#1 Least Crowded Week

[DrivenByDisney]

Right now there is no one here (relatively speaking) for peak times. I think the lat weeks of January is the best time to be here. We went to Magic yesterday with our first FP used at 3:05 PM. We rode the following rides listed below in order of riding, ate and were out of the park before 7:00 PM.

Space (FP)
Thunder (FP)
Splash (FP)
Splash Again (Walk on)
Pirates (Walk on)
Ate at Casey's Corner
Mansion (5 minutes)
Buzz (5 minutes)
Space again (10 minutes)

So we were able to ride eight attractions in less than four hours, plus breaking for a few hot dogs at Casey's for about 20 minutes or so. This is how dead Magic was yesterday. There was a light on and off rain throughout the day. However this never deters us from enjoying our visits. They only long wait we saw was at Seven Dwarfs and it was under an hour at one point. Everything else was under 20 minutes or at a walk on.

 

[kpearl]

I am going to echo all the others that said the two weeks after labor day. We're going 9/12-9/24 for our honeymoon

 

[Paigesmom2013]

I've seen rankings that the week after Thanksgiving is the slowest.

 

[anniemae]

Week after LD.

Week after new years day.

 

[KT0191]

We always go the week after Labor Day. Last year, it was way more crowded than previous years but still much less crowded than other times of the year. Wait times were still low, as well. We will be going the same dates this year. Yes, its ungodly hot and humid but I'd rather deal with that than higher crowds!

 

[DisneyMandC]

I'm definitely trying to go week after Labor Day in the future, but we went the week after Spring Break this year and the crowds were great. The only day it was bad was Saturday when all the locals showed up.

 

[Day-Day]

If you had to pick 1 week out of the entire year that would have the lowest crowds, which week would it be

Since I get to pick the week, I'd pick Memorial Day week and make it the lowest; this is when we are visiting due to school schedule of family member.

We are also planning to visit during one of the historical low weeks later in the year.

 

[Frozen2014]

Although maybe not quite as low, the week before Labor Day weekend is pretty good too.

This is an option for us since we're from Canada and we always take that week off (work for me/dh, no camp before school).

How is the weather that week? I think very hot and rainy?

 

[msb578]

This is an option for us since we're from Canada and we always take that week off (work for me/dh, no camp before school).

How is the weather that week? I think very hot and rainy?

To be honest with you, although the rides were mostly walk-ons, the weather made it almost unbearable for me. I was dripping with sweat at 8 am. My kids were fine though, strangely

I'm willing to try it again, but I'd definitely take a break in the afternoons.

We're about 100 miles (so 160 km?) from Kingston, Ontario. If you're from that region of Canada, we come from a similar climate. I realize it's a massive country though!

 

[CounselorX]

We've been the week after labor day, the week before labor day, and the last week of January. The week after labor day definitely takes the cake. We're going back for 2 weeks after labor day this year

 

[pearljamin03]

I will try not to take offense to that. . .

No offense intended! I don't mind LSU at all. It's Duke I can't stand

 

[memo10]

Generally, the slowest times are:

1. Right after kids to back to school (hence the post labor day suggestions
2. January after holiday peak time is over and when kids go back to school. When in doubt look at the room rate schedules on wdwinfo.com- you'll see its most expensive when they are traditionally more full, and less expensive in "slower" times. The pricing literally changes from week to week sometimes. This can help you pick a more "non-peak" time if that's what you are going for.

Its not a perfect science, don't ever expect a ghost town as WDW is very crowded these days and business is booming-generally even in slow times, so we are talking relative here. (personally I miss the post 2008 market crash years- parks were pretty lightly crowded much of the time, deals were rampant (free dining plan!), they were pulling all stops to get people in. Now its all expensive tickets (increasing yearly), no deals, crowded parks almost all the time.

Like when they let you in for free on your birthday in 2009?! That was the best!

 

[Atrain13]

What does everyone think about the last week of April through about the 10th of May?

 

[anniemae]

What does everyone think about the last week of April through about the 10th of May?

I have heard the beginning of May is a great time, the April breaks are over and FL schools are not out yet. Weather is beautiful.

 

[asbyrneva]

Although maybe not quite as low, the week before Labor Day weekend is pretty good too.

Shhhhh....

 

[anniemae]

Like when they let you in for free on your birthday in 2009?! That was the best!

I never heard of that!

 

[jessrose18]

we have been late april-may 12th 3 different times... crowds are moderate usually 4-6's on the charts. 2014 was the last time and of course it was more crowded than previous years. but, the weather has always been perfect. we have gone in mid september and the crowds were larger in may but weather wins out!

 

[DVCcurious]

So here's the deal on low crowds:

Are kids out of school (summer, spring break, or holidays)? Then it's crowded!
Are there special events (Food and Wine, Marathon, Flower and Garden)? Then it's crowded!

If it's any other time than those two things then it's "empty".

The absolute lowest week of the year will vary each year. For 2015 I believe the absolute lowest crowds were the week before Labor Day. This is because a hurricane was supposed to hit Orlando so locals delayed their trips until mid September. A normal year will see lower crowds the week after Labor Day than the week before.

But the point is that there is a massive difference between "kids out of school or major event" crowds and "kids in school no events" crowds. So if you go Jan 5th-Jan 12th you will have the lowest crowds of the year, same with September 10th - September 17th. While one may "technically" be lower crowds than the other there's no way you'd really be able to tell the difference. Both will have very low waits and ample dining opportunities.

The real answer to your question is simply:

Kids in school, no major events, and major weather event (freezing cold in January, Hurricane in September, etc). Whatever week has that combination will be the lowest of the year.

 

[Michigan_tinkerbell]

we plan on going Aug 25-30 are we in for really bad heat????

 

[revdon64]

we plan on going Aug 25-30 are we in for really bad heat????

Yes, but it's manageable if you plan correctly. Drink lots of water. Take a mid day break. Get Frogg Toggs. Bring ponchos.