Absolute best time to go???

[princesslondon]

I've heard many things about the best time to go to the "world" like May and Sept- tried both they were nice but there were a lot of people. While we were there last time (Sept) we asked the staff and they said the last three weeks in JAn. were the absolute best, but now I see the cheerleaders are there end of Jan early Feb. Does anyone know for sure??

 

[girlsx2]

We were there the second week of Feb and stayed at the WL. It was great!! No crowds in the parks or for the wait on the buses. There was one evening that the buses were crowded and some had to stand, but that was just one night out of 8. We never had to wait anymore than 20 minutes to ride anything! Most rides (even the popular rides) we walked right on. I can't imagine going any other time.

 

[mep319]

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas...is absolutely the best time...low crowds...nice weather...and decorated for Christmas!

 

[airhead]

....anytime you can! I think going at different times of the year
allows you to try different things.

airhead

 

[sbrotherton]

It depends. Sometimes when crowds are down, parks tend to close early or the weather is, while still nicer than most places, a bit chillier than you might want for a Florida vacation. My favorite time has been October during the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot. The crowds spiked a bit, but not badly, and the weather was heavenly. As far as I'm concerned though, any time is a great time to go.

 

[devine5829]

I am surprised you said Sept. When in Sept? We went the week after Labor Day and thought it was great. We were so spoiled we are not sure if we could go another time. We got to stay on some rides 2-3 times in a row, got PS's no problem. The only time we waited twice was because fast pass was closed on two rides and then we only waited 15 minutes (jungle cruise, fast track). I would recommend that week to anyone.

 

[Wendi]

We have gone in Jan. and are SPOILED! The only thing that I try to avoid is the week after NYE, MLK weekend and any Cheerleading events. I have nothing against them, but if you have ever gone while they are there you will know what I mean.
We LOVE January. Even if it is cooler and the parks close early we have the BEST time. We alway do every ride and most of the time 3 or 4 times each. We get plenty of rest and use the extra time at night to mozy around DD. We have also gone in Sept. and while we like that time as well the HEAT is just too much. We have found that the cooler temps are great. You get a vigorous, energizing start to the day with a light jacket or long sleeve shirt.
Then you are fine with jeans and shirt during the day. NO SWEATING, NO BUYING $3.00 waters every 15 minutes, NO LINES.
IT'S THE BEST TIME. Don't tell anyone . It also seems that you get a little extra attention from the CM's. You really feel like a princess . The best part is going on Buzz Lightyear 5+ times. Hope this helps, let me know if I can answer any specific questions.

Wendi

 

[Blondie]

Crowd wise, the last 3 weeks in January up until the 2nd week in February seem to be about the best in my opinion.

The weather in January can be tricky though! During our January trip this year, the first half was very nice, the second half Orlando had record breaking low temperatures (28 degrees!) You really need to pack for any kind of weather.

I'll also say that the third week in November, right before the Thanksgiving crowds arrive is also a very nice time, weather wise and crowd wise.

 

[jdads2]

Oour 1st trip was the end of October begining of November 2001, yes a 1 1/2 months after the attacks. The parks were nearly empty. Next trip was my DW and I the following Feb. and the parks were nearly as empty even though there were supposed to be 1,000,000 cheerleaders, ok maybe not that many, doesn't matter we only heard/saw them one morning after a very late night of merriment. We followed that up with a trip the following September, have to get full use out of those AP's! Weather was MUCH warmer and the crowds were a little heavier but never crowded. Now we're heading back this December, before Christmas. We really enjoy the light crowds. We can really take our time and relax. So far so good with crowds.

 

[PTarbay]

We have gone on all the off season times.I like going after Thanksgiving but before Christmas.Most rides are walk ons,everything is decorated for Christmas,for some reason we get lucky and the weather is just perfect.There's always MVMCP at this time too.Two years ago there were cheerleaders and pop warner the first week of December.They must be there a couple of different times.

 

[tamman]

I would love to go in the Fall, but since I am a teacher my times to go are limited . We are going Feb 13-22. I know it's during President's Week, but I would rather go then than during Easter. I can't go during the Summer... too hot. Maybe one year, I'll just say what the heck and go in the Fall!!!!

