save money on Food by eating breakfast in your room except for one Character Breakfast.

I have to run now But I'll post back more money saving ideas.
 
I took a family of 5 the second week in Jan. Weather was fabulous, never waited in a line, cooked at our timeshare and rented a car for pennies. Was a very inexpensive trip. Even the airfare was great!! Mt vote is for jan. after the 1st before MLK. Good luck.
 
I would say that one of the most inexpensive but most magical times to visit WDW is the period just after Thanksgiving and leading up to the week before Christmas. The parks are decorated for the holidays. You have low crowds and moderate (but sometimes cold) weather.

You can do MVMCP, the CP and the Osborne Lights. Of all the times that I've done Disney, this was probably the most WOW for the money.
 


For the past two years we have gone the week after Presidents Day week. So starting about Feb 27-March 1st or so.

The weather is mild, the crowds are low (MK midweek was deserted). On site prices are not particularly low, but offsite they are.
 
Without specials, the only big discount is "value season" - if you want to stay on property - its less expensive - its still not cheap.

Early January - Mid February - weather is often COLD - we've had out winter coats - but it can be quite balmy as well. We've been in early February and found LOTS of crowds - been in January and had empty parks.

August - September - (I can't believe October has moved out of Value Season but August has moved in!). HOT and often wet. Discounts like free dining can bring crowds - IF they continue to offer them.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas - getting more crowded - a lot of people think this is the perfect time of year to go. Can be a little chilly - but weather seems to be more stable than January.

If you are willing to stay offsite, you can get better deals year round than on property, and great deals during these times of year. We've had stories of people renting three bedroom condos offsite for a week for what one night in a Disney Deluxe would cost.
 
September is better than August and you can still get free dining! I like May, too.
 
I found it really crowded then.
[talking about May] Compared to the 2nd week in September, it is crowded. Compared to March, April or July, it's a breeze! Also the weather is, IMO, much better than September or dec/jan/feb. September is typically hot and humid, with rain at times, and dec/jan can be cold. May is typically warm to hot and dry. Really, it's the most lovely time. Great beach weather, too (BIL & SIL live near the Gulf beaches).

Where we live schools start the wednesday after Labor day, making it very difficult to take vacation in September. I wouldn't want to take my kids out within the first 3 weeks of school when they're settling in and making friends. We always used to travel at that time before we had kids, and before they started "real" school, but now it's out for us.
 

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