 

[Mamu]

I have gone in Feb. March, April and May.

I find May can be sometimes too hot, some day it's in the high 90°. Nice beach weather but a little hot to be walking around the parks.

April and May better weather then May but I find all 3 months can sometimes be very crowded.

February can be cool, and up until Presidents weekend the crowds are low. Not always the best swimming weather but great for doing parks.


I have never had the opportunity of going in the fall. I hear the early fall can be very hot. I also hear crowds are not that bad until the weekends.

I usually choose my trips around my Grandchildrens vacation so we are limited to times. I rather spend a week at the beach in the summer. Forget Easter, been there done that. So basically it spring or winter vacation. I'm choosing the winter vacation again this year.

 

[KathyFP]

We enjoy the fall Late Oct early Nov. Nice weather, not crowded, cheaper price.

When we went for NYE it was wonderful, but got very cold. 32 degres the day we left FL.

 

[cdrn1]

We used to go in October. Perfect weather, low crowds. The last 2 times we went in October the crowds had definitely increased. We changed to the first week in December. Beautiful weather, low crowds, and the beauty of the Christmas decorations. This year, DD is expecting in December so we switched to 3rd week in September. Lowest crowds I have ever seen, weather was hot and humid but not unmanageable, lots of time spent in pool. My favorite time remains the first week in December.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I agree with Blondie... mid to late January and early Feb. are really nice because the crowds are low and the weather is cool. Warning, it can get really cold at times... make sure to bring a coat, gloves, hat, etc for the evenings. It's fun to drink hot chocolate in the parks at night instead of sweating to death.

We also love late spring, after all the spring breakers are gone. The crowds are low but the temps can be really hot! Two springs ago it was in the high 90's most days we were there.

We also love the fall. If you time it right there are low crowds during certain weeks.

The times we avoid are summer, labor day, soap week, and pretty much the whole spring from mid Feb. through early May.

 

[milmore104]

First year we ever went was in the middle of Aug. NEVER again. Then after that we always took our yearly trip May. My DH loves it then and so do I. The flowers are beautiful it is usually 85* and nice in the evening. It can sometimes get a little warm during the day. I didn't really mind the crowds then it was nothing like in the summer! And the last 2 years we have gone in the middle of Dec. and Nov. It was beautiful in Dec. seeing the x-mas decorations we loved it. We actually checked out on Dec. 24th. the crowds were great until the 22nd. Then they were out of this world. Some parks were actually closed do to max. cap. I love x-mas so I really wanted to go then but I don't think I would do it again. I live on the Canadian border of NY state and the winters are freezing so I like to go on vacation and be warm and one night it actually got to 35*. It was to cold to do anything. And when we went in Nov. I loved it the crowds were great not to busy. The weather was great for the first week but as we ended the second week it started to get chilly at night. Loved the Food and wine festival. Would love to do that again soon! But we will be heading back in May again in 04'

 

[ceecee]

we normally go the last week or two in Sept (value rates). However this year, it was very crowded (from what we are used to). Now we are trying to fiqure out another time to go as well.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

Our experience in WDW in early December (before the Christmas crowds) was PERFECT for us. Good weather, beautiful decorations and the attractions were walk- ons!

 

[MinnieGi]

There are lots of great and low crowded times to go as you can tell by all the posts!!! We've gone at several different weeks and our favorites are: First week in Feb & First week in Dec!

Feb: we found very low crowds, walk-ons mostly. Saw the cheerleaders only one evening in the parks and totally not a problem. In 2003 it was warm enough to swim almost everyday. The nights were a bit chillier but still much warmer than at home!

Dec: we found low crowds but not as low as Feb. But the big draw here is all the Christmas decorations are out and they are GORGEOUS!!!!

 

[Lucky4me]

In total agreement with the end of January. We went Jan.26- Feb. 3 this year and have never seen such low crowds. Walk ons to everything all week. DD went on Peter Pan 14 times, most of those times in one day because they didn't tell her to get off-no one was waiting....I stood and watched her go around and around and around. Twice was enough for me.

Previously we had gone the first week of December for the Christmas decorations. The last time in 2001 it was packed. I think it used to be a quiet time but not any more....